Elements of a Play Script
It contains:
The name of the play and the playwright.
Acts and scenes. Each scene describes the setting at the start.
Characters.
Dialogues.
Stage directions for the actors/actresses
Elements of a play script
10/17/20207 Comments
Category: Topics in the syllabus
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What is a play script?
It's a manuscript of a play, especially as prepared for use by actors in rehearsals.
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It contains:
The name of the play and the playwright.
Acts and scenes. Each scene describes the setting at the start.
Characters.
Dialogues.
Stage directions for the actors/actresses.
Genres
There are many genres for plays such as:
melodrama
comedy
romance
thriller
musical
Example of a Script
Main elements of play script
1. Title
It’s the name of the play.
2. Playwright
It’s the author of the play.
3. List of characters
People that take part in the story. It's at the beginning of the play script.
4. Cast
The actors and actresses in a play.
5. Act, scene and setting
The acts are long sections of a play, made up of multiple scenes, usually designed to separate the play
into its main parts. The scenes are shorter sections of a play, usually each scene occurs in one location at
a specific time. Multiple scenes make up an act. Most scripts use either a three-act or five-act structure.
Act and scene headings are centered.
6. Stage directions
They tell actors/actresses what to do and where to go on stage, how to move and how to say their
dialogues. Stage directions are indented one tab and italicized. Character's names in stage directions are
capitalized.
7. Name of the character
Character's names are centered and capitalized.
8. Dialogues
They are the lines the characters speak in the play.
How do you start writing a play script?
Outline your story.
Write your story in three acts.
Add sequences.
Start writing scenes.
Write dialogues and actions.
Note technical elements such as costume changes, props, lighting, and settings.
Revise your work as many times as necessary.
Get feedback.
INSIDE OUT
original story by
Pete Docter
Ronnie Del Carmen
Screenplay by
Pete Docter
Meg LeFauve
Josh Cooley
BLACK.
JOY (V.O.)
Do you ever look at someone and
wonder, “What is going on inside
their head?” Well, I know. I know
Riley’s head.
WHITE. FADE IN...
INT. HOSPITAL – DAY
A newborn baby swaddled in a blanket, held by her parents.
Push in... and ZOOM IN TO HER HEAD.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Out of the blackness steps a glowing figure. This is JOY. The room is
black except for a bright CONSCIOUSNESS SCREEN.
JOY
Hmm?
In front of Joy is a single large BUTTON. She pushes it.
INT. HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
The baby gurgles and wiggles happily.
JOY (V.O.)
And there she was...
INT. HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
ON THE CONSCIOUSNESS SCREEN:
MOM
Hello, Riley.
DAD
Oh look at you. Aren’t you a little bundle of joy?
A GOLDEN GLOWING SPHERE rolls from behind the screen. It’s a MEMORY
of what we just saw: Mom and Dad cooing at Riley.
JOY
Whoa
Joy rolls the memory on its track, illuminating the room. She turns
back to the button and pushes it again.
INT. HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
Baby Riley gurgles happily.
JOY (V.O.)
It was amazing. Just Riley and me, forever...
INT. HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Baby Riley CRIES.
JOY (V.O.)
...for 33 seconds.
Joy looks to her side. There’s a new, droopy, blue character touching
the button.
SADNESS
I’m Sadness.
JOY
Oh, hello. I’m Joy.
Joy tries to muscle past Sadness to press the button.
JOY (CONT’D)
Can I just... if you could... I just want to fix that.
Thanks.
The two struggle.
JOY (V.O.)
And that was just the beginning. Headquarters only got more
crowded from there.
INT. MINNESOTA HOUSE - DAY
Riley, now age 3, barrels through the house pulling a wagon.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ON THE SCREEN: Riley’s POV as she runs through the house.
Fear “supervises” Joy, who drives
