Screenwriter facts for kids

A screenwriter is a person who writes the words for movies and television shows. These words are called a screenplay or script. Screenwriters create the dialogue that actors and actresses speak, and they also describe the scenes and actions.

What Does a Screenwriter Do?

A screenwriter's main job is to tell a story using words. They imagine the characters, what they say, and what they do. They also think about where the story takes place and how it moves from one scene to the next.

The Script: A Blueprint for a Movie

Think of a script as a detailed plan or blueprint for a movie or TV show. It includes:

• Dialogue: The exact words characters say to each other.
• Action: Brief descriptions of what happens on screen, like "A car speeds down the street" or "She smiles warmly."
• Scene headings: These tell you where and when a scene takes place, like "INT. CLASSROOM - DAY" (meaning inside a classroom during the day).

The script doesn't describe every little detail of how things look. That's usually left up to the director and other crew members. The screenwriter focuses on the story, characters, and dialogue.

Why is Script Formatting Important?

Scripts have special rules for how they look on the page. This is called formatting. It's very important for screenwriters to follow these rules.

• Clarity: Good formatting makes the script easy to read and understand for everyone involved, like directors, actors, and producers.
• Professionalism: If a script isn't formatted correctly, it might not be taken seriously.
• Timing: Standard formatting helps estimate how long the movie will be. One page of a script usually equals about one minute of screen time.

When actors first read a script, they need it to be clear. If the formatting is confusing, it can make their job much harder.

How Do Screenwriters Work?

Screenwriters often work closely with directors and producers. They might write an original story, or they might adapt a book, comic, or even a video game into a script. They often go through many drafts, rewriting and improving their work based on feedback.

Images for kids

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  A robot thinking about writing a script.