Editing Screen Directions

*I know this is a lot of stuff* If you want to read the 37 page article by Weston about this then do so!

• Directions that describe the characters inner life

• CROSS THEM OUT!

  • adj, adverbs, indications of transitions or psychological explanations

  • these are not playable

    • "she takes a moment"

    • "he can not look away"

• Directions that depict blocking or business with no plot consequences

• TRY THEM BUT DON\'T BE MARRIED TO THEM

  • "she struggled with her coat"

  • "he looks at his watch"

• Directions that give us characters personal objects

• TAKE NOTE OF THEM AND ADD THEM TO "physical life"

  • think about why they have them and who gave them to the character

• Directions that give us backstory

  • if referred to in the dialogue the CROSS THEM OUT

  • if not in dialogue enter them in the "facts list"

  • use them if they are helpful, if not then discard them or make up your own.

• Directions the give us an image

  • circle them and add to chart (not sure where?)

• Directions that describe an emotional event - with plot consequences

  • "he searches until he finds a gun"

  • "they kiss"

  • KEEP THESE BUT CROSS OUT WORDS LIKE "desperately"

  • translate psychological explanations like "he can not look away" to "he does not look away" (an emotional event)

*ALSO*

• take care not to confuse optional stage business with essential info on emotional events

  • circle images, facts, and objects - put into proper charts

  • hightlight stuff containing clues to physical and emotional life of character