Film Scripts:
The script (screenplay) is a document that is given to the production team (written by a screen writer). It tells the production team what is going to happen in the story and includes all the dialogue.
Most screenplays get sent to production companies but actually never get used. They have to be green lighted by production executives.
Once this has happened the style and look of the film is decided by the director and all the camera angles by the director of photography.
The 'Casino Royale' Screenplay:
Film: Casino Royale
Year: 2006
Director: Martin Campbell
Part of the film: This is the opening scene of the film.
Features of a Screenplay:
- Slugline: This is the line that tells us where and when a scene takes place. It is always aligned to the left and in capitals in screenplays. In the above screenplays the first slugline is 'EXT. MODERN OFFICE BLOCK - PRAGUE -- NIGHT'.
- Action: This tells us what is happening in the film. It is always in normal text and appears wide on the screenplay document. In the above script the first action section is: 'Snow on the ground, It's the middle of the night. A car pulls up outside the ultra-modern building'.
- Characters: These are displayed in the middle of the page in capital letters. This is done so each actor can easily find their character and what it needs to say/do. The first example in the screenplay above is: 'BOND'.
-Dialogue: This is displayed below the characters names and what they each say. The example in the screenplay above is: 'M really doesn't mind us making a little money on the side, Dryden'.
The finished section of film that was based off this screenplay:
The first section of this video follows the screenplay above. However the cricket game section does not appear in this clip, instead a fighting scene where bond makes a kill. This because this was added to the screenplay at a later revision.
Excellent post James - what would you say is the key difference between a film screenplay and a novel is?
ReplyDeleteIn a novel, the writer can describe the feelings of characters where as in a screenplay they cannot as it is filmed with a camera, we only see them from an outside perspective.
DeleteGreat response, well done.
ReplyDelete