Lesson Element
Unit 3: Create a media product
Scriptwriting
Instructions and answers for tutors
These instructions cover the learner activity section which can be found on page 5. This lesson
element supports Cambridge Technicals Level 3 in Digital Media.
When distributing the activity section to the learners either as a printed copy or as a
Word file you will need to remove the tutor instructions section.
The activity
Scripts are an essential pre-production document for all audio and audio visual media products.
They are used by cast, crew and personnel involved in the production and post-production
stages of a media product as a working tool which can be revised and reworked.
Before learners start to produce their media product, they need to plan and develop the
dialogue, SFX, GFX and location information which will be featured in the script.
This lesson element supports learners in identifying and evaluating the features of a script using
existing examples. This is further developed by the learners demonstrating their knowledge by
producing a script.
Suggested timings
Activity 1

Investigating codes and conventions of a script (1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours)
Activity 2

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Writing a script (1 hour)
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Activity 1: Investigating codes and conventions of a script
The tutor could begin with the definition and purpose of a script and why they are used in the
media industries. This could be in the form of a starter task or class discussion. Typical
media industries that utilise a script would be TV, film, radio, theatre etc.
In order for learners to write their own script as part of Activity 2, they need to be able to
know the codes and conventions included in a script for different media products. For
example, a radio drama script will feature dialogue, and SFX (sound effects) where as a film
(screenplay) and TV script will also include stage directions, character descriptions and
camera operator directions for a shooting script.
Before undertaking the activity, learners will need to see examples of different scripts.
Internet sources may prove useful for tutors to find examples of different scripts to show
learners. The tutor can decide on which scripts they use for this task from the links below.
However an example of a TV, radio drama and film script will need to be selected by the tutor
and available for learners to use as part of Activity 1, for example, the tutor printing them off.

http://www.filmscriptwriting.com/samplescripts.html (Film scripting)
http://www.imsdb.com/ (The internet movie script database) have examples of
popular film scripts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writers-lab/medium-and-format BBC Writersroom
have templates and instructions of how to layout scripts in different mediums.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/search?genre=drama&platform=radio&order
by=recent BBC Writers rooms has an archive of radio, TV, theatre and cross platform
scripts
For Activity 1, learners are required to identify and evaluate the similarities and differences
included in a script for a TV, radio and film script and why they are included. Tutors could put
the class into groups and each group could be tasked with looking at a different script and
feedback their findings to the class.
Learners will require:

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The first two pages of a TV, radio drama and film script
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Activity 1 requires the learners to:
1. Identify and explain the similarities of the codes and conventions included in different
scripts
2. Identify and explain the differences of the codes and conventions included in different
scripts
3. Modify a script into a shooting script.
For Activity 1, learners will use the script examples that the tutor has pre-selected to make
notes on the features that are similar and different in each type of script.
The tutor should check that learners are able to identify and justify why the codes and
conventions of the scripts are included, similar and different.
Learners could use written notes and or mind maps to evidence their understanding.
Answers to questions:
1. The similarities of conventions included in all scripts are: dialogue, character names
in bold, Courier font. Location description, SFX information, scene information is set
out to the left of the script and dialogue is justified to centrally under the character’s
name.
2. The difference in the codes and convention in scripts are: in radio drama sound
effects are used to create ambience/ realistic sounds as there is no visuals whereas a
screen play for TV and film have camera operator directions ( shot type, angle,
movement) to the right of dialogue and more description about the visuals that
support the audio.
3. Based on the dialogue from the film script, where could camerawork and editing is
used? (e.g. CUT (In between locations or dialogue between characters), CLOSE
UP(facial expression or iconography), WIDE SHOT (at the start of a new scene or
location), TRACKING (following a main character), PAN (in a new scene or location),
TILT (to connote the height or power of characters and or buildings).
ABC – This activity offers an
opportunity for English skills
development.
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Activity 2: Writing a script
In Activity 2, learners will use their learning from Activity 1 to write the first 3 minutes of a new
radio drama aimed at 7-11 year olds.
Learners can use Microsoft Word to write up and layout the script.
Tutors should make sure that the codes and conventions identified as part of Activity 1 are
included in the learner’s script for this task. It may be beneficial for tutors to encourage
learners to mind map their ideas first in regards to characters, SFX, music, synopsis and
then use the mind map to write the script.
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Lesson Element
Unit 3: Create a media product
Learner Activity
Scriptwriting
Scripts are used in the media industry to present dialogue and action for a range of different
mediums and purposes.
Your task is to:
1. Investigate the different codes and conventions of different styles of scripts.
2. Write the opening 3 minutes of a new radio drama aimed at 7-11 year olds.
Activity 1: Investigating codes and conventions of a script
In order for you to write your own script as part of Activity 2, you need to be able to know the codes
and conventions included in different types of scripts that are made for different media products. For
example, a radio drama script will feature dialogue, character descriptions and SFX (sound effects)
where as a film (screenplay) and TV drama script will also include stage directions and camera
operator directions for a shooting script.
Using the examples of scripts provided.
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the similarities in the codes and conventions of TV, film and radio drama scripts?
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2. What are the differences in the codes and conventions of TV, film and radio drama scripts?
3. Based on the dialogue from the film script, where could camerawork and editing be used?
Add an example of a CUT, CLOSE UP, WIDE SHOT, TRACKING, PAN and TILT.
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Activity 2 – Writing a script
Your task is to write the first 3 minutes of a new radio drama aimed at 7-11 year olds.
Before writing your script, create a mind map of your ideas. This must include the following and any
other ideas you have:

Characters

SFX

Music

Synopsis
You can use Microsoft Word to write up and layout the script.
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