Prima Facie Script [repack]
Clarify what the protagonist lacks; introduce the looming conflict. Common Mistakes That Kill a Script's Credibility
For each element, list the specific evidence you have (depositions, police reports, receipts, photos). If you don’t have evidence for an element, your script dies immediately.
When drafting your script, always cite to the exhibit number. "See Exhibit A (Dashcam footage at timestamp 00:03:22)." The judge must be able to verify your claims in the record. prima facie script
In litigation, the party alleging a wrong carries the burden of production. Without a prima facie script , a judge will grant a directed verdict or summary judgment against you before the jury even deliberates. The script ensures you don't forget a statutory element.
The Prima Facie script functions simultaneously as a masterclass in solo dramatic writing, a piercing critique of adversarial legal frameworks, and an emotionally devastating exploration of trauma. 1. Plot Overview and Narrative Arc Clarify what the protagonist lacks; introduce the looming
Tessa's journey highlights the irony that the courtroom is not designed to find the absolute "truth," but rather to determine what can be proven legally—a process that often disregards the emotional and traumatic truth of the victim. 4. Why the Script is a "Game Changer"
A great script establishes a rule and then breaks it for emotional effect. In Prima Facie , the rule is: The defense barrister always wins by finding inconsistencies. The emotional devastation occurs when Tessa realizes that her own human reaction to trauma (forgetting specific timelines) is being used as proof that she is lying. 5. The Transition from Stage to Screen When drafting your script, always cite to the exhibit number
The Art of the Opening Statement: A Guide to the Prima Facie Script
A production prima facie script for a courtroom scene includes: