Set a shared place and conflicting objectives
See this course’s project requirements
An original 3–5-minute script with contrasting objectives, playable actions, purposeful dialogue, economical stage directions and a solo table-read revision.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- Write a complete original two-person scene with beginning, turn and consequence.
- Show two objectives and at least two tactics.
- Supply essential setting/prop directions with consistent continuity.
- Include a turning-point revision and actual solo-review method.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Action: dialogue pursues concrete objectives.
- Structure: new evidence/actions cause the central turn.
- Playability: props and visible directions are coherent.
- Revision: review claims and before/after changes are traceable.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
A scene needs bodies and objects an audience can encounter. Give two fictional characters compatible reasons to share one place and incompatible immediate aims. Choose a deadline that can be shown with a clock or a line. You will write a scene that one person can read and revise; casting and performance are optional.
A stage objective is something a character tries to get from the situation.
Set a shared place and conflicting objectives — worked practice
A stage objective is something a character tries to get from the situation.
Original setup: a community room must be cleared by four. Rowan wants Dev to put an unfinished paper kite in the storage box so the table can be folded. Dev wants Rowan to leave the kite out long enough to finish its tail. Prop: one open box. Constraint: Dev has not explained that the kite is a promised gift. “Feel appreciated” is a broad inner desire; “persuade Rowan to give me two more minutes” is a playable objective.
1. 1.1 Set
List the room, two characters, one main prop and visible deadline. Restrict the scene to a single continuous period; no complicated set is required.
You should see: The table/box/deadline make a playable setting.
2. 1.2 Set
Write each objective as a verb directed at the other person: persuade, delay, obtain or stop. Name what successful action would look like.
You should see: One wants storage; the other wants more time.
3. 1.3 Set
Give each character a legitimate reason for the objective and a reason the other cannot cheaply agree. Avoid “be mean” as the only opposing motive.
You should see: Both room responsibility and gift commitment are understandable.
4. 1.4 Set
Draft a setting paragraph and six opening lines. Put the prop into use so the conflict begins through action, not a narrator explaining the entire past.
You should see: The opening involves reaching for or moving the box.
What to finish
A scene setup and two objective statements with opening dialogue.
Watch for this
Writing an emotional label that an actor cannot pursue as an action.
How can I tell I understand it?
You can describe what each character is trying to obtain right now.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
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Sources and further reading
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Source & access notes · checked 2026-10-01
Opened and read the one-page primary teaching document on objectives, opposing goals, tactics and urgency. The LifeStarter scene is original and uses a different bounded assignment.
Access: Public page text or PDF was opened and read through the web reader on 2026-10-01; no signup required for reading.
Reuse: Linked for further study. All LifeStarter scenarios, samples, assets and assessments are original; no source exercises or artwork are copied.
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