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

170 Chapter Twelve: The Finished Script and Writer’s Check List
Life in Hopeful Village Page 1 of 10
Episode #36
Draft: Final
Writer: Elaine Perkins Date: July 1992
OPENING NARRATION
1. Narr: Imagine that! Litigation upon litigation!
Not five minutes after the judge decided
the case against him last week, Littlejohn
went straight to the clerk of courts and
filed an appeal. Yes! This will make the
fourth time that he and Sawyers have
been to court over that little slip of land
that divides their two properties. Talk
about bad feelings! Remember last week,
when the two of them scuffled in the bar
across the way (FADE OUT)
SCENE 1
2. Cut in tape last one minute of episode 1288. Lines
34 to 41. Mix with FX.
3. FX. SCUFFLES. SHOUTS. PEOPLE
BREAKING UP A FIGHT.
4. LJ: You are an unconscionable thief!
5. SAW: (SHOUTING) If you weren’t so
illiterate!
6. MISS B: Make them stop, Mr. Roy. I appeal to
you.
7. ROY: Come on, Littlejohn.
8. LJ: Let me go!
9. ROY: You’re my friend. I’m talking to you.
Keep still.
10. LJ: This man Sawyers moved my land
marker. It’s inherited land that my
parents left me when they died. HE
poisoned my animals.
11. SAW: Your goat was chewing down my young
peas.
12. LJ: Downed the star apple tree where my
umbilical cord is buried. He chopped it
down! Rooted it out! And worked black
magic on the judge to make him rule
against me. Well, so help me Almighty
God, there’s no hymn that allows that. If
it costs the last cent I have....If I have to
sell my shop.
13. MISS B: Don’t swear an oath, Littlejohn.
14. LJ: (CONTINUING) If I have to
starve...walk around in sack cloth and
ashes.
The opening line immediately “hooks” the attention
of the listeners.
This is followed by a brief summary of the previous
episode, and a reminder of the main characters,
before moving directly into the action of the new
episode.
Scene begins with action (hook).
Message (illiteracy) introduced naturally and then
dropped temporarily.
Personality traits of characters are revealed:
Littlejohn (major character)—headstrong; proud;
victim of his own pride and circumstances.
Sawyers (villain)—takes advantage of Littlejohn’s
weaknesses (illiteracy and pride). Miss Birdie
(Littlejohn’s wife)—wise counselor and loving
supporter. Roy—practical; self-controlled.
Culturally appropriate references to traditions
that the audience understands.
Bulk of information delivered in middle of
scene...slower, longer speeches.