Writing better action

[neurostare]

BUT SMITH IS NOT FAR BEHIND O.o

[neurostare]

One impales the driver, and the car veers off the road into a nearby antique shop, more glass spraying the sidewalk. The other shot flies by the ear of the gunman who immediately returns fire, even though his door is stuck in the wall of the antique shop and he can't escape. Panic drives the gunman. Adrenaline fuels his veins. He kicks out the windshield and runs through the shop, scaring the clueless customers, still shocked from the car that ran through the wall. He escapes out the back.

[neurostare]

Two gunshots sound off in the still night, the dreadful sound of broken glass shards not far behind. Panic and confusion fill the air, as pedestrians scream, hunching their backs to avoid the fire. Smith stays low, risking a peek around the corner: two men, gunman and driver. He draws his pistol from the loop on his belt, says a prayer, and fires two rounds.

[CentristFiasco]

Do we have to capitalize the sounds of the action?

[Superboysable12]

@CentristFiasco Yes.

[neurostare]

@Superboysable12 Really...I don't think so. -_-

[neurostare]

@Superboysable12 OH wait never mind. This is screen casting, not writing. Sorry 'bout that. :P

[eXcommunicate1979]

@johnaugust

In your blog you say action is the least rewarding for a writer. Personally, I love writing action, probably because I am such a visual person. It's dialogue that I tend to find grueling to work with (and of course, story structure). I'm also kind of weird in that I enjoy the revision process more than banging out a first draft. The first draft is always the most difficult for me, while subsequent revisions are smooth sailin'.

[benniquaid]

Just found out about you, John. Your advice is blowing my mind

[mrjcfromcalifornia]

Good revision.

[sunnybrand]

Good writer, but that voice...

[johnnykage]

John August... how did you get so freaking awesome????

[jsbclsylady]

This was really helpful.Thanks for posting!

[gregorypconn]

a great action scene is beauty in its best form

[gregorypconn]

every action scene should be original! for ex. tim is passenger in speeding car with gunmen in black cars chasing him so when tim is near the black car he dashes out the door and flys past enemys windsheild n shoots both gunmen in chest, quickly puts away guns n instantly grabs side of car by fingers through windsheild n instantly smashes through side window n knocks both bodys out the drivers door and quickly gains control of the car readying the next attack!

[Screenwriteofpassage]

Priceless, free instruction!

[ekofox]

Brilliant, thanks - this is really useful for me - i appreciate it.

[margusu]

Shouldn't be there a hint about Driver's and Gunman's position in the scene? Are they sitting in the car? Character name DRIVER makes it all clear?

I tend to overwrite those scenes sometimes, but is the further description really necessary?

[roscoegino]

brilliant, john. you're one of hollywood's top pens for a reason.

[mfiorentino]

Thanks for sharing! Terrific!

[ttdmovie]

These videos are fantastic. I hope more are on the way. Thanks!

[davebernal]

Thanks! this is awesome!! oh, and happy easter!

[popaddict]

I'm really enjoying these videos.

Its amazing how much difference good writing makes. Once revised, I could actually visualise the scene as it was being read out and it seemed a lot more interesting.

Thanks for posting these. Look forward to more of your writing tips.

[pfostpfilms]

wonderful. i've never written a screenplay and i'm still fascinated by how you take something so dull and make it sound so much more Hollywood!

[FAYMprod]

Love these. What did you mean by "red shirts"? Bad guys?

[pfostpfilms]

"red shirts" is a reference to Star Trek...in Star Trek, the less important characters (i.e. not the captain or doctor or anyone important to the story) always wore red. it was a visual ranking system in the Star Trek universe, but also gave the TV audience an indication of whether or not a particular character was all that important or not.

[FAYMprod]

Thanks. Classic Trek was all I needed. And I would disagree that Scotty (a red shirt) isn't important.

[ncseventeen]

Also, on any planetary mission, there would be one or two semi-anonymous crew members wearing red shirts...these people would almost always meet unsavory fates.

[RobCoxxy]

Note to self: Wear blue.

[DixonSteel]

Another terrific video, John. Thanks again for this.

[blindedbytalent]

Great video as always. Please keep going. Thanks!