Sunday, September 23, 2018

Discovering A Screenplay Companion For Script And Screen Writers

By Patrick Harris


In order to understand the proper formatting, rules and regulations of script and screenwriting, there are a number of tools. One of which is that of a Screenplay Companion. Whether using an online version or hard copy, writers have reported having great success when using this new tool.

As with music, there are different genres when it comes to making a film. As a result, it is important to know the different styles for each genre. It is also important to know the different elements involved in pre and post production. For example, setting up a film reel and developing characters, scenes and plot occur in both pre and post-production. Whereas, final edits, distribution and marketing only occur in post production.

While each genre has a different format, the basic format is often the same. For example, the format for filming a video, public service announcement or student film is often the same. Whereas, many screenplays which are rewritten as shooting scripts often have different rules with regards to formatting. For one thing, in a script, it is important that a director and actor understand the difference between dialogue which is to be heard by the audience versus stage directions which are only directed toward the actors.

In most screenplays, one page often equates to a one minute scene. It is important to note that page and screen length can sometimes differ as this is only a rough estimate. As such, it is often hard to calculate a movie running time based on these calculations. One format that is almost always consistent in any script or screenplay is the 12 type font with a 10 pitch Courier typeface.

When it comes to terminology, action, screen direction or dialogue, all refer to present tense and can easily be heard by an audience. Whereas, descriptions of sound effects, character movements and settings are separate and apart from character dialogue. Generally, by placing the character dialogue in the center column of a script, it is easier for the director and actors to better understand the role each plays in the making of a film.

Unique to scripts versus screenplays are slug lines, or master scene heading. In a script, slug lines refer to three pieces of information. These are whether the scene is set inside or outside, the specific location and time of day. Each slug line refers to the start of a new scene.

As American and European scripts are structured differently when it comes to format and terminology, it is important to search for information on formatting and presentation based on genre. For example, those desiring to search formatting for a comedy or drama would do so with regards as to the country in which the initial screenplay was developed. For, not only will doing so most likely make it easier for those reviewing a screenplay or script, it could also be helpful during cuts and edits in post-production.

Ultimately, the screen and scriptwriters do most of the work in pre-production. For, writing a screenplay or script often takes far longer than when a director, actors and crew are working on a final cut. Whereas, film editing in post-production often takes far less time than when revising an original screenplay or script.




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