How to make your script writing style leverage 100x more suspense.

There is one vital ingredient that sets apart the script writing style of screenplays that sell from those they don't... SUSPENSE. And this doesn't only apply to all you thriller and horror writers out there.

If you want a producer or manager to absolutely fall in love with your screenplay—no matter what the genre—it's essential you know how to leverage suspense in your script writing style.

In this post, we're going to show you how to do exactly that. But we're not going to talk about how to create suspense through the usual avenues of dialogue, plot or characters, but through your script writing style.

How to leverage suspense in your scene description.

If you've read the great book Cinematic Storytelling by Jennifer Van Sijll, you may remember her analysis of the “adrenalin shot” scene in Pulp Fiction. (Affiliate link disclaimer: if you purchase via this link we receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.)

This technique not only generates much more suspense in a scene but also creates a leaner, more focused script writing style. And who can argue with that?

Let’s see how it's achieved by comparing the screenwriting style of a less-experienced writer, with a professional screenwriter.

Version 1: amateur script writing style.

Here's how an amateur screenwriter might approach the scene:

Before we take a look at how Tarantino actually wrote the scene, you can also watch it here:

Version 2: pro script writing style.

Now let's take a look at how a professional screenwriter, in this case, Quentin Tarantino, wrote the actual scene:

How to create suspense in your description by extending time.

The main difference between the two screenwriting styles is the amount of suspense generated. The first has very little but the second is full of tension. But how does Tarantino achieve this?

As Jennifer points out in her book Cinematic Storytelling, it’s all about extending time.

The first amateur script writing version is closer to real time. In real life, Vincent would take a moment to prepare himself, lift up the needle above his head, wait for Lance’s 3-second countdown and plunge it in.

In Tarantino’s version, though, everything is slowed down, thus increasing the amount of suspense as we wait for Vincent to plunge the needle into Mia’s chest. He takes care to extend the action by frequently employing cutaways and reaction shots of the other characters in the scene.

In contrast, the first version just tells us what's about to happen, and then it happens. There's no suspense in the scene because the writer doesn't give us a chance to worry. The whole thing's over long beforehand.

Develop a screenwriting style that uses one line as one shot.

Instead of using camera angles, such as CLOSE UP, MEDIUM SHOT or WIDE, etc. each line of description implies each of these shots.

For example, the lines “Vincent’s eyes narrow,” and “The red dot on Mia’s chest,” both increase our anxiety because we’re literally left waiting for it to happen.

This is a great way of expanding time to create suspense because you're letting the audience know this is an important moment in the film.

Studio readers, execs, managers and producers love this kind of script writing style because it utilizes suspense in such an effective way and lets them know they're in the hands of a writer who knows what they're doing.

If you haven’t already done so, pick up a copy of Jennifer’s book, Cinematic Storytelling, to learn even more about this technique on how to create suspense in your script writing style. It’s designed for filmmakers but contains a ton of great info for screenwriters too.

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What do you think of this technique to leverage suspense in your script writing style? What techniques do you use? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Liked this post? Read more on how to cultivate a pro script writing style...

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Improve Your Screenplay Scene Description in 10 Min With This Method

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