Features of a Script
English Language: KS3, topic 5.2.1
Features of a Script
Scripts are written for drama performances including plays, television shows, films, and radio shows.
Purpose
- Scripts are used by directors and actors or performers.
- Scripts have a particular layout that is easy to follow so they can focus on their performance.
Acts and scenes
- Play scripts are organised in:
- Acts
- Scenes - smaller parts of acts
- A new scene will begin if the location of the action or time period changes.
- Stage directions at the start of each scene will make it clear where it takes place and when.
Characters and stage directions
- The script will describe the characters of the play, their clothing or appearance, and any props (objects) needed on stage.
- Stage directions may describe how a character moves on stage or their facial expressions.
- Stage directions are in italics to make them stand out from the rest of the script.
Dialogue
- The character's speech is called a dialogue.
- The character’s speech will start with their name in capital letters on the left.
- Each new speaker starts on a new line.
- Stage directions are also sometimes used at the start of the dialogue.
- Stage directions are put in brackets to describe how the character says a line, such as ‘excitedly’ or ‘giggling’.
Test yourself on Features of a Script
What are play scripts divided into?
What do we call a character's speech in a script?