A prima facie script does not hide a character's core desire. While characters can have secrets, their immediate dramatic needs must be transparent to the audience. Want vs. Need
ELLIOT I represented what I believed to be true.
Crucially, a Prima Facie Script does not need to be irrefutable . It does not require the writer to disprove defenses or counter-arguments. Instead, it requires the writer to establish a presumption of fact. Once this script is accepted by the court, the burden of production shifts to the opposing party. You have laid your cards on the table; now the opponent must prove you are wrong. prima facie script
This sets the DNA of the film. A sci-fi thriller should open with a visual that establishes advanced tech or existential dread. A romantic comedy should open with a visual joke about love or isolation.
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. A prima facie script does not hide a character's core desire
The Anatomy of First Sight: What Makes a Script Prima Facie?
Keep sluglines lean. Use INT. LOCATION - DAY or EXT. LOCATION - NIGHT . Avoid overly descriptive headers. 2. Visually Lean Pages (The "White Space" Rule) Need ELLIOT I represented what I believed to be true
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Needs to be visualised. Internal thoughts must be converted into cinematic, show-don't-tell sequences.
The title refers to a legal term meaning "at first sight" or "based on first impression". The play uses this term ironically to highlight how the legal system, which is supposed to be based on objective facts, often operates on biased, patriarchal "first impressions" of victims, leading to profoundly unjust outcomes. 2. Structure and Character Development
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