What is a screenplay ?

Earlier we asked, “what is a screenplay”? Screenplays are primarily refereed to as a “script.” A script/screenplay is at its core like a “blueprint of the story to come.” Just like the blueprint to a beautiful commercial skyscraper or a pool-shed, a blueprint is needed with very specific instructions before the foundation is poured. The steel erected, a hammer driven, and vwa-la, with a collaborative effort a beautiful building stands before you. The blueprint for those structures is the narrative. It told the builders everything they needed to know, all the details to complete the magnificent structure, no matter how big or small. Metaphorically speaking that’s exactly the same application for making a great movie or television series. FIRST, you need the screenplay. Then your producers hire the director who brings in his crew. That is the whole other piece to bringing the story to life. It’s a massive undertaking and really a different part of this story so not to confuse we’ll address only the screenplay for now. Personally when I’m embarking on a new screenplay, in my mind I create a general feel and look, I write notes, lots of notes. As an architect doodles images of a building. Basically what I’m doing is establishing the plot, the genre, the protagonist and a very loose version of the three acts. It’s a lot of work and a lot of fun, but so worth it as the birthing of a new narrative. A contribution to life is born.