DramaDecember 5, 2013 Objective: SWBAT practice script writing.

EU: All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. Agenda: Warm-up: Riff OffFinal PresentationScript writing 101

Homework: Write a 2 page script that has a title, scene description, dialogue, and plot.

Welcome. Copy down your homework and prepare for the warm-up!

Make sure that you are in uniform. Thank you to lhhsguild.com and primaryresources.co.ok

DramaDecember 5, 2013 Objective: SWBAT practice script writing.

EU: All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. Agenda: Warm-up: Riff OffFinal PresentationScript writing 101

Homework: Write a 2 page script that has a title, scene description, dialogue, and plot.

Parts of a Riff Off

- Instruments- Vocals

How To Write a PlayThe One-Act Seminar

Basic DramaDRAMA: Greek origin meaning “to do” or

“to act”

All DRAMA springs from life:People - Problems - Particular Time &

Place

Basic Play WritingWriting a Play is an Art as well as a Craft

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”1.Theme: The ability to say what the

circumstances allow and what is appropriate to them

(the central idea that emerges from the dramatic action of the play)

THEME IS NEVER A MESSAGE OR A STATEMENT IMPOSED UPON THE ACTION

BY THE PLAYWRIGHT

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”2.Plot: The arrangement (structure) of

the incidents in a story

WHO IS DOING WHAT TO WHOM WHERE, WHEN AND WHY?

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”ELEMENTS OF PLOT

A. Point of Attack: The point of time in the play when the dramatic action

begins

B. Exposition: Incidents or events from the past or happenings outside of the play of which the audience must be

aware of in order to comprehend characters and plot

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”ELEMENTS OF PLOT

C. Preparation: The earlier “planting” of certain information, so that a

particular character or scene will be believable

D. Conflict: An internal struggle within one person or between two or more characters; THE HEART OF THE PLOT

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”ELEMENTS OF PLOT

E. Complications: The introduction of a fact or character already in the play

that grows out of the conflict and delays the climax

F. Crisis: The protagonist has to make a major decision that is also a key

turning point in the dramatic action.

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”ELEMENTS OF PLOT

G. Dramatic Question or Problem: The suspense question related to the fate of the central character’s major goal.

H. Climax: The highest emotional peak in a play.

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”ELEMENTS OF PLOT

I. Resolution: The point after the climax, during which any remaining questions

are answered

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”3. Characters: The agents of the incidents

A. Central Characters: These are characters around whom the dramatic action revolves or who have the dominant objective in the playB. Opposing Characters: These are characters who provide the basic obstacles by blocking the central character’s objectiveC. Contributing Characters: These are characters who line up with other characters

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”4. Music: Any music that may appear in the play

5. Dialogue: The diction of the play. Simply, it is what the character says and how he or she says it, be it street language, poetry or slang

6. Spectacle: The embellishments of a play. All the visual elements: scenery, costumes, lighting, movement, gestures, and other elements.

Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play”Aristotle’s Two Major Production Styles

STAGE AS A PICTUREThese are attempts to create a realistic

picture or illusion of life as though you were peeking through a fourth wall

STAGE AS A PLATFORMPresents life on stage rather than represents a

picture. State is a stage, no pretense of realism

TYPES OF PLAYS

A. Tragedy: Themes are serious in depth and worthiness; the central character (hero) struggles to overcome overpowering obstacles but instead is overcome by them, resulting in death

B. Drama: Themes are serious in nature; but unlike tragedy, the central character in overcoming obstacles does not die at the end of the play

TYPES OF PLAYSC. Melodrama: Themes are exaggerated in their seriousness; the central characters overcome villains in sensational plots usually crowded with action and conflict

D. Comedy: A humorous play with light or serious themes whose central characters succeed in overcoming all obstacles (High Comedy, Serious Comedy, Satire, Farce, Situation Comedy & Low Comedy)

TYPES OF PLAYSE. Fantasy: A serious or humorous play in which “unreal” characters with human traits overcome obstacles in a land of make-believe

F. Allegory: A play serious or humorous, often written in a poetic or fairy-tale style feature abstract characters

A Word About Definitions…

DON’T GET TRAPPED BY DEFINITIONS OR TERMS - WRITE YOUR PLAY AND LET

OTHERS TELL YOU WHAT THEY THINK IT IS.

TYPES OF PLAYSG. One-Act: One Sitting - One Setting - One

Sighting• Should impress upon its audience one

basic idea or theme explored as fully as possible within a short time span

• Should have only ONE single dramatic action

• Should have only a FEW characters• Should NOT contain long “talky” speeches• Should use only ONE set

HOW TO WRITE A ONE-ACTSHOW VS. TELLThe essential difference is that a story TELLS what took place, while a play SHOWS what is actually taking place (The stage shows what we see in our minds on the page)DRAMATIC CLOCKOn the stage there is a built in urgency, a “dramatic clock” of sorts, which helps to coalesce elements of conflict, crisis, and suspense to heighten the emotional response of the audience

HOW TO WRITE A ONE-ACT

PAST VS. PRESENT TENSEThe action of the play takes place in a “perpetual present time.” On the stage it is always “now.”

UNITY OF ACTION, TIME AND PLACEThe incidents of the play occur in a unifying way that will make sense to an audience member

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. GET AN IDEA: Ideas come in two forms - Personal Experience & Imagined Experience

COMMON MISTAKES

1. DON’T OVERLOAD THE INCIDENTS IN A PLOT2. DON’T USE A NARRATOR OR CENTRAL

CHARACTER TO TELL EVENTS - WHEN THE EVENTS CAN BE DRAMATIZED

3. DO NOT CRAM AN IDEA DOWN THE AUDIENCE’S THROAT - YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A PHILOSOPHER OR SAINT YOUR ONLY REQUIREMENT IS ART

TIPS & TRICKS1. KEEP A JOURNAL FOR IDEAS & NOTES2. WRITE A BUNCH AT ONE TIME 3. NOTHING IS TRULY ORIGINAL – DON’T STRESS

ABOUT COPYING OR FOLLOWING ANOTHER PLOT4. PLOT OUT FIRST – THEN WRITE DIALOGUE5. VOICE IT FOR PARTICULAR PEOPLE

Writing a playscript

It is a dark, cold night and Mel and Sid are sitting on a green park bench. The street lights are dim and the sound of the traffic can just be heard in the background.

Mel: Ooh its so cold out here, do you think it might rain?

Sid: (Shrugs his shoulders) Dunno.

Mel: Not very talkative tonight are you? What’s up?

Sid: (Huffs and stretches legs out) Dunno.

Mel: I was thinking about my holiday, (looks up to the sky) all that sun and luxury.

Sid: Dunno what for, it ain’t ever gonna ‘appen.

Setting the scene

It is a dark, cold night and Mel and Sid are sitting on a green park bench. The street lights are dim and the sound of the traffic can just be heard in the background.

Mel: Ooh its so cold out here, do you think it might rain?Sid: (Shrugs his shoulders) Dunno.Mel: Not very talkative tonight are you? What’s up?Sid: (Huffs and stretches legs out) Dunno.Mel: I was thinking about my holiday, (looks up to the sky) all that sun and luxury.Sid: Dunno what for, it ain’t ever gonna ‘appen.

Characters, when they speak you don’t need speech marks!

It is a dark, cold night and Mel and Sid are sitting on a green park bench. The street lights are dim and the sound of the traffic can just be heard in the background.

Mel: Ooh its so cold out here, do you think it might rain?Sid: (Shrugs his shoulders) Dunno.Mel: Not very talkative tonight are you? What’s up?Sid: (Huffs and stretches legs out) Dunno.Mel: I was thinking about my holiday, (looks up to the sky) all that sun and luxury.Sid: Dunno what for, it ain’t ever gonna ‘appen.

Stage directions, tell the actors what to do on stage.

It is a dark, cold night and Mel and Sid are sitting on a green park bench. The street lights are dim and the sound of the traffic can just be heard in the background.Mel: Ooh its so cold out here, do you think it might rain?Sid: (Shrugs his shoulders) Dunno.Mel: Not very talkative tonight are you? What’s up?Sid: (Huffs and stretches legs out) Dunno.Mel: I was thinking about my holiday, (looks up to the sky) all that sun and luxury.Sid: Dunno what for, it ain’t ever gonna ‘appen.

What the actors say. (Dialogue.)

It is a dark, cold night and Mel and Sid are sitting on a green park bench. The street lights are dim and the sound of the traffic can just be heard in the background.

Mel: Ooh its so cold out here, do you think it might rain?Sid: (Shrugs his shoulders) Dunno.Mel: Not very talkative tonight are you? What’s up?Sid: (Huffs and stretches legs out) Dunno.Mel: I was thinking about my holiday, (looks up to the sky) all that sun and luxury.Sid: Dunno what for, it ain’t ever gonna ‘appen.