Screenwriting: Setting up the Story “A Comparative Analysis of Screenwriting Manuals”

Abstract

This thesis will analyze how authors of screenwriting manuals talk about the first ten pages of a screenplay and how the story is set up by establishing character and illustrating the world. There is a differentiation between function, what kind of information is exposed, and structure, how this information is structured within the screenplay. With the use of categories the dominant discourses are mapped out. The analysis will confirm the use of different terminologies even though little difference exists between the definitions. It will become clear that the perspectives of the authors are influenced by the way they think about certain discourses. Discourses such as: function versus structure, which one is more important? The involvement of the audience and the starting point of the story, when does the first action or change takes place? These discourses are compared to the ones gained from theory which led to a better comprehension of the gap between academics and practitioners. If there will be a practical ‘interlingua’ of the narrative theory within screenwriting manuals then research will have to be done towards the complexity of the audience and the practical use of screenwriting manuals during the writing process.