Conceptualizing a

Character/Setting/Plot for a
One Act Play

Creative Writing
Quarter 4
Week 2 - 3
Character Assassination:
• Identify the character referred to by the descriptions
and/or famous lines/dialogues given in every item.
Identify the character referred to by the
descriptions and/or famous
lines/dialogues given in every item.

• “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No! It’s….

Identify the character referred to by the
descriptions and/or famous
lines/dialogues given in every item.

• “Si Kuya Cardo talaga! Hay naku!”

Identify the character referred to by the
descriptions and/or famous
lines/dialogues given in every item.
• I have a scar on my forehead the shape
of a lightning bolt. It was left by Lord
Voldemort because of his failed murder
attempt on me when I was a baby.
Identify the character referred to by the
descriptions and/or famous
lines/dialogues given in every item.
• When I was born, I could instantly
walk and talk, and it was even I who
chose my name. I am a famous
Ilocano epic hero.
Identify the character referred to by the
descriptions and/or famous
lines/dialogues given in every item.
• I am the wife of the vampire Edward. At the
end of the novel trilogy, I was transformed
by Edward into a vampire, a decision he
must make to save me from my death.
 DEVELOPING
CHARACTERS FOR A
DRAMA
Developing Characters for A Drama
Characters play a crucial role in the development of a drama. You
also learned the different types of characters based on how they
are placed within the framework of the plot.

The crafting of captivating and compelling characters on the get-

go of your drama production is very indispensable. This is your
responsibility as the playwright.
CONCEPTUALIZATION

• Conceptualization of characters in a story demands from the writer

the creation of details about a character's life and even the
character’s history. Common conceptualization practice among
writers is giving the character a life and form. Physical attributes,
skills, and abilities are important matters to handle before
proceeding to other vital information about the character’s other
backgrounds in the story.
CONCEPTUALIZATION

• You as the writer must make sure that the

characters you are crafting fit accordingly into the
setting.
CONCEPTUALIZATION

• The fact that characters are

created to help drive the story
forward in an acceptable
manner as they create tension
for audiences.
CONCEPTUALIZATION

• When creating your characters, it is good to think outside the box.

You may use characters who are able to produce surprise on part of
the audience. You may add contrasting characters also. This style
adds layer of tension on the plot. Refrain from creating characters
who are predictable, agreeable, and similar with other characters.
They usually create sense of boredom on part of the audience.
CREATE A BACKSTORY

• Backstory are vital to

characters as it forms
the essence of who
they really are in the
drama.
CREATE A BACKSTORY
• You should always remember that we all have
life experiences which influence our behavior.
Sometimes a character’s reaction to a situation in
the drama could be a direct result of something
in their past. Backstories clear the doubts inside
the minds of the audience as it serves the
purpose of explaining why the character behave
in such manner.
CHARACTER
MOTIVATIONS
• Every character in a drama must serve a
purpose and a goal within the framework of
the story. These characters have needs and
desires which help drive the plot of the
drama.
CHARACTER
MOTIVATIONS
• a single goal tied to the plot unifies all the
characters but there must always be individual
goals for every character for these goals shall
create the dynamics between characters and shall
eventually hook audiences more into the story.
SHOW THE
CHARACTERS
• CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT - the process
of crafting a unique, three-dimensional character
with a personality, depth, and motivations
SHOW THE
CHARACTERS
• A character’s personality is conveyed
through the way he or she speaks, moves,
and interacts with others, along with
mannerisms and expressions.
SHOW THE CHARACTERS

• These may sound insignificant, but they play a big

role in creating that personality needed. The
personality is crafted through a process called
characterization.
NOTE
• In the world of play production, the sense of anxiety is usually
portrayed by the fidgety characters. On the other hand, an
irrational fear shown by a character indicates a painful past in
the life of the character. Injured characters walk and talk
differently; a bullied character is quicker to stand up for other
people; shy type characters quickly blend into a scene and the
confident ones are more energetic and easily draw attention.
DEVELOPING THE SETTING
OF THE DRAMA
What is SETTING in PLAY PRODUCTION?
• A setting is simply defined as the environment in
which an event takes place. Setting can be any
specific information like Aringay National High
School, Aringay, La Union, Year 1989 or it could
also be a simple description like a bahay kubo in
the middle of dark, stormy night.
DEVELOPING THE SETTING OF THE DRAMA

• Geographic Location: Your drama might be

set in a real place like a particular barangay or
a province or city. This place can be found in
the real world and one can always check it on
the map.
DEVELOPING THE SETTING OF THE DRAMA

• Physical Location: This refers to the

immediate surroundings of the character
which is important to highlight like a
character’s room or any part of the house.
DEVELOPING THE SETTING OF THE
DRAMA
• Physical Environment: This aspect of setting
is in the natural world; characters are usually
affected by forces of nature and that includes
the weather or climate.
DEVELOPING THE SETTING OF THE
DRAMA
• Time Period: This aspect pertains to the
historical period, but it can also be a season of
the year (Summer), a time of the year
(Christmas) or time of a day (evening).
DEVELOPING THE SETTING OF THE
DRAMA
• Social and Cultural Environment: This aspect is
interconnected with geographical location and time.
Social and cultural environment reflects societal
norms and trends in your drama. Say for example the
drama is set in a high school campus in the mid-90s.
Societal norms and trends specific to teenagers
during those times is highly reflective in your drama.
Importance of the Setting

• It is the function of the setting to provide a backdrop for actions to

happen on the characters. It is the setting’s role to provide not just an
information but also to create a sense of mood and emotional impact
in the drama. You must remember that the setting interplays with the
characters and plot all the time. These ‘big three’ always go together.
When they interplay, emotional appeal comes out and produces an
impact to the audience.
Choosing your Setting
A. Is there a need for specific setting?
Put in mind that there are two types of setting you can always choose
from when you talk about specific setting: the integral setting and the
backdrop setting. Integral setting refers to a specific place and time.
Further, integral setting dictates societal elements in the drama like the
characters’ fashion and their language and expressions. On the other hand,
backdrop setting is generic, say for example, the setting of the drama
takes place in an unnamed barangay with no specific time reference.
Choosing your Setting
B. Is your setting real or imaginary?
As a writer, you always put into consideration where the actions of the
characters take place. Will these actions take place in a real world or
simply an imaginary one? If you choose real world, this is not a big
problem as you can always choose any place plotted in a map.
However, if you intend to create an imaginary world, you will have the
need to undergo a process called “world building” which is quite a
tedious work for the writer. Most science fiction writers undergo this
setting development process.
Choosing your Setting
C. Does the setting support the actions in the plot?
As a rule, for a writer, always put in mind that setting should always
complement the plot. The setting supports the development of
tension and conflict from the exciting incident leading to the rising
action until the climax and falling action. with this, it is your job as
a writer to decide what setting can enhance a turning point in your
drama.
Choosing your Setting
D. Does the setting support character actions and development?
The setting is always experienced by the audience through your
character’s actions. With this, make sure then that the setting has the
potential to enhance the character’s motivation and goals, because
such shall provide the framework for the character’s quest in the
drama.
Choosing your Setting
E. Is there a need to do research for the setting?
The creation of realistic and vividly detailed setting is the result of a
good research. For example, you are writing a historical drama set
in World War II Philippines, doing research to discover how
Philippines looks back then is a very good starting point before
developing the setting. Doing the research will help in depicting
more accurate plot events.
DEVELOPING THE PLOT OF A ONE-ACT PLAY

Big drama productions are called “small

siblings of movies.” A one-act play, on the
other hand, is labeled as the “infant of the
family.”
DEVELOPING THE PLOT OF A ONE-ACT PLAY
One-act plays are technically short plays. These are dramas that
take place in only one scene where characters come and go. Since
there is only one scene to depict, therefore there is also only one
setting. One-act plays run for less than an hour long. The curtains
open and close only once. Though the one- act play is short, it does
not mean that plot is sacrificed. Just like full-length dramas, one-act
play also observes complete dramatic plot structure.
How do you develop the plot of a
one-act play production?
A. Choose a Brief Subject
One-act plays are technically short plays. These are dramas that
take place in only one scene where characters come and go. Since
there is only one scene to depict, therefore there is also only one
setting. One-act plays run for less than an hour long. The curtains
open and close only once. Though the one- act play is short, it does
not mean that plot is sacrificed. Just like full-length dramas, one-act
play also observes complete dramatic plot structure.
B. Develop the Characters

Craft a character sketch right from the start. This

helps you give form and depth to your characters
and bring life into them. Give your characters a
motivation in life by making them hurdle conflicts.
This is important in any plot development.
C. Develop the Setting
A one-act play has a singular setting, but it should be developed in a
manner that audience would see everything about the story line.
Effective stage setting involves sensory perception of the audience.
Hence the idea on the use of lighting and sounds and other effects
(audio or visual) helps the setting in creating the mood. However,
you as the writer should note this as stage directions.
C. Develop the Setting
Also, do not forget to add in your stage directions actions of your
character relative to the setting. Though the play director sometimes
has something in mind for the performers to do on stage, placing
stage directions for the actions and blockings give a hint for the
performers how they move about and act during actual performance
relative to the setting of the play.
Let’s ENRICH
As a creative drama script writer, give characterization, potential
setting description or a plausible plot action depending on what is
asked. You shall be given a score in every item based on the rubrics
provided. Number one is done for you. Use a separate sheet of
paper for you answers.
Let’s ENRICH

1. The Campus Nerd a. He is short and skinny.

b. He wears thick glasses.
c. His got braces on his teeth
d. He carries a backpack full of books.
Let’s ENRICH
2. The K-pop Fanatic
3. A Mental Hospital
4. A stray bullet hit your friend
straight on top of his head while
the two of you were watching
fireworks display at the plaza
5. Zombies were able to break
into the barricade set by the
patrol team and are now on
their way to the room where
you and your friends are
hiding:
Draw me that character
Directions: You are given a teaser of a drama below. Your work is to
create at least five characters who are highly possible to play a role
in the story. Give these characters names and physical attributes as
well as backstories (if needed). Also, do not forget to indicate their
character motivations. Place you answer on a separate sheet of paper.
You shall be given scores based on the rubrics provided below.
Draw me that character
A group of high school friends agreed to do the ‘spirit of the glass’
in an old textile warehouse a few blocks away from the campus
after their classes in the afternoon. The warehouse was abandoned
many years ago, a result of gas leak explosion which killed fifty-
two workers. They say it was planned by some of the laid-off
workers; others say it was a way for the owner to easily declare
bankruptcy and at least get his fire insurance safely.
Draw me that character
When the group arrived, they noticed the creepy environment of the
warehouse as if there is someone watching them. Also, the atmosphere
was freezing cold though it was terribly hot outside before they came in.
Driven by their intent to experience ‘spirit of the glass’ they set their
things and sat together in circle. One of them lit the candles and another
one said a prayer before they started.
What happened next is beyond control! Will these teens be able to
survive the horror of…? THE WAREHOUSE!
--teaser for the one-act play THE WAREHOUSE by Louie Ferrer
Reference
Lacap, Ace Benedict P. Conceptualizing a Character/Setting/Plot for
a One Act Play. Self – Learning Module in Creative Writing
11/12, 2020.