Scripts vs Novels
The difference
First of all, you’re probably wondering why I keep choosing typewriter pictures, right? There’s a reason for it, and this article will mention it. First off, what is a script, or a screenplay, and what is a novel?
Script (noun): a manuscript or document. (verb) to write a script for. | (derivation): first recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (noun), from Latin scriptum, noun use of neuter past participle of scrībere “to write”; replacing Middle English scrit, from Old French escrit, from Latin, as above; (verb) first recorded in 1930–35; from the noun.
Screenplay (noun): a motion-picture or television scenario. | (derivation): first recorded in 1915–20; screen + play
Novel (noun): a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes. | (derivation): first recorded in 1560–70; from Italian novella (storia) “new (story)”
Alright, since there are a lot of differences to each medium, let me simplify it. So first difference: one is written in present tense, the other in past tense. Scripts (screenplays) are always written in present tense, and novels are always written in past tense.
Another difference: scripts are “manuscripts” or “documents” on how a certain movie should be made. The industry standard is maximum of 120 pages (2 hours) of script, or shorter (if you’re making your own film, then you can increase that number — and I’ve been noticing a lot of places now are opening their doors to longer scripts! Yet aside from that, you still have very little room to tell your story). Where with novels, you can keep writing and wind up with 1,000 pages or so! I’ve written 62 scripts (most of them the “long” ones or longer) and a 560-page novel, with its three sequels aimed toward the same amount.
Another difference: scripts are always told in Third Person, where novels can be written in First, Second or Third person — and sometimes (though hard to effectively pull off) any combination of the three.
Another difference: a script tells you more or less exactly what to do and exactly when to do it. There should be nothing really left for interpretation. In some parts of the script (like where the actors steps in) he may have some wiggle room. But on a whole, what is written must be done per the instruction (script). And by doing so, there is very little written on each page (the general rule of thumb is 1 page = 1 minute). A novel, if not written explicitly, leaves a lot to the imagination and interpretation — it’s a story, not a manual.
Another difference: you have to be very concise and to the point with scripts. Yet with novels, you can take your time and be as vague as you want to be.
So the reason behind the typewriter: the main reason scripts are written a certain way, and why their formatting looks a certain way, and why certain lingo exists for scripts is because of the typewriter! For example: a Slug Line is called such because one had to “slug the typewriter over to start the next line.” Pretty neat, huh? (and Slug Line means “scene heading,” by the way.)
In my ensuing articles, I’ll be going over each medium more thoroughly and intensively. But for now, I hope this helps!
