screenplay
/ˈskɹiːnˌpleɪ/
A technical blueprint for a film or television show. Unlike a novel, which focuses on internal monologue and descriptive prose, a screenplay is an externalized document designed to be translated into visual action and spoken dialogue. It carries a professional, industrial connotation. When used in conversation, it refers specifically to the script as a structural tool for production rather than a piece of literature meant for leisure reading. While 'script' is often used interchangeably, 'screenplay' more precisely denotes the written work intended for the screen (cinema/TV), whereas 'script' can apply to plays, podcasts, or corporate presentations.
💬Casual Conversation
My latest screenplay really grapples with corporate existentialism.
Should I just file this under 'personal projects,' Mr. Sterling?
Meanings
The written script for a movie or television show, including dialogue and stage directions.
"The writer spent three months polishing the final draft of the screenplay."
To write the script for a motion picture or television production.
"She was hired to screenplay the novel for a major studio."
Collocations & Compounds
original screenplay
A screenplay that is a new and unique work, not an adaptation of another source.
The director was praised for his original screenplay.
screenplay format
The standardized layout and conventions used when writing a screenplay.
Learning the correct screenplay format is essential for aspiring writers.
screenplay competition
A contest where writers submit their screenplays for evaluation and potential awards.
She entered her first feature film into a screenplay competition.
adapted screenplay
A screenplay based on a previously existing work, such as a novel or play.
The film won an award for its adapted screenplay.
screenplay writer
A person who writes screenplays.
He dreams of becoming a successful screenplay writer.
Etymology
The word 'screenplay' emerged in the early 20th century, coinciding with the rise of the film industry. It is a compound word formed from 'screen' (referring to the movie screen) and 'play' (referring to a dramatic work, like a stage play). Initially, terms like 'scenario' or 'script' were more common, but 'screenplay' became the standard term for a film's written narrative, distinguishing it from a stage play.