Action Lines
How to write action lines that are visual, short, and present tense. The description that tells the reader what the camera sees.
What action lines are
Action lines (also called description) tell the reader what the camera sees and hears. They sit at the left margin, full width, in the same Courier font as everything else.
Keep them short
Three or four lines per paragraph is the sweet spot. Longer blocks slow the read and bury the important details. If a paragraph runs long, break it into two.
Write what can be filmed
A screenplay describes what the audience will see and hear. Not what a character is thinking. Not what the theme is. Just what is visible and audible on screen.
If a character is nervous, don't write "John feels nervous." Write what nervous looks like: "John drums his fingers on the table. His coffee sits untouched."
Introduce characters in caps
The first time a character appears, write their name in ALL CAPS with a brief description. "VINCENT (30s, tired, coat damp from the rain) enters." After that, use normal case.
Present tense, active voice
Action lines are always in present tense. "John walks" not "John walked." Active voice keeps the read fast: "John kicks the door" not "The door is kicked by John."
Try it yourself
Open Scene Forges, type a scene heading, press Enter, and start writing action. The indentation and spacing are handled for you.
Try it yourself.
Open Scene Forges and practice this directly in the screenplay editor.