The Power of Active Verbs in Scriptwriting

Elevate Your Storytelling with Active Verbs

You've poured your heart into crafting a compelling story, but do the arrangements of your words dance off the page?

Imagine a busy script reader overwhelmed by mountains of written voices. The static hum can be so mind-numbing that it lulls their eyes to glaze over and their droopy lids to close. Your script is in peril if you don't use the spark needed to awaken them. You need - the active verb.

Weary Script Reader

Gets the energy going!

Active verbs are the lifeblood of robust storytelling. They ground scenes in the present and propel the narrative forward in a decisive, clear, and urgent manner. Consider the difference between a character who merely runs, then sprints, then bounds across a field. Can you feel the difference? See how the image in your mind becomes more vivid, interesting, and alive? Illuminate action rather than recite it. Infuse your reader with the highest level of vibrational energy you can from your words. They will not be able to resist it!

Freshness on Every Page

Active verbs paint distinct pictures in the mind, keeping your writing fresh. Seek out strong, specific verbs and use them as your arsenal to combat redundancy and boredom. I highly recommend you use the book "Actions: The Actors' Thesaurus" by Marina Caldarone and Maggie Lloyd-Williams. It is a powerful tool to keep your script interesting and the reader engaged.

When using your words, be precise. Choose the active verb that perfectly captures the nuances of character traits, intentions, motivations, essence, and the scene's energy.

Active Verbs keep things interesting

Treat yourself to reading The Addams Family movie spec script; it is so engorged with active verbs that the entire piece makes one jiggle, tremble, shudder, jolt, wobble, quiver, shake, shiver, undulate, jerk, heave, and convulse with sheer delight at its descriptions. It is perfectly "on pointe" thanks to a masterful use of active language that is a joy to read.

A Nod to the Actor's and Director's Craft

The power of active verbs is routinely harnessed by actors and directors. In rehearsal, some directors are known to "interrogate" each scene with their actors, asking what their character is doing to the other in any given moment. It is a good practice for a writer to engage in. The best scenes always have conflict, with each character trying to "win" the debate at hand. They each want something and use various tactics to get it.

"I entice you," "I lure you," "I surprise you," "I disarm you," are all examples of active verbs that may accurately describe the tactics used to meet the goal driven by a character's motivation.

Make every line, situation, utterance, and sigh motivated to create true drama, regardless of genre. Without that underlying motivated action, each beat becomes static, and the scene, the energy, and ultimately, the script, simply dies. Keep it alive!

Your Reader Wants You to Succeed

Readers want to find good scripts. The faster they get to a winner, the better. Your success saves them a lot of headaches. Do them a favor and impress, delight, convict, baffle, mirror, astound, repel, disgust, embolden, and convince them your work is overwhelmingly worthy of a pass! Capture your reader, and you create a champion of your work. Congratulations, you just opened a gateway to your future.

Conclusion: Embrace the Active Verb

In conclusion, the use of active verbs is essential in scriptwriting. They breathe life into your narrative and keep your audience engaged. Remember, the goal is to create a vivid experience that resonates with your readers. By incorporating active verbs, you not only enhance your storytelling but also increase your chances of success in the competitive world of scriptwriting.

So, the next time you sit down to write, remember the power of the active verb. Let it guide your pen and transform your script into a captivating masterpiece.

For more tips and useful information check out the above blog posts or for personal assistance with your latest project reach Susanna at scriptsbysusanna@gmail.com.