I'm finding different schools of thought about how much description is needed for extra characters. The type of characters that are in the background of a scene, usually unnamed who are never seen again. For instance as street scene with two police officers walk past talking about a city curfew. Some people say give each of them flavor in the description, some say just the very basics. Curious what the general opinions are.
Screenwriting : Extra character descriptions by Bill Albert
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Personally, I rarely describe extras. If it's a particular type of extra, or they have a plot-relevant trait, then I'll mention it, but beyond that, I feel it's just bogging down the flow of the script. In my view, too much description risks hiding the story, and in effect, that's what you're trying to sell.
I read an unproduced spec once where early-on, the writer clearly felt he had to describe all sorts of physical characteristics for anybody mentioned. He spent three lines describing the liver spots, gait, and clothing of an elderly couple. I checked, that couple never appeared again. Those three lines accomplished nothing, except making me wonder what other superfluous details this script would contain?
At most, I might distinguish an extra from others by indicating they're wearing a baseball cap, or they have a limp, or they're drunk or something, and mostly when it is tonally or thematically relevant.
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I try to keep my character description minimal, unless it's a main character, or his/her appearance serves as importance to the plot.
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I do quick and to the point: "Bully #1, complete with piercings and a mohawk rounds the corner," etc. To me, too much and the story drags. Good luck!
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Its important to keep the flow of the script going, so for minor characters it is good to stick with a few choice words of description to give a sense of them (if important to the scene) and then move on. Sometimes a well chosen description can convey more than a longer one.
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People get words based on the screen time and importance in my world.
In the background two cops walk towards the building.
If that what we see, that’s all it gets.
I agree with @Craig Just write what is seen usually, however sometimes background characters can say something that’s relevant to main character (that they can’t say themselves) or tell reader something main character does not know. Genre plays a part EG “Comedy,” they mistake main character for a wanted man so say to each other “Let’s do a good cop bad cop.” Or “Thriller” genre, “Hey that guy’s got a bomb on his back.” These walk on minor characters off course may never be seen again in script but occasionally can give info that drives plot.