writing the 'action'

[ScriptNurse]

Personally, I would break it into separate paragraphs to indicate a separate shot. It's a way of "directing" without directing, which is highly frowned upon.

[uncle_al]

There are some in "the biz" who write one line per action.
There are others who write six or seven lines of type for an action.
My view is very close to Lloyd's... write one sequence of action (she swims across the pool, keeping an eye out for intruders) per line.  Break a new line when a new action/complication is involved (She bursts from the water, gasping for breath, and resubmerges to chest level quickly, scanning the forest warily).

You will find out what balance you need to strike when you keep writing.

(So, keep writing, already!)

Cheers!

Al B.

[LloJo]

This is a good description of a swim, but there are a couple of things that could be improved. It's best to avoid words that end in ing or ly, and you have used both in the first three sentences.
Also, anything that can't be filmed shouldn't be there. "In case someone is watching" cannot be filmed, nor can "deciding it is safe." Let her actions show us what she's thinking.
Something like, "As she swims, her head darts left and right. A bird flies over and she almost panics. She freezes for a moment, then resumes her swim. She looks in all directions, cautious, then breaks into a breast stroke."
Keep your action lines short. Whenever (in your opinion) the camera would have to move, start a new sentence.
And use spell check!
Lloyd

[padnar]

Hi Bec
Great it sums it all. I have the  big problem of telling
and not showing and here yu are just showing .
I am no expert but still hanging around here for six months
i think this is fine  . Anyway let the experts speak
padma

[Bec]

Ok so writing the action in the script, is it better to write it like a paragraphe from a story, or to write each action seperatley?

This is an example of how i write my action:

"Sara dives into the pool. She swims the entire length of the pool underwater then bursts out of the water, gasping for breath. She quickley submerges back into the water to chest level in case some one is watching from the protection of the dark forest behind her. She eyes the forest warily, then, deciding it is safe, she breaks into a lap of breast stroke."

I tend to write my action like it is a story, is this wrong? Is it too much information? I want the reader to see exactly what is going on in the scene but i dont want to over do it and leave nothing to the imaginiation of the person reading the screen play.

Any help is great, thanks!