Most spec screenplays I read suffer from use of the same action verbs over and over and over again...
Instead, take a little extra time and use highly descriptive and evocative VERBS that paint an immediate picture for the reader.
All VERB tenses, moods and voices can be used in Dialogue.
Only use the Present Tense in your screenplay description. Try avoiding all Past and Future Tenses.
Use the Present Simple whenever possible and try to avoid other Present Tense VERB Forms, like the Present Progressive. Favor VERBS in the Active Voice. This will make your Description more immediate and engaging.
The current spec writing style is terse and concise. Employ Adverbs and Adjectives sparingly. Instead, find more evocative, ACTION-Oriented VERBS. A strong VERB can stand on its own. Extensive use of Adverbs and Adjectives is considered over-writing.
You only have a very limited time in which to tell your story. Make every word count. Chose the most effective VERBS possible.
Stay away from common VERBS like "run," "walk," "take" and "look." Substitute the VERBS listed below or consult a Thesaurus to discover other ACTION-Oriented VERBS.
Although certain writing styles, such as Action Stacking, may require deliberate grammatical errors, use such techniques VERY carefully.
Unless used as an intentional stylistic device, incorrect spelling, grammar or punctuation is considered highly unprofessional.
Make sure everything in your spec screenplay is easy to read and understand.
Instead of walk or run, consider using:
ADVANCE
HURTLE
MINCE
SIDLE
STRUT
AMBLE
JOG
RACE
SLINK
SWAGGER
BOLT
LEAD
RUSH
SNEAK
TIPTOE
CRAWL
LIMP
SASHAY
SPEED
TRAIPSE
CREEP
LURCH
SAUNTER
SPRINT
TREAD
DART
PAD
SCAMPER
STAGGER
TRIP
DASH
PARADE
SCOOT
STAMP
TROT
FLIT
PLOD
SCRAMBLE
STEAL
TRUDGE
HASTEN
PRANCE
SCURRY
STEP
WADDLE
HIKE
PROMENADE
SCUTTLE
STOMP
WHIZZ or WHIZ
HURRY
PROWL
SKULK
STRIDE
ZIP
HUSTLE
MARCH
SHUFFLE
STROLL
ZOOM
Instead of look, consider using:
CONSIDER
EYEBALL
LEER
PERCEIVE
SPOT
CONTEMPLATE
GAPE
MAKE EYES AT
POUR OVER
SPY
DETECT
GAWK
NOTE
RECOGNIZE
STUDY
DISCERN
GAZE
NOTICE
REGARD
SURVEY
DISTINGUISH
GLANCE
OBSERVE
SCAN
TAKE IN
EXAMINE
GLIMPSE
OGLE
SCRUTINIZE
VIEW
EYE
INSPECT
PEER
SNEER
WITNESS
Instead of take, hold, reach for or pick up, consider using:
CAPTURE
ENFOLD
GRIP
PLUCK
SEIZE
CATCH
GAIN
HEFT
POUNCE
SELECT
CLASP
GATHER
HOIST
PRY
SORT
CLENCH
GRAB
LIBERATE
RESTRAIN
SNATCH
CLING
GRAPPLE
NAB
SCOOP
SIFT
CLUTCH
GRASP
PILFER
SECURE
THRUST
Other useful ACTION VERBS:
ACCEPT
COERCE
EXPOSE
NAG
SAVOR
ACCOMMODATE
COMPLAIN
EXPOUND
NAIL
SCOLD
ACCUSE
COMPLIMENT
FENCE
NEEDLE
SEDUCE
ADMONISH
CONCEDE
FLATTER
NEGATE
SHAKE
AFFIRM
CONDEMN
FLIRT
NEGOTIATE
SHAME
APOLOGIZE
CONFIDE
FORGIVE
NUZZLE
SHOCK
APPEASE
CONFINE
GALVANIZE
ORDER
SMOTHER
APPLAUD
CONFRONT
GOAD
OVERWHELM
SOOTHE
APPRECIATE
CONTRADICT
GRAPPLE
PACIFY
SPECULATE
APPROVE
CONVINCE
GREET
PAMPER
SPOIL
AROUSE
CRITICIZE
GRIEVE
PERSECUTE
STALK
ATTACK
CROWN
GRIPE
PESTER
STARTLE
ATTEND
CRUSH
GUARD
PLACATE
STEER
AWAKEN
DAMPEN
GUIDE
PLEAD
STRING
BADGER
DARE
HAMMER
PLEASE
SUBDUE
BAIT
DAWDLE
HARANGUE
POISON
SUFFOCATE
BATTLE
DAZZLE
HEAL
POUT
SUMMON
BEG
DEFEND
HOLD
PRAISE
SUPPRESS
BEGUILE
DEFLATE
HUMOR
PREACH
SURRENDER
BELITTLE
DEFLECT
HYPNOTIZE
PRESSURE
SWAY
BERATE
DEFY
IMPEDE
PROD
TANTALIZE
BLAME
DEMAND
INCITE
PROVOKE
TAUNT
BLESS
DEMEAN
INFORM
PUNISH
TEACH
BLUFF
DENY
INSINUATE
QUARREL
TEASE
BOLSTER
DESTROY
INSTRUCT
QUIBBLE
TEST
BOOST
DIAGNOSE
INTERFERE
QUIZ
THREATEN
BRAG
DIRECT
INTERROGATE
RAG
TICKLE
BROWBEAT
DISCOURAGE
INTIMIDATE
REASON
TOLERATE
BUILD
DISPARAGE
JEER
REASSURE
TORMENT
BULLY
DIVERT
JOLLY
REBUFF
TOUCH
CAJOLE
DODGE
JUSTIFY
RELISH
UNDERMINE
CALCULATE
DOTE
KINDLE
REMIND
UPSTAGE
CAPITULATE
ELECTRIFY
KNIFE
REMINISCE
VILIFY
CARESS
EMPOWER
LEAP
RENOUNCE
WALLOP
CATEGORIZE
ENCOURAGE
LECTURE
REPEL
WARN
CELEBRATE
ENFLAME
LIGHTEN
REPRIMAND
WEAN
CHALLENGE
ENGAGE
LULL
REPROVE
WEIGH
CHEER
ENTERTAIN
LURE
REPULSE
WHACK
CHERISH
ENTREAT
MANEUVER
RESCUE
WHEEDLE
CLARIFY
ENTRUST
MASSAGE
REVOLT
WHINE
CLOWN
EXHORT
MENACE
RIDICULE
COAX
EXPLAIN
MOCK
SALUTE
When in doubt, use Thesaurus.com -- great online resource.
Good luck...
filmy
Instead, take a little extra time and use highly descriptive and evocative VERBS that paint an immediate picture for the reader.
All VERB tenses, moods and voices can be used in Dialogue.
Only use the Present Tense in your screenplay description. Try avoiding all Past and Future Tenses.
Use the Present Simple whenever possible and try to avoid other Present Tense VERB Forms, like the Present Progressive. Favor VERBS in the Active Voice. This will make your Description more immediate and engaging.
The current spec writing style is terse and concise. Employ Adverbs and Adjectives sparingly. Instead, find more evocative, ACTION-Oriented VERBS. A strong VERB can stand on its own. Extensive use of Adverbs and Adjectives is considered over-writing.
You only have a very limited time in which to tell your story. Make every word count. Chose the most effective VERBS possible.
Stay away from common VERBS like "run," "walk," "take" and "look." Substitute the VERBS listed below or consult a Thesaurus to discover other ACTION-Oriented VERBS.
Although certain writing styles, such as Action Stacking, may require deliberate grammatical errors, use such techniques VERY carefully.
Unless used as an intentional stylistic device, incorrect spelling, grammar or punctuation is considered highly unprofessional.
Make sure everything in your spec screenplay is easy to read and understand.
Instead of walk or run, consider using:
ADVANCE
HURTLE
MINCE
SIDLE
STRUT
AMBLE
JOG
RACE
SLINK
SWAGGER
BOLT
LEAD
RUSH
SNEAK
TIPTOE
CRAWL
LIMP
SASHAY
SPEED
TRAIPSE
CREEP
LURCH
SAUNTER
SPRINT
TREAD
DART
PAD
SCAMPER
STAGGER
TRIP
DASH
PARADE
SCOOT
STAMP
TROT
FLIT
PLOD
SCRAMBLE
STEAL
TRUDGE
HASTEN
PRANCE
SCURRY
STEP
WADDLE
HIKE
PROMENADE
SCUTTLE
STOMP
WHIZZ or WHIZ
HURRY
PROWL
SKULK
STRIDE
ZIP
HUSTLE
MARCH
SHUFFLE
STROLL
ZOOM
Instead of look, consider using:
CONSIDER
EYEBALL
LEER
PERCEIVE
SPOT
CONTEMPLATE
GAPE
MAKE EYES AT
POUR OVER
SPY
DETECT
GAWK
NOTE
RECOGNIZE
STUDY
DISCERN
GAZE
NOTICE
REGARD
SURVEY
DISTINGUISH
GLANCE
OBSERVE
SCAN
TAKE IN
EXAMINE
GLIMPSE
OGLE
SCRUTINIZE
VIEW
EYE
INSPECT
PEER
SNEER
WITNESS
Instead of take, hold, reach for or pick up, consider using:
CAPTURE
ENFOLD
GRIP
PLUCK
SEIZE
CATCH
GAIN
HEFT
POUNCE
SELECT
CLASP
GATHER
HOIST
PRY
SORT
CLENCH
GRAB
LIBERATE
RESTRAIN
SNATCH
CLING
GRAPPLE
NAB
SCOOP
SIFT
CLUTCH
GRASP
PILFER
SECURE
THRUST
Other useful ACTION VERBS:
ACCEPT
COERCE
EXPOSE
NAG
SAVOR
ACCOMMODATE
COMPLAIN
EXPOUND
NAIL
SCOLD
ACCUSE
COMPLIMENT
FENCE
NEEDLE
SEDUCE
ADMONISH
CONCEDE
FLATTER
NEGATE
SHAKE
AFFIRM
CONDEMN
FLIRT
NEGOTIATE
SHAME
APOLOGIZE
CONFIDE
FORGIVE
NUZZLE
SHOCK
APPEASE
CONFINE
GALVANIZE
ORDER
SMOTHER
APPLAUD
CONFRONT
GOAD
OVERWHELM
SOOTHE
APPRECIATE
CONTRADICT
GRAPPLE
PACIFY
SPECULATE
APPROVE
CONVINCE
GREET
PAMPER
SPOIL
AROUSE
CRITICIZE
GRIEVE
PERSECUTE
STALK
ATTACK
CROWN
GRIPE
PESTER
STARTLE
ATTEND
CRUSH
GUARD
PLACATE
STEER
AWAKEN
DAMPEN
GUIDE
PLEAD
STRING
BADGER
DARE
HAMMER
PLEASE
SUBDUE
BAIT
DAWDLE
HARANGUE
POISON
SUFFOCATE
BATTLE
DAZZLE
HEAL
POUT
SUMMON
BEG
DEFEND
HOLD
PRAISE
SUPPRESS
BEGUILE
DEFLATE
HUMOR
PREACH
SURRENDER
BELITTLE
DEFLECT
HYPNOTIZE
PRESSURE
SWAY
BERATE
DEFY
IMPEDE
PROD
TANTALIZE
BLAME
DEMAND
INCITE
PROVOKE
TAUNT
BLESS
DEMEAN
INFORM
PUNISH
TEACH
BLUFF
DENY
INSINUATE
QUARREL
TEASE
BOLSTER
DESTROY
INSTRUCT
QUIBBLE
TEST
BOOST
DIAGNOSE
INTERFERE
QUIZ
THREATEN
BRAG
DIRECT
INTERROGATE
RAG
TICKLE
BROWBEAT
DISCOURAGE
INTIMIDATE
REASON
TOLERATE
BUILD
DISPARAGE
JEER
REASSURE
TORMENT
BULLY
DIVERT
JOLLY
REBUFF
TOUCH
CAJOLE
DODGE
JUSTIFY
RELISH
UNDERMINE
CALCULATE
DOTE
KINDLE
REMIND
UPSTAGE
CAPITULATE
ELECTRIFY
KNIFE
REMINISCE
VILIFY
CARESS
EMPOWER
LEAP
RENOUNCE
WALLOP
CATEGORIZE
ENCOURAGE
LECTURE
REPEL
WARN
CELEBRATE
ENFLAME
LIGHTEN
REPRIMAND
WEAN
CHALLENGE
ENGAGE
LULL
REPROVE
WEIGH
CHEER
ENTERTAIN
LURE
REPULSE
WHACK
CHERISH
ENTREAT
MANEUVER
RESCUE
WHEEDLE
CLARIFY
ENTRUST
MASSAGE
REVOLT
WHINE
CLOWN
EXHORT
MENACE
RIDICULE
COAX
EXPLAIN
MOCK
SALUTE
When in doubt, use Thesaurus.com -- great online resource.
Good luck...
filmy
Last edited by a moderator:
