Screenwriting : Proper way by Tasha McLemore

There are no rules... what makes sense for the story and for the writer

I only put the character's age in parentheses.

As a paid reader for studios/networks/production companies for many years, the only hard-n-fast rule about character descriptions is make them memorable.

I usually only put a character's age in parenthesis, @Tasha McLemore. I usually write a character description like "A timid girl, SHY WILLIAMS (16), sits at the lunch table, face in a chapter book."

Character descriptions in screenplays appear as action lines rather than being enclosed in parentheses. They are used to introduce and describe characters as they first appear in the script. The standard format is to capitalize the character's name and provide a brief description of their age, appearance, and any essential characteristics or attributes. For example:

JOHN (40s, rugged and charismatic) enters the room.

There's no strict cold, hard fast rule that character descriptions must be in parentheses. However, it's a widely accepted convention in screenwriting to use action lines to introduce characters. This format provides a clear and organized way to present character information to the reader. You may come across some variations, but the majority of professional screenplays follow this standard format.

This is what towns to happen when we read a shooting script versus a spec script… It is crucial that a Screenwriter know the difference, and even the novices learn.

Mario Leone I agree except their name should be ALL CAPPED and brief description when they first appear in the film, not the screenplay. For instance, their name could appear in a newspaper or a letter before the actor appears in the film.

Dan Guardino I agree, Dan I forgotten to mention that

Scott Sawitz There are certainly industry standards and guidelines that most professional screenwriters adhere to in order to create scripts that are well-received by producers and directors. These standards help ensure clarity and consistency in storytelling.

To say that there are no rules would be problematic… that could also create a pitfall for a novice.

Screenplays should typically be around 90-120 pages. If your script is significantly longer without a good reason, it can be seen as a lack of conciseness and might lead to rejection. if you’re Peter Jackson, great. But most of us are not Peter Jackson.

if we are talking on a spec script, which is gonna be sold on speculation, there are gonna be specific rules..

I use CAPS for the name the first time for a “hey notice this” effect. Then I bring them in using action.

MARY early twenties, white, sits hunched over her keyboard typing. She grabs a pens and uses it to hold back her long hair. Or sometime drop the name on the end. A woman sits frantically type, she grabs a pens and uses it to hold back her hair revealing the child-like porcelain skin if MARY early twenties, but looks younger.

I prefer the first way.

Thanks!

I avoid character descriptions. Just the all caps when introduced because it's a formality. I'll try to get at who they are and what they look like with very subtle hints about their clothing or demeanor and what they do early on. Also, the character name will obviously call to mind their background and demographic. Ayumi, Mandla, Gustavo, Philipe, Antonio, etc. The name should say a lot about the character so choose it wisely.

In this way, the reader, (actors, director etc.) makes all those decisions about the character themselves and feels way more involved in creating that character. You're planting seeds in the readers mind. They'll fill in the blanks. If you're clever, they'll end up seeing exactly the cast you had in mind when you wrote it.

Here's an article from Studio Binder that is pretty good. Matches what I have been taught so far about character descriptions. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/screenplay-character-descriptions-intr...

No.

Usually its just the age in brackets and the rest of the description in the scene description. They're best kept brief but the key element is the visual impact their first impression will have on the audience and characters around them. Things that will tell you something about them. Christopher Nolan says "When introducing a character in the script, focus less on their physical description, and more on their psychological nature and personality. Think in terms of 'they're the kind of person who...'"

Keep it brief, use action words that best describe your character. Unless there is some major part of them that is essential to the script