I am hearing conflicting views about how to write character descriptions in a pilot. One webinar host said that only physical descriptions that are critical to the character should be included. Another webinar host suggested that the characters' personality traits should be described with colorful adjectives (as opposed to "types"). I have also seen pilot scripts that merely note the ages of even the main characters. Any suggestions?
Screenwriting : Character Descriptions in a Half Hour Pilot by Sally Turner
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Personally I always like to know the age range in parenthetical and I like to use pop culture references. For example: "MICHAEL (28), a Lou Bloom-looking guy with an Anton Chigurh vibe". It immediately makes me imagine something very specific with very few words.
But, like you said, everyone has their preferences so just go with what works best for you!
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I've been following the flow with parenthesis to give a character's age, while giving my character's a specific, but memorable trait for the reader to hold onto. It looks cleaner and more efficient on the page.
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Both web hosts are correct. Only physical traits necessary should be used, along with the use of colorful adjectives. But what does that mean, actually, and how does it appear in a script? What you are trying to accomplish above all else is a compelling and unique WRITER'S VOICE, something that separates you from the rest of the pack. Those character descriptions are your first shot at this; they lie within the first pages. That puts your character description line in the category of a piece of written art. Let's provide a couple of examples. Which one of these two sets of character descriptions would make you want to read on, feel like you were in good hands, and have you place confidence in the writer's voice? AMY (26) tosses back her flowing red hair and spreads a smile that could kill. Or, AMY (26) has stun gun looks that could make a priest kick-out a stained glass window. Here's another: CODY (22), severely handsome, sprints down the alleyway, pondering his poor decisions in life... or... CODY (22), physique-privileged, jogs on a residential street, crunching his abs at every passerby woman on the sidewalk. He halts out of eye-shot, bends over to catch his breath, and pulls out a cigarette from his sweats-lined pocket.
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First, a brief visual for the reader/director followed by the character 'in action'.
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Nick is right. If you consider it from the audience's perspective of what they'll see, that should do. You don't need to get into detailed back story but can give cues that there is more to them than they're letting on. Another way to do this is to consider other character's reactions to a character. If someone walks into a room and other characters fall silent for example, the audience will know who's in charge.