How to Write a Radio Serial Drama for Social Development- PDF

Chapter Eight: Scene Development 119
Episode Treatments
The writer should begin preparing each episode by checking the Writer’s
Brief and reviewing the message content that must be included. Then the
writer can decide which plots to include in the episode and how many scenes
are needed. Next, the writer assembles the episode treatment that specifies
the scene divisions, the action, the setting, the personalities of the characters,
the emotions to be stressed, and the point of suspense on which each scene
and the episode itself will end.
The following treatment was written by a very experienced writer and
shows how three plots were introduced at once in the opening episode of the
serial, Too Late, Too Bad, which was discussed in Chapter 3. Sub-plot B,
involving Hedda and Harry Jones, was not introduced to the story until
several episodes later. Writers who feel ready to try introducing several plots
at once might find this example helpful.
EXAMPLE
Too Late, Too Bad
Episode Treatment: Episode 1
Scene 1:
Establish feud between Stan and Twigg families. Steven Stan is in
conversation with his wife in the living room of their home. He is angry
and egotistical and complaining bitterly about Tony Twigg who has been
trying to outsmart him over a land deal. Steven Stan maintains the land
was given to the Stan family years ago and is therefore still his. His wife,
Mary, tries to pacify him, reminding him that they have plenty of
property and that his fight with the Twigg family has been going on too
long. Mary does not like the Twiggs any more than Stan does, but wishes
to find a way to live in peace. (Establish Mary as strong-minded, but a
peace-maker.)
Closing Line: “I'll get even with Tony Twigg yet. You just watch me!"
Emotion: anger
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