Screenwriting : What's the different between script and screenplay? by Julie Suares

Julie Suares

What's the different between script and screenplay?

Hi everyone,

Like I said in a previous post, I came to screenwriting by accident and I work hard to gain the basic knowledge. So I have a major question and after a lot of researches it seems no one agreed about the definition.

What's the different between script and screenplay?

Dear director friends, what do you expect when you ask for a script or screenplay?

Lukas Flemming

As far as I know, a screenplay is a film script. A script can be a stageplay, a screenplay or a script for a TV show. Radio shows and video games also have scripts as their narrative bases. So, technically a script is the umbrella term. But it is really used interfhangeably, esoecially once it has been established what sort of script we are talking about.

So, for example, once I tell you I’m writing a radio show, I may then refer to it as my script from thereon.

Hope this answers your question,

All the best, Lukas

Pierre Langenegger

If you're talking in terms of a film script versus a screenplay, then there's no difference. A script has many meanings but with regard to scripts for TV and film, there's no difference, they're the same thing.

Raymond Zachariasse

They are the same. Some countries, like mine, use script.

Christina Patjens

Well, I thought the word script, stems from the term manuscript? In this case a screenplay is as Lukas explained a sort of script.

Doug Nelson

Lots.

Julie Suares

What do you mean Doug?

Doug Nelson

Many will argue semantics but the simple answer is that scripts apply to theater and radio. Screenplays are the basis for film & television. The actual physical formats differ along with the writing structure. Scripts include much more exposition because the sets are limited abstractions whereas film is more visually inclusive so that the setting can speak for itself. (No can accept your offer, you're over 100 miles from me.)

Julie Suares

Thank you so much for your answers!

Doug Nelson

Dan - yes you (and I) have but that doesn't mean it's technically correct.

Lukas Flemming

If I may be so boring, the OED defines a script as “the written text of a play, film or broadcast” and screenplay as “the script of a film, including acting directions and scene directions”

Elisabeth Meier

The word script is also used by IT specialists. If I know it right then the script is what is running behind a program and makes all program functions work. So, I think a script in it's function for a theatre play, radio play, computer game, film and tv series is just like that. The screenplay is only used for movies and tv and is the story, like the theatre play etc. The script is the polished screenplay on next level which means it also includes the next steps like all notes for the production. So far the theory from Europe. ;-)

Doug Nelson

This thread is going to wander off into a discussion about syntax - pointless. In simple terms; a screenwriter shows the story in a screenplay - the actual document is a script. A playwright develops the story in a script and the finished document is also known as a script. Talking about IT, radio, Blueprints, Flow Charts or whatever is pointless - I'm outta here.

Lukas Flemming

Doug Nelson while I agree concerning the non-artsy stuff, I fail to see a significant difference between a TV script and a radio script. Especially in England there have been so many series that crossed over either way or both (Hitchhiker’s Guide, Dr. Who and Absolute Power, That Mitchell and Webb Sound to name but a few) with little change to the script, at least regarding voice and dialogue...

Elisabeth Meier

I agree to Doug Nelson this is actually a senseless discussion as there also seem to be regional differences. Hence, the answer to the question of this thread can only be: Use what you want.

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