Script Notes, Explained!: SHOW, DON'T TELL

What does “Show, Don’t Tell” really mean in the context of cinema, and how can you incorporate it into your script? In today's Script Notes, EXPLAINED!, we break down the concept using the opening scene from Steven Spielberg's JURASSIC PARK. Let's see how this film uses this technique to create tension and intrigue the audience from the very beginning.

​​SCRIPT NOTES, EXPLAINED!

​With Script Notes, EXPLAINED!, The Professional Pen is here to guide you through the most common script notes and show you exactly how to make them work in your script. Whether it’s exploring conflict, tightening up pacing, or creating character arcs, we break down these notes into easy steps. Plus, we’ll take cues from some iconic movies and shows, giving you examples of how similar techniques come to life in top scripts.
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The Note

Have you ever received feedback like this?
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​🟢 Beat out the scene
🟢 Too much exposition in the dialogue
🟢 Show, don't tell
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What is "Show Don't Tell?"

"Show, Don’t Tell" is a technique that emphasizes if the audience cannot audibly hear something through dialogue or visually see something on the screen, they won’t receive the information. Screenwriters often fall into the trap of including details that only exist in the text, as opposed to action or dialogue. For example, if the script says, "Claire walks into the room thinking about her long day," the audience will only see Claire walking into the room. They won’t know what she’s thinking unless it’s expressed through dialogue or a visual cue.     
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SEE THE SCRIPT NOTE IN ACTION USING JURASSIC PARK!

The movie opens in the dead of night in a jungle. There is no need for excessive exposition through dialogue; the visuals in the writing tell us everything we need to know. Jurassic park is a borderline thriller, but we don’t know that yet. The opening scene establishes this. We have a sense of urgency, an isolated environment, and an understanding of the dangers that our characters will be dealing with. The audience doesn’t necessarily know what kind of movie this will be. Without this scene to set the tone, for all we know, the amusement park filled with dinosaurs should go off without a hitch! Giving a sense of danger brings tension, and tension keeps the viewer engaged. Let's take a look!

TONE:

The movie opens in the dead of night, in a dense jungle. The darkness and thick vegetation immediately create a sense of mystery. The use of the expression “The sound bursts through the trees,” adds to the tension, making the viewer feel unsettled. ​

Let's take a look at the line, "A WORKER climbs to the top of the crate. The search lights are trained on the door." While this sets the stage, the real tension in the produced film comes from the description of the environment. As a writer, this is where “show, don’t tell” becomes crucial. Rather than writing dialogue where the characters explain their fear of the dinosaur, the script should emphasize what the audience will see and hear. The spotlights trained at the door imply that if they were to look away for a second, something could go wrong. Things like this, the rustling inside the cage, the grim-faced man, and the large machinery all point towards the idea that this unknown mysterious organization is trying to capture an untamable beast.  ​

The Result:

This scene perfectly illustrates "Show, Don’t Tell" through specific moments in the script. Instead of explaining the dangers of the dinosaurs with dialogue, the script lets us experience the terror firsthand. The roar from inside the crate, followed by the panel violently smacking the worker off the top, visually communicates the power of this unknown creature. As the claw slashes out, dragging the worker toward the crate, the danger becomes even more apparent. No one has to say the dinosaur is dangerous, the action makes that clear.

HOW TO APPLY “SHOW, DON’T TELL” IN YOUR SCREENPLAY

Now that you've watched this skillfully executed demonstration of “showing and not telling,” use it as inspiration for your own script!

🟢 Create tone through visuals. We don’t need to be told it was a dark and stormy night if we can see that it’s dark and stormy!
🟢 Use action with a purpose! Use actions to reveal emotion. If a character is feeling nervous or scared, show them sweating, struggling, etc. 
🟢 Use reactions to build suspense. When writing suspenseful scenes, focus on how your characters react. We see the arrogance in the nameless character who arrives to watch the dinosaur being transferred. Later, we see his fear as he stares into the dinosaur's eyes.
🟢 Trust the audience to figure it out. This is one of the most important aspects of “Show, Don’t Tell.” You don't need to explain every detail. In JURASSIC PARK, we watch the tension unfold audibly and visually. 
🟢 Beat out the scene. When writing, don't summarize important moments like dialogue or actions. Details need to be planned and written out so that the audience can follow the emotional and informational progression. Instead of vaguely stating that "two DJs talk about politics and sports," you need to write the full conversation to convey their personalities, emotions, and the scene's purpose. 

As you sit down to revise, remember: you don't need to rely on explaining your scenes! You can let the visuals and actions speak for your characters and plot. Utilizing the skills you gained today, you’ll keep your viewers engaged from the first scene to the final moment!

YOUR TURN:

Now, apply these techniques and leave your reaction in the comments. Did our tips help? What was the most difficult element in your story to “show?" What is YOUR favorite scene in cinema that applied the “Show, Don’t Tell” technique?

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AUTHOR

Matthew Jensen, originally from Massachusetts, is an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California. After transferring from Santa Monica College, where he studied film and music, he shifted to communications to align with his passion for storytelling and media strategy. Following his internship at Eastlake Studios, Matthew expanded his skills as a freelance composer and now works as a Sync musician independently in addition to working as a Marketing Intern for The Professional Pen, combining his creative and strategic talents.