I think that my past writings (see my homepage!  URL below!) have
demonstrated my appreciation for good prose-format fanfics.  But I do believe
that analagous (if not comparable) excellence is achievable in script format.
 Indeed, the Ranma 1/2 fanfic that I most often cite as my all-time favorite,
Christian Gadekan's "Ranma's Timeslip," is written as a pseudo-screenplay.

The following excerpts from an e-mail exchange some months ago (between me
and a correspondent discussing some of my remarks on Ranma 1/2) fanfics
illustrate some of my views on script-style fanfic writing.

--------------------------------------

HIM: I find it very annoying for fanfic writers to script their stories in
the manner of a TV or movie script.  

ME: I'm not annoyed by it, but when authors send me stories in script format
and solicit comments on their work, I remark that they may be limiting
themselves by not trying their hand at the complexities of traditional prose.

HIM: I concede that many of  the stories that I like are written in the
screenplay format; however, when I read these stories I get the feeling that
the writer is being lazy.

ME: This is uncharitable.  Perhaps it is sometimes true that authors write in
script format because they just don't feel like doing the hard work
associated with straight prose.  But it is true at least as often that they
choose script style because they:

1. Want to get a story across in as few words as possible (a noble goal, in
my estimation)

2. Are trying to stay as close as possible to the "original flavor" of the
Ranma 1/2 manga/anime, which - unlike good prose fiction - were not
particularly intellectual, artistic, or mature

3. Are not good at some of the aspects of the art of prose writing (imagery,
introspection, etc.) and are honest with themselves about their limitations

HIM: I know that there are excuses (I just don't see most of them as valid)
for fanfic authors to write their articles screenplay-style; however,
screenplays are written with the intent of being presented VISUALLY.  That's
why they are called SCREENplays.  Fanfiction, on the other hand, is a WRITTEN
medium.  

ME: Screenplays are also a written medium, governed by established standards.
 One of those standards is to start from the assumption that most of the
visual elements (and extensive interpretation and revision of the verbal
elements) will be created by the director and cinematographer, as well as the
actors who interpret their roles.  The purpose of a screenplay is to provide
a full storyline, including all dialogue, so that other details may be filled
by someone else.  While such a device is usually not as fulfilling for a
reader as normal literary fiction, it serves the purpose of telling a story.
 If telling a story is a fanfic author's highest priority (as opposed to
artful expression), script style is a valid choice.  If the author is more
concerned with stretching artistically, prose would probably be better.
 Artful script fanfics get high praise from me, since they're so rare.

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Related to this discussion, I'd like to recommend that any fanfic writer
considering a script-style work read Richard Uyeyama's "Ranma Kanketsuhen
'93," the notorious April Fool's joke-story written as a "translation" script
for a non-existent Ranma movie.  To create the illusion of a real translation
project, Uyeyama throws in a lot of uncommon details and editorial asides.
 Such touches could enrich all script-style fanfics, particularly if the
author's goal is to recreate the spirit and ambience of the subject anime.

In my opinion.

Taleswapper

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Taleswapper's home page: A Tribute to My Favorite Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction
http://members.aol.com/talswapr/private/index.html