The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Making movies

Explore screenwriting for video drama

Student drama resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 7 to 10 drama

What will I learn?

You will:

explore storytelling for drama
reflect on storytelling in video drama
write a narrative storyboard
create a short film based on your storyboard.

Before you begin

In this class, you will create a short dramatic story that can be filmed for screen. Get ready to flex your skills as a writer, director and filmmaker.

You will need:

a clear space to move around
a pen and paper
some Lego or playdough
a device to record your story.

Explore storytelling for drama

Watch the following video on Screenplays from Crash Course Film Production.

Screenplays: Crash Course Film Production

Duration: 09:18

Based on the Crash Course Film Production clip, answer the following questions about the process of screenwriting:

2000 years ago, Aristotle wrote 'The Poetics', where he identified that every story has a beginning, middle and an end. Why do you think every story needs these things?
How do you write an action to show us how a character feels without using dialogue?
What type of physical obstacle could you use on film to show conflict?

Extension activity

Watch the following video, Playwright Series: Top Tips on playwriting from the National Theatre.

Playwrights Series: Top Tips

Duration: 03:58

2. Reflect on storytelling in video drama

Watch the short film Bunny New Girl.

Bunny New Girl

Duration: 05:50

Answer the following questions in your drama logbook:

What was the narrative of the film? Describe the plot in terms of beginning, middle and end.
Why did Annabelle wear a bunny mask to school? Give an example of a visual image of Annabelle that made this clear.
How did the other students’ feelings change towards Annabelle in the film? How did the images make it clear that Annabelle was uncomfortable in the beginning of the film and happy in the end of the film?

Watch the video Darwin's night by Annie Stalley with music by David Stalley.

Darwin's night

Duration: 07:07

Video full screen - Darwin's nightVideo transcript - Darwin's night

Answer the following questions in your logbook:

What was the narrative of the film?
Why was it important to include images of the clock to tell the story?
How did the use of black and white help to convey the tension and meaning of the story?

3. Write a narrative storyboard

Think of a character of your own, or you could choose one of the following: student, teacher, parent, sibling, worker, boss or neighbour.

Read the 3 situations below and then choose one to place your character in:

Situation 1 – late

Your character:

is late for school or work
is running or moving quickly
bumps into another character who is important to them.

What happens next?

Situation 2 – alone

Your character:

is at home alone studying or relaxing
hears a noise
goes to find out what the noise is
is relieved to meet a character who they know and trust.

What happens next?

Situation 3 – lunch

Your character:

is eating lunch
another character sits next to your character
loves/hates this other character.

What happens next?

Once you have the situation, answer the following questions in your logbook, thinking about the images you could use to tell your story:

Who is the main character in your story?
Where are they?
Who is the second character?
What complication happens between characters one and two?
How does it end?

Now take your answers and try to tell your story in a storyboard.

Only use dialogue if you really need it.
Try to tell your story through images.
You can draw your story with stick figures on paper or even download a storyboard template.