I have only ever written or tried to write one play in my entire life. Despite three years of high school immersion in Shakespeare and another year or two of "higher end" plays in college, I never much took to the idea of actually writing a play, or reading one, frankly. However, the playwrights I know seem to agonize much more over their work than the screenwriters I know (myself included). Why is this? Do plays require a deeper level of thought, commitment, and/or talent? Does the commercial aspect of screenwriting cheapen or water down the writing in some way? Are playwrights and screenwriters simply in two different classes altogether? I imagine that there's much more to said on the topic so I hope to hear from Camp Playwright and Camp Screenwriter soon.
Screenwriting : Plays or Scripts: Which is Easier to Write? by Colette "ByFilms" Byfield
Plays or Scripts: Which is Easier to Write?
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They are the same because of the script format, but they are also very different by what should be put into the script. I personally at this moment in my life have been more trained in playwriting than screenwriting, but I am going to learn screenwriting more as well. The thing with playwriting is that every action and location is more concise on stage whereas in film the only focus is wherever the camera is pointing and the shot can always be altered. I personally find playwriting easier for now because I understand the jargon better, such as stage direction and all that, but am uncertain exactly how to write how a shot should be angled for a film. As for commercialism, I wouldn't say it cheapens the writing. The two just tell the story differently. Thanks for asking this! I've thought about this for awhile too!
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Very insightful Stephanie! I'm very pleased that the first response came from a playwright.