Jon, I'm not very experienced, but I will say what I have learnt...

The first one I would put as action. The second one, not sure. The third one isn't needed at all. We know he is talking to everyone because he says "So, everyone..." I would put a beat there instead of what you have.

The fourth one I would put in the action. The fifth one, you don't need to say "serioulsy" there. Just "to Maria" is fine to keep in there.

Hope I have helped. And I hope I am not the bringer (is that the right word?) of too bad news. I don't think it matters too much, as long as you don't have too many in there overall.

Well, it's like this. Action paragraphs are so called because they describe just that: action. A parenthetical (or more commonly referred to as a wryly) is generally not used to convey action unless it can be described in a few words, like this: reading a line or producing a stiletto.

What you have above is to much action for a wryly in most cases, and in others, you have to remember that the actions are being done to interrupt the dialogue and a progressive verb is typically used.

"Looks at watch, groans" is too much and better separated to an action line. The two in the Scrubs dialogue also seem to be better placed as action paragraphs, though the first could be done "leaning to Charlie." Coming out of that back to the room seems to much for the wryly, though.

The "launches herself" in the Chelle dialogue is too much. But "to Maria" totally works if the scene itself doesn't make the movement obvious.

Wrylies should be used sparingly as a general rule, since the scene should convey what's going on during the dialogue, and a good actor can usually figure it out. If you want that much control, write the novel first.

Right on, George.  I agree completely.  Use sparingly...very sparingly.

Here's a pretty good write-up about parentheticals that I found on another screenwriting site.  That should about cover it for you Johnny.
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Parentheticals are sometimes referred to as "wrylies" because there are times a writer would like to have his dialogue delivered "wryly," meaning to evoke an emotion, a tone, a certain pitch behind the dialogue: wryly, sarcastically, sadly, slyly, etc.

These wrylies are usually in the form of an adverb, but there's no problem if you wish to use a simple verb.

The best use of a parenthesis is when the line means the exact opposite. Example:

BOB
(sarcastically)
You look lovely.

Don't use a parenthesis in a redundant way:

MARY
(shouting)
He's behind you!

An example of a necessary way:

MARY
(whispers)
He's behind you!

Another way to convey emotion, tone is an example from the "Pirates of the Caribbean":

WILL
You cheated.

JACK
(what do you expect?)
Pirate.

Usually a parenthesis will consist of words or phrases and not complete sentences, but as you can see with the pirate Jack example, there are exceptions.

If you have more than one direction in a parenthesis, you'll use a semicolon to separate them.

I don't include a parenthesis to tell an actor how to read a line (angrily, sadly, calmly, happily, etc.) unless there's a good reason for it.

An actor goes through a process to discover their character and how they would act in situations. They much rather have the context of the scene and dialogue express to them how a character would read a certain line. &nbsp

Besides a parenthetical being used for a character's dialogue, it also can be used for his actions -- within reason.

If a new writer asked me about putting action in parenthesis, I'd inform him that the proper format for action/description is to put it flush with the left margin, but this isn't an absolute rule. There are exceptions.

I'll point out some exceptions where a writer might want to use actions in parentheses.

For example, to use a short action as a pause for a one-sided phone call to indicate that a character is listening to someone:

Bob answers the phone.

BOB
Hello.
(grabs pen and paper)
Four o'clock. I'll be there.

A writer might use an action in parenthesis to break up a block of dialogue: (rubs rabbit's foot).

A writer might not want to break the flow, rhythm or tension in a scene and/or between characters by placing a small piece of action on its own line and coming back to dialogue, so he'll use a parenthesis in the character's dialogue: (cocks the gun).

A writer knows that sometimes busy executives skim action/descriptions, so if they have an important piece of action they may put it in the character's dialogue instead of the action/description format to be sure it won't be missed.

A writer might go back to put a previous action in parenthesis because he wants to fit the last line of a character's dialogue on the end of the page.

Otherwise, he would have to use the annoying "MORE," or move all the dialogue over to the top of the next page.

If an action in parenthesis needs to go on for more than one line, then I'd suggest, if possible, to place it in the action/description format: flushed to the left margin.

There are exceptions for putting actions in parentheses, but keep in mind, the actions that you choose would work best if it actually revealed character and/or moved the story forward and not just filler to achieve a particular pause, break, etc.

Regardless of the exceptions I've mentioned, I suggest that the majority of your action be where action/description belongs: flushed with the left margin.

Otherwise, pages full of parentheses would be very distracting and annoying for the reader.

Other occasions where a writer might use a parenthesis:

There might be a group of characters, so a parenthesis will be needed to make it clear whom the speaker is speaking to:

BOB
(to Sue)
Enjoying yourself?

To indicate when a character is speaking on the phone:

BOB
(on phone)
Buy Sirius -- now!

To indicate when a character is speaking in a foreign language:

BOB
(in French)
I love you.

To indicate two characters speaking at the same time:

BOB
It wasn't my fault.

MARY
(simultaneously)
I want you to leave.

Thanks Michael! EXCELLENT piece. So if I understand it correctly, my use of wrylies (like that term, gonna use it from now on) is acceptable?

Yay!

It is acceptable but you should avoid using them if possible and only use them if you have a good reason.

Noted. I shall endeavour to exercise restraint wherever possible.

Thanks a lot for the responses, guys!

Good thread guys, interesting. Nice post Michael.

(sarcastically)
Yeah, right!
(argumentatively)
You're all wrong; you need parentheticals in every line of dialogue.
(shouting)
No one her knows how to write!
(more calmly)
But maybe I'm over-reacting.
(confused)
I - I mean - that is - what were we talking about?
(acquiescent)
Whatever; use them however much you want.

Quoted from jerdol (sarcastically) Yeah, right! (argumentatively) You're all wrong; you need parentheticals in every line of dialogue. (shouting) No one her knows how to write! (more calmly) But maybe I'm over-reacting. (confused) I - I mean - that is - what were we talking about? (acquiescent) Whatever; use them however much you want.

Feel better now that you've got that out of your system?