Scriptwriting for Theatre and Screen: A Practical Guide

Scriptwriting for Theatre and Screen: A Practical Guide is an introduction designed to help readers understand the nature of dramatic scriptwriting and quickly guide them to a place where they can write, first a short play, and then a short screenplay.

The book clearly points out not only the differences between writing for the stage and writing for the screen, but also the shared skills and the fundamental dramatic principles that unite them. The two sections (Theatre Writing and Screenwriting) are connected by a bridging chapter that explores similarities and differences between the two media. The chapters are arranged with a short introductory essay on topics such as generating ideas, structure, character, modes of address, empathy, status, visual writing, and revising and editing, followed by practical exercises with exemplar responses – including a sample short play and film. Two additional chapters address how to approach writing a self-reflexive commentary, explore how the skills covered can be applied to writing for television, and explain other skills a writer might need to develop when working in this industry.

This complete introduction to writing dramatic scripts is intended for students of playwriting and screenwriting but is also suitable for all writers new to these areas and interested in developing their skills.

Richard Stockwell lectures in theatre and screenwriting at Newcastle University, UK. He is an award-winning playwright, and has been writing drama for over 30years, with plays performed in over a dozen countries. He has also written for television, including a period writing for Eastenders for the BBC.