Why This is Good

The language of screenwriting is different than other forms of writing. We already know that screenwriting utilizes visual images, terse writing style, and short, declarative sentences. It is important to avoid overly flowery language but still use enough of the most precise adjectives to convey a vivid image of both person and place. This is done best by using details and visual clues that capture the essence of what things look and feel like without having to go into too much detail.

Every writer must find their own style, even within the generally accepted guidelines of screenwriting prose. This can become especially difficult if English is not your native language. Colloquialisms, slang, and current trends in language are important to incorporate into your writing, but if you’re not used to writing in English, this becomes a challenge. Both the action description and dialogue can sound too formal and stilted if you’re not a native speaker. Listening to real life conversations is important for all screenwriters trying to perfect their dialogue, but it is essential for non-native speakers. You’ll learn phrases, expressions, and sentence structure that isn’t taught in English classes. If you’re not a native English speaker, you should also try to read as many screenplays as possible. Reading only books, magazines and newspapers will not help you get used to the appropriate language that should be used in a screenplay.

After you’ve written your story, have as many native English speakers-whether they are screenwriters or not-read your script and give you feedback on the language you’ve used. Revise as many times as needed to make sure your script sounds completely Americanized.

Everyone, no matter what language they speak, should share their story, and screenwriting is one of the best ways to reach a large audience with your vision.

Finding the perfect word is a struggle all writers face. In screenwriting, this becomes an even greater challenge, as you must use very few words. The words you choose are critical to the way your script reads, and the images you are able to evoke in the mind of the reader.

Unlike prose writing, screenplays are only able to describe what we see or hear on screen.  Because of this it is essential that everything you write be visual, vivid, and descriptive enough to paint a clear picture in your reader’s mind. All while using as few words as possible.

In elementary school, I had already developed a reputation for being an overly prolific writer. I’m not even sure if I was ever a particularly good writer, or if I just got attention for the volume of verbose essays and short stories I was able to produce. When we graduated from sixth grade our teachers wrote a poem about each child and what they would do when they grew up. For me they wrote: “The length of the novel War and Peace was outrageous, Ginger wrote a book with twice as many pages.” Writing concisely, in the terse, simple style that a screenplay requires has been a challenge for me.

When writing your first draft, focus on the story and getting the ideas down on paper. Don’t worry about how many words you’re using, this is limiting and will keep you from moving forward in creating the story. In subsequent revisions, you can focus on limiting the words, and finding the perfect word choice. When re-reading your script, it will be easy to see what is redundant and repetitive. It will also help to have others proofread or edit your script for you. Reading the screenplay aloud will also help you identify unnecessary words.

Reading other screenplays will help you identify the proper screenwriting style that you need to employ to most effectively convey your story. Start with your favorite movies, then start reading scripts from films that have been successful, or won Academy Awards. Take notes as you read on how the author described settings, people, and action and what visual details they chose. Familiarizing yourself with the language used in professional screenplays will help your own writing.

Below are some beautifully written examples of vivid details and descriptions that paint a visual picture of exactly what is going on. These descriptions, however short, create an image in the reader’s mind, as well as a sense of tone.

From the Academy Award Winning screenplay for Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

“With seven walls of white stone, so strong and old that it seems to have been not built, Minas Tirith looks carven by giants out of the bones of the earth.”

“Minas Morgul, a massive dead city, set upon a rocky knee at the head of the Morgul Valley. Corrupted and loathsome, it glows with a sickly luminous light – like a corpse candle.”

“Silence surrounds them, there are no birds, no wind. Only the ominously muffled thud of their horses hooves on the dank fern needles.”

“Tall peaks rise on either side, like pillars holding up a sagging sky.”

“The Wall of Rohirrim Horses and spears is seemingly unstoppable! Entire Orc companies vanish under their hooves, like sand beneath a foaming breaker.”