Research: Writing a Screenplay

In order to write a screenplay correctly, I decided to carry out research on screenplays and observe how they are set out and written. For inspiration and guidance on how to write the screenplay, I looked at the screenplay for the film 'Silver Linings Playbook', written by director and writer David O. Russell based on the novel by Matthew Quick.

                         (READING)

           "Dear Tiffany...
          SHE STOPS, surprised it is addressed to her.

           150.

                         

                          TIFFANY (CONT'D)

                          (READING)
           "...I know you wrote the letter.
           (long pause) The only way you could
           meet my crazy...."

                          PAT

                          (RECITING)
           "...was by doing something crazy
           yourself. Thank you. I love you. I
           knew it the minute I met you. I'm
           sorry it took so long for me to
           catch up. I just got stuck. Pat." I
           wrote that a week ago.

                          TIFFANY
           You wrote that a week ago?

                          PAT
           Yes, I did.

                          TIFFANY
           You let me lie to you for a week?

                          PAT
           I was trying to be romantic.

                          TIFFANY
           You love me?

                          PAT
           Yeah, I do.

                          TIFFANY
           Okay.
          SHE LEANS FORWARD AND KISSES HIM, they kiss. Camera pulls
          away. Score comes in.

A screenplay differs from a play script. Play scripts use many stage directions to direct the actors. However, as demonstrated in the screenplay, the actors do not have directions on how to perform their dialogue. This leaves the actors free to interpret the screenplay in their own way. Screenplays are also set out different from play scripts. The dialogue in screenplays are centred, with the characters name above it, also centred.

There are different types of screenplays. These are:

• Literary Screenplay - language used is the same as fiction and is literary.
• Publistic Screenplay - uses 'broken' language that is normally found in newspaper articles.
• Original screenplay- independent piece of work.
• Derivative Screenplay - the adaptation to the original.
• Director's Screenplay - descriptive part which usually includes boundaries between the definite shots. 
  
  Writing a screenplay is an incredibly crucial part of the filmmaking process. Once the idea and concept for a film has been put forward, it is the screenwriter's job to bring their vision to the page. Screenwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative and subsequently writing the screenplay which will then be delivered and presented to the executives.