A question to those of you who have discussed with producers. Discussed with producers who have money, rather than no-budget producers like myself.
How much details do producers want the screenwriter to include in a spec script?
The screenwriting manuals which I have read, they suggest that one minimizes the amount of details. Leave it to the director or producer because they want to create.
Sounds believable, and from my filming I know that it is often necessary to improvise, so better minimize the amount of details.
But at the same time, multiple persons who have read my new screenplay have commented that they would like me to describe the characters with more details.
So what is your experience?
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Hey Göran Johansson ,
Honestly imo, it depends on the producer. Some want enough detail to really get the tone and feel of the script, while others just want a solid blueprint without too much extra fluff.
Most screenwriting advice says to keep details light since filmmaking is so collaborative. But character descriptions are different—if multiple people are saying they need more, it probably means they’re having trouble picturing them. Maybe just focus on key traits, little quirks, or how they carry themselves, rather than going too deep. also remember the ones with the money really really value their time so dont bs them
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Hi, Göran Johansson. Different producers like different things. One producer might like really short action lines, and some might like extra details in action lines. I like to only write enough detail to paint a picture of what's going on and make the read exciting or interesting for the reader. And I only describe things that are important to the story.
Dan MaxXx ahahaha yea the whole Nissan thing would have got me tight !!
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You put in the screenplay what you want to make it to the final movie. If a character has a specific look or quirk that's essential to the story, add it in. If there is a specific household decoration that is important later in the story, add it in. Anyone can change anything. From what I'm hearing, Blake Lively was a real pain in the ass on the set of IT ENDS WITH US changing her character completely and acting like the whole movie was her idea even having Ryan Renyolds coming on set to intimidate the director and star Justin Baldoni. Personally, I would have dropped Reynolds on his ...
The basic rule of law is when you read it, if it starts to bore you, it will probably bore a reader, so remove some ink.
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I never sold any screenplay so take my 2 cents with a pinch of salt. From what I've learnt the most important thing is to, first understand your own characters, and second let them describe themselves through the story by what they say and do. I only use a short description concealed under action, when I introduce them:
"The BARTENDER [South Pacific Islander, 45], drying a glass in the dark corner of the bar, drops the cloth, grabs a small jar from a shelf and begins to walk, limping, swinging his big size, towards Charles.
As he approaches, Charles can't help but feel the chills as he stares at the Bartender's messy black hair, thick beard, and that eye patch."
If there is any significant change in the aspect then I use the same trick.
I'm not sure if this answers your question.
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Dear friends, due to the flue, it took a few days before I used your advice. But now I try to revise my screenplay.
So here comes how the characters are described the first time they appear
Old version :
PAULINE, 30, exits in grief.
GUNPOWDER, 50, bolts in sloppily dressed, and takes cover.
ALBERT, 60, wearing office attire, presses the intercom button.
BERTHA, 55, Southern, impeccably dressed, works at a computer.
MARLENE, 20, wearing expensive clothes, enters behind him.
New version :
PAULINE, 30, attractive and dressed in black, exits in grief, eyes filled with tears.
GUNPOWDER, 50, holding a cigar, bolts in sloppily dressed in something which advertises a liquor brand, and takes cover.
ALBERT, 60, irritated, wearing spectacles and office attire, presses the intercom button.
BERTHA, 55, Southern, with too much make-up, wearing expensive spectacles and impeccably dressed, works at a computer.
MARLENE, 20, attractive and wearing expensive clothes, has a crucifix in her necklace when she enters behind him.
So, do you feel that the Changes means improvement? Or should I rewrite in some other way?
Yes, there are only five characters, and I know what can happen so I decided only to add details which will cause no problems.
Hi, Göran Johansson. The new version is better. The reader knows more about the characters now, and the action lines aren't really long.