Project requirements: Scriptwriting
According to the NESA website, this project will involve writing a script for a complete play for live performance.
The project will include:
a 300-word rationale
a script for a complete play which is of approximately 15 minutes running time (15–25 pages)
stage directions in sufficient detail to show the practicability for a live production
scriptwriting conventions such as character/role list and dialogue formatting.
The script must be typed on A4 paper with double spacing in Times New Roman 12 point.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Learning from other students
There are several reasons why learning from your peers is effective. You share a similar language and perspective. Seeing what other students have done to achieve success can support your understanding.
In this lesson students will respond to the ideas and experiences of 2 successful HSC drama scriptwriting students.
Skye Mortimer discusses her scriptwriting IP titled 'Walama Muru', Student Interviews about Stage 6 Drama.
Rosie Hearne discusses her scriptwriting IP titled 'Game Night', Student Interviews about Stage 6 Drama.
Student activity 1 - Examples of successful approaches
On a new page in your individual project logbook or in a new digital document create two concept map to summarise the successful students' approaches to this individual project. You might use one of the concept mapping tools in the digital learning selector on the NSW Department of Education website to record your responses.
View the interviews with Skye Mortimer and Rosie Hearne above.
Summarise the experiences of the students in concept map format. Make notes on your concept maps as you watch the videos. Stop the videos so that you can jot down ideas. Add more branches to your concept maps where appropriate.
Share and discuss your summaries in pairs or in a small group. Consider: What were some of the strongest messages that came out of the interviews? How were the two approaches different and/or similar? What new information did you learn about the process of developing this individual project? What was already familiar and reinforced through the interview?
Criteria for examining the Individual project: Scriptwriting
The NESA website lists the following criteria for examining the scriptwriting project.
For the Individual Project: Scriptwriting, a mark out of 10 is awarded for each of the 3 criteria, giving a total mark out of 30.
Criteria 1: Concept (10 marks)
originality, clarity and sustained theatrical concept
stylistic and thematic coherence of the script
structural cohesion.
Criteria 2: Dramatic action (10 marks)
effective choice and shaping of dramatic and theatrical elements
development of clear and purposeful dramatic action
effectiveness in engaging the audience.
Criteria 3: Dramatic language (10 marks)
use of language effectively to create characters and relationships
use of language effectively to describe visual and/or aural imagery and effects appropriate to the stylistic demands of the play
use of language to create subtextual, symbolic and thematic meaning.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Look closely at the at project requirements for scriptwriting. While the 15 minute play can be written in any theatrical style or structure, these choices need to be driven by the theatrical concept and action of the play.
Divide your logbook page into 4 columns, using the headings below.
Stage directions
Characters
Dialogue
Other scripting conventions
Think, pair, share routine
Think individually about the components of the scriptwriting project listed above and brainstorm different ways or strategies for using these in a script. Add these ideas under each column.
Share and discuss your strategies with a classmate. Did you both have any of the same ideas? Were there any ideas that were different? Are there any you wish to add to your own columns now?
Share your final list with your teacher and/or the class. These ideas could be added to a class collaborative scriptwriting strategy list using a shared Google Doc or any other online document.
Look at the 4 stylistically different plays above. Using the 'read extract' or 'look inside' buttons, explore a few pages from each.
As you read, pay attention to the scripting conventions and the way the dramatic language and dramatic action work together to communicate the concept and content of the play.
Record this information in a concept map in your logbook or online. You might use one of the concept mapping tools in the digital learning selector on the NSW Department of Education website.
Share and discuss your concept map with your teacher. You can use this concept map to inspire the development of your scriptwriting project.
Considering everything you now know about the project requirements, peer approaches, and marking criteria, how do you feel about this individual project option? Keep a record of your response in your logbook or in digital form and then let your teacher know what you are thinking by completing the individual project questionnaire at the end of this module.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Course Prescriptions for Drama Stage 6 (2025-2027), NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2019 - 2024, date accessed 23/07/2024.
Drama HSC practical marking guidelines, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2002, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Digital learning selector, date accessed 28/09/2021
Currency press date accessed 20/09/2021.
Penguin Australia date accessed 20/09/2021.
Bloomsbury accessed 23/07/2024.
"Yes or no image" by Cottonbro is in the Public Domain