What is dramatic action in a play or screenplay?

Estimated reading time: 3-4 minutes

Actions speak louder than words. Sorry to break it to you. Your parents were right all along. When it comes writing a play or screenplay, it’s all about action.

What people *do* is way more important than what they say

It’s easy to think a script is all about the words on the page. That’s what you see when you pick up a script, right? Yes. But those words sit on top of action, and learning to write in action is key to improving your writing (no matter where you are in your career).

So, what is dramatic action?

Dramatic action is the effort that a character goes to, to change the psychological state of another.

In life, we’re always trying to get something from someone, whether that’s love, approval, affection, or even rejection. The same is true in your writing. In every beat of your script, your character wants something from the other character present. It is your job as the playwright, or screenwriter, to craft the actions they take to get what they want.

It is the series events you choose, on purpose, to force your characters into conflicts and to make choices that provoke change. It’s impossible to consider dramatic action without understanding story structure, so I’ll share more about that here.

Quick takeaway

Dramatic action is what characters do to get what they want. It shifts and changes moment by moment, and it is the engine of your story.

Why is dramatic action so important in a play or screenplay?

Dramatic action is what separates a static scene from one that grips an audience. Characters are defined not by what they say but by what they do in pursuit of their goals. Each action creates a reaction, which in turn creates tension, escalation and momentum. Without it, even the best dialogue sits flat on the page.

It’s the thing that an audience can feel. It’s where tension and subtext simmer and bubble. Every time a character takes action, it causes a reaction, and we as the audience can’t wait to find out what happens next. Without it, dialogue is flat and uninteresting (no matter how beautifully written).

LEARN TO WRITE in units of action

I’m a big fan of crafting stories in units of action. Mark each moment by the progress of your characters in their action toward a goal or in getting something from each other. In drama, the result of success or failure in pursuing an action is what creates the emotional depth of your story. Is the same true for comedy? Yes, the more a character fails to get what they want, the more trouble they get into, the more trouble they get into, the more funny it gets.

So, if you’re stuck with a play or screenplay, take one of your scenes, and ask yourself?

• What does each character want?

• What are they doing to get it?

• How does that action change the situation or the other person?

It is learning to craft scenes in units of action that creates the drive that moves stories forward, and makes audiences care. If nobody is trying to change anything, there’s no drama, and if there’s no drama, it’s boring.

Remember: Build trouble, not dialogue.

In short

Dramatic action is where it’s at. It remains the central, most crucial tenet of any script. Action, and of course, story. It took me years to understand how they work together, so I am fully prepared to get into the trenches with you and find the solutions you need to improve your script.

Whether I am working as a scriptwriter, offering script consulting services, acting as dramaturg for solo theatre and performance material, I always come back to this question?

What is the dramatic action in a play or screenplay?

It’s the doing, not the talking, that moves stories forward and keeps audiences engaged. Master it and everything else in your writing starts to fall into place.

I’m Doug Crossley, I tell stories and I help people tell theirs. I know that choosing the right script consultant is about finding someone you trust to walk beside you. If you’re ready to work with someone who brings warmth, rigour, and creative partnership to the process, explore my script consulting services. The right collaboration can help your story become what it’s meant to be. Want to discover more? Book in a free call to discuss your project.