A screenplay or script is a
written work by
screenwriters for a
film or
television program. These screenplays can be original works or
adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement,
actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated.
A play for television is also known as a
teleplay.
Sample from a screenplay, showing
dialogue and action descriptions
Format and style
The format is structured in a way that one page usually equates to
one minute of screen time. In a "shooting
script", each scene is numbered, and technical direction may be
given. In a "spec"
or a "draft" in various stages of development, the scenes are not
numbered, and technical direction is at a minimum. The standard font for
a screenplay is 12 point, 10 pitch
Courier.
The major components are action and dialogue. The "action" is written
in the
present tense. The "dialogue" are the lines the characters speak.
Unique to the screenplay (as opposed to a stage play) is the use of
slug lines.
The format consists of three aspects:
- The interplay between typeface/font, line spacing and type area,
from which the standard of one page of text per one minute of screen
time is derived. In the United States
letter size paper and
Courier 12 point are mandatory; Europe uniformly uses
A4 as the standard paper size format, and has no uniform font
requirement.
- The tab settings of the scene elements (dialogue, scenes
headings, transitions, parentheticals, etc.), which constitute the
screenplay's layout.
- The dialogue must be centered and the names must be
capitalized. A script usually begins with "FADE IN:", followed
by the first scene description. It might get more specific, e.g.
"FADE IN ON AN
ECU of Ricky as he explains the divorce to Bob." A script will
usually end with "FADE TO BLACK", though there are variables, like
"CUT TO BLACK" for abrupt endings.
The style consists of a grammar that is specific to screenplays. This
grammar also consists of two aspects:
- A prose that is manifestation-oriented, i.e. focuses largely on
what is audible and what is visible on screen. This prose may only
supply interpretations and explanation (deviate from the
manifestation-oriented prose) if clarity would otherwise be
adversely affected.
- Codified notation of certain technical or dramatic elements,
such as scene transitions, changes in narrative perspective, sound
effects, emphasis of dramatically relevant objects and characters
speaking from outside a scene.
Types
Spec screenplay
A
'spec' or speculative screenplay is a script written to be sold on
the open market with no upfront payment, or promise of payment. The
content is usually invented solely by the screenwriter, though spec
screenplays can also be based on established works, or real people and
events.[1]
Commissioned
screenplay
A commissioned screenplay is written by a hired writer. The concept
is usually developed long before the screenwriter is brought on, and
often has multiple writers work on it before the script is given a
green-light.[2]
Screenwriting
software
Detailed computer programs are designed specifically to format
screenplays, teleplays and stage plays.
Celtx,
DreamaScript,
Movie Magic Screenwriter,
Scrivener,
Final Draft,
Movie Outline 3.0, FiveSprockets, and
Montage are several such programs. Software is also available as
web applications, accessible from any computer, and on
mobile devices.
See also