Topic: So, I've got to write a fifteen page screenplay...
scm288
unregistered
posted
...by next Wednesday (for a creative writing class). Thing is, I have no idea what format I'm supposed to use. I look up screenplays on GOOGLE, but all I find are a bunch of articles on the format for film screenplays. But in class, we've been focusing on theater screenplays.
Do film and theater screenplays follow the same format? Is there anything else I need to know?
posted
Yes, theatre scripts and film scripts are very much alike. Near enough for jazz...and near enough for a creative writing class if the teacher didn't specify a format.
Edit: I just checked Samuel French, but you have to pay for everything there. This website, however has some: http://drama.eserver.org/plays/
[This message has been edited by Alethea Kontis (edited November 12, 2006).]
posted
Look for a few samples. I've seen a few floating around online...and, of course, there are a few out in book form, too...
Posts: 8809 | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yeah..."screenplay" definitely is specific to cinematography. There is no such thing as a "theater screenplay".
The main differences (fortunately for you) are all to the advantage of the playwright. You don't have to deal with all the cinematographic issues, you mainly do dialogue, entrances/exits, and simple set/character descriptions. You can block important actions, indicate necessary props and costumes, and otherwise fiddle with the director's field of expertise, but most directors will ignore those instructions. For dialogue, you are allowed to use an occasional adverb to indicate how a line is to be spoken, and directors will usually let that stand.
If it's just for a creative writing class, you're best off with an almost pure dialogue script.
posted
Good for you, bad for me, is that screenplay format is incredibly wasteful of space. I wound up mimicking as best I could the format of "The Hudsucker proxy" that I found by googling. Everything appears, at first glance, to be centered on the page. Character names are always capitalized. I'm just giving you those two features to look for to make sure you're using a screeplay as a model and not a transcript.
Posts: 366 | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you do sample an online screenplay, make sure it's a real screenplay, preferably from a real movie and written by a real professional, and not some Internet Fan Fiction example turned out by amateurs (myself included).
Posts: 8809 | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I know I said this, but he's not doing a screenplay.
And since this is for a creative writing class, this should probably go very light on required set, props, costumes, and blocking. You should write something that could be performed in the classroom, with a few of the other students. Whether or not you actually end up doing that, that's what is probably desired.
posted
If it's intended to be performed on a stage, it's a "play." If it's intended to be filmed, it's a "screenplay"---or "teleplay" if it's intended for television---or "script," to cover all these forms and perhaps a few other media. (A form of "manuscript," I assume.)
A "theater screenplay" would be a contradiction in terms.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
