Industry jargon not your thing? Our glossary will enlighten you!
A screenplay, also known as a script, is a detailed document that contains the plot, character dialogue, cinematography instructions and visualization notes for a film, television or theater production. It serves as a blueprint for all aspects of the production, from the director and actors to the design and production teams. A well-developed script is crucial to the success of a project as it determines the narrative structure and tone of the finished product.
A classic script follows a standardized format that allows everyone involved to quickly grasp and use the required information. The structure typically includes:
Headlines (sluglines): Brief descriptions of a scene's location and time of day.
Action descriptions: Detailed descriptions of what is being depicted visually, including character movements and important background actions.
Dialogue: The exact words spoken by the characters.
Stage directions: Instructions for camera movement, lighting, and general mood, often placed in parentheses.
Transitions: Instructions on how to move from one scene to the next.
Developing a screenplay can be a lengthy process that often starts with a simple idea or concept. The steps include:
Concepting: It all starts with an idea or premise.
Story development (plotting): Outlining a plot and developing character arcs.
Creating a synopsis: A brief summary of the story with main characters and plot development.
Draft screenplay (screenwriting): Writing the actual screenplay.
Revision and polishing: Based on feedback, corrections and adjustments are made.
Strong characters: Characters with whom the audience can sympathize, who are deep and multi-layered.
Clear conflict: A clear, compelling conflict that drives the plot forward.
Dialogue: Natural and purposeful dialog that reinforces the plot and brings the characters to life.
Pacing: A well-paced sequence of events that holds the viewer's interest.
Visual descriptions: Descriptions that make it easy to visualize the scene.
Originality: It is a challenge to develop fresh and original ideas that have not yet been explored.
Structural Balance: The balancing of plot, character development and themes without overloading or underdevelopment.
Emotional resonance: The ability to evoke genuine emotional responses from the audience.
A standard screenplay for a feature film is about 90-120 pages, with each page equaling about a minute of screen time.