Types of Screenplays

There are many types of screenplays. The first is called a reading script, or spec script. "Spec" is short for speculation and signifies that the screenplay is still seeking to be produced. Reading/spec scripts do not include any directorial information, like camera angles and position; this is reserved for the shooting script. The online application Screenplaze currently formats for the reading script.

A shooting script is written once the spec script has been purchased for production. It is a slightly altered version of the original spec script that adds directorial and other production information.

By including camera angles and the like in a spec script, the writer is effectively stepping on the director's toes. Many filmmakers take great offense to this, so it is strongly recommended that the writer (you) avoids it. A spec script must convey a story without being encumbered by production specifications.

Unless you own a production company or you plan to film the script yourself, you should mostly be writing a reading script, not a shooting script.

The Screenplaze application will soon have the ability to export your reading script into a shooting script format.

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