| by John Finnegan
Crafting action sequences in a screenplay is a common challenge for screenwriters. While it may seem straightforward to translate a vision into words, the reality is far more complex. Action sequences often evolve significantly during production, influenced by directors, cinematographers, editors, and other collaborators. So, how should you approach writing an action scene that not only reads well but also leaves room for creative adaptation on set?
Let’s explore key principles of writing compelling and functional action scenes, supported by examples from notable scripts like The Bourne Ultimatum, The Dark Knight, and Gravity.
The Purpose of Action Sequences
Before delving into techniques, it’s essential to understand the purpose of action sequences. These scenes are more than just visually exciting moments; they should:
Drive the story forward.
Reflect the characters’ traits, motivations, and arcs.
Engage the reader while leaving room for interpretation by filmmakers.
The action in your script must serve the narrative while being adaptable enough for the practical realities of production.
Key Principles for Writing Action Sequences
1. Clarity Is Crucial
Your action scenes should be concise and clear. Avoid unnecessary details about layouts or specific camera angles unless absolutely essential to the story. For example, in The Bourne Ultimatum, action beats are brief and to the point:
We can see from this page of action that it is direct and concise. This is a good description. It's visual in it's tone and tells you only what is important. It begins with Bourne stealing a car and "peeling out". Vosen is racing across town (again, nothing more needed here) and the next scene shows Bourne getting recognised by a pursuing police officer.
2. Use Pacing to Build Tension
Pacing is critical in action sequences. You can reflect the tempo of the scene through sentence structure and formatting. In The Bourne Ultimatum, a high-speed car chase is written with short, punchy sentences that mirror the adrenaline rush of the scene.
Notice that each beat of action is a scene in its own right. This isn't mandatory in a script, but the writer isn't treating it as a montage of action (as some writers tend to do). It is respectful of script formatting guidelines and it also gives a great sense of pace. In this page, it is clear that one minute is equal to one page.
Additionally, the use of techniques like the "double dash" (--) suggests rapid transitions between actions:
The passenger side agent sees BOURNE, points --
This double hyphen functions like an interruption and suggests a rapid cutting to the next beat of action. This can be seen in some of Aaron Sorkin's scripts as well because of the rapid-fire effect that his dialogue can take sometimes.
Notice how the writer doesn't describe the officer trying to shoot at Bourne, he just describes the difficulty of doing so because of the high speeds they are driving at. The writer isn't specific here, just allowing the filmmakers to get a sense of what is important.
The closing scene of the page shows Bourne approaching Port Authority, but again, is not specific about location.
Let's look at the next page of the sequence:
Like the page before, the sequence continues to be clear and concise, giving only what is needed for the reader to understand the high speed of the chase, the general direction the characters are moving in (towards Port Authority) and providing plenty of inspiration for the filmmakers to come.
One thing of interest here is the use of expository dialogue in the top half of the page. The characters are very blunt about telling us where they are headed. Sometimes people feel like they shouldn't be writing expository dialogue, but action sequences such as this demand it sometimes. It acts as a compass for audiences to reposition themselves in the action if they get confused or lost.
Next page:
The scene of Bourne in the car park is more detailed than before. It gives specific directions for the cast and gives precise descriptions of the layout of the location. It probably wasn't that important, and may not even be in the final film. Since it isn't so precise (most multi-story car park locations such as this would be appropriate) it's not a problem.
Another thing to note is that the writer uses the term SERIES OF SHOTS as a general scene header for merging a lot of the scenes together. This helps to maintain the pacing of the script and really ramp up the tension for the reader. It might sound like the writer is breaking some of the unspoken rules of screenwriting and should be giving each location change a new scene header, but this isn't really a problem as the writer has already established these scenes effectively already. It's not as though the filmmakers would have a hard time trying to determine what scenes have to be filmed. The setups for the previous scenes and the action within them would cater to these 'series of shots'. Probably not a habit for writer's to get into starting out, but it's not a deal breaker in a scene like this I think. There is a consistency in how it is written as well, and this helps.
The great thing about the way The Bourne Ultimatum is written is that it doesn't box the filmmaker into a specific way of making the film. It is communicative of what the audience will experience and in that respect, it is a well-written script. However, the filmmakers can still bring their ideas to the table as well. So many times, screenwriters get too precise in the action sequences. It creates a script and is unfilmable for those specific reasons. The success of the scenes can hinge on specifics about locations that might not even be achievable in reality.
3. Show, Don’t Tell
Focus on actions and their impact rather than over-explaining movements. In The Dark Knight, Batman’s fight scenes emphasize action with simple yet dynamic descriptions:
You will notice that, like The Bourne Ultimatum, this is precisely where it needs to be and vague and 'inspirational' the rest of the time. The writers' emphasise KICKING and PUNCHING in upper case and describes all the tasks that Batman has to do without being overly prescriptive. Some people might write this as a series of bullet points, but, perhaps because he is directing this as well, Nolan is able to give himself more freedom on the day of filming by keeping it vague.
Notice how the second paragraph becomes far more precise and takes up almost as much space in the script as the previous paragraph, despite being a far shorter moment in the film itself.
4. Be Selectively Specific
Provide enough detail to set the scene but leave room for the filmmakers’ interpretation. In Gravity, specific beats are highlighted for dramatic effect:
In this sequence, we can see a very clear and direct set of bullet points that show each beat of action as it is likely to unfold on the screen. Key moments, such as WATER POURS IN and IT PUSHES HER BACK IN are emphasised in upper case.
This makes it easy to read as well because it means the reader can skim through the action and get an accurate sense of the scenes as they unfold. It can also be considered equally ineffective when so much of the scenes are in uppercase.
5. Incorporate Character and Emotion
Action should reveal something about the characters. For example:
When Bourne evades the police, it reflects his resourcefulness and intelligence.
Batman’s precision in The Dark Knight showcases his discipline and tactical prowess.
Sandra Bullock’s character in Gravity fighting against the water underscores her resilience and thematic rebirth.
Every action sequence should tie back to character development or the story’s central themes.
Formatting Tips for Action Sequences
Break up dense blocks of text: Use short paragraphs or bullet points to make action easier to follow.
Use uppercase sparingly: Emphasize key actions or moments, but avoid overusing capitalization.
Scene headers: Clearly mark location changes, but you can also use broader terms like “SERIES OF SHOTS” for sequences with rapid transitions.
For instance, in The Bourne Ultimatum, a "series of shots" ties together multiple locations in a cohesive, fast-paced sequence. This flexibility allows filmmakers to adapt the script to real-world shooting conditions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Over-describing actions or settings: Remember, production teams will reinterpret your words to fit logistical realities.
Ignoring pacing: Long, dense descriptions can slow down the reading experience, undermining the energy of the scene.
Lacking emotional impact: Action without meaning risks becoming hollow spectacle.
Conclusion
Writing action sequences is about striking a balance between clarity, creativity, and adaptability. By focusing on the story’s needs, reflecting character traits, and leaving room for interpretation, you create scenes that are both engaging to read and practical to film.
Remember, action is a tool to enhance your narrative. Whether it’s Bourne outsmarting his pursuers, Batman rescuing hostages, or a desperate escape in Gravity, the best action sequences leave a lasting impact because they’re grounded in the story and the characters driving it.
(Image Copyright: Universal Pictures)
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