Script Basics: Things to Know Before You Start

Questions to ask in getting started…

Target Audience
“Who are you writing for?”
Children, Youth, Adult, Senior Citizens, Ethnicity, Christian, Un-churched, Educated, Illiterate

Venue
“Where will you be performing?”
school, church, Senior Citizen’s Center, street, café or bookstore, hall, theatre

Resources
“Can you afford it?” “Can you obtain the necessary props & set?”

Styles
“How are you going to say it?”
Make sure it is appropriate for stage presentation
Realistic Allegorical Stylized Children’s
Sit-Comedy Dark Comedy Physical Comedy Drama
Melodrama Vaudeville Musical Puppet
Radio Drama Readers Theatre Mime Clown

Theme
“What are we trying to say?” and “Why should anyone care?”

Structure
Premise “Is the point of view clear & well developed?” “Does it appeal to the imagination?” “Is it interesting?” “Is it believable?”
Conflict “Does it grab your interest and make you want to see what happens?”
Characters “Are they believable?” “Are they likeable?”
Good Dialogue “Does it concisely move the story forward?” “Does it refrain from being too preachy?” “Does it avoid answering the central conflict with platitudes and cliches?”
Story/Plot “Can you easily identify the outline with a beginning, middle and ending?”

Sketch: Sticks to one idea, usually set in one place.
One Act: One idea or situation played out in more than one scene.
Full-Length: In 2 or 3 Acts, traditionally lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to over 2 hours. Covers multiple ideas, situations, and characters.