How do you write a script?
Learn how to lay out a script so directors and actors can bring it to life.
In this article you will learn:
- What a drama script is
- How to write a script
- Different features of a script
This resource is suitable for creative writing for primary school learners.
Video - Scriptwriting
Watch this video to learn how to write a script and about the different features like scenes and dialogue.
Learn how to layout your script so that directors and actors perform it just the way you want them to.
How to write a script.
Drama scripts are written to be performed by actors in the theatre, on television, film, and radio.
This director is putting on the pantomime, Aladdin.
She works with the actors to bring the script to life.
A script needs to be laid out in a certain way to tell everyone how to move, speak, what to say and what to do.
Let's take a closer look.
Act one. This tells us that they are rehearsing the start of the play.
Scene three. When you are writing a script, start a new scene when the location, scenery or time changes.
The scene description, a cave in the middle of the desert, tells everyone where the action takes place.
The script then give some more detail about the scene and which characters are going to be in it.
In this scene, a young boy called Aladdin is in a cave surrounded by piles of treasure. Nearby, there is a lamp.
When a character is to speak, we see their name in capitals like this.
And here is the dialogue that the character is to say: 'I've found a magic lamp.'
Scriptwriters can also get actors to perform the dialogue in a particular way.
They do this by adding direction in brackets like 'whispered' and 'loudly.'
What does Aladdin do next?
Aladdin walks over to the lamp. He picks it up and rubs it. In a puff of smoke a magical genie appears in front of him.
As a scriptwriter, it's your job to write down what you want your characters to do.
Actors follow the action in a script.
In a puff of smoke a magical genie appears in front of him.
But the actor playing the genie has made a mistake and has appeared behind Aladdin when the script clearly says the genie should appear in front of him.
Oh, dear. The director's not happy and wants the arrival of the genie to be done again.
Much better.
You can see how a script gives a director and actors all the words and instructions to tell a story in just the way the writer wishes.Although your actors might have wishes of their own.
What is a script?
- Drama scripts are written to be performed by actors in the theatre, television, film and radio.
- The director works with actors to bring the script to life.
- A script needs to be laid out in a certain way to tell everyone what to say and what to do.
Features of a script
Image caption, Script
The script has information that tells everyone where the action takes place. It gives more detail about the scene and which characters are going to be in it. It tells everyone how to move, speak, what to say and what to do.
1 of 3
Act One Scene 1
This is the start of the play. An act is a way of dividing up a play (a bit like a chapter in a story book). An act can be made up of different scenes. Plays usually have up to five acts.
Scene
When you are writing a script, you start a new scene when the location, scenery or time changes.
Script
The script has information that tells everyone where the action takes place. It gives more detail about the scene and which characters are going to be in it:
Scene 3 – A cave in the middle of the desert.
A young boy called Aladdin is in a cave, surrounded by piles of treasure. Nearby there is a lamp.
Dialogue
When a character speaks in a play, we usually see their name in capitals. This is followed by the Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. that the character is to say:
ALADDIN: I’ve found the magic lamp!
Script writers can also get actors to perform the dialogue in a particular way. They do this by adding the direction in brackets:
ALADDIN: (whispered) I’ve found the magic lamp!
As a scriptwriter. it’s your job to write down what you want your characters to do.Actors follow the action written in a script.
What does Aladdin have to do next?
ALADDIN walks over to the lamp. He picks it up and rubs it. In a puff of smoke, a magical genie appears in front of him.
The script gives the director and actors all the words and instructions to tell a story in just they way the writer wishes.
Test your knowledge
Try this short multiple choice quiz about scriptwriting.
Challenge
What happens next?
Watch the video at the top of the page again. We hear all about Act 1 Scene 3 of the Aladdin play.
Can you write the next scene for Aladdin and the magical genie?
Act 1 Scene 4
Think about:
- Where will the scene take place?
- What will the characters do?
- What will the characters say?
- How will they say it?
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