• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Screenwriting.io

Screenwriting.io

Answering basic questions about screenwriting.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index
Generic filters
Exact matches only

How much description is too much?

The amount of description in a screenplay is heavily dependent on personal writing style and on genre. For example, action movies tend to require more description to communicate what is happening in an action sequence.

The question is how to use script real estate most economically;  what is needed to get the message across. Remember,  Production Designer is it’s own job– what are the details that will evoke the world without getting bogged down in it? If something is mentioned in the description, readers are going to think it’s important, so also consider how you want to guide a reader’s focus.

For readers, major blocks of text can interrupt the flow of storytelling. Some readers may come across a daunting block of text and skip it altogether. If there is a lot of action or description to get across, break it into new paragraphs. About 4 lines at a time often feels right.

Ultimately, the amount of description is up to the screenwriter and how this particular story is best told.

More from johnaugust.com

  • Scriptnotes, 206: Everything but the Dialogue
  • Scriptnotes, 304: Location is Where It’s At
  • Scriptnotes, 58: Writing Your Very First Screenplay

Answer Index

script scriptwriting screenwriting screenplay formatting terms film presentation structure business writing software TV WGA Final Draft guild characters length credits FDX FDR union scene headings dramatic theory outlines arbitration adaptations fountain pdf highland producers managers Celtx guru Movie Magic rights agents awards pitching short film festival iPhone iPad directors prelap

Primary Sidebar

Switching from Final Draft to Highland 2

Switching from Final Draft
to Highland 2 – Get the PDF

© 2025 Screenwriting.io — All Rights Reserved.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index