Is there a difference between scripts vs. screenplays? at DVinfo.net

Sharon Fraats · September 12th, 2004, 01:54 PM

Is there a difference between scripts vs. screenplays?

As working in the bizz over the years I have come to treat them as one in the same yet a question was brought forward by a PA the other day as to the verbiage.

So is there a difference?

Keith Loh · September 12th, 2004, 02:14 PM

I don't think there is any difference.

I would only specifically use 'screenplays' if there is a confusion between scripts in programming and screenplays. I guess if I was writing a screenplay for use in a video game, then I would probably stick to the term screenplay.

Richard Alvarez · September 12th, 2004, 03:17 PM

All screenplays are scripts.

Not all scripts are screenplays. They might be stage plays, or computer programming scripts, or radio programs....

Follow?

Sharon Fraats · September 12th, 2004, 03:31 PM

I always looked at this way....

Let’s say you have a book, or story of some kind or there is a stage play like you said. In someway this is your story to be told yet to bring it to the cast and crew you would convert it to a script.

Am I getting warmer or colder…..

Richard Alvarez · September 12th, 2004, 03:44 PM

A screenplay is simply a type of script.

There are many types of scripts, as I said. You could take your book for instance, and turn it into a radio script, a stageplay (Which again, is a type of script), an interactive computer game...

I don't want to make this complicated, but a screenplay is simply one form of script. It is correct to refer to it as either a script, or a screenplay. Just as it is correct to refer to a station wagon and a sedan as "automobiles"... got it? Just don't call a porche a pickup truck - or a Stageplay a Screenplay.

Just to throw another variation at you. The occupations are Screenwriter and Playwright. Both of them write "scripts".

Sharon Fraats · September 12th, 2004, 04:35 PM

I think I am getting it....

Thank you for your time.

Rob Lohman · September 14th, 2004, 05:55 AM

I could be wrong in this; but I thought that the screenplay was
the one actually be used to shoot the movie (the finished one)
where the script might be the original version and the screenplay
may even include extra stuff for directing etc.? (not sure)

Richard Alvarez · September 14th, 2004, 08:06 AM

Again, under the generic heading "SCRIPT" one finds "Screenplay"

Under the heading of "Screenplay" one finds "Spec scripts" "Shooting Scripts" and less common, "Conformed Scripts" or "Final Scripts" not to be confused with a final draft.

Spec Scripts are just that. Scripts written on speculation... hoping to get sold and produced. They virtually never include shot angles and descriptions. They are written primarily from a master viewpoint. See any good screenwriting guide for format instructions. From spec to "final draft" can take many, many MANY rewrites.

Shooting scripts are the scripts used on the set. These will be broken down into numbered shots. Often containing specific shot angles and directions for the director and DP to reference. Just to add to the mix, shooting scripts are "locked." This does not mean they cannot be changed. What it means is that all changes will be reflected on the script with sub-notations to scenes deleted and added. Pages are changed as needed, and color coded so everyone knows they have the right page that day.

A conformed or "Final Screenplay" - often the one "published' after the movie is out - is just that. It is a screenplay written to conform to the actual footage that appears on the screen. Since the final movie might be edited differently than written, lines added during shooting, even improvised and kept... this is the script as it appears on the screen.

Everyone confused enough now?

Dylan Couper · September 14th, 2004, 09:09 AM

Great post Richard.
Thanks.

Rob Lohman · September 15th, 2004, 01:16 AM

Great explenation Richard, thanks!

Peter Wiley · September 15th, 2004, 06:17 AM

More confusion. Screenplay refers to something more than the physical thing . . .

Screenplay is also often used to denote what the division of creatrive/writing labor was on a project. In movie titles, for example, there are "story by", "written by" and "screenplay by" credits, sometimes all three.

Was there a "screenplay" for Elia Kazan's film version of Tennesse Wiliams' play A Streetcar Named Desire? -- the words of the play and the film are almost the same. Surely there was shooting script of some kind, but Zazan is not going to get the major writing credit.

There were screenplays for the Harry Potter films that were works of much greater independent creation, skillful adaptations, but the "story" is still A.K. Rowling's.

You'll get the idea . . .

September 12th, 2004, 01:54 PM	#1
Sharon Fraats Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: chicago, ill Posts: 190	Is there a difference between scripts vs. screenplays? Is there a difference between scripts vs. screenplays? As working in the bizz over the years I have come to treat them as one in the same yet a question was brought forward by a PA the other day as to the verbiage. So is there a difference?

September 12th, 2004, 02:14 PM	#2
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I don't think there is any difference. I would only specifically use 'screenplays' if there is a confusion between scripts in programming and screenplays. I guess if I was writing a screenplay for use in a video game, then I would probably stick to the term screenplay. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

September 14th, 2004, 05:55 AM	#7
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I could be wrong in this; but I thought that the screenplay was the one actually be used to shoot the movie (the finished one) where the script might be the original version and the screenplay may even include extra stuff for directing etc.? (not sure) __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 14th, 2004, 09:09 AM	#9
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Great post Richard. Thanks. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

September 15th, 2004, 01:16 AM	#10
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Great explenation Richard, thanks! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 12th, 2004, 03:17 PM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	All screenplays are scripts. Not all scripts are screenplays. They might be stage plays, or computer programming scripts, or radio programs.... Follow?

September 12th, 2004, 03:31 PM	#4
Sharon Fraats Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: chicago, ill Posts: 190	I always looked at this way.... Let’s say you have a book, or story of some kind or there is a stage play like you said. In someway this is your story to be told yet to bring it to the cast and crew you would convert it to a script. Am I getting warmer or colder…..

September 12th, 2004, 03:44 PM	#5
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	A screenplay is simply a type of script. There are many types of scripts, as I said. You could take your book for instance, and turn it into a radio script, a stageplay (Which again, is a type of script), an interactive computer game... I don't want to make this complicated, but a screenplay is simply one form of script. It is correct to refer to it as either a script, or a screenplay. Just as it is correct to refer to a station wagon and a sedan as "automobiles"... got it? Just don't call a porche a pickup truck - or a Stageplay a Screenplay. Just to throw another variation at you. The occupations are Screenwriter and Playwright. Both of them write "scripts".

September 12th, 2004, 04:35 PM	#6
Sharon Fraats Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: chicago, ill Posts: 190	I think I am getting it.... Thank you for your time.

September 14th, 2004, 08:06 AM	#8
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Again, under the generic heading "SCRIPT" one finds "Screenplay" Under the heading of "Screenplay" one finds "Spec scripts" "Shooting Scripts" and less common, "Conformed Scripts" or "Final Scripts" not to be confused with a final draft. Spec Scripts are just that. Scripts written on speculation... hoping to get sold and produced. They virtually never include shot angles and descriptions. They are written primarily from a master viewpoint. See any good screenwriting guide for format instructions. From spec to "final draft" can take many, many MANY rewrites. Shooting scripts are the scripts used on the set. These will be broken down into numbered shots. Often containing specific shot angles and directions for the director and DP to reference. Just to add to the mix, shooting scripts are "locked." This does not mean they cannot be changed. What it means is that all changes will be reflected on the script with sub-notations to scenes deleted and added. Pages are changed as needed, and color coded so everyone knows they have the right page that day. A conformed or "Final Screenplay" - often the one "published' after the movie is out - is just that. It is a screenplay written to conform to the actual footage that appears on the screen. Since the final movie might be edited differently than written, lines added during shooting, even improvised and kept... this is the script as it appears on the screen. Everyone confused enough now?

September 15th, 2004, 06:17 AM	#11
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	More confusion. Screenplay refers to something more than the physical thing . . . Screenplay is also often used to denote what the division of creatrive/writing labor was on a project. In movie titles, for example, there are "story by", "written by" and "screenplay by" credits, sometimes all three. Was there a "screenplay" for Elia Kazan's film version of Tennesse Wiliams' play A Streetcar Named Desire? -- the words of the play and the film are almost the same. Surely there was shooting script of some kind, but Zazan is not going to get the major writing credit. There were screenplays for the Harry Potter films that were works of much greater independent creation, skillful adaptations, but the "story" is still A.K. Rowling's. You'll get the idea . . .