Action is more than just gunfights and car chases

John and Craig are all action this week, looking at how screenwriters write those things characters do in a movie. It’s a part of the craft that often goes unnoticed — unlike dialogue, you don’t hear the writer’s work — but smartly-written action pays dividends, helping readers see the movie you want them to make. We follow-up our discussion with a look at four (!) samples from the Three Page Challenge that focus on action, with ample praise for those that do it well and some suggestions for those who fumble a bit. Also this week: a short history of (annoyed grunt), better known as d’oh! If you’re listening to the podcast on the site, do us a favor and also leave us a review on iTunes. Great reviews help other listeners find us, and further Craig’s singing-to-a-stadium agenda. LINKS: Dan Castellaneta explains Homer Simpson’s “D’oh!” James Finlayson’s “Doohh!” Meltdown Comics Three pages by Ben Jacoby Three pages by Trevor Hollen Three pages by Randall J. Knox & Jason Zahodnik Three pages by David Stripinis Sleepwalk With Me, a film by Mike Birbiglia INTRO: GI Joe Epic Opening OUTRO: Raw (remix) by Big Daddy Kane You can download the episode here: AAC. UPDATE 9-7-12: The transcript of this episode can be found here.The post Action is more than just gunfights and car chases first appeared on John August.