How Do Writers Craft Movies So Quickly?

Movies often draw from a variety of sources such as books, plays, comics, or radio. This can serve as a strong foundation for screenwriters, who have much of the material already defined for them. However, the process of turning this source material into a screenplay is far more condensed than writing a novel.

Screenplays vs. Novels: A Comparison in Length and Detail

Screenplays typically span around 90 to 120 pages. In comparison, a small novella in novels might contain just 30,000 words. The concise nature of screenplays allows for a more streamlined storytelling approach. This is not because screenplays are inherently less detailed, but because filmmaking itself is a highly collaborative and complex process involving numerous departments, each with its specific role.

Conciseness in Screenwriting

Screenplays are often filled with concise dialogue and descriptions. For example, a novelist might spend several pages describing a character’s reaction to the ashes of their nemesis’s latest scheme. In a screenplay, this same scene might be conveyed in just a few lines of dialogue and a brief description of the setting.

Managing Pace and Detail in Different Formats

Novels have the advantage of pacing and detail that can be controlled by the author. They are the sole creativity behind the storytelling, from the characters’ every thought to the setting’s smallest detail. In contrast, films rely on a screenplay as just one piece of a puzzle. The screenplay sets the stage, but the final product emerges from the collaboration between artists, animators, actors, directors, and many others.

The Logistics of Filmmaking

The screenplay is just one component in a meticulous dance of logistics that includes cinematography, editing, sound design, special effects, and more. Each department contributes to the final narrative, so the screenplay must be crafted with these factors in mind. A screenwriter must be strategic and concise, knowing that what is written will often be interpreted and executed by others.

Examples of Adaptation

Consider how a novel scene can be adapted for the screen. A writer might spend pages on a character’s emotional journey in a novel. In the screenplay, this might be conveyed through a few lines of dialogue and a shot where the character looks off into the distance, symbolizing their thoughts or feelings. The film version might then use a well-timed shot of the character standing alone, a shadow of their once-victorious nemesis behind them, to deliver the essence of the character’s thoughts.

Conclusion: Efficiency and Effectiveness in Screenwriting

While screenwriting demands a concise and efficient style, it remains an art form that requires storytelling finesse. Screenwriters must balance brevity with depth, knowing that their words are the foundation for a collaborative project that will evolve in unique ways as it moves through the production process.