As
far as I’m concerned, there’s only one rule for action/direction lines in
screenwriting: SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT JUST KEEP IT SHORT.
For
example, if there’s a scene with a guy sitting alone in a restaurant, it’s OK
to say there’s a melancholy air hanging over him. Or to be specific and say
he’s thinking about his recently deceased wife. Just do it in one or two sentences,
not fifteen.
Sometimes
there’s a need to describe a scene in order create a certain atmosphere. For
example, the scene’s set in a bad part of town. So go ahead and mention that
there are bars on the windows, pawn shops, and a rough-looking gang prowling
the streets. But stop there; we don’t need the details of their haircuts.
On
the other hand, if the scene is in a high rise office, and there’s nothing
unusual about it, leave the description out. Just put the location in the scene
heading: INT. MARTINA’S OFFICE – 45TH FLOOR – DAY.
Remember,
a movie is supposed to move. So describe what’s happening without hovering over
it too long, then move on to the next event.
***
I’m
going to be taking a couple of weeks off from the blog. But I shall return!
Next post: 4-11-13. See you then.
Keep
writing—
--Steve
