What exactly is a script ? (is my understanding herein correct)

P

plainman007

Well-known member
Hi guys...
Can you help me by telling me...

Whats the difference between script and screenplay. Im a little confused on the terms.

Does it come before or after the story boarding process.

Does script basically refer to the dilogs spoken by the actors in each and every scene or .......is it the complete written breakdown of the entire movie. Which means what we are shoting, how we are shooting it, what the actors are saying etc. So is script the orginal logical break down of the sequence of shots etc and after it only comes the storyboard.

Please dont flame me for such a basic question. I really dont know so i thought ill ask you guys and confirm. I hope youll understand. Thanks in advance.
 
I believe the difference is that the screen play gives a more indepth look at the story, and the script breaks down the scenes and dialogue for the actors, as well as for production purposes.
 
They're the same thing. No difference. One thing, two names.

script
n 1: a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance [syn: book, playscript] 2: something written by hand; "she recognized his handwriting"; "his hand was illegible" [syn: handwriting, hand] 3: a particular orthography or writing system v : write a script for; "The playwright scripted the movie"
WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University


screenplay
n : a script for a film including dialogue and descriptions of characters and sets
WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
 
Last edited:
They are the same thing. The only difference is that Script can be for a film or a play while a screenplay is film specific.
 
Thanks for clarifying that they are the same.

EJ ..does that mean you dont rely heavily on scripts (toilet paper). Id really appreciate more inputs. How does it feel working without a script. Has anyone done that ?

Also guys,,,which should i do first. Script and then convert to storyboard or vice versa ?
 
plainman007 said:
Thanks for clarifying that they are the same.

EJ ..does that mean you dont rely heavily on scripts (toilet paper). Id really appreciate more inputs. How does it feel working without a script. Has anyone done that ?

Also guys,,,which should i do first. Script and then convert to storyboard or vice versa ?
Click to expand...
Unless you are doing something very experimental and improv, I can't imagine starting without a script. If you're traveling somewhere you've never been before do you just hit the road and say, "I'm sure I'll end up where I want to be," or do you map it out?

Personally, I'd start with the screenplay and get my story solid. Then I'd do the storyboards based on what I was actually going to shoot.
 
OK....and does the entire script and every shot get onto story board or only the complicated ones or complex shots ? I just want to know how you guys work. Or what would be a professional approach. Not trying to prove anything. Just trying to learn because i dont know. Thanks for helping.
 
At the very least I photoboard, videoboard, or sketch storyboard even simple shots so I can see how various shot choices change the perspective of the film for the audience. I have a really hard time making these kinds of choices "on set", because there are a dozen or so people waiting for me to make a decision so time pressure changes my thought process. I'd rather have it meticulously planned and allow for flexibility on set than trying to make all those choices on set. I think the work suffers as a result.
 
So the order should be as follows...??

1. Main Idea or Plot.
2. Then script out the story and shots in written word (script ?) More like writing the sequence of the entire video.
3. Storyboard that entire script to know how the shots should be framed etc.
4. Then go for actual production ?

This is the main workflow ?

What about if you were doing a COPS type live show. Im sure those kind of reality shows etc are more of on the fly and then all the sequencing in Postproduction...or am i wrong ?

How can i script a magic event like David Blaine's show. I hope you guys have seen it and get what i mean. He's the street magic guy on AXN network etc. What do u do with a show like that. I feel thats also more like COPS except that a little can be choreographed and preplanned. But most of the work can only be done post shooting right ? Im basically trying to understand non story based videos. I went and read up a lot of material on scripting and storyboarding etc. Found that most of them hinge around telling a story. Plot based. Intro, Presentation and climax theory. What about videos like in my case. What will be the planning flow chart for a David Blaine magic type movie ?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top