How to Write a Script

Getting Started

How to Write a Script1) Brainstorm

Write up what you want to happen in the play. Where will the story take place?

How to Write a Script2) Characters

You don’t need to develop all of the characters right away, but you should think about your main characters and their effects on the story line.Make sure that the different characters have their own “voice” and “persona” based on their backgrounds, which will affect their attitude, word choices, and dialect. This will help your characters from blending into one another.

How to Write a Script3) Outline

Before you actually begin writing the script, it might help to create a basic road-map of what will happen in the story so you don’t forgot or go off track. Sketch out a general plan and envision how events will unfold. This should be told in the third person.

How to Write a Script4) Style

Scripts are all about acting and dialogue so make sure your characters are speaking realistically. Try not to mix styles of speech and vocabulary too much unless you are going for a specific effect.

How to Write a Script5) Scene

Don’t forget to include important details such as time of day, setting, and actions of characters in the scene. These are nearly as important as the dialogue that occurs.

How to Write a Script6) Dialogue

Make sure the dialogue is important, relevant, and helps move the story forward.

How to Write a Script7) Notation

Decide how to notate your script. Will a narrator introduce the characters, or will characters set up the scene and other characters through dialogue or monologues?

How to Write a Script8) Annotations

Tell the reader what is happening by annotations (notes) in square brackets if you will not find out from the narrator or dialogue.Example: [Jeff walks off the stage and John closes the door behind him].

How to Write a Script9) Rough Draft

Begin to develop a rough draft. Remember to stick to proper script formatting. (See next page for details on how to format a script).Skip lines between different characters speaking. This will make it easier for people reading the script to distinguish between speakers more easily, and also allow space for notes.Write “INT” when the scene takes place inside and “EXT” when the scene takes place outside.Put the characters’ names in capital letters above their lines.

How to Write a Script10) Edit

Read over your work, and have your friends and family read it over as well. Don’t let yourself be insulted, controlled, too fragile, upset, or angered by remarks about your script. They are opinions, not facts. Remember, you asked for their help!

How to Write a Script11) Final Copy

Type up your script (Calibri, size 12) to be handed in. Congratulations, you’re done!

Formatting Your Script

Formatting Your ScriptScene Directions

What is happening as the scene starts. All the important information you need to know.

Formatting Your ScriptExample of Scene Directions:

Scene 1[A truck stop diner in late August,

1977. The place is deserted except for DORA, the resident waitress in her pink crisp uniform. She leans on the counter and does a word jumble in a weathered looking book. She glances up as WADE, a teenager in a white tank top and too-big jeans, enters.]

Formatting Your ScriptStaging Directions

These describe what happens on stage during the scene. Entrances, exits, major movements of characters, etc., are all examples of action that would require stage directions.Staging directions show only what is taking place on stage (what the audience can see or hear).Stage directions are single spaced when within a single character’s dialogue, but a blank line is left when between character passages.

Formatting Your ScriptDORA

Sure.[DORA rings the bell at the pass-

through behind her.]Order up! French fries.

[She turns back to WADE.]Is that it?

Formatting Your ScriptCharacter Stage Directions

These are always short and fit right under the characters name. These types of directions give a clue to the style of the line. These should be used only when a reader wouldn’t understand what was going on without them.

Formatting Your ScriptWADE

(rubbing his belly)Um, and a sandwich please.

Putting Your Script Together

Putting Your Script Together1) Cover Page – the title of your play and your name(s)

2) Characters – a list of all the parts in the script with a short description

Example: DORA – waitress, 50 years old, greying hair, tired3) Setting – brief paragraph detailing the setting of the play

including the time period4) Scene Breakdown – list of the different scenes, where they

are set, and the time as it relates to the passage of time in the script

Example: Scene 1 – Diner – Late August 1977, noon5) Page Numbers – start numbering your pages on the first

page of the actual play script

BrainstormUsing the “Brainstorm” Handout,

brainstorm ideas with your group about the script you will write next class.

Remember: You must be able to act it out.

Your skit must be 3 minutes longEach group member must have an equal

part

Topic

GuidelinesI will be coming around with the script/skit topics. Pick one group member to pick the

topic.