Understanding Video Production: The Role of Screenplays
To truly understand video production, it’s essential to dive into its components. One of the most critical elements in this creative process is the screenplay—a written work designed for movies, television programs, or video productions. The craft of writing screenplays is the domain of a screenwriter, an artist who brings stories to life on the page before they unfold on screen.
When we talk about screenplays, we’re either discussing:
- Original works: Fresh, never-before-seen creations, or
- Adaptations: Works inspired by existing pieces, such as novels, dramas, or historical events.
Regardless of their origins, all screenplays share some core elements. They include the movements, actions, dialogues, and expressions of characters. For instance, a screenplay for a feature film, typically 80 pages or more, is formatted so that each page corresponds to about one minute of screen time.
The Core Components of a Screenplay
At its heart, a screenplay is built around two major components:
- Action: The visual movements and events that unfold on screen.
- Dialogue: The written conversational exchanges between characters.
While action drives the plot forward, dialogue is the soul of character interaction, giving voice to their thoughts, emotions, and conflicts.
Dialogue: A Literary Form in Screenwriting
Dialogue in a screenplay is much like traditional literary dialogue—a conversational exchange between two or more people—except it is meticulously written to be spoken aloud by actors. This art form has deep historical roots. One notable example comes from Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher.
Plato’s dialogues, written in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, were philosophical texts in conversational form. These writings, often featuring his teacher Socrates, were used to explore complex ideas about truth, morality, and knowledge. Here’s a segment from one of Plato’s works, Critias:
Socrates: “…And now, friend Crittias, I will announce to you the judgment of the theatre. They are of opinion that the last performer was wonderfully successful, and that you will need a great deal of indulgence before you will be able to take his place.”
Crittias: “…Let me begin by observing first of all, that nine thousand was the sum of the years which had elapsed since the war which was said to have taken place between those who dwelt outside the Pillars of Heracles and all who dwelt within them…”
Source: classics.mit.edu/Plato/critias.html
Monologues: A Unique Form of Expression
A monologue, on the other hand, is a speech delivered by a single character. It’s often used to express the character’s internal thoughts or to address other characters who may be physically or mentally absent from the scene.
One of the most famous monologues in history comes from William Shakespeare’s "Hamlet":
Hamlet:
“To be or not to be—that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them…”
Source: No Fear Shakespeare, nfs.sparknotes.com
The Influence of Shakespearean Theater
Shakespeare’s works remain some of the most profound contributions to the art of storytelling. His plays are a testament to the power of dialogue and monologue in shaping characters and narratives. Through his monumental works, Shakespeare has guided generations toward an appreciation of art, beauty, and the human condition.
According to legend, Shakespeare envisioned his works as windows into the mythical Elysian Fields—a place where art reigns supreme and where even heroes, though they may perish on stage, rise again with every performance.
What’s Next?
This exploration of screenplays is just the beginning. In the next part of this series, we’ll delve deeper into some of the greatest dialogues ever written, the artists behind them, and the movies and plays that have brought them to life.
Stay tuned for "Screenplays and Its Components – Part Two", where we’ll continue our journey into the heart of storytelling in video production.
