Playwriting: a 10-Step Process from Idea to Script
hal evans
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hal evans
- State your idea in three sentences only:
—The story begins when...
—The main event happens when...
—The story ends when... - Create a character connectivity chart using a story-webbing, mind-mapping bubble chart or similar graphic organizer. This can be amended throughout the process.
- List "who does what when." (This is your story outline.)
- Describe each of your characters in detail.
- Detail your narrative in short story/novella form. (This is your scenario/treatment.)
- Refocus your attention on the main conflict:
—Make it stronger, clearer;
—Revise the narrative and characters as needed. - Write out all your thoughts behind and about the story...include all philosophical perspectives, social biases, allusions, homages, free associations, historical roots, socio-economic references—anything and everything that contributes to making meaning in the text.
- Choose the diction of each character.
- Divide the action into scenes.
- Write the rough draft:
—Follow the format of characters, setting, action;
—Flow the dialogue around character motivation and active choices (not explanations of missing information);
—Maintain awareness of mise-en-scene (staging).
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