“Is a setting a world?”

This is a discussion point that was raised during the first of our week 2 classes. As budding screenwriters, I think some set of definitions (or a general language) would definitely be beneficial in order to discuss / critique both our own and other screen-worlds with clarity. As I argued in class, I believe there is a clear distinction between the two.

My understanding is that a setting is some form of location in which the screenplay takes place. This location includes not only place, but time period. For example – the television series “Lost” is predominantly set in 2004 on a mysterious island in the South Pacific (though the location of the island changes, as does the time period – but this is arbitrary and the reasoning long-winded).

However, a world comprises of the characters, rules, and forces that act upon the setting. In the case of Lost – there are supernatural powers of the island at play (such as the characters ‘Jacob’ and ‘The Man in Black / The Smoke Monster’; but also the island’s ability to move location).

The reason I consider the two to be clearly distinct is that it is often conceivable to imagine one still existing despite changes made to the other – although the story may not be as compelling. For example, the setting of Lost could be used in a completely different world, and perhaps still be made into an interesting story. So too could the Lost world be used in a different setting (in fact, there are parts of the show that take place in Australia, mainland USA, South Korea and Iraq) – and an interesting story could still be told – yet the isolation element of the island is somewhat necessary for the compelling drama that drives a lot of the show’s narrative progression.

 

Nonetheless, I think the clear distinction does exist; and I believe our discussions in class time since has emphasized the importance of establishing and treating both the world and the setting differently.