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Action is more than just gunfights and car chases

Episode - 53

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September 4, 2012 Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed, Words on the page

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.

Related Posts

  1. A character sings a song
  2. Action writing
  3. The Unnecessary General

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