Wow, "them's fightin' words" Ferguson. Nowadays, it seems like readers and audiences want things to happen earlier and earlier in a script, to the point where your opening shot should be a fist coming at the camera. Though no one would argue that action scenes are helped when the scene actually means something for the character, the plot, the theme or best, all three.

I really agree with Larry on this, but... ...in the current climate, and maybe it's a cycle (for 5 years now?) way to many readers, etc., who are the first line defense for unrepped writers want to know exactly what's going on by page 3. And they want action. Visualized action. Obviously, by the time the script gets to the stars ( as opposed to actor-actress ) it's a different attitude. Because stars care about how they're going to look and how many liens they get. A director will go for the big picture -- which goes back to the visualized action. Especially if it's a genre / high concept/ studio blockbuster. Even more especially for the growing, global audiences who love the 3d. Just being honest based on experience and those of others I know in the business.