When I write my next script 2026, I will be focused more on the dialogue and less on the action across the page. I’ll let the actors figure it out and blocking can be done on set. I’m no longer taking the right from an actor to figure on their own how a character moves or what emotions they should have. They dialogue will tell them everything they need to know.
Good writing fellow writers!
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I suggest focusing on both, Abram Christian. Dialogue and action are both extremely important, and I think letting the actors figure it out and letting the director and crew figure out blocking on set are risky. Some action in scripts can be vague, but some of it needs to be specific so the actors, director, etc. know what's happening in the story.
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Your instinct about trusting actors and directors with physical choices is sound, and it reflects an understanding of how collaborative filmmaking actually works. Some of the most memorable moments in cinema emerged from actors and directors discovering blocking organically during rehearsals or on set.
That said, I'd encourage you to find balance rather than swinging to the opposite extreme. Completely eliminating action lines can create its own problems:
Why some action matters:
- Action conveys essential story information that dialogue can't always communicate naturally
- Key physical moments (a character noticing something, a meaningful gesture, critical plot actions) need to be on the page
- Readers and executives evaluate scripts visually - they need enough action to "see" your film
What you're right to cut:
- Overly detailed blocking that dictates every head turn and hand gesture
- Prescriptive emotional direction ("she looks sad," "he feels angry")
- Micromanaging actor choices that professionals should discover themselves
The strongest screenplays provide essential visual storytelling while leaving creative space for interpretation. Think of action lines as painting the broad strokes - establishing critical physical beats, spatial relationships, and story-essential movements - while trusting your collaborators to fill in the nuanced details.
Dialogue does carry enormous weight in revealing character, but cinema remains a visual medium. Some of the most powerful moments happen without words at all, and those need to exist on your page to demonstrate your storytelling vision.
Consider refining your action lines to be more efficient and less controlling, rather than eliminating them entirely. Your collaborators will appreciate both clarity about your vision and freedom to contribute their expertise.
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Pat Alexander Pat Alexander Maurice Vaughan 5
That is my sole intention. it’s not to eliminate completely but to minimize with an equal balance thusly inciting less control. Great advice!