Scripts in the Library Catalog

The online catalog contains records for all 10,000+ scripts in the library's Core Collection. The screenplays are primarily unpublished working scripts or facsimiles thereof; however, there are also published volumes of scripts in the collection. Dates for these titles range from 1910 to the present. With a few exceptions among the published scripts, all screenplays in this catalog are for films that have been produced and released.

The library maintains additional script holdings in its Special Collections. These materials are not included in this catalog. Further queries regarding specific holdings should be directed to the Special Collections Department.

Catalog records
Script records in the catalog are headed with a title statement indicating the Los Angeles release title, director and year of release in the film's country of origin. Other information in the record may include: writer credited (indicating screen credit); writer on script (referring to names physically printed on the screenplay); cover title (the title as it appears on the script); film genre (e.g., documentary, short); Los Angeles releasing company and year; country of origin title (usually a foreign language title); description (including information such as version, date and length); language; series title; and source (including any "story by" credits). Published screenplays are cataloged both by the title of the published volume (e.g., Best American Screenplays) and the titles of the individual screenplays contained therein.

Access
Scripts in the Core Collection may be viewed without appointment during regular library hours. Unpublished scripts may not be photocopied under any circumstance. Limited copying may be available from published screenplays.

SCRIPT COLLECTION SEARCH TIPS

Title Search
Scripts are cataloged by the Los Angeles release title of the film. On the Basic Search screen, enter the film title in the Search field, set the In field to Title, set Quick Limit to Scripts, and click the Search button.

Writer Search
To search for works by a particular screenwriter, enter the name in inverted order (last name, first name) in the Search field, set the In field to Author Browse and click the Search button. It is not possible to limit this search to scripts only. Note that the collection includes various drafts of screenplays, and the version included here may not be the work of the screenwriter(s) credited on the completed film.

Subject Search
Subject searching is not available for the screenplay holdings.