Action
ACTION refers to the basic unit of screenwriting: descriptions of what happens in the scene, including physical and psychological movement. When combined with a character’s dialogue, action helps to tell the story and are what comprise the bulk of the screenplay, conveying character, sound, and visual details about the world to the audience (or reader).
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[edit] Alternate Definitions
[edit] The Script Lab
The bulk of the screenplay included the scene description, character actions and activities, and the sounds as described.[1]
[edit] Dictionary.com
1. The process or state of acting or of being active. 2. Something done or performed; act; deed. 3. An act that one consciously wills and that may be characterized by physical or mental activity. 4. Actions, habitual or usual acts; conduct. 5. Energetic activity.[2]
[edit] Examples
Screenplays require action to propel the story and need the use of action lines to apply it. Because of this, there are as many different ways of using action to tell the story as there have been screenplays.
Each individual action of a script often has deeper resonances with the character who attempts the action or endures the action happening to them, so that the action itself gives the audience a glimpse into the character’s attitude, their change, or gives insight into the character’s core. For instance, Alex DeLarge (Malcom McDowell) from A Clockwork Orange (1971) imposes his will upon his victims through the acts of rape and violence; these choices of actions telegraph Alex’s attitude to the audience. Alternatively, in Braveheart (1995), William Wallace (Mel Gibson) undergoes a character change when an English Commander publicly executes his bride (Catherine McCormack); provoking William to abandon his life as a family man and sends him down a warrior’s path. Action demonstrates a character’s core in the case of Luke (Paul Newman) in Cool Hand Luke (1967); showing the audience that no amount of physical, emotional or psychological action performed against Luke will break his rebellious foundation.
Action lines in screenplays differ in their execution as well. For instance; Se7en (1995) describes a gritty, thrilling chase scene when Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) encounter Jon Doe (Kevin Spacey) inside Doe’s apartment complex. The ensuing chase is written beat-for-beat in the script—making for a suspenseful read that accurately mirrors the film. Byn contrast, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, describes the Fellowship escaping the Balrog’s wrath by descending a long, perilous staircase. In the film, this scene clocks out at more than two minutes long; yet the script is curiously nondescript—the sequence written simply as, “The FELLOWSHIP race down the stairway.”
[edit] See Also
[edit] External Links
TSLU Wiki ACTION
