IJMR Class: 6 ES

Teacher: Liliana Lo Preiato

Cross-curricular work: English-Drama teachers

Do you think you have the potential and style to write a teenage funny play script? Of course, you do! Keep always in mind that funny play scripts display situations that will end up being funny. Well, it takes talent and personal creativity. So make your imagination fly and read on!

Notice the following features of the layout of a play script: Title: be creative Scene: say where and when the scene is set Characters: say which characters are in the scene at the start. You should give any information that we need to know about them but keep this brief. This might be their age, occupation or relationship with other characters. Following these steps will make writing your play script easier: 1. Brainstorm.

You will need to try to come up with as many ideas or situations as you can. Try to think of some typical
situations, as well as some wacky ones. It is good to have a variety to work with.

Make a plan beforehand and write down who your characters will be and know their defining traits. In a short
script, it's best to limit the number of main characters. Too many characters can be confusing and doesn't give you time to let the characters develop. Remember that your characters should come to life. This is achieved through dialogue. Good dialogue is central to convincing drama. To make it sound realistic you need to read it out loud to hear what it sounds like. You also need to think about your characters to know how they would speak. 2. Eliminate some ideas.

Dont make the play script too long. You should eliminate some of your weaker ideas or ones that couldn't be
elaborated on very well.

Act some out if you need to. Do what you need to do to determine if an idea is workable or not. If that means
acting a scenario out, then by all means do it. The final goal is to get a few great ideas. 3. Dive deep into the ideas.

You need to write your draft. Remember to let the script flow to you, and if you aren't feeling an idea, dump it. This is the part where you really start to incorporate the characters. Any characters that come into a scene
after the start of it should be introduced by 'Enter'. Use 'Exit' if the character leaves. The name of the character

OUR ENGLISH CLASS -

- How to Make a Script for a Play

IJMR Class: 6 ES

Teacher: Liliana Lo Preiato

who is speaking should be written at the left-hand side of the page (in the margin). It is a good idea to print it in capitals.

Start the draft by writing a bit out in "story form". Just write it like you would see in a novel. This will be the
presentation of your play, where it is situated, when, and who is going to talk. From here you should start determining what the characters say and do, or react, to each situation. 4. Determine the best idea.

Take a few things into consideration:

What type of situation is it? Will it be affected by the time needed to act it out, number of characters needed (and numbers of members of your group), scenery or customs? Who is involved? What characters are involved and do they work in this situation well together? There is an old rule in writing comedy that says "opposites attract". This means that in a sitcom, two different types of people will make for a funny situation. What do you feel about the idea? Deep down, do you think it is a winner? It is really important and shows the reader that you personally believe in your idea. 5. Put the idea into action.

Use the rough draft you have as a basis for writing the script. Elaborate deeply on the situation. Remember to
add details to make it funny, and eliminate the ones that are not really relevant for the script. The play (when acted) will be around 5-15 minutes long.

Usually a play has a conflict, crisis or problem at its centre which needs to be resolved. The characters have to
face up to this problem and this is what causes the interest of the play. 6. Get multiple sources of input.

As you are working on a team for this, get input from others and don't be afraid to ask for help. If you get stuck in an idea, sleep. This may seem silly, but sleeping can help you come up with ideas for a
script

Other people may come up with some great scenarios that even you couldn't think of, so there is no harm
done in asking for some other opinions.

Many teenage play scripts are based around the same ideas, so if you are having trouble, watch some shows
on TV and pay attention to the big picture (what the episode is trying to say as a whole to the viewer) and the details. 7. Edit and revise.

Once you have finished the script, take a break for a few hours or a day, then come back to edit it. Editing the
script should not take very long, but just remember to take your time. Don't be afraid to change some things around or even re-write some sections. Use a colour like red and make your edits visible. 8. Tune-up and finish up.

Include the revisions you made into your work and then re-read. If you find anything else you figure worth
changing, don't be afraid to change it. 9. Hand it in to your teacher at deadline.

Dont exceed the deadline of each draft or final work. Deliver your final work in a plastic file or a folder (the portfolio). Include all the drafts you have done.
OUR ENGLISH CLASS - How to Make a Script for a Play

IJMR Class: 6 ES

Teacher: Liliana Lo Preiato

The final work must be printed using a computer. The final portfolio must contain a cover, the name of the members of the group, and it might include
illustrations (optional). Add a page with the names of the members of the group and each function in the work (example: Narrator: Jos Perez; Lisa: Susana Rodriguez; etc.). The portfolio must contain these copies, too.

Design a short and easy quiz, questionnaire or crossword for the other students.

The following vocabulary will help you with your play script: Actors: People who act out the parts of the character in the playscript. Acts: Chapters in a play Characters: People in the playscript Costumes: Clothes for actors EXT.: the play takes place in the outer space (exterior) INT.: the play takes place in the inner space (interior) EXT./INT.: for example, a scene starts outside and moves inside (or vice versa) Narrator: Someone who tells or recounts the story. Play production: An act produced to play on a stage Play: act a part on a stage Playscript: A script written for a play Props: Objects needed for the play Scene: Place of action Scenery: Background to show where the scene is set Stage director: Person who directs what goes on the stage Stage: Where the drama or action is happening

Check that your final playscript has: 1. 2. Title: make it attractive

Introduction: it must include: the title of the play, and any pertinent historical or background information regarding the story for a correct understanding of it. Example: In You Can't Take It With You, the acting by the family members on the open, exposed stage displayed an innocent and vigorous freedom, as well as a proud independence in their confrontation with accepted norms of behaviour.

3.

Scene heading: where and when the scene is set. Example: EXT. MOUNTAIN CABIN DAY daylight hours. it means that the action takes place outside a mountain cabin during

OUR ENGLISH CLASS -

- How to Make a Script for a Play

IJMR Class: 6 ES 4.

Teacher: Liliana Lo Preiato

Narrator: the narrator is the person who states what is happening in the play. The narrator is not a character but it is the most important part of the play because he/she keeps the play moving. The narrator also usually has the most speaking they usually sit on a stool or chair off to the side of the stage and narrate the story. Without the narrator the other parts couldn't do their job.

5. 6. 7.

Characters name: written on the left of the page, in capital letters followed by a comma or a dash. Start a new line for each speaker. Dialogues: dont use speech marks. When you want to emphasize some part of the speech, use italics. Some features to take into account: A line across the centre of the page, is used to show that the setting is about to change Present Tense: used for setting scenes and describing actors. Stage directions are written in Present Tense and in brackets (showing how the actors must speak or move). Use of () to show that a character is thinking. Use brackets to show what the character is thinking, how they are moving, or that there is a pause. Every time the setting changes, a new scene begins.

Plays are mainly people talking, and doing things. Have an idea of what you are going to write before starting. Have the different scenes in mind. Give the characters very distinctive features and different names. It is going to be easier understood. The narrator has to tell the story; the characters are going to develop the story. Keep the story line simple. Keep in mind is that, even at just 05 minutes, your play must tell a complete story. Use music or songs in your public presentation. It helps establishing mood, characterization, and/or get pleasure from what your have done!

Dont write the plot as a novel. You dont need lots of description. However, the setting is important and can affect the action. No speech marks are used in play scripts. The words in brackets are not spoken. Theyre used to clarify or show instructions. Dont make a 05-10 minute monologue, where only one character speaks. Everyone in your group needs to say at least four sentences. Yes, does not count as a sentence.

Dont make the plot too complicated: simple is good, big and complicated is going to work against you.

The size of the group is to be determined according the number of the characters. Remember each character needs to say at least 4 sentences.

OUR ENGLISH CLASS -

- How to Make a Script for a Play

IJMR Class: 6 ES

Teacher: Liliana Lo Preiato

The day of the public presentation the group must: prepare a scenery and props for the play; select proper costumes; prepare copies to hand out among the other students with the quiz, questionnaire or crossword to solve about the play. bring your final portfolio.

The teacher is going to give the corresponding rate to your portfolio taking into account: time of presentation of each draft; recommended recommendations achieved; presentation of the complete final portfolio; costumes and scenery; oral presentation (pronunciation and tone); script interpretation; collaborative work with others.

Remember what I always tell you:

OUR ENGLISH CLASS -

- How to Make a Script for a Play