The Importance Of Using A Screenplay Companion

By Patrick Harris


To understand the art of script and screenwriting, it is often good to read a number of books on these subjects. Once in the process of actually writing a script or screenplay, a screenplay companion can often be of great assistance. While this is the case, many new writers also turn to past scripts when it comes to information on formatting and chapter organization.

When it comes to making a movie, whether a student film or major motion picture, the screenplay and script are often considered the most important part when it comes to whether a film is successful or otherwise. In order to assure this is the case, using a screenwriting software tool along with the companion is often a good idea.

In most cases, different formatting is required for different genres. For example, dramas, romance, comedies and horrors all have different rules and regulations when it comes to format. As such, One of the first things to decide before starting on a screenwriting project is which genre best fits the project.

Most often, in a screenplay one scene equates to one page. While this is the case, there can be slight differences. In fact, most directors advise script and screenwriters not to make such calculations. For, even if one could calculate an actual running time, the time could change during the post-production process.

When it comes to terminology, most screenplays include a glossary explaining various terms used in the project. In most cases, these terms are going to relate to the elements of sound, movement by characters and settings, all of which are different from dialogue. For, in most cases, audiences only hear the dialogue without information related to the basic structure of a scene. When working with a shooting script, it is easy to know the difference as dialogue is often set in the middle column of the page on a script.

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.

American and European scripts use different formatting. As such, it is important that when searching for the physical format for each genre, one also know whether the script originated in the United States or another country. For, in doing so, it can often save a director and writer from having to deal with a number of edits during post production.

Most often, it is the screen and script writers whom do the majority of work when making a film. For, it can often take years to complete such a project. Whereas, while actors, directors and crews all play a huge part in bringing a project from conception to reality, it is the writer whom plays the largest role. While this is the case, screen and script writers whom have found success have often used as many writing applications, companions and tools as possible.




About the Author: