Netflix has been a saving grace for many in lockdown, with its wide library of original and fan favourite content providing a never-ending source of entertainment.
And as if it couldn’t get any better (other than if they stopped cancelling their shows), people smarter than me have been making add-ons to even further improve the streaming service. One of the more interesting extensions for Netflix is ScreenplaySubs, which syncs the movie with their screenplay and has them side by side.
After checking it out I can safely say that it definitely has loads of potential, even if it is in its infancy. The extension is super easy to install and for the most part, it works as intended. The only issue I really had with it was the library of movies it had available, or more the lack of a library. The current films that work with the extension are The Social Network, Marriage Story, The Irishman, Zodiac, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Silver Linings Playbook, but at the time of writing, only the first three are available to stream in the UK.
But I don’t fault ScreenplaySubs for the limited library of films, as this is still a very new service and it was made by only one person. And as mentioned on their website, the film catalogue is updated every week, so hopefully, it won’t be long before you’ll be spoilt for choice as to what film, and screenplay, to watch next.
But why would you actually want to see the screenplay for the movie you’re currently watching?
This is absolutely perfect for any aspiring screenplay writer, as that side-by-side comparison will be a big help in showing how your writing will be translated for screen, and will just give you more experience with screenplays. Even if you aren’t interested in screenwriting, watching films with this extension will make for a more interesting re-watch.
As mentioned on the website, having the screenplay up will give you insight into the different scenes you may not have realized, for example “when a dialogue is improvised/reworded” or “attempts to put emphasis on an action”. So basically, if you are wanting to sharpen your screenwriting skills or want to improve your understanding of a film, this is a dream come true and I highly recommend you check it out.
Words by George Bell
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