Drama Home // Jordan Daze // Video Project Plan // Storyboard // Script // Design Plot // iMovie // Rubrics

Basically speaking:
Once you have an idea of your plot and have begun creating your Storyboard,
one or two group members can be writing your script. Use Word to create
the document, and be sure to store it in your Daze group folder. That way
your instructor can see it, and other group members can work on it if
someone is absent.

What follows is a suggested formula for your plot, based on conventional
dramatic structure with the genre of Melodrama in mind. If you deviate
from this formula, make sure you hit the main points of dramatic structure
in your plot.

Conventional Plot Structure:

- Exposition - this usually involves characters, often secondary ones,
talking about a situation or circumstances; sometimes describing main
characters before we see them. We learn something about the world
of the play and characters who might be at odds.

- Inciting Incident - this is something that brings two forces into struggle
or opposition. Sometimes the incident has happened already when the
play begins; other times it happens shortly after the beginning

- Denouement - a fancy French term for "falling away", or what
happens after the climax, when we learn the fate of both the victor
and the loser. Sometimes a resolution, sometimes a temporary
withdrawal from battle. (Think sequel!)

FOR YOUR SOAP:

Scenes 1-2 - should provide sufficient exposition to introduce main
characters and give us an idea of potential for conflict or struggle.

Scenes 2-3 - Inciting Incident-- put two sides into conflict. If the
conflict is Interior (i.e. one character struggling with something inside
him/herself, some major decision or problem), then show what sets
up the problem.

Scenes 3-4-5 - Rising action scenes; show developments in the
struggle. Don't get side-tracked-- this is too short a movie to
develop sub-plots and complex stories. Remember that in melodrama
we're looking for vicarious chills, thrills & ills-- it's all about PLOT.

Scenes 5-6 - Make a good climax-- something dramatic! Surprises,
twists and turns, revelations, and resurrections all make for good
melodrama climax. Remember that in melodrama the good guys
are ALWAYS victorious-- it's a bogus world.
Often, the climax and denouement happen in the same scene-- the
denouement might be very short, as in "They all lived happily ever
after." But for soap, also think sequel...

Cast of Characters - You should include two or more of the following:

Popular Girls, including the Rich Girl - the usual elitists

Jocks - the usual bozos

The "nice" Jock - a leader, a non-conformist

The new girl - sweet & artsy

Nerds - bright but clueless

You may add teachers or administrators as long as
you don't make them a specific real person...