Do you have any tips on how to make a screenplay more visual, and not rely on dialogue to move the story along? I know as a general rule, it's SHOW and not TELL. I am currently revising my thesis' screenplay (our thesis is to make a short film--it's a family drama, focusing on the son and his estranged father), and if you'd like to share any tips, or suggestions, you'd be helping me a lot. Thanks!

Do you have any particular reason for doing this (aside from this "general rule")? Think about that, first.

Secondly, the key to not using dialogue to move the story is great dialogue. It might seem contradictory but it isn't.

Whenever a character announces "I'm sad" or something, everyone cringes. Subtext is part of it, because people don't always say what they mean (some people rarely do). But for this, you need a) a director who will be able to interpret the subtext correctly and know how to best covey it and b) actors who can say something without speaking the right words.

If you're directing, know where to leave silences. If not, trust your director to do it for you.

You don't have to write loads of screen directions for the film to be visually focused, at least half of the job is done in production.

Practice writing scenes without dialogue. Convey a point without a single spoken word.

Also try acting scenes out by yourself. Without speaking. Just do stuff. A character alone is a very poignant thing. Also take a lot of photos. Get out and take pictures as much as possible. These things will teach you to think and write visually.

thank you for your help! it's been very hard, trying to get our screenplay right. i appreciate your tips. thanks!

Read feature-length screenplays of your favourite movies or ones that you consider very visual. Learning how the pros do it will help your writing immensely.