5 warning signs in a Script That Will Tank Your Shoot
You can have the best DP, the best cast, and the best gear — but a bad script will still burn your entire production to the ground.
We’ve seen it happen. A project looks good on paper (or in a treatment deck), but once you step on set, the wheels come off. And nine times out of ten, the issues were already in the script.
Here are five red flags that should make you pause — if not slam the brakes.
1. Unclear Objective in the Scene
If your characters are talking but we don’t know what they want, the scene will fall flat. Every scene needs a purpose — something that drives the action forward or shifts the stakes.
Watch for:
Dialogue that circles but never lands
Scenes that don’t change anything in the story
Actors asking, “What’s my motivation again?”
Fix it:
Make sure each scene has a clear “why now?” and a measurable goal. Even subtle scenes need emotional or narrative consequence.
2. Voice-Over That Covers for Bad Writing
Voice-over shouldn’t be used to explain what the visuals or dialogue should already be doing. If your scene needs narration to make sense, there’s a deeper problem.
Watch for:
Lines like “I didn’t know what was coming next…”
VO used to explain emotions already shown on screen
Fix it:
Use VO to add to the narrative — not to rescue it. If it doesn’t open a new layer of meaning, it’s better left out.
3. Vague Stage Directions or Magical Thinking
“An angel descends and the room transforms into a memory of childhood joy.”
Okay — but how? Where? With what crew? Abstract or poetic directions often leave your team scrambling.
Watch for:
Descriptions that sound good but aren’t shootable
“Suddenly…” without specific action
Visuals that require a million-dollar budget with no plan
Fix it:
Directors and department heads need clear visuals. If it can’t be visualized in a storyboard, rewrite it.
4. Too Much Packed Into One Scene
A strong scene does one or two things well. Trying to cram too much into one location, one dialogue pass, or one emotional beat will dilute all of it.
Watch for:
Tonal whiplash (comedy, drama, exposition all at once)
Too many characters or simultaneous events
Dense dialogue competing with action
Fix it:
Cut the noise. Anchor the scene in one primary goal and let it breathe. Save the rest for another scene.
5. No Emotional Anchor
A script can be technically sound and still fall completely flat. Why? Because logic isn’t what makes people care — emotion is.
Watch for:
Scenes that wrap up too cleanly
Characters with no vulnerability
Stories that feel more like ads than actual lives
Fix it:
Ask what the audience should feel. If that’s unclear, the scene won’t land — no matter how polished it looks.
Final Thought
A shoot will only be as strong as the story it’s built on. Great scripts aren’t just creative — they’re clear, emotional, and shootable.
If you're spotting these red flags, fix them before you roll. Rewriting in development costs you a few hours. Rewriting on set costs you the whole day — and sometimes the whole project.
Want eyes on your script before you shoot?
Reach out to Fragrant Film — we can help you catch it early.
