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Q&A Is it okay to sum up unimportant dialogue in the description? Let me explain

Like many, I’m a huge fan of the HBO series True Detective. I was reading the script for the second episode and I noticed this: INT. STATE CID - NIGHT Hart and Cohle enter the squad room, acknowle...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Marcus Meier‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T07:32:33Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/32064
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar Marcus Meier‭ · 2019-12-08T07:32:33Z (over 4 years ago)
Like many, I’m a huge fan of the HBO series True Detective. I was reading the script for the second episode and I noticed this:

INT. STATE CID - NIGHT Hart and Cohle enter the squad room, acknowledged by the RECEPTIONIST. They walk through the division toward the BIG BOARD.

* * *

In my script, I have the lead character walk past a receptionist desk of the police station as well.

My question is: Is it “okay” to sum up a semi-unimportant dialogue in the action? Like acknowledging a receptionist? I realize I could just skip this part entirely, but I feel like it does add a layer of realism in routine.

Or I could write it all out.

What should I do?

Thanks.

Marc

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2017-12-18T16:25:55Z (over 6 years ago)
Original score: 2