How to Write Clear Action and Subtle Dialogue: Screenplay Tips from ISF Lab
Action needs clarity; dialogue lives in subtext. Practical scriptwriting tips from a CFA screenwriting lab on writing action blocks, pacing, and revealing characters.
Why Action and Dialogue Matter (and How They Differ)
Action = Clarity
Action blocks tell the reader (and eventually the director/actor) what physically happens, how the world looks and moves, and what the audience should register.Dialogue = Subtext
Spoken lines rarely say everything a character feels. Great dialogue often implies things through what’s left unsaid, rhythm, and contradiction between speech and behavior.
Together they should advance story and reveal character. Every interaction should either test the protagonist or reveal something essential about them.
Action — Rules, Options, and Practical Tips
Core rule: prioritize clarity
If readers consistently don’t understand a moment, your action lacks clarity. Be explicit enough that a first-time reader can picture the beat.
Think visually: action should translate into a camera/actor moment. That said, clarity doesn’t mean verbosity — it means precise description.
Economy and tempo
Short, punched-up lines create rhythm and speed (useful in sci‑fi, horror, and action).
Longer, denser paragraphs can create mood and immersion (useful in period/spy dramas or “novelistic” tone scripts).
Both approaches can work — pick what serves your story’s voice and genre.
Punctuation, caps, and white space as tools
Use ALL CAPS sparingly to flag key visual or audio elements (e.g., “SPINNER” or “PILOT FISH”) — they help direct reader attention.
White space guides the reader’s eye and prevents “black‑wall” fatigue. Shorter blocks encourage page-turning.
Vary line breaks to control tempo: many short lines for urgency; longer blocks for immersion.
Scene construction and slug lines
Use slug lines (INT/EXT — location — DAY/NIGHT) to anchor time and place. Don’t linger in one slug line if the action has already moved.
Break scenes into clear beats — readers should be able to “skip” through the camera moves without getting lost.
Practical habit: teach the reader the world
When your world needs explanation (sci‑fi, fantasy, specialty sports like surfing), assume readers know nothing. Brief, vivid specifics help them follow later beats.
Show, don’t over‑explain. Use small, memorable details (the garlic smell, a windmill’s bent wing) to build the world.
Dialogue — Subtext, Intention, and Scene strategy
Dialogue’s job is rarely literal
Most powerful dialogue hides the true intention. Characters often skirt the subject and reveal themselves through attitude, metaphor, or small actions.
Subtext examples: talk about food to reveal geopolitics; talk about farming/garlic to plead for life, mercy, or human connection.
Make every line do work
Each line should either move the plot, reveal a trait, or escalate stakes.
If a character’s speech doesn’t impact the lead or the situation, cut it.
Techniques for writing subtext
1. Draft the literal: first, write the scene where characters say exactly what they mean.
2. Delete and compress: remove explicit statements and replace them with indirect exchanges or small actions that imply meaning.
3. Add “business”: physical actions (reaching in a fridge, fidgeting, checking a watch) can carry emotional subtext alongside speech.
4. Use props/metaphor: recurring objects or references (a shared song, a family recipe, a chair) can express history and emotion without exposition.
5. Silence and beats: sometimes what isn’t said is more powerful. Trim words until the silence carries weight.
Dialogue with multiple characters
Keep clarity by giving characters specific physical tasks or obstacles (Phoebe Waller-Bridge method: “three obstacles”), so the reader can track who’s doing what and why.
Combine action & dialogue: have people performing different actions while talking — it triangulates attention and sustains clarity.
Practical habit: teach the reader the world
When your world needs explanation (sci‑fi, fantasy, specialty sports like surfing), assume readers know nothing. Brief, vivid specifics help them follow later beats.
Show, don’t over‑explain. Use small, memorable details (the garlic smell, a windmill’s bent wing) to build the world.
Comparing two styles — what to learn from the examples
Blade Runner 2049 example: Action-driven, punctuated, cinematic. Lots of visual cues and well-placed caps; long mute stretches that rely on world-building as a third character. Use this when you need immersive, image-based scenes.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy example: Dense, novelistic action blocks that focus on texture, mood, and small social details. When used well for espionage/period drama, this density delivers atmosphere and subtle tension. But be mindful: heavy blocks can scare some readers; white space and targeted punctuation can help.
Practical, numbered tips you can use immediately
1. Aim for clarity first: if multiple readers miss something, revise your action line for explicitness.
2. Keep action blocks readable: favor shorter lines and paragraphs unless immersion demands density.
3. Flag the important beats: use visual cues (bold/ALL CAPS sparingly) or repetition to make sure key details land.
4. Draft literal dialogue, then pare: write what characters would actually say, then remove explicit statements to reveal subtext.
5. Give non-speaking characters something to do: action anchors the eye and preserves clarity in crowded scenes.
6. Use props/metaphor to carry backstory and emotion—food, songs, or a recurring object work well.
7. Daily chip method: write 15–30 minutes daily. Consistency beats huge but infrequent sessions.
8. Get early readers: fresh eyes catch clarity failures you’ve become blind to.
On voice, rules, and breaking rules
Voice is the arbiter of rules. A strong, consistent voice gives you permission to bend formatting or pacing.
The industry prefers readable scripts, but if your voice demands denser or more lyrical action, ensure it earns the reader’s patience early.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Over-explaining action that an actor or director could easily stage.
Letting action become an essay — lose the reader with blocky paragraphs.
Subtext that’s so opaque readers can’t infer the stakes (if multiple readers are confused, clarify).
Relying on shock or heavy subjects to elicit emotion without structural or character grounding.
Final reminders from the lab
Every line of action and every exchange should have purpose: test the character, reveal truth, or move the plot.
If you aren’t sure what a scene accomplishes, write it plainly, then mine it for subtext.
Be intentional about tempo: white space, punctuation, and line length shape how a reader experiences your screenplay.
Keep writing consistently — even 15 minutes a day makes a difference.