Definition: A Screenplay is the script of a film, including acting instructions and scene directions, closely used by the director.
An example of a Screenplay is presented below..
Fantastic Four (2005) movie script
by Mark Frost and Michael France.
Based on the Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
Shooting Script.
FADE IN: CLOSE ON A MASSIVE STEEL HEAD Our first thought: DR. DOOM? But it's not moving. A welder's torch sparks into frame in the hands of a sculptor on scaffolding. This is art, an epic 20 foot statue going up of a business mogul (VICTOR VON DOOM) in whose generously extended hands sit two intertwined columns of DNA. His face is chiseled, angular, perfect (too perfect). Past sparks, we MOVE down to pick up... EXT. STREET/VON DOOM INDUSTRIES TOWER - DAY REED RICHARDS and BEN GRIMM head toward the soaring glass-box atrium of VDI Headquarters. Designed to inspire awe, it does. REED High open space, exposed structural elements. Obviously aimed at first time visitors to create feelings of... smallness, inadequacy. Ben glances at Reed, who looks a little nervous. BEN Good thing it ain't workin... Reed, what are we doing here? This guy's fast-food, strip-mall science -- REED This wasn't our first stop, in case you forgot NASA. And Victor's not that bad. He's just a little... (seeing the statue) Larger than life. INT. VON DOOM INDUSTRIES TOWER - DAY They move past the statue, into the sprawling atrium. REED He's financed some of the biggest breakthroughs of this century. BEN You'd never know it. He motions to a high-tech ORB, showing FOOTAGE of VDI's accomplishments: a safe and clean nuclear facility, the first private Space Station. All images have VICTOR front and centre, glad-handling George Bush, Tony Blair, shady International Leaders. The last image is Victor holding the AMERICA'S CUP. BEN (CONT'D) Jesus. That too? They reach three stern RECEPTIONISTS. REED Reed Richards and Ben Grimm to see -- A receptionist cuts him off, handing them each a pass. FEMALE RECEPTIONIST Executive elevator, top floor. BEN What's the price for a smile round here? They head for the elevator. Reed carries a small, black box. As they enter the elevator, steel doors shut and we CUT TO -- INT. VON DOOM INDUSTRIES TOWER - OFFICE - DAY A large, dark office. Ben in the corner. He yawns, watches... BRIGHT HOLOGRAMS: Stars. Planets. They hover in the air, making the room feel like a majestic portal into outer space. REED (O.S.) My research suggests that exposure to a high-energy cosmic storm born on solar winds might have triggered the evolution of early planetary life. REED stands among the holograms, speaking to a MYSTERIOUS FIGURE in shadow behind a desk. An ominous, PULSATING RED CLOUD covers the stars. It washes over a hologram of EARTH. REED (CONT'D) In six weeks another cloud with the same elemental profile will pass Earth's orbit. A study in space could advance our knowledge about the structure of the human genome, and help cure countless diseases, extend human life -- The SHADOW clears his throat. Reed speeds up, emotional.
What is the purpose of the Screenplay?
The purpose of the Screenplay is to inform what happens in the film chronologically; the first part of the filmmaking process. It contains all acting instructions and scene directions. The actors and directors are able to make use of the instructions and the setting, which makes it suited to the production stage of filmmaking. The screenplay essentially serves as the bare ones of the film. The artists later develops the Storyboards which is the visual medium of the Screenplay.
The Task given to us was: 'Create the opening of a new feature length film to include sound and to last no longer than two minutes'.
Our Screenplay...
As depicted there is not much dialogue, this was done on purpose to add enigma to the opening of our film as the audience want to find out more about the characters. Our opening ends with a question "Are you okay?" reinforcing this. The only character interaction is at the ending when Alex questions Leo. Leo is thus portrayed as mysterious and the screen play demonstrates this by the lack of speech from the protagonist.
