What is a screenplay?

A screenplay can be an original piece, or based on a true story or previously written piece, like a novel, stage play or newspaper article. At its heart, a screenplay is a blueprint for the film it will one day become. Professionals on the set including the producer, director, set designer and actors all translate the screenwriter's vision using their individual talents. Since the creation of a film is ultimately a collaborative art, the screenwriter must be aware of each person's role and as such, the script should reflect the writer's knowledge.

For example, it's crucial to remember that film is primarily a visual medium. As a screenwriter, you must show what's happening in a story, rather than tell. 

Why do screenplays use Courier font?

It's a timing issue. One formatted script page in Courier font equals roughly one minute of screen time. That's why the average page count of a screenplay should come in between 90 and 120 pages. Comedies tend to be on the shorter side (90 pages, or 1 ½ hours) while Dramas run longer (120 pages, or 2 hours).

Jaws

During one of my media lessons at school, we all looked at a screenplay of a section of the Jaws and and then watched part of the movie with this screenplay to see how much they are the same. We also looked into all the different things that were included on the script, like how the movements and editing was written on the screenplay, which gives us a better idea of how to write ours and what we will need to include on our screenplay.

After doing my own research on screenplays, and focusing on a specific one, which is Jaws and identifying what was wrote in that screenplay, I think that when it comes to me doing my final production, I have a good understanding of what I need to include and how to write one myself without struggling on what we need to include.