Script Writing Lesson 5: The Climax

Task 1

Watch this YouTube clip about how to create a great character:

How does the presenter of this video tell you how to create an interesting character?

Task 2

Let’s have a look at the characters you’ve created, and in particular the protagonist and the antagonist. Complete the worksheet by either printing the table below or downloading it from here.

 ProtagonistAntagonist
Name:  
Likeability: How much do you think
your audience will like or dislike the character?		 




 
Competency: How good are they at
doing whatever it is they do?		 



 
Activity: How much do
they persevere?		 



 

Have a think about the antagonist and protagonist that you have written and the answers that you’ve written in this task. What improvements can you make to them to help them become an interesting character. Before you make any changes though, go on to Task 3.

Task 3

Review what you have written so far for your play. Let’s start by reminding ourselves of the limits and boundaries we applied to our writing.

  1. No more than 5 characters in your play.
  2. Each scene must take place in a different location to the scene before it. You can return to any previous location you’ve used before.
  3. You can only have 5 locations in the whole play.
  4. The set must be described in the stage directions at the start of every scene.
  5. Add stage directions for the actors.

If you want a full reminder, then click here.

Now have a read through what you have written so far, which should be at least a page or two long now. Edit the work you’ve to strengthen your protagonist and antagonists. Make sure that you have followed these rules for writing as well.

Task 4

Once you have edited the script you have written so far, write up the Climax scenes.

If you need a reminder of what happens in the Climax, then watch this video:

Remember that the climax is the most exciting part of the play, the moment were there is maximum tension. It normally happens about two thirds into the play. It should then set up how the problem will be resolved before the end of the play. Try to keep this confined into 1 or 2 scenes and remember to stick to the limits and boundaries established in the third task.