On top of all the "other reasons" not to use a passive voice in your scripts, here's a really simple one.  Check out this example...

Joe Blow is running up the stairs.

Joe Blow runs up the stairs.

See how many "spaces" you save by using "runs", as opposed to using "is running"?

It makes a definite difference over the course of a feature length script.

Let us please confine this conversation to the proper use of INT. and EXT., or the thread ceases to become useful.

Thank you.  Deletions will ensue following this post.


[Edit:  Balt's post -- a few minutes after mine, and likely composed as I posted -- was "grandfathered" into thread.  But that's it.]

I'm not here for circling discussions of why and when and how.  My time is limited, but there is a huge difference between

Running

&

Runs

Using ING in that sense is overkill.  I agree.  Omitting "and" and words such as "Omitting" from a screenplay is lunacy.  If your character is within action, ING is probably not the best way to describe what he's doing.  But "REAL" writers should already know that.

"Omitting words as he speaks aloud, Phil reads the scripture."

Perfectly, in my experience, acceptable.   Of course another preference could be

"Phil omits certain words as he reads the scripture."

Both would and will work.  What I am stressing, and I'll leave, is that a writer should have the power when he writes his/her script.  In fact, they do.  Restrictions are hurdles a writer must over come in exposition.  However, the course shouldn't be littered with so many detours as for one to not even finish the race.

Write your way.  Write the way you feel makes most sense to you.  Readers, if you're good, will see the story as long as you take basic rules and bend them to your abilities.