Writing a playscript
- 1. *** ****
- 2. • Decide where the scene will take place • Write an introduction that describes the place. • Or, have the Narrator describe the scene
- 3. • Decide who the characters will be • Write a short description of each character • Keep the number of main characters as small as possible • Give the characters distinctive features
- 4. • Know the story before you begin • Have the different scenes in mind • The dialogue, or the narrator, has to tell the story • Keep the story line simple
- 5. • Set the scene (As a short paragraph) • Start a new line each time a new character speaks • Put the name of the speaker in a left hand margin, followed by a colon (:) Peter: • Give instructions to the character in brackets (often in italics too). (Opening the door to let the King in.) The words in brackets are not spoken.
- 6. List of characters: Mother: a fussy young lady, wearing an apron Red Riding Hood: a little girl who wears a red cloak with a hood. Kind and helpful. Grandma: An old lady who is ill Wolf: Woodcutter:
- 7. Set the scene In the kitchen, Mother packing a basket on the kitchen table, whilst Red Riding Hood puts on her cape. Now the script (directions in brackets) Mother: (Firmly) Be sure to carry the basket carefully so as not to damage the cakes. RRH: (Kindly) Of course mother, they are so prettily decorated. I wouldn’t want to spoil them. Mother: You know the way? We’ve been so many times together, you should do. Title
- 8. RRH: Yes, mother I know the way. Mother: Be sure to keep to the path now, don’t wander off and get lost. RRH: No mother. I’ll keep to the path. Mother: And don’t talk to any strangers. RRH: I won’t. (As an aside to the audience.) Not that there is ever any one in the woods. Mother: (Giving the basket to RRH and kissing her on the cheek) Do be careful, and give Grandma my love won’t you. Tell her I’ll be along tomorrow to see that she’s alright. RRH: (With hand on door handle, turning to face mother) I’ll be back before you know it. Bye! Mother: Bye love! Take care! (Quietly to self) I do hope she’ll be O.K. I don’t like her being in those woods all alone. You never know what might happen.
- 9. To write the next scene of Red Riding Hood when she meets the Wolf in the forest on her way to Grandma’s house. • Follow the same format as Scene 1 • Title • Set the scene • Dialogue • (directions in brackets)
- 10. To write the next scene of Red Riding Hood when she meets the Wolf in the forest on her way to Grandma’s house. • Follow the same format as Scene 1 • Title • Set the scene • Dialogue • (directions in brackets)