Spec scripts v. shooting scripts


One reason screenplay format can become so confusing to students is that there are few available examples of what should be done. Published screenplays are not written in the format used for spec scripts, which are scripts written "on speculation" and then marketed after they are written. Published scripts are shooting scripts, which are different in several ways as a result of being the product of a collaboration between writer, director, producer and perhaps actors.

Let me emphasize this point by showing you the difference between a shooting script and a spec script. Here is a sequence from the shooting script of the film Magnolia:

39. INT. SMILING PEANUT BAR - NIGHT

CAMERA moves in on a young woman CLAUDIA (20s) sitting alone, bit drunk.
A vaugely creepy looking MIDDLE AGED GUY (40s) takes a seat next to her.

                        MIDDLE AGED GUY
                Hey.

                        CLAUDIA
                Hi.

                                                   CUT TO:

40. INT. CLAUDIA'S APARTMENT - LATER

A series of quick shots where the following happens: CLAUDIA and the 
MIDDLE AGED GUY stumble into her apartment.  CAMERA DOLLIES in quick as 
she snorts a line of coke from her coffee table ... TILT up and PAN over 
to him ...

                        MIDDLE AGED GUY
                So?

                                                   CUT TO:

41. INT. CLAUDIA'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

CAMERA DOLLIES in quick as they're having sex. He's on top of her, 
she's below, CAMERA lands in a CLOSE UP of her face as she gets through 
the experience ... CAMERA moves up and past her, finds a reflection of 
the TELEVISION in a picture frame on her wall ...

                                                   DISSOLVE TO:

They are many things wrong with this in terms of correct spec script format. Compare the difference below, where I've rewritten this in the format that is in correct use today for spec scripts:

INT. SMILING PEANUT BAR - NIGHT

A young woman, CLAUDIA (20s), is sitting alone, a bit drunk.

A vaguely creepy MIDDLE AGED GUY (40s) sits next to her.

                         MIDDLE AGED GUY
               Hey.

                         CLAUDIA	
               Hi.

INT. CLAUDIA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Claudia and the middle aged guy stumble into her apartment. She heads 
straight for the coffee table, where she snorts a line of coke.

                         MIDDLE AGED GUY
               So?

INT. CLAUDIA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

They're having sex. The middle aged guy is on top.

Her expression reveals she's just getting through it.

A picture on the wall reflects the television screen.

Notice that in the spec script there are no camera angles or even references to a camera. Notice also that all of the images in the shooting script are still retained in the spec script but no specific information is given about how these images should be shot.

The spec script simply tells the story, letting the director figure out how to shoot it.


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