Here are some pearls of screenwriting wisdom from Mike Kucink about story pacing.
Scripts from newer writers tend to be slower reads. Have faith in your story. Not everything needs to be fully explained and repeated. The reader gets it.
DENSITY
Screenplays are about story beats and moments. They are an emotional and visual experience. Keep each paragraph below four lines. Mirror the read with the corresponding action. Make slow, cerebral sequences a slower read and crank up those car chases.
LENGTH
The typical Hollywood script is 90-105 pages. The lower range applies to horror/comedy and the upper range to thriller and action.
FOCUS
Know what your story is really about. Ensure the B story serves the A story and they intersect throughout the script to create a satisfying whole.
GET IN AND GET OUT
Think of each scene as a burning house. You run in, take the bare minimum and leave. Ultimately this relates to story focus.
UNNECESSARY DETAIL
This isn’t just about extreme description, but story beats as well. If they don’t service the main plot, cut them out.
STUTTER BEATS
Each scene must build up to a climax. Stutter beats are scenes too similar to other scenes. They don’t progress the plot.
STRUCTURE
If there isn’t enough story, perhaps your perceived first turning point is really the inciting incident. Don’t add scenes just to fill the page. The reader will catch on quickly and lose interest.
DIALOGUE
Avoid repetition unless it’s integral to the story. Don’t writer idle chatter or dialogue which inefficiently advances the plot. Unless the idle chatter is a stylistic device such as discussing what a “Royale” burger is.
Novel Girl
January 8, 2012
I’m trying to learn more from screenwriters. As a novelist I feel I’m too much into the ‘art’ of writing and I don’t learn enough about story structure. That’s what’s so wonderful about screenwriters: they are taught that structure is crucial (novelists aren’t typically taught of this weight as much).
I’m doing a series from Larry Brooks’ book “Story Engineering” on my blog. In his book, he lists 6 Core Competencies for all novelists and screenwriters to perfect if they want their story to work. It’s my favourite book and all these little tips you’ve mentioned are things he does too.
Great post, by the way.