Scotland - English and Literacy - Script - P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 - First and Second Level classroom and home learning for Curriculum for Excellence with ��˿�� Bitesize Scotland

Learning about setting in a story

Learn how to lay out a script so directors and actors can bring it to life.

In this article you will find out:

What a drama script is
How to write a script
Different features of a script

This resource is suitable for creative writing for P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 (First and Second Level Curriculum for Excellence).

Video - Story structure

Watch this video to learn how to write a script.

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Learn how to layout your script so that directors and actors perform it just the way you want them to.

What is a script?

Drama scripts are written to be performed by actors in the theatre, television, film and radio.
The director works with actors to bring the script to life.
A script needs to be laid out in a certain way to tell everyone what to say and what to do.

Features of a script

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Image caption,
Script
The script has information that tells everyone where the action takes place. It gives more detail about the scene and which characters are going to be in it. It tells everyone how to move, speak, what to say and what to do.
Image caption,
Scene
Start a new scene when the location, scenery or time changes. Add information about where and when the scene takes place.
Image caption,
Dialogue
When a character is to speak, we see their name in capitals, followed by the dialogue that the character is to say. Direction about how to say the lines is added in brackets.

Act One Scene 1

This is the start of the play. An act is a way of dividing up a play (a bit like a chapter in a story book). An act can be made up of different scenes. Plays usually have up to five acts.

Scene

When you are writing a script, you start a new scene when the location, scenery or time changes.

Script

The script has information that tells everyone where the action takes place. It gives more detail about the scene and which characters are going to be in it:

Scene 3 – A cave in the middle of the desert.

A young boy called Aladdin is in a cave, surrounded by piles of treasure. Nearby there is a lamp.

Dialogue

When a character speaks in a play, we usually see their name in capitals. This is followed by the that the character is to say:

ALADDIN: I’ve found the magic lamp!

Script writers can also get actors to perform the dialogue in a particular way. They do this by adding the direction in brackets:

ALADDIN: (whispered) I’ve found the magic lamp!

As a scriptwriter. it’s your job to write down what you want your characters to do.Actors follow the action written in a script.

What does Aladdin have to do next?

ALADDIN walks over to the lamp. He picks it up and rubs it. In a puff of smoke, a magical genie appears in front of him.

The script gives the director and actors all the words and instructions to tell a story in just they way the writer wishes.

Test your knowledge

Try this short multiple choice quiz about scriptwriting.

Challenge

What happens next?

Watch the video at the top of the page again. We hear all about Act 1 Scene 3 of the Aladdin play.

Can you write the next scene for Aladdin and the magical genie?

Act 1 Scene 4

Think about:

Where will the scene take place?
What will the characters do?
What will the characters say?
How will they say it?

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