Screenplays

What is a screenplay?

A script or screenplay is the written work done before a film. However, there is a difference. A script is all the dialogue said by each character. A screenplay, includes the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated, and so are much more detailed than a regular script.
The format is structured in a way that one page usually equates to one minute of screen time. In many cases a screenplay is based on an existing book that is being attempted to be made into a film.
They usually consist of 90 - 120 to be an average length film.

We looked at a screenplay from the opening of the film 'Jaws' (underneath). This was by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb, from the original novel by Peter Benchley . It showed the different scenes by numbering them in order of play, the basics of the setting, actions of characters and the angle/way that scenes are shot. This is set out so that the number of the scene is clearly at the side, then in capitals, a basic description of the setting or the type of shot e.g. CLOSE UP OF CASSIDY, and then the description of what happens including dialogue.

Fact -The font I have used on this is the typical font used of screenplays as the equal spacing between the letters is the way that a page of writing is roughly a minute of a film.

Elements of a screenplay:

• The scene headings - the parts in all CAPS - is a way to set the scene. It explains the location, the type of angle or shot and maybe movement. Here, EXT. means the scene is outside.
• Action - is basically what it sounds like. Its the main bulk (bar the script), of the screenplay. It is all the actions and movements of the characters, explaining to the reader what is happening.
• Character - Character elements are in UPPERCASE and are just the name of the character that is about to speak and so are followed immediately by Dialogue.
• Dialogue - What it sounds like!
• Parenthetical - These come after a character or piece of dialogue in brackets, to show how it is spoken or acted. 
• Transition - these are used to transition between one scene to another. For example, this is when it says "cut TO' or "fade in".

Example of screenplay from 'JAWS'

                                    OVER BLACK

               Sounds of the innerspaces rushing forward.

               Then a splinter of blue light in the center of the picture.

               It breaks wide, showing the top and bottom a silhouetted 
               curtain of razor sharp teeth suggesting that we are inside 
               of a tremendous gullet, looking out at the onrushing undersea 
               world at night. HEAR a symphony of underwater sounds: 
               landslide, metabolic sounds, the rare and secret noises that 
               certain undersea species share with each other. Also, the 
               hint of familiar music, twisted and distorted by the depths.

                                                                    CUT TO:

               EXT. BEACH – NIGHT – SHARK'S POINT OF VIEW – RISING OUT OF 
               THE WATER, LOOKING AT

               It is a pleasant, moonlit, windless night in mid-June. We 
               see a long straight stretch of white beach. Behind the low 
               dunes are the dark shapes of large expensive houses. Hear a 
               number of voices singing. It sounds like an eastern 
               university's alma mater, no longer distorted.

               EXT. BEACH – NIGHT – ANOTHER ANGLE

               Around a blazing bonfire, a group of young men and women, 
               beer cans (or maybe a keg) in evidence, as well as the bota 
               Spanish leather wine-bag much in favor by beach and ski-bum 
               types.

               The group is swapping sentimental alma maters, weepily singing 
               eastern Ivy League anthems -– Dartmouth, Cornell, Harvard, 
               Penn, etc. Two young people break away from the others. They

               are Tom Cassidy and Chrissie. Behind them, there is 
               considerable necking activity; Tom and Chrissie are more 
               serious.

               TOM

               Makes a clumsy attempt at snaring Chrissie, cups her from 
               behind. She squirms playfully out of his grasp. We discover 
               he's not especially sober