In my opinion, these are the hardest to write in a script. So many possible ideas and everything happening all at once(unlike dialogue and everything else slow-paced) like car chases, fight scenes and Major Battles. How can I describe them? should I just list what Could be put in it and just allow the director to handle it on the day of filming?
Screenwriting : Action sequences by Leon Reaper
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Depends. Some scripts don't describe the action (the 1960 "Magnificent Seven" film screenplay apparently just listed which of the seven die in the final battle, so the director had to figure out on the spot how exactly they die).
I mean I've personally tried to describe the action details in my scripts, but I could be wrong.
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The screenplay "Absolute Power " has an excellent action sequence fight in it at the beginning. Hope this helps.
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action scenes are definitely the hardest to write IMO. the key is to paint a clear picture without describing every single tiny brush stroke.
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Absolutely do not list what could be put in. You want your reader to visualize the action. Now, I've seen people who write things like "they fight" and that is the laziest and lamest thing you can do. You don't have to be a professional boxer or knife fighter to describe the action. You do have to do your research and illustrate the basics. But I can assure you, visual screenplays will help you standout from the crowd. Here's a great except from "The Hollywood Standard" by Chris Riley, demonstrating how to write action while leaving white space on the page:
INT. PARKING STRUCTURE - DAY
The immaculate MOTOR HOME ROARS down the ramp into the underground garage, followed by three squad cars.
MICHAEL
cranks the steering wheel hard to the right and:
MOTOR HOME
makes a SQUEALING turn. Ahead, a concrete beam hangs low. Too low for the high--profile vehicle
MICHAEL
ducks at the moment of IMPACT. The ROOF PEELS OFF the motor home with a METALLIC SHRIEK.
CRUMPLED SHEET METAL.
BANGS off the hood of a pursuing squad car. One of the cops slings a RIOT GUN Out his window and FIRES.
ON MICHAEL
As the GLASS in his WINDOW EXPLODES. He makes a desperation left turn down another ramp but cuts the corner too close.
LONG SLAB OF METAL
CURLS AWAY from the side of the motor home like an orange peel.
MICHAEL
plunges his giant convertible deeper into the garage, his hair blowing in the open air.
AT BOTTOM OF RAMP
Steel pipes crisscross the low ceiling. What's left of the MOTOR HOME GRINDS against them and debris flies as the big vehicle ges chopped down even shorter.
I've done action sequences in my last script. I just hit the big beats.
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Read action scripts. Steal from produced Writers. Gilroy writes exactly like Bourne movies. Choppy sentences. 1 word action. Fast read.
I used to ripoff Shane Black's style but I ve moved on to Richard Wenk and Brad Ingelsby. Wenk's The Equalizer script is a fantastic read. He sometimes skip SLUG LINES in scenes.
they are not writing spec scripts but these two dudes know how to construct a screenplay.
Find script that have the same kind of action as yours and read those. Black Hawk Down is particularly impressive with the amount of fast paced action, and multiple threads all happening simultaneously.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Hawk-Down-Shooting-Script/dp/1557045305/ref...
Allen J: you're right, the action in Black Hawk Down is truly superlative.
SHOUT OUT to The Bride in the Kill Bill trilogy...one of the best-written action heroes, and some of the best-written action films of ALLLLLLLLLLLL TIME!
RIP MAGGIE ROCHE (Oct. 26, 1951 - Jan. 20, 2017)
Just write what the director needs to know to film the scene. In a car chase you would normally use a series of shots they are easy to write.
I've heard it both ways: Some people say don't "direct" in your script (leave it to the choreographers and directors, et. al.); others say write it out, or else the reader will think you haven't done your research. Personally, I write it out then query in the pitch. If they indicate that they'd rather not see verbose description/direction, just cut it from the version you submit. That way, you have it written-out already in case anyone asks. :)