During my time as a lowly-paid (and in most cases, not paid at all) Script Reader, I often came across a common pattern of the novice writer; the lack of white space on a page.

When we set out to write our first script, we’re so excited with the prospect of creating and controlling our own little world that we lose sight of what we’re actually doing; formulating the blue-print of a movie.  We forget (or block out) that if we’re lucky enough to have our writing turned into an actual film, a lot of what we put down on the page is going to be moved and changed.  

It’s just what happens.  People bitch about it, I bitch about it, but until we’re famous, our words are not always considered the be all and end all of a project.

If you’ve been through one or two screenwriting classes, you become hip to this annoying fact early on, but many writers who strike out into the writing world on their own (or just categorically refuse to listen to their teachers) will time and time again create a screenplay that is FULL. OF. WORDS.

What?!  You say.  Of course it’s full of words!  Scripts are supposed to be full of words!  Well, sure. Your script should have words, but the more you put down on the page, the less freedom you’re giving your reader to imagine.

Generally, people agree that 1 page in a script equals one minute on screen.  However, if you load your pages down with heavy soliloquies and long-winded descriptions of action, not only are you screwing up the 1-minute-per-page timing, you’re also illustrating the death grip you have on your story – and nothing is more disturbing to a reader than a writer who’s got their work in a choke hold.  Why doesn’t this guy just let me fill in the blanks?  A reader thinks as they skim paragraph after paragraph of description.  Do they think I’m stupid?  I wonder if they’re this controlling in real life?  I’d hate to date them…hey…is there still cake from last night in the community fridge…?

I know that you know your story better than anyone else, but when you’re writing your script, consider this one very simple but very true fact: less is more.  Clear, concise writers are writers who know exactly what they want to say and trust actors and directors to understand them.  Wordy, overblown writers trust no one and are determined to keep other people’s interpretations at bay.

The more white your page has, the more empty space, the more room there is for me to imagine.  The more concise you are, the easier it is for me to focus on your words.  Do you want to keep my mind from drifting off to thoughts of cake? 

Then embrace the space.

[Photo from markpowerblog.com]