What is a teleplay?

A teleplay is a television script It contains dialogue (what the people SAY), delivery suggestions (how to say it) and action description as well as shot descriptions (what we see)

What Does a Teleplay Look Like? Dialogue: PERSON A What the person says. PERSON B Example: MOTHER Bob, you can’t go to the party! BOB Mom I hate you!

Delivery Suggestions: PERSON A What the person says. Example: BOB (how to say the line) What the person says. Example: BOB (screaming angrily) I hate you Mom!

(how the person says it) Action and Shot descriptions: Shot description / other action. PERSON A (how the person says it) What the person says. Example: Mother crosses her arms in defiance. We see a close up of Bob’s face, covered in tears. BOB (screaming angrily) I hate you Mom!

What does the entire teleplay look like? TITLE Characters List Background (Story) Setting (Sets) Dialogue/Stage directions/ Shot Descriptions

Remember… Always be true to your characters. Do not change their characteristics to suit your teleplay. Teleplays should be interesting so that people want to watch your TV show! Dialogue should sound like how real people speak. Think about how you talk to your friends and use that as a guide (but G-rated!!)

Guidelines for Teleplay #1 1 or 2 scenes 8-15 lines of dialogue each scene 4-8 stage directions each scene (brackets) 3-5 shot descriptions / other action Choose 2 characters. Remember to be true to the characters!

Teleplay Template #1 Description of the character PHYSICAL TRAITS: CHARACTERISTICS: Values (3) Character #1 Description of the character PHYSICAL TRAITS: CHARACTERISTICS: Values (3) Character #2