John and Craig are all action this week, looking at how screenwriters write those things characters do in a movie.
It’s a part of the craft that often goes unnoticed — unlike dialogue, you don’t hear the writer’s work — but smartly-written action pays dividends, helping readers see the movie you want them to make.
We follow-up our discussion with a look at four (!) samples from the Three Page Challenge that focus on action, with ample praise for those that do it well and some suggestions for those who fumble a bit.
Also this week: a short history of (annoyed grunt), better known as d’oh!
If you’re listening to the podcast on the site, do us a favor and also leave us a review on iTunes. Great reviews help other listeners find us, and further Craig’s singing-to-a-stadium agenda.
LINKS:
- Dan Castellaneta explains Homer Simpson’s “D’oh!”
- James Finlayson’s “Doohh!”
- Meltdown Comics
- Three pages by Ben Jacoby
- Three pages by Trevor Hollen
- Three pages by Randall J. Knox & Jason Zahodnik
- Three pages by David Stripinis
- Sleepwalk With Me, a film by Mike Birbiglia
- INTRO: GI Joe Epic Opening
- OUTRO: Raw (remix) by Big Daddy Kane
You can download the episode here: AAC.
UPDATE 9-7-12: The transcript of this episode can be found here.