Screenplays and scripts

What is a screenplay?
A screenplay is just the script of a film that can be used as a short, brief guide to follow instructions. This includes a detailed description about the setting, locations and stage directions. These are always written during the pre-production stage of the making of a movie.

What is a screenwriter?
A screenwriter is just the person that writes the screenplay with thorough detail. They must always include the basic outline of the film on the screenplay that can be simply and easily followed by the rest of the movie crew for example: Directors, Producers, Editors, Cinematographers . Screenwriters always have to meet their strict deadlines with high standard work.

What is the difference between a script and a screenplay?

Most people just think and assume that scripts are only used in theatre production and screenplays are used in the film industry . A screenplay is always written to be played on a screen. For example a movie, television or computer screen. But a script can be written for more things such as : a movie, television, computer screen, stage plays, video games and radio programmes .

A screenplay is a script for a film that includes acting instructions and scene directions. A screenplay is usually written in a 90-120 written document written in the font Courier 12pt on "8 1/2 x 11". It is written in this same font every time because its a timing issue. One formatted script page in Courier font equals roughly one minute of screen time.

A screenplay can be an original piece, based on a true story or a previously written piece, like a novel, stage play or a newspaper article .

Professionals that work on the set for example: Film directors, producers, set designers, and actors all translate the screenwriters vision using their own individual talents.

How to write a screenplay/script?

When writing a screenplay and a script you have to include the location, setting and time of day that it will be filmed. This gives the audience the geographic location and era in which the story takes place. By clearly describing the location and place that the film is taking place, it will immediately engage the audience in the plot so they won't wonder where and when the story takes place.

In screenplays, key characters are introduced and a short description about who they are and what they look like is also used. This is so the audience gets a brief idea about who they are, this is to stop confusion. Key dialogue between characters and details about their actions and expressions are put on a screenplay. This is so the actors and producers of the film don't get mixed up and confused about what they have to do next. Details about different camera shots/angles/movement are also used and put on screenplays. This is to avoid confusion and to be used as a simple guide that can be followed for direction about what comes next.

Jaws Screenplay:

"Jaws" has to be one of the most famous, popular, well-known horror thrillers ever made. The American thriller film was directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name. The storyline of 'Jaws' is that there is a giant man-eating great white shark that is frequently attacking people that are visiting the beach on Amity Island, a fictional New England summer resort town. The local police chief, a marine biologist and a professional shark hunter all go on the search hunting for the vigorous creature.

I have studied the opening scene of the 1975 Steven Spielberg production 'Jaws'. This gave me a clear insight as to how the scene follows the screenplay . The screenplay for the well-known film was written by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. The video below is the opening scene clip that I have studied called "Chrissie's Last Swim'.

Have a quick watch and see what you think...

The photographs below are images of the 'Jaws' screenplay that I have studied. I have annotated them with brief notes to widen my understanding about screenplays, especially this one.

Have a quick read and see what you think..

It is clear that from the first page of the screenplay there is a large focus on the setting . For example "blue light in the center of the picture" and "The quaint little resort town". These settings are described with a large amount of detail. As well as this, it is clear from the screenplay sound is an important aspect as that is mentioned a couple of times on the first page of the script e.g "Sound of the inner spaces rushing forward".

Another thing that I have learnt from the script is what 'EXT and 'INT' mean. These are used as short codes to describe location. 'EXT' means exterior which means outside , and 'INT' means interior which in other words means inside. 'EXT' is mentioned a couple of times on the first page of the screenplay, this suggests that some of it is filmed outside.

It is evident that the different camera shots, angles and movements used also are very important in the screenplay. They are located on the left hand side , mainly on the second page of the screenplay, alongside with numbers which mean a change in scene or a new location.

What's changed from the screenplay to the film?

Usually in the production of any film/movie screenplays are only used as a guide, not to be followed completely with no changes or add-on's being made. Sometimes certain scenes are added to create suspense, tension or to help build the characteristics of a particular individual. In addition to that, sometimes scenes are cut out to minimise and shorten time if its too long . Also extra scenes may be added to extend time if running low . Some camera shots are not added in the actual opening scene that are mentioned in the screenplay. For example on page two of the screenplay, there is apparently a close up shot in scene 6 of Cassidy trying to kiss Christina. However, from the opening scene it doesn't actually seem to happen. The film director may have thought that this scene was unnecessary and wasn't worth putting in.

Also within the opening scene, Christina hangs on a buoy to try and save herself , however in the screenplay, there is no mentioning of this actually happening and 'buoy' isn't mentioned either. This is added to create a hopeful feeling for the audience ,however this doesn't last long because Jaws attacks her shortly after.