How to Describe Scenes in Screenplay Writing: Balancing Description with Action

Introduction

Writing a screenplay is both an art and a science. While the dialogue is the living, breathing heart of the story, the description provides the backdrop. It’s crucial to strike a balance between detailed descriptions and focused action. We discuss the importance of adding enough detail to visualize the scene while staying concise and impactful, allowing the director and production team to bring the story to life.

Finding the Balance in Your First Draft

When you first write a screenplay, it’s okay to be generous with your description. Think of the first draft as a canvas where you can paint your world in rich detail. However, it’s essential to cut down to the essentials in subsequent drafts. The goal is to achieve a balance where the description adds value without overwhelming the reader or the scene. Remember, no rule is set in stone, but this guideline is often suggested for new writers.

Here are a few tips for balancing description and action:

Write Detailed Description: Describe the visual details of the scene, enhancing the reader’s understanding without adding unnecessary words. Focus on Psychological Details: As Christopher Nolan suggests, focus on the psychological aspects rather than just the physical elements. This can make the characters more relatable and engaging. Limit to Three or Four Lines: Aim to limit each description to three to four lines. This keeps the screenplay concise and readable. Create a Rhythm: Use action and description to create a natural flow and rhythm in the screenplay.

Creating a Visual Image for the Director

Descriptions in your screenplay should not only serve the writer but also the production team. A good description helps the director and other team members visualize the scenes accurately. Here is an example of how to create a vivid and engaging description:

EXT. DUSTY VILLAGE SQUARE - 1950s CYPRUS - DAY

The sun-drenched village square in 1950s Cyprus appears frozen in time. Dust hangs lazily in the air, casting a warm golden hue over everything. Weathered stone buildings with faded terracotta roofs encircle the square.

In the center of the square, a small group of teenager BOYS, ages 16 to 18, play a spirited game of makeshift football. Their laughter and shouts echo off the ancient stone walls.

At the far end of the square, a VILLAGE FOUNTAIN stands, its stone basin cracked with age. The water trickles faintly, providing a soothing melody amidst the youthful chaos.

On the opposite side of the square, under the generous shade of a Majestic OLIVE TREE, stands an old weathered BENCH. A teenage GIRL, around 16, with long dark hair and wearing a modest dress, sits upon the bench. She is engrossed in a BOOK, her fingers gently turning the yellowed pages. Her face is illuminated by the soft dappled sunlight filtering through the olive leaves.

The village square, a tranquil oasis in the midst of history, brims with life, laughter, and the timeless beauty of 1950s Cyprus.

Note: In this example, the description is detailed yet concise, providing a clear visual image for the director. It includes relevant details such as the weather, the group of boys, the fountain, the olive tree, and the lone girl reading. These elements are set in uppercase to ensure the production team can easily identify the key elements to include in the scene.

Enhancing the Psychological Aspect

According to Christopher Nolan, focusing on the psychological aspect of the characters can add depth and richness to the screenplay. This means describing not just what the character is doing but also their emotional state and mindset. Here’s an example of how to incorporate this into your screenplay:

EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - DAY

The dusty village square in 1950s Cyprus is silent, as if frozen in time. The sun casts a warm golden hue over everything, and a light mist of dust hovers in the air. Around the edges, stone buildings with faded terracotta roofs encircle the square.

In the center, a group of teenage BOYS, ages 16 to 18, play a spirited game of makeshift football. Their laughter and shouts echo off the ancient stone walls, though a sense of unease lingers in the air. One boy in particular, BOY A, looks unusually anxious, his eyes reverting to the cracked fountain at the far end of the square. The water trickles faintly, providing a soothing melody amidst the youthful chaos.

Under the generous shade of a Majestic OLIVE TREE, a teenage GIRL, around 16, with long dark hair and wearing a modest dress, sits upon a weathered BENCH, engrossed in a BOOK. Her fingers gently turn the yellowed pages, and her face is illuminated by the soft dappled sunlight filtering through the olive leaves. She seems lost in thought, her expression reflecting a mixture of introspection and melancholy.

BOY A slowly approaches the fountain, his hands trembling slightly. The fountain’s cracked basin mirrors his inner turmoil as he leans in, his eyes never straying from the water’s reflection. The girl notices the change in his demeanor and looks up, her gaze meeting his with a hint of understanding.

Conclusion

Mastering the balance between description and action is crucial in screenplay writing. Descriptions should be rich enough to bring the scene to life, such as the vivid depiction of the dusty village square, while still being concise and focused. By keeping the description to three or four lines, highlighting key elements, and emphasizing the psychological aspect of the characters, you can create compelling and engaging scenes that resonate with both the writer and the production team.