What does Parenthetical mean?
Parenthetical refers to brief instructions or clarifications written in parentheses within a screenplay to indicate how a line should be delivered or to provide additional context for a scene. Parentheticals are usually placed before dialogue to guide the actor on the intended emotion, tone, or action. While they offer direction, parentheticals should be used sparingly to allow actors and directors creative freedom in interpreting the script.
Example:A parenthetical in the screenplay reads (angrily), guiding the actor to deliver the following line with an aggressive tone.
Example: The script includes a parenthetical (sighs) before a character’s dialogue, indicating that they should deliver the line in a weary or frustrated manner.
Did You Know?
Overuse of parentheticals can limit an actor’s interpretation of the script, so they are often kept brief and used only when necessary!
