How many lines should a character introduction be?

A character introduction in a screenplay should usually be one to three short lines, written clearly and visually. According to professional screenplay character introduction tips, the first appearance of a character should be easy to read and quick to understand. When learning how to introduce characters in a screenplay, writers are advised to keep introductions brief so the story flow remains smooth. Proper screenplay character description formatting focuses only on what can be seen on screen, such as age range, appearance, and a small personality hint. While writing character introductions for the screenplay, one strong line is often enough for minor characters, while important characters may need up to three lines. Many screenplay writing tips: character introductions stress that long paragraphs slow pacing and reduce impact. Good screenplay tips for character introduction and pacing recommend short, sharp descriptions that do not interrupt the scene. By writing memorable character intros in scripts with limited lines, writers help readers quickly visualize the character while keeping the screenplay clean, professional, and easy to read.