When a scene is vague, it's difficult for both people to figure out how the scene should proceed. Also, the audience is often left wondering the basic details of the scene and when they don't know these details, they start to lose interest.
So, it's best to get the details (the who, what, and where) of a scene out there as quickly as you can.
Person #1: (making sandwiches) Man, working at Subway blows! (establishes the
what and
where)
Person #2: (also makes sandwiches) Yes Jim, and I'm really glad that you've been working with me these past 5 years..otherwise I don't think I would have lasted so long. (establishes
who these people are to each other)
If you're scene partner provides some of the details, then do your best to fill in the missing parts (e.g. in the example above, the who they are to each other. One scene partner is unlikely to provide the who, what, and where in the first line. And even if you could, it's probably best not to do so, so that you can give your scene partner some input as to where the scene is going. It's always best to give the gift of details to your scene partner (or about your scene partner).. and when you do so, he or she will be very grateful to have less pressure!
