Hey everyone
So, I’ve been wrestling (pun totally intended) with how best to write fight scenes that don’t turn into play-by-play descriptions. I tend to overexplain what’s happening — like I’m directing every punch and parry in my head — because I follow that classic rule: “Write what the camera sees.”
But sometimes… the camera’s seeing way too much.
I’m curious how you all approach it — do you write out the physical choreography in detail or focus more on the emotional beats and pacing?
Personally, I love cinematic fights that balance clarity with chaos — like Neo vs. the endless Agent Smiths in The Matrix Reloaded (still blows my mind every rewatch). And don’t even get me started on Spider-Man vs. Green Goblin — especially Tom Holland’s version. That rawness. That rage. Pure storytelling through movement.
So yeah, how do you write fight scenes? What’s your go-to method or example that nails it for you?
— Miguel
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Hey, Chikaima Uwakwe. It depends. I write out the choreography in detail if it's important to the fight. If a detail isn't important to the fight, I won't add it. I'll just write something like "They fight over the money."
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Trust the director. So write as few details as possible. I have myself had fight scenes in my no-budget projects.
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Keep them short and direct. Leave the rest to the director and stunt coordinator.
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You don't.
You write "There is a fight"
That's what stunt coordinators are for.
Seriously. I'm told that in The French Connection the script only says "There is a car chase".
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I wrote a fight scene quite in detail because what happened during the scene mattered: the gun falling onto the ground, the knife slashing a thigh, the stone slamming into a temple. But the rest of the fist fight was summed up to "they keep fighting." So - go with your gut what matters and what doesn't.
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Oh gosh - i write family and animation so I can't help with this! Great to hear what you are working on tho!
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The best way to learn is to read scripts! Check out the Matrix Reloaded script here: https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-matrix-reloaded-2003.pdf
And you'll see how the delicate dances are crafted!
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With this question I always answer "read The Bourne Identity," not too much description in the fight scenes, not too little. Keeping the general pace in the screenplay intact.Also, I wonder where ChatGPT stories gets all those dashes from!
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this is how I would approach a fight script
I
FADE IN:
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
The room is dimly lit, with only a few flickering fluorescent lights overhead. JASON, a rugged and determined individual, faces off against VICTOR, a menacing figure with a scar above his left eyebrow.
JASON
(sneering)
You think you can take me down, Victor?
VICTOR
(smirking)
I've been waiting for this.
Victor lunges at Jason, who dodges and lands a solid punch to Victor's jaw. Victor retaliates with a swift kick, but Jason blocks it and delivers a series of quick jabs.
The fight intensifies, with both characters exchanging blows and neither gaining the upper hand. Jason lands a solid kick to Victor's stomach, but Victor recovers quickly and slams Jason into a nearby crate.
As Jason struggles to get back to his feet, Victor seizes the opportunity to strike. He delivers a vicious kick that sends Jason crashing to the ground.
JASON (groaning)
Get...up...get up...
Jason's eyes narrow, and with a surge of adrenaline, he launches himself at Victor. The two crash into a nearby stack of crates, sending debris flying everywhere.
The fight rages on, with neither side giving in.
FADE TO BLACK.
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Write out whatever is critical to the non-fight aspects of the script, otherwise leave it generic. So if a character gets kicked into another room, write that because its relevant to the setting. If one character gets the upper hand starts talking mess, write that because its relevant to the dialogue. Otherwise, broadstrokes, "Character A is competent and holds his own but character B calmly maintains the control of the fight".