What Is a Screenplay? Definition, Types, and Examples
· 4 min read
Every great film started as words on a page — a screenplay. But what exactly is a screenplay, and how does it work? This guide answers everything.
What Is a Screenplay? The Definition
A screenplay is a written document that describes everything seen and heard in a film or television production — scene by scene, line by line. It contains scene headings, action lines, character names, and dialogue, all formatted to strict industry standards.
Think of it as the blueprint of a film. The director, cinematographer, actors, sound team, and costume department all work from the screenplay. Every department's job begins where the writer's ends.
The single most important rule of screenwriting: Only write what can be seen or heard. No internal thoughts. No backstory. No "she was feeling guilty about what she did last summer." Just: what does the camera see? What does the microphone hear?
Screenplay vs. Script: Is There a Difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably — and in everyday conversation, that's fine. But technically:
| Term | Used For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Screenplay | Feature films | Most precise term for cinema |
| Script | General (film, TV, radio) | Broader umbrella term |
| Teleplay | TV episodes | Specifically for television |
| Spec script | Written without commission | For portfolio or pitching |
| Shooting script | Final production version | Includes scene numbers |
For practical purposes: if you're writing a film, call it a screenplay. If you're writing a TV episode, call it a script or teleplay. Both use the same American format.
The Elements of a Screenplay
1. Scene Heading (Slug Line)
Every scene begins with a slug line in ALL CAPS:
INT. LIVING ROOM — NIGHT
EXT. ROOFTOP — DAWN
INT./EXT. TAXI — DAY
Three parts: Interior/Exterior — Location — Time of Day
2. Action Lines
What happens in the scene. Written in present tense, only what can be perceived:
Maria enters the empty apartment. She sets her bag
down. Stands in the silence.
3. Character Name
Centered, ALL CAPS, before each line of dialogue:
MARIA
4. Dialogue
The character's spoken words, indented below the name:
MARIA
I thought you'd be here.
5. Parenthetical
A brief direction between name and dialogue:
MARIA
(under her breath)
I thought you'd be here.
6. Transitions
CUT TO:
FADE OUT.
SMASH CUT TO:
Types of Screenplays
By Medium
Feature Film Screenplay — 90–120 pages. One complete story. The classic form.
TV Pilot Script — 45–70 pages. Introduces the world, characters, and tone for a series.
TV Episode Script — 25–60 pages depending on format (half-hour vs. hour-long).
Short Film Script — 5–30 pages. Great for emerging writers.
Web Series Script — 5–20 pages per episode. Faster-paced, digital-first.
Documentary Script — Research-heavy, includes interview questions and visual plans.
By Status
Spec Script — Written on your own initiative, without being commissioned. Used to showcase your voice and skill to agents, managers, and producers.
Commissioned Script — Written under contract, to someone else's requirements.
Shooting Script — The final locked version with scene numbers, camera directions, and revision marks.
How a Screenplay Differs From a Novel
| Feature | Novel | Screenplay |
|---|---|---|
| Internal thoughts | Freely explored | Not allowed |
| Length | Open-ended | 90–120 pages |
| Format | Free | Strictly standardized |
| Target reader | General public | Film crew |
| Tense | Past or present | Present |
| Goal | Reading experience | Production guide |
This is the most important distinction: a novelist can say "She felt, for the first time in years, truly free." A screenwriter cannot. They must find an action that shows us freedom. A smile? Running barefoot into the rain? That's your job.
Famous Screenplay Examples
Reading produced screenplays is one of the fastest ways to learn the craft. Several are freely available online:
- Parasite (Bong Joon-ho) — masterful structure and genre shifts
- Arrival (Eric Heisserer) — non-linear storytelling done right
- The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin) — dialogue as art
- Moonlight (Barry Jenkins) — visual poetry on the page
- Get Out (Jordan Peele) — tight genre writing with social depth
Reading these with the format guide in mind will teach you more than most courses.
How to Write a Screenplay
Writing your first screenplay involves these eight steps:
- Develop a strong logline
- Build character profiles
- Write a synopsis
- Prepare a treatment
- Build a scene outline
- Write the first draft
- Revise
- Polish to final draft
For a complete walkthrough, see our full guide: How to Write a Screenplay.
Tools for Writing Screenplays
Screenwriting software automates formatting, so you focus on story — not margins and tab stops.
Kashna Script — browser-based, no installation, 40+ languages, auto-formatting. Open it and start writing.
Final Draft — the industry's desktop standard. Paid.
Celtx — web-based, freemium, production planning tools included.
Fade In — professional-grade, one-time purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a logline? A one-sentence summary of your screenplay that captures the protagonist, their goal, and what stands in their way.
How many pages should a screenplay be? Feature films: 90–120. Short films: 5–30. TV half-hour: 25–35. TV hour-long: 45–60.
Can a screenplay be written in any language? Yes. Non-English screenwriting is flourishing globally. Kashna Script supports 40+ languages.
Do I need software to write a screenplay? Technically no, but software eliminates formatting errors and saves significant time. Kashna Script is free and works in your browser.
Kashna Script formats your screenplay while you write: scene headings, characters, dialogue, transitions, all in industry format. No menus. Every tool one key away.
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