Screenwriting : The Theatrical Experience by Edward Case

Writing for the stage and screen are different disciplines. My own (somewhat cynical) take on it is: nothing really happens on stage until the characters are talking, and nothing really happens on screen while the characters are talking.

I like your take on it. But instead of referring to stage vs. screen, let's talk about types of screen. What kind of script do you write for something meant to be watched on an iPhone? Should it make a difference vs. a film meant for the "big screen?"

Actually, I recently finished a 66 minute animated comedy that is primarily intended to be viewed on an iPhone. Or at least a smaller screen. The primary consideration - IMO - is how it is filmed. Sweeping panorama's look great in the megaplex, but get lost on the smaller dimensions of the smartphone. Visuals, in general, matter less because there is less viewing space - so dialogue become much more important. Like TV or theater. If you want to view my attempt at it, here's the link to my "movie": http://www.nicholaskorn.com/revelsrivals/revelrivals.php. Best of luck!

I look at it like this. You have a "Play write" and a "Screenwriter" a playwright writes for plays and the theater. A Screenwriter writes features, shorts, commercials, tv shows. The viewing experience isn't my concern and as a writer it technically shouldn't be.

My take is this - both theater and film are receding mediums. Our technology allows us to do much more as artists than ever before. It's our choice to use it or not.

Thanks, Nicholas, for the link. What animation software did you use? As to the comments, to Steven I pose the question, what about Lawrence Kasdan's admonishment to "write what you see?" And back to Nicholas, I'm not sure if film is as receding as we think. We still, instinctively, love a good story, and film is still the best medium to date to do that. The interactive media is more immersive, but presents a fundamentally different experience. In games, you are the protagonist, and your choices determine the experience, therefore, the type of experience will be more psychologically limited than film, which offers a more empathic experience and greater understanding of other perspectives. Characters in fiction/stage/film do not do what audience members wish they do (otherwise there wouldn't be drama as people naturally try to avoid conflict). So I feel that film, though it must evolve, will still be a vital form for decades.

Edward - I used Poser 7 to create the characters and CrazyTalk Animator to stage it. As for your comments on the viability of film, I agree that the human need to tell and experience stories will continue - and am counting on it. However, Hollywood is really feeling the challenge of the alternate media - which was pretty obvious by the mood at this years Oscars. As for the game industry, I am out of that loop as I've never really been willing to spend my time on that form of entertainment - prevalent and profitable as it is. My point is that we now have new tools and new venues to produce and present. We don't have to beg an establishment to let us create the stories we want to tell. We just have to be committed enough to learn quickly and work hard.

I think you're asking this question, not as a writer, but with a producer's mind. And it's good to do that. I think that's what's lacking with some writers. They don't take into account the producer's mind also. And that matters a lot because they're the ones who have to sell your script. That being said, your questions, I believe, are best answered once you've got a workable script. While you're writing the script, you need to stay true to your story and characters. Thinking of these alternatives will be a distraction until the script is finished. Once you've completed the script, it's easier to tweak it for these mediums. I don't think it matters though. As long as you've got a great story and characters, it doesn't which matter which medium you use.

I'm not familiar with the quote Edward