1.2 Types of screenplays (feature, short, TV, web series)
4 min read•august 15, 2024
Screenwriting comes in many forms, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities. From feature films to web series, writers must adapt their storytelling techniques to fit different formats and audience expectations.
Understanding these various screenplay types is crucial for aspiring writers. It allows them to tailor their stories to specific mediums, maximizing their impact and increasing their chances of success in the ever-evolving entertainment industry.
Screenplay Types and Characteristics
Feature and Short Screenplays
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Specific margin requirements (1 inch top and bottom, 1.5 inches left, 1 inch right)
Web series scripts may incorporate unique elements
Interactive choices for viewers
On-screen text integration
Social media elements
Character introductions vary across script types
Features allow for more detailed character descriptions
Shorts and web series require more concise introductions
Scene descriptions differ in level of detail
Features can include more elaborate setups
TV and web series often require more economical descriptions
Challenges and Opportunities of Screenwriting
Creative and Structural Challenges
Feature screenplays must sustain audience engagement over longer runtime
Opportunity for in-depth character development
Complex plot structures possible
Short screenplays require efficient storytelling
Challenge of immediate audience connection
Platform for experimental techniques
Television scripts demand compelling episodic and season-long arcs
Writers explore characters and themes over extended periods
Balance between episodic and serialized storytelling
Web series face challenges in capturing online viewer attention
Highly competitive online environment
Opportunity for greater creative freedom and audience engagement
Production and Collaboration Considerations
Budget considerations vary significantly across screenplay types
Influences scope of storytelling possibilities
Affects production feasibility for each format
Collaborative nature of writing differs among formats
TV scripts often involve writers' rooms
Features and shorts typically more solitary endeavors
Time constraints in production and post-production vary
Affects writer's approach to scene complexity
Influences location choices and special effects integration
Web series allow for direct audience engagement
Potential for real-time feedback and adjustments
Opportunity to build dedicated online community
Market Demand for Screenplays
Industry Trends and Platform Shifts
Streaming platforms increased demand for original content
Particularly for
Niche web series gaining popularity
Feature film markets experiencing shift
High-budget tentpole productions
Low-budget independent films
Decline in mid-budget projects
Short films finding new distribution channels
Online platforms (YouTube, Vimeo)
Film festivals
Serve as proof-of-concept for larger projects
Limited series blur lines between TV and feature film storytelling
New opportunities for long-form narratives (Big Little Lies, The Queen's Gambit)
Global Influences and Audience Preferences
Global markets influencing content creation
International co-productions becoming more common
Localized storytelling gaining prominence
Audience demographics shaping industry trends
Younger viewers gravitate towards shorter, interactive content
Older audiences maintain interest in traditional formats
Integration of new technologies creating novel screenplay formats
Virtual reality experiences
(Black Mirror: Bandersnatch)
Emergence of niche streaming services
Catering to specific genres or audiences (Shudder for horror, Crunchyroll for anime)
Creating opportunities for specialized screenplay types
Key Terms to Review (30)
Act Breaks: Act breaks are the pivotal moments in a screenplay that mark the transitions between different acts or sections of the story. They help to create a structure that guides the narrative flow, establishing turning points that elevate tension and develop character arcs. By clearly defining when an act begins or ends, these breaks ensure that audiences stay engaged and anticipate what will happen next.
Action: In screenwriting, action refers to the descriptions of what happens on screen, detailing the visual and physical elements of a scene. It captures movement, events, and the characters’ physical interactions within the story, effectively guiding the audience's imagination. Action is crucial in all screenplay types as it sets the tone, pace, and atmosphere while interacting with dialogue to convey character emotions and story development.
Action Line: An action line is a crucial element in screenwriting that describes what is happening visually on the screen, often detailing the characters' movements, settings, and key events. This concise and impactful writing sets the scene for viewers, providing essential context while driving the narrative forward. In different types of scripts, such as features, shorts, or web series, action lines help establish tone and pace while guiding actors and directors in their interpretations of the story.
Binge-worthy TV series: Binge-worthy TV series are shows designed to captivate audiences with engaging storylines, compelling characters, and cliffhangers that encourage viewers to watch multiple episodes in one sitting. These series often utilize serialized narratives, where each episode builds upon the last, creating an immersive experience that keeps viewers hooked. The rise of streaming platforms has greatly popularized this format, allowing for a more accessible and convenient way to consume content.
Character arc: A character arc is the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, reflecting how they change in response to the events and challenges they encounter. This evolution is crucial as it connects deeply with the plot and theme, helping to drive the story forward and resonate with the audience.
Cold Open: A cold open is a narrative device used at the beginning of a screenplay or television show that captures the audience's attention immediately without any pre-credits introduction. This technique often presents a scene that is compelling, humorous, or dramatic to hook viewers right away, setting the tone for what follows. It's particularly important in television and web series, as it can determine whether viewers continue watching, thus influencing the overall structure and pacing of the story.
Comedy: Comedy is a genre of storytelling that aims to entertain and amuse the audience, often through humor, satire, and exaggeration. It frequently involves misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and lighthearted conflict, ultimately leading to a happy or humorous resolution. The structure and elements of comedy can be seen across various formats, showcasing its versatility in screenwriting.
Courier 12-point font: Courier 12-point font is a monospaced typeface commonly used in screenwriting, where each character takes up the same amount of horizontal space. This font choice is significant because it ensures uniformity in script formatting, making it easier for producers and directors to estimate running time based on page count. Additionally, this typeface is a standard in the industry for various types of screenplays, including feature films, short films, television scripts, and web series.
Drama: Drama is a genre of storytelling that emphasizes emotional conflict and tension, typically involving complex characters facing significant challenges. This form captures the intricacies of human emotions and relationships, often leading to a profound exploration of the human condition. It plays a crucial role in various forms of storytelling, showcasing both the journey and evolution of characters through their trials and tribulations.
Episodic storytelling: Episodic storytelling is a narrative structure that presents a story in separate, self-contained segments or episodes, often featuring different characters or situations while contributing to an overarching theme. This format allows for the exploration of various subplots and character arcs over time, which is especially effective in mediums where stories can be revisited regularly, such as television or web series. The episodic nature creates opportunities for ongoing character development and viewer engagement through cliffhangers and evolving narratives.
Feature film market: The feature film market refers to the commercial landscape where full-length films, typically over 70 minutes, are bought, sold, and distributed. This market encompasses various components, such as production companies, distributors, film festivals, and platforms for exhibition like theaters and streaming services. Understanding the feature film market is crucial for screenwriters as it influences how scripts are developed and the types of stories that attract financial backing and audience interest.
Feature screenplay: A feature screenplay is a detailed script for a film that typically runs between 90 and 120 pages, designed to tell a complete story with developed characters and arcs. This type of screenplay serves as the blueprint for filmmakers, outlining not only dialogue but also visual elements and emotional beats, making it distinct from other formats like shorts or television scripts.
Industry-standard formatting: Industry-standard formatting refers to the specific guidelines and conventions used in screenwriting to create scripts that are easily readable and understood by industry professionals. This formatting ensures consistency across different types of scripts, making it easier for producers, directors, and actors to follow the story structure and visual elements. Adhering to these standards is crucial regardless of whether the screenplay is for a feature film, short film, television show, or web series.
Interactive storytelling: Interactive storytelling is a narrative technique that allows audiences to actively participate in shaping the story's progression and outcomes. This approach contrasts with traditional storytelling, where the audience is a passive observer, by enabling choices that can influence character decisions, plot twists, and ultimately the ending. It connects deeply with various forms of media, including screenwriting, where writers can explore new avenues for engagement across different formats.
Limited Series: A limited series is a type of television programming that consists of a finite number of episodes, usually telling a complete story within one season. Unlike traditional TV series, which can run for multiple seasons, limited series are designed to be self-contained narratives that wrap up within a specific timeframe. This format allows for deeper storytelling and character development without the pressure of extending the narrative indefinitely.
Logline: A logline is a concise summary of a screenplay, typically one or two sentences, that outlines the main conflict, characters, and stakes of the story. It serves as a powerful tool for capturing interest and conveying the essence of a narrative across various formats like feature films, short films, TV shows, and web series.
Multi-threaded story: A multi-threaded story is a narrative structure that weaves together multiple plot lines or character arcs, often allowing various storylines to intersect and influence one another. This approach enables deeper character development and thematic exploration, providing a richer and more complex viewing experience. Multi-threaded stories are particularly effective in genres where different perspectives and interconnected plots enhance the overall narrative.
Niche audiences: Niche audiences refer to specific, targeted segments of viewers who share unique interests or characteristics, distinguishing them from the broader population. In the context of screenwriting, understanding niche audiences is crucial as it influences the types of stories told, the style of storytelling, and the overall marketing strategy for different formats, including features, shorts, TV shows, and web series. Creators often tailor their content to engage these audiences, which can lead to dedicated followings and increased viewer loyalty.
Non-linear narrative: A non-linear narrative is a storytelling technique where events are presented out of chronological order, allowing for a more complex and layered understanding of the plot and characters. This approach can enhance themes, character development, and emotional impact by revealing information in a way that challenges the audience's perception of time and causality.
Shooting Script: A shooting script is the finalized version of a screenplay that includes specific details for production, such as scene numbers, camera angles, and directions for the crew. It serves as a blueprint for filmmakers, guiding the shooting process and ensuring that every shot aligns with the director's vision. The shooting script transforms a written screenplay into a practical document that addresses the needs of production, bridging the gap between writing and filming.
Short screenplay: A short screenplay is a concise script intended for a film that typically runs less than 40 minutes, focusing on delivering a complete story in a limited timeframe. These screenplays often concentrate on a single theme or character arc, requiring writers to be economical with dialogue and visual storytelling. Short screenplays are commonly used for festivals, competitions, and educational purposes, offering filmmakers a platform to showcase their skills without the extensive commitment of a feature-length project.
Slug line: A slug line, also known as a scene heading, is a brief line of text in a screenplay that indicates the location and time of day for a particular scene. This helps to establish the setting for the audience and the production team, guiding them on where the action takes place and when it occurs, which is crucial across different types of screenplays, like features, shorts, or TV shows.
Spec script: A spec script is a screenplay written without any prior agreement or payment from a production company, often created by a writer in hopes of selling it or attracting interest from producers and directors. It serves as a way for screenwriters to showcase their talent and creativity, as well as to establish their voice in the industry. Spec scripts can be used for various types of projects, including feature films, short films, television shows, and web series.
Subplots: Subplots are secondary storylines that complement and enrich the main plot of a screenplay. They often revolve around supporting characters and provide additional depth, themes, or emotional arcs, helping to enhance the overall narrative structure. Subplots can vary in complexity and significance, influencing the main plot while also allowing for character development and thematic exploration.
Tag Endings: Tag endings are brief concluding lines or moments in a screenplay that provide a final twist, punchline, or emotional closure to a scene or story. They are particularly important in creating a lasting impression on the audience and can vary in tone and style depending on the type of screenplay, whether it’s a feature film, short film, TV show, or web series. A well-executed tag ending can enhance the overall impact of the narrative, leaving viewers with something to ponder long after the credits roll.
Teaser: A teaser is a brief introductory segment that presents key elements of a story, designed to grab the audience's attention and entice them to engage with the content. In various types of screenplays, such as feature films, short films, TV shows, and web series, a teaser sets the tone and hooks the viewers, often introducing main characters or pivotal plot points without revealing too much detail.
Three-Act Structure: The three-act structure is a narrative framework that divides a story into three distinct sections: setup, confrontation, and resolution. This structure helps in organizing the plot and pacing, ensuring that the story unfolds in a compelling way, enhancing character development and thematic depth.
Treatment: A treatment is a detailed summary of a screenplay, outlining its key elements like characters, plot points, and themes without going into full dialogue. It's a crucial step in the screenwriting process that helps convey the story's essence to producers, directors, and other stakeholders.
Tv pilot: A TV pilot is a standalone episode of a television series that serves as a prototype for the show, designed to sell the concept to networks or studios. It introduces key characters, sets the tone, and presents the show's premise, often determining whether the series will be picked up for a full season. Pilots are crucial in establishing a screenwriter's career path, as successful pilots can lead to ongoing opportunities in television writing.
Web series script: A web series script is a written document that outlines the dialogue, action, and story arcs for episodes of a web series, which are typically short-form video content created for online distribution. These scripts serve as the blueprint for production and are tailored to fit the unique format and audience engagement of digital platforms, often emphasizing quick pacing and episodic storytelling.