EXAMPLE SCRIPT: STAGE PLAY FORMAT

EXAMPLE SCRIPT: STAGE PLAY FORMAT

The following is laid out in the way we like to have all scripts sent to us. Here are a

few Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

1. Use Microsoft Word or equivalent text document

2. Use a popular font type such as Arial and 12 point size

3. Single line spaced

4. Character names should be bold and CAPITALS

5. Character names contained in stage directions should be ITALIC AND

CAPITALS

6. Dialogue is indented from the character name

7. Stage directions are to be in italics

8. Stage directions within dialogue should be (in brackets and italics)

Don’t:

1. Use the space bar to indent the dialogue. That’s what Tabs are for

2. Lay your script out using a Table. That drives us nuts!

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ACT I SCENE 1

Set in 1950’s style diner, “McDenny’s”, in the present day England. BERYL is sitting

at the back of a “u” shaped booth. She is tucking into a large burger and reading a

gas bill

Enter LYNDA, SUSAN and RODERICK

LYNDA: (speaking to SUSAN and ROD as they make their way over to BERYL)

...put your back into it man, I said, use some elbow grease, don’t just

tickle it, I want to see my face in it... Hi Beryl...

BERYL hides the burger under the table

BERYL: Oh hi

SUSAN: (sits at the table at the left side of BERYL) He was doing his best.

ROD: Hi

LYNDA: I don’t want to see any smear marks and don’t bend the aerial or I’ll stop it

out of your wages.

LYNDA and ROD sit to the right of BERYL

SUSAN: Lynda, I think you’re being a bit harsh. Hi Beryl

LYNDA: If you’re going to do something, do it right that’s what I say.

Proper Script Format

Script format is very particular. Proper screenplay format is:

12 pt. Courier (or Courier New) font.
1.5 inch margin on the left side.
1 inch margin on the right side.
Dialogue margins an additional 1.5 inches in from each side.
No special text (eg - bold, italics, underlining). If you choose to break this rule, do not do so more than three times in a single screenplay.

FADE IN: starts your script.
FADE OUT. ends your script.
Slug lines are as follows: INT. TOM'S HOUSE - DAY or EXT. BACKYARD (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Character names in CAPS, just above dialogue (no space in between).
When dialogue runs onto the next page, repeat the character name and use (CONT'D).
Do not include CONTINUED, MORE or CUT TO at the bottom of every page.
Do not number scenes. This is for shooting scripts only.
Do not use camera directions (CLOSEUP, POV) unless absolutely essential to comprehending the story. If used, do so extremely sparingly.
Never reference the camera directly (eg - the camera pans left or the camera tracks her hand down to his thigh).
Only include what can be seen and heard.
Do not use the phrases "we see" or "we hear". Everything on the page is what we see and hear.

I know this format may seem ridiculously particular, but there is a method to the madness. Formatting standards were created for the purpose of script timing. When a script is put into production the schedule is planned with the assumption that one page of a screenplay will translate to approximately one minute of screen time. If, for example, your margins are off, a 120 page screenplay can easily be 140 pages when properly formatted. That amounts to anywhere from 5-10 additional days of filming. Proper script format is essential for creating a reliable schedule and budget.
A second, equally important reason to adhere to proper script format is that in Hollywood, anything else is unprofessional. Any deviation from formatting standards will immediately label you as an amateur and usually land your script in the trash. It may sound ridiculous, but it’s true.
To see a sample script page, click here.

Screen Writing Question!

In partners write a 5-7 sentence paragraph addressing the following.

What is screen writing? What is a screen play?
How is screen writing a part of the creative writing curriculum?
How is writing a screen play different from writing a short story? How is it the same?

BONUS Question: What is your reaction to the film you viewed in class? More specifically what did you think of the SCREEN WRITING for the film?

8th Grade Horror and Suspense Writing Workshop

Today is the first day of our horror and suspense writing workshop. In order to complete your assignment properly, it is important to review the difference between horror and suspense.

Suspense writing keeps the reader at the edge of his/her seat, while horror is more gory.

Here are the elements that make a great scary story!

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1. Fear

Fear is by far the most important factor of a great horror story. The real trick to constructing a story based on fear is making sure you can scare people with fears they may not have. 

Think about it: Not everyone is afraid of spiders.

Along with establishing fears and connecting them with audiences, it's important to keep an element of surprise. 

2. Surprise

Getting someone to fear what you've created isn't the hardest part; making the fear surprising is. We looked at the example of spiders earlier, lets come back to it again. Once you can make someone fear spiders, you have to keep the surprises going. 

How many ways can a spider story go? If you try to jot them down, you might end up with a page of ideas or so. Right off the bat, I scribbled down about 49 ways. 


 

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3. Suspense

Some of the greatest stories are also the most suspenseful.

Some surprises come at the end of a long suspense. The best scenario consists of someone waiting for something to happen, and when it does it's completely unexpected. An expansion on the same scenario includes fear. We might even know what will happen to character based on their fears, but there's still the anxiety of waiting. 


A better horror story is one that builds up the suspense. We don't just want minor chords and POP-OUT scary faces, we emotional connection with the characters and we want to live out their stress rather than face obstacles akin to a garden snake popping out from behind some vegetables.

 

Of course, a nice touch to suspense is a good mystery.

4. Mystery

Unless it's in the form of whodunnit, many readers have strayed away from mystery within different genres of literature. Rather than let it go, I embrace a strong element of mystery in an eerie tale. Actually, my personal taste is to process as many unknowns in a story as possible. I enjoy understanding a story during one moment and realizing I know nothing the next.
 

5. Spolier

You may or may have not realized this, but you love spoilers.

 

The main character freaks out at the sight of a spider, so you know they're gonna face one at some point. This can be positive anticipation with surprise and suspense. 

You might realize there's a false sense of identity in a novel. Therefore, you suspect the narrator might be a little unreliable. This adds to every element, especially mystery.

But spoilers are the little nothings authors give away at the very start of the tale. Batman is Bruce Wayne. Freddy Krueger can kill you in your dreams. Fears, anxieties, dislikes, etc.

 

YOUR TASK

 

Write a short story, play or book of poems using horror and suspense.

 

• Stories should be 3-4 pages typed and double spaced. HINT: Use paragraphs and dialogue
• Plays should be  4-6 pages. Use proper play formatting.
• Poetry books should be 5-7 pages. You must put this together as a book and use images (either drawn or found.)

REMINDERS

• You may plan with another classmate, but each of you should create your own assignment. For example, you may plan a play with another classmate, but each of you should write your own act. See me with questions on this.
•  If you need more resources/help, I have planning documents and links to help you. SEE ME.

DUE DATE

• This is assignment is due on Wednesday, October 21, 2015
• I will check rough drafts/progress this week!

 

Printing Press a Newsies Assignment

For extra credit and an extension to connect to the Newsies field trip, please go to the following website:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/Printing_Press/

The interactive Printing Press is designed to assist you in creating newspapers, brochures, and flyers.

Your Task:
Chose from the templates on the printing press interactive tool to publish a newspaper, informational brochure, or flyer.

You may choose any topic you would like. Just remember it should be informative. Think travel, school, events, etc. Be creative and have fun!

You also have my permission to look up clips of the musical/movie when you are done!