write a script

Meaning

To draft the written text of a play, movie, television show, or video. This includes writing the dialogue, stage directions, and scene descriptions for the actors and crew.

Examples

• They spent six months trying to write a script for the new sci-fi series.

  They spent six months trying to write a script for the new sci-fi series.

• Before you start filming, you need to write a script so everyone knows what to say.

  Before you start filming, you need to write a script so everyone knows what to say.

• She decided to write a script based on her own childhood experiences.

  She decided to write a script based on her own childhood experiences.

• It's hard to write a script that has both realistic dialogue and a fast-paced plot.

  It's hard to write a script that has both realistic dialogue and a fast-paced plot.

• He was hired to write a script for a popular video game.

  He was hired to write a script for a popular video game.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to write a scenario for my short film.

  ✓ I need to write a script for my short film.

  While 'scenario' exists in English, it refers to a hypothetical situation or outline. The actual text with dialogue is called a 'script' or 'screenplay'.

• ✗ He is writing a text for the theatre play.

  ✓ He is writing a script for the play.

  In theatrical and cinematic contexts, the text spoken by actors is specifically referred to as a 'script', not just 'text'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The director asked her to ___ for the upcoming commercial.

  💡 Draft the dialogue and actions for the video.

  Show answer

  write a script

• If you want to make a YouTube video, it helps to ___ first.

  💡 Prepare the written text of what you will say.

  Show answer

  write a script