What is a Script?
A screenplay or script, is a written work by screenwriters for a film, television program or video game. These screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression and dialogues of the characters are also narrated. The purpose of a script is to give distinct actions and places so actors can know how to act in what scenes.
Example of a Script
•
As you read use the
highlighter to show
which parts of the text are speech
and which are sound effects.
•
Use
a different color for each person who speaks.
•
Where
the scene is set using descriptive language, think how you could use music or
sound effects to create the same atmosphere.
The windscreen wipers slapped on the screen in time
to the upbeat music on
the car stereo. Mum switched it off in frustration as she sat
at the traffic lights.
“I
don’t know why you had to take so long, I waited half an hour!” she said sharply. Naomi sighed. “They didn’t have my size on the
shelf, and the woman took ages searching in the stock room.”
“We
wouldn’t have got stuck in all this traffic if you’d just made your mind up
quicker. We won’t be eating tea until
late at this rate. (Int
Car Evening)
Today
of all days!”
Mum retorted. She was tired and hungry
and it had been a long day.
“What’s
wrong with the mobile phone I spent a fortune on? You could have called me. I wouldn’t have rushed away from work to get
there if you’d called”. Mum wasn’t giving up her bad mood any time
soon.
“I
forgot to charge it, the battery’s dead,” Naomi answered. “More like you wasted it playing stupid games!” Mum retorted. “Sorry”, Naomi said quietly. She looked through
the window at the lights reflecting off the puddles. The car accelerated away and sped out of
town.
It was turning stormy, and the wind
whipped up the leaves, throwing them against the car as the rain drummed on the roof. They turned into the driveway of the old
vicarage and Mum pulled on the handbrake.
“Oh, that’s just
brilliant!” she muttered
sarcastically. “No lights on.
It must be a power cut. How am I
going to cook with no electricity?”
She slammed the car
door shut and hurried up the drive as the clock stuck six in the tower
of the church next door.
Mum fumbled with the door keys in the pitch blackness,
then opened the front door. Naomi
splashed in behind her and they shut out the wind and rain, gasping for breath.
“Maybe
we can have a sandwich?”
Naomi suggested. “I’ll
make it if you like.” “Ssh!” Mum said sharply. “Did you hear that?” “What?” answered Naomi.
“Stop it, you’re
freaking me out. You know I’ve always
thought this house is haunted.” “I’m sure I heard something in the living
room,” Mum whispered. “Pass me that brolly, I’m going to have a look”.
Slowly, Mum tiptoed to the door. She turned the handle, and with a squeak, opened the door.
“Surprise!” came the shout. The lights snapped on and revealed Dad,
Naomi’s brother Paul and a group of friends, squashed in to the room. Party poppers were set off, and a huge laugh came from the room
at Mum’s shocked response.
“Happy
Birthday, Mum!”
Naomi said cheerfully. “Sorry about the trick, but I
had to keep you out of the house ‘til everyone got here!”
This is My Script
You can see that i have added
The windscreen wipers slapped on the screen in time
to the upbeat music on
the car stereo. Mum switched it off in frustration as she sat
at the traffic lights.
I
don’t know why you had to take so long, I waited half an hour!They didn’t have my size on the shelf, and the woman took
ages searching in the stock room.
We
wouldn’t have got stuck in all this traffic if you’d just made your mind up
quicker. We won’t be eating tea until
late at this rate. (Int Car Evening) (Mum Angry)
Today
of all days!She
was tired and hungry and it had been a long day. (Mum Frustrated) (Int Car Evening)
What’s
wrong with the mobile phone I spent a fortune on? You could have called me. I wouldn’t have rushed away from work to get there
if you’d called. Mum wasn’t giving up her bad mood any time
soon. (Mum Angry) (Int Car
Evening)
I
forgot to charge it, the battery’s dead, Naomi answered. More like you wasted it playing stupid games! Sorry. She looked
through the window at the lights reflecting off the puddles. The car accelerated away and sped out of
town. (Naomi calm) (Mum frustrated)
It was turning stormy, and the wind
whipped up the leaves, throwing them against the car as the rain drummed on the roof. They turned into the driveway of the old
vicarage and Mum pulled on the handbrake. Oh, that’s just brilliant! No lights on. It must be a power cut. How am I going to cook with no electricity? She slammed the car door shut and hurried up the drive as the clock
stuck six in the tower of the church next door.
(Mum Annoyed)
Mum fumbled with the door keys in the pitch blackness,
then opened the front door. Naomi
splashed in behind her and they shut out the wind and rain, gasping for breath.
Maybe
we can have a sandwich?
I’ll make it if you
like. Ssh! Did you hear that? What? Stop it, you’re freaking
me out. You know I’ve always thought
this house is haunted. I’m
sure I heard something in the living room,Pass me that brolly, I’m going to have
a look. (Naomi Calm and later on scared) (Mum intrigued)
Slowly, Mum tiptoed to the door. She turned the handle, and with a squeak, opened the door.
Surprise!
came the shout. The lights snapped on and revealed Dad,
Naomi’s brother Paul and a group of friends, squashed in to the room. Party poppers were set off, and a huge laugh came from the room
at Mum’s shocked response. (Crowd
Happy, Laughing)
Happy
Birthday, Mum!
Naomi said cheerfully. Sorry about the trick, but I
had to keep you out of the house ‘til everyone got here!
(Naomi
Happy, Smiling)
Key:
Mum
Naomi
Crowd
All of the color represent different characters and the bright blue is the sound effects. This is good as it shows where they are and who is speaking the things said in brackets say which characters have different emotions and it tells the actors and actresses how they are suppose to act in the play and the ones without any highlighter is where they are and if there inside or outside and the setting.