How to write a script When writing or studying scripts there are certain conventions that need to be followed to call a script a script! Below is a list of the conventions used to write a script: The layout of the text, the character is listed at the left then a gap followed by the text I’m just trying to cheer you up Cinders. What’s this? An invitation to The Royal Ball. What did you tear it up for?
BUTTONS: CINDERELLA: BUTTONS:
The use of Italics or bold text to convey instructions to the actors, directors or technical staff - Stage Directions The stepsisters made me do it. Buttons is upset at this. He slams his hand on the floor in anger. It really hurts
CINDERELLA:
BUTTONS:
That really hurt. Blow on that would you, Cinders? (She does. He holds his hand up for the audience) Blow on that, would you? (They do) Don't worry about the invitation, I'm quite good at jigsaws. I’ve just finished one which took me eighteen months to do. I’m really proud of myself because it said 2 to 4 years on the box! Cinderella smiles and Buttons picks up a piece of the ticket
The setting of the play – where each scene takes place Suggested props to use Sound effects – written in Italics or bold text Right, go! MUSIC CUE: The Band stand up and sing „dum diddidum dididumdididi dum dum dum’.
BUTTONS:
BUTTONS:
(to the audience) Don’t encourage them! (to the band) Could we have some nice magical coach music please?
MUSIC CUE: “SLEIGH BELLS” – BUTTONS BUTTONS: JUST HEAR THOSE SLEIGH-BELLS JINGLE-ING RING-TING-RINGLE-ING TOO
COME ON, IT'S LOVELY WEATHER FOR A SLEIGH-RIDE TOGETHER WITH YOU OUTSIDE THE SNOW IS FALLING AND FRIENDS ARE CALLING "YOO-HOO!" COME ON, IT'S LOVELY WEATHER FOR A SLEIGH-RIDE TOGETHER WITH YOU Props – objects and furniture the characters use Well... first you need a glamorous gown... BUTTONS pulls the tablecloth off the table. He drapes the cloth around her. BUTTONS: A perfect fit... what you need next is a gold necklace... There is a STRING OF CARROTS above the fireplace. BUTTONS takes it and places it around CINDERS‟ neck. CINDERELLA: This isn't gold.
BUTTONS:
Technical cues – music or lighting cues for the technical crew to know when to change an effect. Plays are written in the present tense and in first person I‟m just trying to cheer you up Cinders. What’s this? An invitation to The Royal Ball. What did you tear it up for? The stepsisters made me do it.
BUTTONS: CINDERELLA: BUTTONS: CINDERELLA:
At the beginning of the script a character list is included – this lists all t he character in the play and a short description of the character An overall plot of the play is given at the beginning of the script
Extracts from the Sheffield Theatres 2007 production of Cinderella Extract One Conventions of a Script – Highlighted in Red BUTTONS: CINDERELLA: I’m just trying to cheer you up Cinders. What’s this? An invitation to The Royal Ball.
BUTTONS: CINDERELLA:
What did you tear it up for? The stepsisters made me do it. Buttons is upset at this. He slams his hand on the floor in anger. It really hurts
BUTTONS:
That really hurt. Blow on that would you, Cinders? (She does. He holds his hand up for the audience) Blow on that, would you? (They do) Don't worry about the invitation, I'm quite good at jigsaws. I’ve just finished one which took me eighteen months to do. I’m really proud of myself because it said 2 to 4 years on the box! Cinderella smiles and Buttons picks up a piece of the ticket Why don’t you take this bit and go for ten minutes? Cinders breaks into a little laugh. She stands
CINDERELLA:
There's no point, Buttons...I haven't got anything to wear anyway. Oh, I did so want to go to the Ball. Never mind, Cinders - we'll have our own Ball, right here in the kitchen! How can we do that? Well... first you need a glamorous gown... BUTTONS pulls the tablecloth off the table. He drapes the cloth around her.
BUTTONS:
CINDERELLA: BUTTONS:
BUTTONS:
A perfect fit... what you need next is a gold necklace... There is a STRING OF CARROTS above the fireplace. BUTTONS takes it and places it around CINDERS‟ neck.
CINDERELLA: BUTTONS: CINDERELLA: BUTTONS:
This isn't gold. Yes it is – it’s nine carrots! Next you need a tiri-ararara. A what? A tiri-ararara. Princesses always wear tiri-ararararas! He takes the colander and puts it on her head.
CINDERELLA: BUTTONS:
Oh, Buttons - you are silly! I’m not the one standing there with a colander on my head! I know, I’ll drive you to The Palace in this beautiful silver sleigh! BUTTONS places a CHAIR on top of the table and a CHAIR at the end. He grabs two DUSTBIN LIDS and places them in front of the table legs
BUTTONS:
Look at that... ‘Pimp my Ride!’ m’lady.
Your carriage awaits
BUTTONS helps CINDERELLA to sit on the table and seats himself on a chair at one end. BUTTONS: Right we need some coach music. MUSIC CUE: Slow, Plodding „Steptoe and Son‟ Buttons tries to make the ride exciting but it obviously isn‟t. BUTTONS walks DS and talks to the band. BUTTONS: Just a minute guys... just a minute... I’m trying to impress Cinderella here and I can’t impress her with Steptoe and Son, can I? I’m Australian, I don’t even know what Steptoe and Son is! I want something exciting like ‘dum diddidum dididumdididi dum dum dum!’ OK? He gets back on the chair BUTTONS: Right, go! MUSIC CUE: The Band stand up and sing „dum diddidum dididumdididi dum dum dum’. BUTTONS: (to the audience) Don’t encourage them! (to the band) Could we have some nice magical coach music please?
MUSIC CUE: “SLEIGH BELLS” – BUTTONS BUTTONS: JUST HEAR THOSE SLEIGH-BELLS JINGLE-ING RING-TING-RINGLE-ING TOO COME ON, IT'S LOVELY WEATHER FOR A SLEIGH-RIDE TOGETHER WITH YOU OUTSIDE THE SNOW IS FALLING
AND FRIENDS ARE CALLING "YOO-HOO!" COME ON, IT'S LOVELY WEATHER FOR A SLEIGH-RIDE TOGETHER WITH YOU GIDDY UP, GIDDY UP, GIDDY UP, LET'S GO! LET'S LOOK AT THE SHOW WE'RE RIDING IN A WONDERLAND OF SNOW GIDDY UP, GIDDY UP, GIDDY UP, IT'S GRAND!… The music continues to underscore the following dialogue. BUTTONS: Giddy up! We’re picking up a bit of speed. Watch out for that speed bump! (They both jump in the air) and another one (they jump again) Oh no, speed camera! LX CUE: 2 Flashes They get everywhere, don’t they?… Are you comfortable, ma'am? CINDERELLA: BUTTONS: Yes thank you, Buttons. Listen to the sound of the horses' hooves... BUTTONS encourages the audience to make the appropriate sound effects...
BUTTONS:
And although, in the distance, you can hear wolves howling... (audience howl) there are doves cooing...(audience coo) owls hooting...(audience hoot) and kangaroos making the noise that they make… (audience tut) Thank you, Skippy! Finally you arrive at the Palace gates; where a huge crowd is waiting to cheer you...(audience cheer) Then I escort you to the ballroom and when the guests see your beautiful dress, they gasp...(audience gasp) ...And the orchestra starts to play… MUSIC CUE: “SLEIGHRIDE” segues into “CINDERELLA WALTZ”