YEAR 9 PLAYWRITING LESSON 20/2/2018
CRITERIA B: DEVELOPING SKILLS
It’s important to make sure that you get the basics. Such as how scripts are formatted,
the manner in which dialogue is written, and the need to understand that they are
writing for the stage and not TV or the movies.
Here are a few quick tips:
All scenes that they write should have a title
Writers need to describe the set, time, and place
Characters need to have objectives
Focus on dialogue
Make sure necessary physical actions are clearly defined
Keep scenes simple- one setting and 2 to 3 characters
Each short play should have a beginning, middle, and end
Exercise 1: The Prop
Have a look at this list of props: a lighter, wallet, a cup, flower, calculator, a computer, coffee
maker, or framed picture.
From that list you must
Choose one prop
One setting
Use it in a scene between two characters
The conflict must be over the prop
It needs to be important to both characters but for different reasons
By the end of the scene one character has the prop
Exercise 2: I Love You
Don’t make it obvious!
In this scene, which is between two characters, one must tell the other that they love them without
saying the words “I love you.”
One setting, minimal set pieces
Two characters
One tells the other they love them
The writer must define what type of love is involved- paternal, romantic,
friendship, etc.
Expressing love should be difficult due to some outer or inner conflict
The other character may or may not return the sentiment
Encourage writers to use language creatively, an unusual prop or a series of
actions
The scene needs to have a beginning, middle and end
CRITERIA B: DEVELOPING SKILLS
It’s important to make sure that you get the basics. Such as how scripts are formatted,
the manner in which dialogue is written, and the need to understand that they are
writing for the stage and not TV or the movies.
Here are a few quick tips:
All scenes that they write should have a title
Writers need to describe the set, time, and place
Characters need to have objectives
Focus on dialogue
Make sure necessary physical actions are clearly defined
Keep scenes simple- one setting and 2 to 3 characters
Each short play should have a beginning, middle, and end
Exercise 1: The Prop
Have a look at this list of props: a lighter, wallet, a cup, flower, calculator, a computer, coffee
maker, or framed picture.
From that list you must
Choose one prop
One setting
Use it in a scene between two characters
The conflict must be over the prop
It needs to be important to both characters but for different reasons
By the end of the scene one character has the prop
Exercise 2: I Love You
Don’t make it obvious!
In this scene, which is between two characters, one must tell the other that they love them without
saying the words “I love you.”
One setting, minimal set pieces
Two characters
One tells the other they love them
The writer must define what type of love is involved- paternal, romantic,
friendship, etc.
Expressing love should be difficult due to some outer or inner conflict
The other character may or may not return the sentiment
Encourage writers to use language creatively, an unusual prop or a series of
actions
The scene needs to have a beginning, middle and end
