60 Second Screenwriter: How is a screenplay different than a novel?

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

Some time ago, I proposed an idea to my DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts colleagues: What if we produced a lively, informative series of videos called 60 Second Screenwriter? The concept was simple: Aggregate questions relevant to anyone interested in the craft of screenwriting, then use DePaul students and faculty to produce the series?

And we did it! There are 14 videos, each about one minute long and available to watch at our YouTube channel.

Today: What is the difference between a screenplay and a novel?

The video covers some important distinctions including:

• How a novel can traffic in the “introspection” of characters while a screenplay is a largely externalized reality
• Unlike most novels which are written in the past tense, screenplays are present tense and there’s an important reason why that’s the case

I had a great time producing the 60 Second Screenwriter series working with my fellow faculty members and a terrific group of undergraduate and graduate students. Here is the production team:

Director: Penny Penniston
Producer: Scott Myers
Cinematography: Shannon Kuncé
Production Audio Mixer: Eagle Liao
Editor & Colorist: Ana Christian
Post Audio: Joey DeFabio

To see more videos in the series, go here.