In response to my previous post, I want to share with you a piece of my screenwriting background. Since I was pursuing a career as a TV staff writer, I needed to prepare samples of my writing. Spec scripts are original episodes written for currently airing shows, and they showcase a writer's ability to capture the characters and overall tone.
I have an affinity for the mockumentary style, so it only made sense that I wrote a spec for Modern Family and The Office. The two specs were written back in 2011, so both of the scripts reflect the storyline of that season. For all of you Office fans out there, Michael is still well and alive in, "Worms & Dirt." You can find both downloads below. Enjoy!
Terminology for Scripts
For those of you who have never read a script before, here is a list of basic terms found in screenplays:
I have an affinity for the mockumentary style, so it only made sense that I wrote a spec for Modern Family and The Office. The two specs were written back in 2011, so both of the scripts reflect the storyline of that season. For all of you Office fans out there, Michael is still well and alive in, "Worms & Dirt." You can find both downloads below. Enjoy!
Terminology for Scripts
For those of you who have never read a script before, here is a list of basic terms found in screenplays:
- INT/EXT — Interior/exterior, stating whether a scene is happening inside or outside.
- V.O. — Voice-over, when dialogue overlays the action lines and the speaker is not physically in the scene.
- O.S. — Off-screen, when a character is heard in the specific scene but cannot be seen on camera.
- ( ) — Whenever there is a parenthetical used with dialogue, it is telling you what the character is doing while speaking or how the words are being said.
- Tag — This is the last segment of an episode. It is usually when the credits roll.
- Cold Open — This is a teaser at the beginning of an episode. The Office was known for their cold opens.
- D# — Represents the day number in the storyline. If an episode is dependent on a timeline, this detail is important.
- Continuous — If this is present in a scene heading, it is telling you it's a continuation of a previous scene.
- Beat — Signifies a brief pause.
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