How to make your screenplay descriptions pack a PUNCH

Four line rule

It’s 6 p.m. in London, and I felt like taking about a pet peeve of mine when it comes to the art of the screenplay.

You know what I really can’t stand?

When a script has a big girthy block of description.

It makes reading an absolute chore!

Someone once said (not sure who it was, if anyone) that the screenwriter should keep their block description under four lines. After four, the block starts to appear hard on the eyes, and overwhelming. Seriously, it’s true. It looks more daunting to tackle, especially with the format of a screenplay.

I tend to agree.

But to me it isn’t just about the length, or how many lines.