Where Do You Find Screenplays?
November 21, 2024· Kate Gaulke
I’m asked this question all the time and I get it!
Where the hell are you supposed to GET screenplays in order to study them??
Well, there are many different places, but here are my top 3:
But first…
1. Google
Yup. Honestly. Good old-fashioned Google.
There are some tricks to it, though they are limited and easily guessed - I usually type in the title of the feature/show and then add either “Screenplay” or PDF after the title.
BUT when I’m pawing through the results there is one site in particular I prefer to above all others:
2. The Script Lab
I LOVE The Script Lab. It’s the first result I look for. Their interface is clean and the info they have on their scripts is excellent.
Every now and then you’ll get a title with multiple scripts attached from various stages in the process. I usually try to go for a “Production Draft” if they have it.
You have to sign up for an account, but it’s free!
And if they don’t have a certain screenplay the process for requesting one is easy.
They have a bunch of other resources as well - everything from breakdowns on competitions to a full educational video library, though some of their features are behind a paywall.
I personally don’t have a paid account, but it might be worth it for you.
3. Friends
It’s always good to know people and here’s another reason to add to the list.
I have a variety of friends who are writers, work on set, work in development, or other varying capacities and they have a tendency to come across scripts in a whole host of different ways. Sometimes they worked directly on a project, or sometimes they had a buddy who worked on a project, etc. etc. down the line.
It’s exceedingly common for screenplays to be passed around within personal networks.
If you haven’t already, start building your network. Screenwriting is a team sport, even if the core of it is sitting alone in front of your computer with your thoughts.
No Matter What
Even if a screenplay is online at one point, it’s not uncommon for them to be pulled, so I highly recommend downloading them and keeping a private script library on your computer.
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