Shooting script – The version of a Screenplay

Shooting script – The version of a Screenplay

After forming your story into the screenplay, and approved from the production team as well, the ‘Shooting Script’ will then be created. A ‘Shooting Script’ is the version of a ‘Screenplay’. As I had written in my previous post that a screenplay is basically related to visual writing, and helps the director share his visual approach forming it into the structure of the screenplay. But after the screenplay has been created another vital stage; the shooting script is made. This would be worked by the creative team such as your cinematographer, production designer, director, etc. The shooting script as well as helps to share what the director wants the frame to look like, but the difference in this particular script is that the number of scenes are numbered with the number of shot taken in that particular part of the script. We can take an example such as, SCENE 1 which is categorized into 1,2,3,4 shots. In this particular detail the kind of shot to be taken is mentioned as well, such as dolly shots, or close up, etc. This is written by the director alongside the cinematographer with both contributing their idea related to shooting the film. The shooting script is purely a production tool.  It also helps breaking down the script, and organizing the production part of the film.

In a ‘Shooting Script’ under a particular scene you mention the shot number (such as 1), the description of the shot (such as CU), with the location (such as forest) as well as the day/time (such as Monday, 1^st May, 12:30am) which the scene is to be shot. Even the actors, and props are also mentioned which helps to give a clear picture. This stage helps for organizing the technical requirements before the shooting takes place, and saves a lot of your time during the shoot. The shooting script can also come in handy regarding the schedule of the film. This particular script can look complicated, but also is very essential during the process of film making either you are making a short film or a feature film, a shooting script is very important for sure.