What is the difference between screenplay and script writing?

A “screenplay” is a specific type of script written for a film or television show. It is a detailed document that serves as a blueprint for the visual and auditory elements of a production. A screenplay typically includes specific formatting conventions, such as scene headings, action descriptions, character dialogue, and sometimes camera directions. The screenplay is a creative document that outlines the narrative structure, character development, dialogue, and key visual and auditory elements. It is the primary tool used by filmmakers, directors, actors, and other members of the production team to understand the story and bring it to life on screen.

"Script writing" is a broader term that encompasses various forms of writing for the screen, including screenplays, scripts for television shows, and other types of scripts. While screenplay writing is a subset of script writing, the latter term is sometimes used more broadly to include different formats. In a broader sense, "script writing" also refers to the process of creating scripts for radio, theater, video games, or other multimedia projects. Each medium has its own set of conventions and requirements, and script writing involves tailoring the text to the specific needs of the medium and the intended audience.

In conclusion, "screenplay" specifically refers to the script written for a film or television production, while "script writing" is a more encompassing term that can refer to writing for various screen-based and performance-based media.