The Art of Showing

In writing my first ten-minute screenplay (based at the location mentioned below), I have learned a lot. Feature films have more time to develop things and to let the tension build gradually before reaching a satisfying resolution. However, if your script is only 9-10 pages long, you have to focus on the little details in order to get the job done effectively in a short amount of time.

By far the most important thing a young (or new) screenwriter should know is that one must show, not tell wherever possible. Sometimes this seems difficult, but it can be as easy as having a character always choosing spaghetti when they go out to eat and heartily enjoying it instead of proclaiming "I love spaghetti!" at some point in your script.

This rule is especially true for a short screenplay. It might seem easier to have your characters save time by describing something that has happened but this can quickly make your story dull and your audience uninterested. Take us to the scene of the crime. Have your characters show their traits instead of talking about them. Use flashbacks to tell about a hard time in your character's life instead of letting them emote to someone else over a cup of coffee.

Here is an example of what I mean from the BBC show Coupling. Not only does it use flashbacks instead of letting the characters discuss the party, this clip also shows two different perspectives. These perspectives effectively give away information about both characters too.



It might seem simple enough, but exposition scenes (one character talking to another about something that has happened, how they're feeling, an issue in their life, etc) can creep in without the writer realizing. They should be avoided at all costs! If you must use one, spice it up by adding props or extend it over several different locations, like your characters' commute to work, to keep the audience's attention.