Writing for the stage and screen requires very different approaches. While both stage plays and screenplays aim to tell compelling stories, the formats used to bring the writer’s vision to life vary greatly.
Understanding the key differences between stage play format and screenplay format is critical for playwrights and screenwriters looking to present their stories effectively.
Whether you’re writing your first play or adapting your screenplay for the stage, being aware of the structural, stylistic, and technical conventions will help your writing resonate with your intended audience.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll overview the core differences between stage play and screenplay formats that all writers should know.
Formatting and Structural Elements
The most obvious variances between plays and screenplays are the formatting and structural elements used to lay out the script.
General Stage Play Formatting Conventions
Plays are typically typed in a 12-point font (Times New Roman or Courier are widely used) and are double-spaced. Dialog is most often written in the center column of the page, while stage directions and notes occupy the right and left columns. Individual scenes are not marked with “Scene 1”, or “Scene 2” headings like in screenplays.
Instead, plays divide the story into acts and scenes within those acts. A new scene heading indicates when the scene changes within an act. There are no camera directions, shot transitions, or editing notes like “dissolve”, “wipe”, or “cut to” in stage directions.
General Screenplay Formatting Conventions
Screenplays are also typed in 12-point fonts, most commonly Courier. The text is double-spaced without any unusual indents or tabbed sections.
Scene numbers and headings (INT, EXT, EST) indicate when the location changes. Camera directions like PAN, ZOOM, POV, and DISSOLVE guide the cinematography. Editing transitions like CUT TO: help move between scenes and shots.
Screenplays liberally use all caps, underlining, and other formatting to quickly convey important information when scanned by producers.
Structuring the Story
Both stage plays and screenplays use acts and scenes to structure the story, but there are some key differences.
Multi-Act Structure in Plays
Plays have longer acts, usually three to five, to accommodate the need for intermissions during a live performance. Scenes within each act depict events happening in one location at a similar time. There are typically 20-25 short scenes within each act.
The beginning of a new scene indicates a change in time or location. A well-structured play moves the story forward logically within and between each act.
Short Scenes in Screenplays
Screenplays have approximately forty to sixty tight, concise scenes that switch locations fluidly, often within the same act. The frequent scene changes mimic cuts between shots and locations in a film.
Sluglines indicate where the action takes place. Moving in and out of scenes quickly can compress time or provide cuts for dramatic effect in films.
Characters and Dialogue
Dialogue brings characters to life. Formatting character names and writing effective dialog is done differently in stage plays versus screenplays.
Character Development in Plays
Playwrights rely heavily on spoken dialog and stage directions for actions to establish characters’ personalities and motivations. There is less physical description written in the script.
Monologues and soliloquies allow a character to vocalize their inner thoughts. These don’t work as well on screen.
Formatting Character Names
In plays, character names are written in all caps before their dialog. Secondary characters may just have their title or role listed, like WAITRESS or DOCTOR.
Limited Characters On-Screen
Screenplays have a narrower cast of main characters. There are between 1-3 lead roles with strong plot ties and development. Supporting roles have less dialog.
Camerawork and editing provide more context than heavy exposition. Character descriptions detail age, appearance, and personality traits.
Realistic Dialogue
Movie dialog is brief, avoids excessive monologues, and reflects natural conversation. Each line directly advances the plot.
Stage dialog may be more verbose or stylistic to convey background details. Open-ended dialog hooks the audience.
Story and Plot Structure
Stage plays and screenplays take different approaches to plot structure, story pacing, and dramatic tension.
Plot Structure in Plays
Theater performances have more time to explore characters, establish settings, and create mood. Plays focus on experiencing the story’s critical moments.
Dramatic plots build tension between acts through cliffhangers, then resolve by the climax and conclusion. Decompression happens during intermissions.
Driving the Plot Forward On-Screen
Films keep viewers visually entertained by intercutting between scenes and locations. The camera frames important details.
Movies favor faster pacing, action, and external conflict. The plot moves forward continuously rather than taking breaks.
Adaptations require trimming subplots and narrowing details that worked on stage.
Stage Directions vs Camera Directions
Due to the difference between live performance and recorded media, stage plays and screenplays each use their own language to convey important directions.
Sets and Physical Direction
Plays rely heavily on scenery, props, lighting, and physical performer actions to establish the atmosphere. The script provides extensive stage directions describing sets, entrances/exits, and actor movements.
Camera Work and Transitions
Screenplays specify shot framing, camera movement, and transitions between scenes. Sluglines identify new locations so editors can coordinate scene changes.
Single-camera perspective in film requires more descriptive action. But heavy exposition should be avoided.
Production Considerations
While the script provides the blueprint, there are key logistical differences between mounting a full-stage production versus filming a screenplay.
Staging a Play
Playwrights consider cast size, locations/set design, practical effects, and props that can be executed on a live stage, along with the production budget. Marketability also affects development.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better On Screen
Screenwriters craft stories within limitations of budget, locations, and technology. Creative workarounds for expensive/complex scenes may be needed.
Dynamically adapting the script into shot lists and storyboards is an art in itself.
Marketing and Distribution
Plays often premiere at local theaters, and then move to larger venues based on popularity and reviews. Play publishing provides additional income.
Studios or producers option screenplays and coordinate filming. Distribution deals with movie theaters, streaming services, Blu-ray releases, etc exponentially increase exposure.
Key Takeaways: Writing Stage Play vs Screenplay
Whether you’re writing an original stage drama or adapting a film to the theater, recognizing the core differences between the stage play format and screenplay format will improve your writing.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Structure stage plays use multiple lengthy acts while screenplays use about 40-60 concise, visual scenes.
- Allow more verbose dialog in stage directions to establish backstory and exposition compared to brief, natural dialog between a few lead characters on screen.
- Incorporate dramatic pauses, cliffhangers, and intermissions in stage plays versus faster pacing, tight action, and visuals driving films.
- Use sluglines and camera directions for screenplays versus set descriptions and extensive stage directions to convey the writer’s vision.
- Consider production limitations like budget, locations, and marketing potential based on the intended medium.
Understanding the conventions and limitations of each format allows writers to play to the strengths of live theater and film.
While challenging, adapting between the mediums can bring your story to new audiences. With this guide to the key differences, you’ll be able to improve your playwriting or screenwriting craft for the specific medium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of a stage play?
A stage play is typically structured in acts and scenes, with dialog in the center and stage directions in the side columns. Page numbers and character names in all caps appear at the top. Scene settings, props, lighting, and physical actions are described in the script.
What is the difference between scripts and plays?
Scripts are the written format for plays, television shows, films, or other performance art. Plays specifically refer to scripts written for live theater performances on stage.
Should I write a play or screenplay?
Consider if your story fits better as a limited location live performance or a feature film edited for the screen. Also weigh your experience, resources, and end goals. Both allow creative expression.
Is playwriting similar to screenwriting?
There are similarities in plot structure and character development, but the script format and constraints of each medium vary greatly. Screenplays focus on visuals and fast pacing, while stage plays rely more on dialog and world-building through sets/performances.
Is stage play a script?
Yes, the script of a play details the spoken dialog, scene settings, stage directions, and production notes that allow the theater performance to come to life.
What is the difference between a stage play and a movie?
Plays have live actors performing in front of an audience. Movies are recorded performances edited together and enhanced with effects. Plays take place continuously; movies manipulate time through cuts and transitions between scenes.
How many words is a stage play?
The length depends on the story and structure, but typical full-length play scripts range between 60-120 pages with an average of 90 pages. This equates to 15,000 to 30,000 words. Shorter one-act plays can be as few as 10 pages.
How do stage actors speak differently to actors in films?
Stage actors project and enunciate more to be heard in a theater. Film actors use more natural, nuanced delivery suitable for the camera. More exaggerated expressions and physicality work on stage.
What are the 5 features of a play script?
The key features are the cast of characters, dialog broken into acts/scenes, stage directions for actions/set design, instructions for lighting/sound, and notations from the playwright on how scenes should feel.
