Screenwriting : "Cobtained Screenplay? by Jed Power

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Hi, Jed Power a simple online search would have answered your question, but a contained script is limited to two locations, with a limited number of characters, props, and production requirements.

Amazing Kacee thank you for answering and thank you Jed Power for asking, it is good to learn things when you are not thinking of them. Now if I see it in an OWA, I won't need to look it up.

A Contained script is basically a story that takes place in one or two locations, Jed Power. Or a Contained script has a few locations (like three or four locations) with most of the story taking place at one or two locations. Example: The script's main location takes place at a house and you have one scene in the woods, one scene in a store, and one scene at a park.

Contained scripts usually have what Amazing Kacee said (a limited number of characters, props, and production requirements) and they're usually micro-budget or low-budget.

Here's an article about Contained scripts: www.networkisa.org/screenwriting_articles/view/how-to-write-a-contained-...

I've been watching several films based on "contained screenplays" that were made in the early 30s by poverty row studios. They were produced on minuscule budgets as supporting pictures to main attractions or to service smaller theaters. Some can be quite effective, and you don't really notice you've only seen two or three rooms, or parts of rooms, during the entire running time. Some were based on minor stage plays from Broadway that were overlooked by the studios.

As others have said, a single or few locations. Like a boat, or a house. They are attractive as they speed up production. Moving is a logistic nightmare.

There are much rarer with budgets. Phone Booth is an example. Basically set in a Phone Booth, starred Colin Farrell. Not a small budget by any stretch of the imagination, crowds, street scenes, big casts.

Apparently during the pitch an executive asked “okay, when does he get out of the phone booth and chase the guy?”.

Then there was burred. Ryan Reynolds in a coffin. They made 75 coffins or different camera angles apparently

Then my favourite of all LOCKE. Tom Hardy in a car making phone calls.

Small budgets are much easier to raise, so indies are the world they exist in mostly.

I could be wrong, but Hitchcock’s Rope (1948) is probably considered a contained screenplay. I think it was all one location, an apartment, and one long continuous take.

Thanks all and Derek don't get it.

Would Rear Window be one?

Rear window is a great example.

SAW

Both The Whale and Reality are 'contained'. Interestingly, both were stage plays, which tend to have few set changes and adapt better to having a 'contained' environment.

Within a handful of locations... usually it's 2-5 locations at max.

Hitchcock’s “Rope” is another great example - all shot in one room and so much tension. “My Dinner With Andre” is also a classic contained film.