Lesson Plan
Course Title: Digital and Interactive Media
Session Title: Writing a Movie Script
Lesson Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to write a script for a movie
according to the requirements presented.
Specific Objectives:
1. Define terms associated with script writing.
2. Identify the characteristics associated with each script element.
3. Correctly write each element of a script so that it includes the required characteristics.
4. Apply script writing terms and characteristics while working as a member of a team.
5. Compose an original script while working as a member of a team.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
As published, this lesson correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the
activities may result in the elimination of one or more of the TEKS listed.
§130.278 (c) Digital and Interactive Media
•
(1)(C) employ effective reading and writing skills
•
(1)(D) employ effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills
•
(1)(F) demonstrate leadership skills and function effectively as a team member
•
(1)(I) demonstrate planning and time-management skills such as project management and
storyboarding
•
(9)(B) demonstrate proper use of terminology in relation to video technology
•
(12)(A) develop a plan for a media project such as a storyboard, stage development, and
identification of equipment and resources
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Content Developer Knowledge
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Instructional Aids:
• Script Writing Presentation
• Script Writing Organizer
• Vocabulary Presentation
• Vocabulary Organizer
• Practice script
• Practice script Key
• “Write a Script” Activity
• Script Rubric
Materials Needed: None
Equipment Needed:
•
•
Student and teacher computers
LCD computer projector
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
Tell the students to imagine themselves as a famous movie star. They have been
recruited to star in a movie and have just been handed a script.
Ask, “What would you expect to see in the script? What kind of information could
you get from looking over the script?”
Brainstorm answers.
Review the objectives.
Review vocabulary using the vocabulary presentation and vocabulary organizer
(pdf).
Vocabulary:Character direction – Information that tells characters how to move or
speak.
Descriptions – Describes where the characters are, what they are doing, and any
other important information.
Dialog – Words the characters will speak.
Effect – Describes how the video and audio will begin or end. May also indicate
visual and auditory changes during a scene.
Location – Describes where the scene will take place.
Script – Written text of a movie that includes dialog, character direction, descriptions,
effects, and location.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II): Instructors can use the
Script Writing Presentation, slides, handouts, and
note pages in conjunction with the following outline.
Writing a Movie Script
I.
All text is in Courier 12 pt.
II. Name, address, and phone
A. Goes in the upper-right hand corner
B. Looks like a mailing address
C. Includes phone number below the address
Instructor Notes:
Present the outline with
support from the Script
Writing Presentation.
Students take notes on the
Script Writing Organizer.
III. Effect
A. Left justified
B. Entered first
1. ALL CAPS
2. Describes how the scene opens—fade in,
black and white to color, still to motion,
etc.
IV. Location
A. Directly below the effect
B. Brief
C. (INT) interior
D. (EXT) exterior
E. Includes blank line between location and
description
V. Descriptions
A. Character names are in ALL CAPS
B. Regular sentence format
C. Left justified
D. Describe where the characters are, what they
are doing, and any other important
information
VI. Character direction
A. Relates only to the speaking character
B. Centered under or next to the character’s
name and in parenthesis
C. If four lines or longer, treated as a description
VII. Dialog
A. Character name is entered first
1. Centered
2. ALL CAPS
B. Dialog is tabbed three times (½” tabs)
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
Summary:
Review the information with the class by asking the
following questions:
1. Where is the writer’s name and address located
on the script?
Answer: In the upper-right hand corner
Add additional questions if
necessary. Elaborate on the
answers. Make sure all
students are involved in the
summary activity by double
checking answers or asking
for examples.
2. What are two characteristics of the Effect?
Answer: Left justified and written in ALL CAPS
3. INT is an abbreviation for what word in a
location?
Answer: Interior
4. What type of letters is used to write the
character’s names?
Answer: ALL CAPS
5. What font and size is used to write all text in a
script?
Answer: Courier 12 pt.
6. Where is character direction found?
Answer: Next to or centered under the
character’s name in parentheses
7. The dialog is tabbed how many times from the
left margin?
Answer: Three
8. What does the Effect describe?
Answer: How the scene opens or closes.
Also video or audio changes.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students practice writing a script as the teacher walks them through the Practice
Script and checks the results using the key provided on the teacher’s copy of the
Practice Script.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students work in groups of two or three to complete the “Write a Script” Activity. The
instructor will grade the activity using the Script Rubric.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Review the main points of the lesson by using the summary questions provided at
the end of the outline. Elaborate on the questions and include all students by adding
questions or asking for examples.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher will check students’ progress and final product as they complete the
practice script. The teacher will move through the class during the activity, checking
on students and providing feedback one-on-one.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
The teacher will grade the “Write a Script” Activity using the Script Rubric.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Have students use scripts to create an actual movie.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
5
Icon
MI
Verbal/
Linguistic
Logical/
Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/
Rhythmic
Bodily/
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Teaching Strategies
Personal Development
Strategies
Lecture, discussion, journal
writing, cooperative learning,
word origins
Reading, highlighting, outlining,
teaching others, reciting information
Problem solving, number
games, critical thinking,
classifying and organizing,
Socratic questioning
Mind-mapping, reflective
time, graphic organizers,
color-coding systems,
drawings, designs, video,
DVD, charts, maps
Use music, compose songs
or raps, use musical
language or metaphors
Organizing material logically, explaining
things sequentially, finding patterns,
developing systems, outlining, charting,
graphing, analyzing information
Developing graphic organizers, mindmapping, charting, graphing, organizing
with color, mental imagery (drawing in
the mind’s eye)
Use manipulatives, hand
signals, pantomime, real life
situations, puzzles and board
games, activities, roleplaying, action problems
Reflective teaching,
interviews, reflective listening,
KWL charts
Cooperative learning, roleplaying, group brainstorming,
cross-cultural interactions
Natural objects as
manipulatives and as
background for learning
Socratic questions, real life
situations, global
problems/questions
Creating rhythms out of words, creating
rhythms with instruments, playing an
instrument, putting words to existing
songs
Moving while learning, pacing while
reciting, acting out scripts of material,
designing games, moving fingers under
words while reading
Reflecting on personal meaning of
information, studying in quiet settings,
imagining experiments, visualizing
information, journaling
Studying in a group, discussing
information, using flash cards with
other, teaching others
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like-minded people
Considering personal relationship to
larger context
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
6
Writing a Movie Script
Lesson Organizer
I.
All text is in __________ 12 pt.
II. Name, address and __________
A. Goes in the upper-right hand corner
B. Looks like a __________ __________
C. Include phone number below the address
III. Effect
A. __________ justified
B. Entered first
1. ALL __________
2. Describes how the scene opens—fade in, black and white to color, still to motion,
etc.
IV. Location
A. Directly __________ the effect
B. Brief
C. (INT) __________
D. (EXT) exterior
E. Includes blank __________ between location and description
V. Descriptions
A. Character names are in __________ __________
B. Regular __________ format
C. Left justified
D. Describe where the __________ are, what they are doing, and any other __________
information.
VI. Character direction
A. Relates only to the __________ character
B. Centered under or next to the character’s name and in __________
C. If __________ lines or longer, treated as a __________
VII. Dialog
A. Character name is entered first
1. __________
2. ALL CAPS
B. Dialog is tabbed __________ times (½” tabs)
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
7
Script Vocabulary Organizer
Character direction – Information that tells characters how to __________
or __________.
Descriptions – Describes __________ the characters are, what they are
__________, and any other important information.
Dialog – Words the characters will __________.
Effect – Describes how the __________ and __________ will begin or
end; may also indicate visual and auditory changes during a scene.
Location – Describes where the __________ will take place.
Script – Written __________ of a movie that includes dialog, character
direction, descriptions, effects, and location.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
8
Practice Script
Directions:
Follow the instructions given by your teacher as he/she walks you through the process of writing
a movie script.
I.
Enter your name, address, and phone number in the upper-right hand corner.
II. Enter the effect:
FADE IN
III. Enter the location:
EXT Suburban neighborhood street on a sidewalk in front of houses
IV. Enter the description:
MARY is walking hurriedly down the sidewalk with a frantic look on
her face looking side to side. JOHN is approaching her from the
opposite direction.
V. Enter the dialog:
JOHN
Mary, you look worried.
What’s wrong?
VI. Enter the dialog with character direction:
MARY
(Stopping to catch her breath)
My pet dog, Spot, has gotten out of the house and I
can’t find him anywhere!
JOHN
(Looking across the street and pointing)
Is that Spot over there in the trash?
MARY
(Looking across the street and seeing SPOT, smiles)
Yes! That’s him. Thank you, John.
(Starting across the street)
Spot, you bad dog! Come right here!
SPOT
(Looking up, covered with garbage)
Bark! Bark!
VII. Enter the effect:
FADE OUT
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
9
Practice Script Key
Your Name
555 Address St.
City, State Zip
555-555-5555
FADE IN
EXT Suburban neighborhood street on a sidewalk in front of
houses.
MARY is walking hurriedly down the sidewalk with a frantic look
on her face looking side to side. JOHN is approaching her from
the opposite direction.
JOHN
Mary, you look worried.
What’s wrong?
MARY
(Stopping to catch her breath)
My pet dog, Spot has gotten out of the house and
I can’t find him anywhere!
JOHN
(Looking across the street and pointing)
Is that Spot over there in the trash?
MARY
(Looking across the street and seeing SPOT, smiles)
Yes! That’s him. Thank you, John.
(Starting across the street)
Spot, you bad dog! Come right here!
SPOT
(Looking up, covered with garbage)
Bark! Bark!
FADE OUT
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
10
“Write a Script” Activity
Directions:
Using the format for script writing presented in class, write a movie script for the
following scenario:
You go inside one of your favorite stores and ask an employee if you
can see the manager. The employee goes and gets the manager.
You ask the manager if you may apply for a job. He/she says that
they might be hiring in the near future and gets an application form
for employment. He/she tells you to fill it out at home and return it.
You thank him/her and leave.
Use your own words for the dialog. Include all the elements for setting up the scene,
emotions, etc.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Writing a Movie Script Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
11
Student Name ____________________________
Class Period _____
Movie Script Rubric
Excellent
5 pts
Criteria
Good
4 pts
Average
3 pts
Poor
2 pts
Not Done
0 - 1 pt
Font/text
Courier 12 pt
Completed
Name/Address/Phone Number
Upper-right hand corner
Completed
with no errors
1 error
2 errors
3 errors
More than 3
errors
Effect
1. Left justified
2. All caps
3. Effect is typed first.
4. Described how the scene opens
Completed
with no errors
1 error
2 errors
3 errors
More than 3
errors
Location
1. Directly below the effect
2. Brief
3 Uses INT and/or EXT
4. Blank line at end
Completed
with no errors
1 error
2 errors
3 errors
More than 3
errors
Description
1. Character names in ALL CAPS
2. Regular sentence format
3. Left justified
4. Described where the characters are and what they are doing
Completed
with no errors
1 error
2 errors
3 errors
More than 3
errors
Character direction
1. Character name in ALL CAPS
2. Relates only to Character speaking
3. Centered
4. If longer than four lines, treated as description.
Completed
with no errors
1 error
2 errors
3 errors
More than 3
errors
Dialog
1. Name entered first
2. Centered
3. ALL CAPS
4. Tabbed 3 times
Completed
with no errors
1 error
2 errors
3 errors
More than 3
errors
Total
Points
Incomplete
Total Points
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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