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Drama Formats

Drama Formats. Stuff you need to know to write a play or screen play. Just like every other piece of fiction, plays/screenplays need…. Characters Setting Plot Conflict The main difference between a script and a short story or novel is formatting. . Stage Play Formatting.

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Drama Formats

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  1. Drama Formats Stuff you need to know to write a play or screen play.

  2. Just like every other piece of fiction, plays/screenplays need… • Characters • Setting • Plot • Conflict The main difference between a script and a short story or novel is formatting.

  3. Stage Play Formatting • Setting, character descriptions, stage directions are all in italics. • Usually, a few paragraphs are spent at the beginning of a script describing the set. • Stage directions are included at the writer’s discretion.

  4. Dialogue Formatting for Plays • Dialogue written for a play should follow this format: Bill: (grabs a chair and sits) Frankly, I think it’s time you and I had a serious talk about the frog. Marsha: The frog? Bill: Yes, the frog.

  5. Organization • Plays should be separated into acts and scenes. • Generally, a change in location, time or focus calls for a new scene.

  6. How is this different than a screenplay? Formatting for dialogue follows this pattern:BILL (grabs chair and sits)Frankly, I think it’s time you and I had a serious talk about the frog. MARSHA The frog? BILL Yes, the frog.

  7. Other differences • Screenplays generally include some information about camera angles and locations using these abbreviations: Ext.: exterior shot CU: close up Int.: interior shot Cut to: indicates POV: point of view switching from one VO: voice over to another. OC: off camera Here’s a link to what a film script looks like: http://www.scribd.com/doc/48368948/Dr-Horrible-s-Sing-Along-Blog-Script

  8. Things to keep in mind… • In a script, dialogue is king. Make it work hard! • Use how a character says something to say something about the character • Make use of the visual images you can create on screen or stage • Avoid voiceovers unless really, really necessary

  9. Story Arc (yep, we’ve done this before. Just a review.) Definition:A story arc is a plan of how the plot will progress from one character or group of characters’ point of view. It covers both external events and internal events/ feelings.

  10. Your script should (usually*)have: • Exposition (a set up) • Rising Action (leading to the presentation of the Conflict) • Climax (where the conflict is addressed) • Falling Action (results of the climax) • Resolution (an ending) *Yes, not all scripts have all of these components but most do.

  11. Let’s analyze a piece of drama! • As we watch Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog, look for the Exposition, Rising Action, Conflict, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

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