Action Quote by Jonathan Tropper
“The whole purpose of screenwriting is to convey everything through action and dialogue and not explanation and exposition. To me, there are movies where voiceover works really well because it does something more than exposition; it actually becomes a tonal element of the movie.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Writer's Journey Podcast, 2018
Screenwriting should show story through actions and dialogue, not through telling; voiceover can add tone when used creatively.
In simple terms: Show, don’t tell; use voiceover sparingly for tone.
Prioritize visual storytelling.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- film scripts
- TV pilots
- stage plays
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does voiceover enhance a story?
- How can dialogue replace exposition?
Overreliance on voiceover may weaken visual impact.