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Post by cptsimms on May 22, 2011 0:06:39 GMT -5
First Post! ;D Anyway. Preethi suggested we create threads based on genres or forms that we have experience in, so I figured I fall under the screenplay category. (Not that I'm the only one well-versed in the format, I just happened to have gotten here first!) I'm creating this thread to provide some basic information on screenplays for people who are interested in writing them, as well as to provide any screen writer with a place to voice his or her questions or concerns regarding just about anything screenplay-related (and hopefully a place where he or she can get these resolved!). So feel free to post anything in this thread, so long as it has to do with screenplay writing. Happy writing! -Captain Simms |
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Post by cptsimms on May 22, 2011 0:07:24 GMT -5
The Basics:What is a screenplay?A screenplay (otherwise known as a script) is a written work that is made especially for a film. Basically, a screenplay is the list of directions that the director of a film will follow to create the movie. The movements, actions, expressions, and speech of the characters (actors) are narrated, and the setting and geography are described for each scene. How does one write a screenplay?Screenplays have very strict formatting rules, and because of this many people have a strong aversion to them. There are certain programs, however, that can assist you in this formatting such as Final Draft (which isn't free) or Celtx (which IS free! Thanks Jenna!  ). It isn't impossible to write a screenplay without such assistance, but it takes a lot of the edge off. If you're planning on getting serious in screen writing it's a very sound investment. There are also a LOT of good books written by many successful screen writers which can help you with not only the technical parts of screenplays, but also the more creative dilemmas you may find yourself in as well as what to do with a screenplay after you actually finish writing it. (i.e. getting it turned into a movie!) Why should I write a screenplay?Many people feel that because screenplays have so many rules and restrictions that they really bog down one's creative freedoms. If you do feel this way, this form may not be for you. Screenplays allow the writer to focus on complex character relationships and twisting plots without getting caught up in narration and over-description. However, this does not detract from the amount of creativity a screen writer may (and should) employ. In fact, some writers (like me!) who have a piece of prose that just isn't working for them may try to convert it into a screenplay only to find that it works much better in that form, or vice versa.
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Post by cptsimms on May 22, 2011 0:07:50 GMT -5
(reserved)
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Post by Preethi on May 22, 2011 9:32:55 GMT -5
I was reading Jenna's chapbook, and I noticed that for the descriptions of the scenes and characters, she wrote a lot like fiction prose. A lot of the sentences weren't necessarily tailored towards setting the scene but more towards specific character action. Is that normal for a screenplay, or is that just her style?
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Post by cptsimms on May 22, 2011 10:53:05 GMT -5
Character description (especially of character action) is a VERY important part of writing a screenplay, and the more in-depth you can go, the better you can characterize them to the director.
Just so long as the descriptions don't go on unnecessarily long, or into too small of detail (so much so that it invades into the director's creative decisions), prose-like descriptions will actually make a screenplay better.
In the end it probably is just Jenna's style (and she may be able to shed some light on why she did this also!), but it is more than normal for screenplays to employ prose-like narration.
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Post by jsizzle on May 23, 2011 22:15:33 GMT -5
I see I'm being discussed! Oh the burden of popularity!!! My dear Preethi, you have shed light on something I was not aware of doing. but, going back, I do have very prose-like narration. I think mostly this is my style, but yes, character descriptions are SUPER important. So the reason that I describe more character action than scenery is because it gives more creative liberty to the director for the set should this ever (knock on wood) be filmed (cross fingers, throw salt over shoulder.) So while it's important that a certain scene takes place in an apartment, it's not good to be anal retentive about exactly how this apartment looks UNLESS it is vital to the storyline. If it looks too difficult to film, some people will pass it up. The same goes for character descriptions (even though you didn't ask) Don't make them too-too-too specific unless the storyline calls for it, otherwise this could lead to problems with casting if the script ever gets made into a movie. Pearls of Wisdom for today. |
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Post by jsizzle on May 23, 2011 22:17:20 GMT -5
ALSO! I found a free screen writing program that will not download viruses onto your computadora! It is called Celtx and works on PCs and Macs alike. The link: celtx.com/ |
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Post by cptsimms on May 23, 2011 22:53:53 GMT -5
Oooh Awesome! I'll add this to the main post.  |
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). It isn't impossible to write a screenplay without such assistance, but it takes a lot of the edge off. If you're planning on getting serious in screen writing it's a very sound investment.
