How do you write exciting and coherent action sequences?

1 Plan your purpose

Before you write any action sequence, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What is the main conflict, goal, and obstacle for your protagonist? How does the action advance the plot, reveal the character, or convey the theme? How does it fit into the overall structure and tone of your script? Having a purpose for your action sequence will help you avoid unnecessary or irrelevant details, and focus on the essential elements that drive the story forward.

2 Break it down

Action sequences can be complex and chaotic, but they need to be clear and coherent for the audience. One way to achieve this is to break down your action sequence into smaller units of action, each with a beginning, middle, and end. For example, you can divide a car chase into several beats, such as the initiation, the pursuit, the obstacle, the twist, and the resolution. Each beat should have a clear goal, obstacle, and outcome for your protagonist, and create tension, suspense, or surprise for the audience.

3 Use visuals and verbs

Action sequences are meant to be seen, not read. Therefore, you need to use visual language and strong verbs to describe the action in your script. Avoid long or complex sentences, passive voice, or abstract nouns. Instead, use short and simple sentences, active voice, and concrete nouns. Show the action through specific and vivid details, such as the location, the props, the sounds, the movements, and the reactions of the characters. Use verbs that convey the intensity, speed, and direction of the action, such as smash, sprint, dodge, or explode.

4 Vary the rhythm and pace

Action sequences can be exciting and exhilarating, but they can also be exhausting and monotonous if they are too long or too fast. To avoid this, you need to vary the rhythm and pace of your action sequence, and balance it with moments of calm or contrast. You can use different techniques to create variation, such as changing the length of the sentences, the number of the beats, the point of view of the characters, or the tone of the dialogue. You can also use transitions, pauses, or cuts to break up the action or change the focus.

5 Connect with emotion

Action sequences are not just about physical movement, they are also about emotional impact. You need to connect your action sequence with the emotions of your characters and your audience. How does the action affect the character's motivation, attitude, or arc? How does it make the audience feel, empathize, or root for the character? You can use dialogue, subtext, facial expressions, body language, or music to convey the emotion of the action sequence, and make it more meaningful and memorable.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?