Sitting Down With Scripted: An Interview with SCAD’s Dramatic Writing Club

I’ve had the joy of attending SCAD’s Scripted meetings for roughly two months now. I’m not even that much of a script writer myself, but since attending their mixer event I have been a passionate regular since! There’s a lot of fantastic clubs at SCAD, and as far as all of them go this is one I felt deserves to take the spotlight as our very first guests of HoneyDripper’s Club Interview series. So I got connected with the club’s admins and asked them all kinds of things about the club; what it is, their favorite parts, what makes it special and other things like that. I’m really happy with the results I got, and am pleased to be able to share with you all my favorite bits and pieces the officers had to say about their club! 

The first question I asked was; “For someone who’s never heard of Scripted before, what are you guys all about? What’s a typical meeting like”? 

President Kalani Washington had a very insightful summary on this as she said, “Scripted is a dramatic writing club that is dedicated to helping student writers and creatives find their voice through constructive workshops, social get-togethers, table reads, and showcase events. Each meeting is different from the last since we like to provide a wide range of events for our members. This past quarter, we hosted a networking mixer, a works-in-progress workshop, a trivia night, and several table reads. Every quarter, we host works-in-progress workshops and table reads. At the creative workshops, students are asked to choose a piece that they are working on. We then use interactive activities to help develop their plot lines, characters, worldbuilding, and loglines. At our table reads, writers and actors alike get the chance to voice characters from fellow students’ work. Over the course of these past two school years, we have showcased television, film, and theatrical scripts in the genres of drama, romance, science fiction, and thriller”. 

Less of a general description, though, I wanted to know first hand from them all what makes Scripted so special; “When you’re a writer, unless you’re lucky enough to have someone who wants to read your script, there’s not a lot of opportunity to interact or collaborate with people,” says Vice President Zack, “Especially when everyone feels they’re learning the craft. Scripted provides a space where not only writing students can meet and interact and enjoy each other’s time, but also a place for people outside of the department who want to meet students”. The ICC liaison Aidan also mentions the inclusivity and support Scripted provides, saying; “Scripted is specifically Dramatic Writing’s extra-curricular club. Making it the perfect place to meet script writers and engage in the medium. Here every level of participation is welcome, from writing submissions, to readers, to just listeners”. And Promotional VP Patience emphasizes its diversity by stating, “We have submissions for screenplays, but we also encourage people to send plays, VR/AR/XR scripts, poems, and podcasts. We want people to show scripts from all different types of media, visual and audible alike”. I felt Secretary Tori made a great statement on this as well, as she told me, “The environment is incredibly friendly and uplifting, with even first-time attendees often feeling comfortable enough to read”, which is a statement I can certainly back up as true. The community I have gotten to experience since partaking has been outstandingly welcoming. 

“One of my friends was on the Scripted board. Though I wasn’t able to attend meetings that year, hearing about it from her made my interest stick around when I finally could. And I was blown away! It was really the environment from the moment I walked into my first meeting– just feeling welcome– that let me know this was where I wanted to stay.“

– Secretary Tori

I myself have been attending Scripted since winter quarter, and asking the question ‘what are some of your favorite events you’ve done?’ definitely made me realize I’ve got to stick around to see fall since Patience, Tori and Kalani all mentioned the annual Spooky Table Read around Halloween; “ My favorite events have been the Spooky Script Reading and our W.I.P. Workshops! Everyone showed up in costumes and it added to the Halloween vibe,” notes Patience, and Kalani further illustrates the joy of this event when she mentions; “As a thriller and horror enthusiast, one of my favorite things is to see the writing that lays the groundwork for iconic scary films. This event also allows me to connect with fellow writers who share my passion for the genre.”

That being said, the table reads also tend to be a popular event as Zack said, “our bread and butter might be the table reads. People come with a script, usually themed in some way, and everyone has the chance to read and talk about the piece in a constructive and fun way. It’s good to hear how you’re been working from different perspectives”.

While interviewing Scripted excited me about the potential of experiencing the events they’re doing in fall, I was just as happy to see what they were saying about this Spring. One event that really stuck out to me was brought up by Aidan mentioning; “In the spring quarter I am really excited for the Fantasy table read. I am a Fantasy writer at heart and I can wait to see what people bring, especially our recurring participants! I know I’ll leave with inspiration and drive for my own Fantasy stories”. Kalani also had some insights onto a list of fun events; “To name a few, we are hosting a Dungeons and Dragons night, an introductory TV Writers’ Room, and a 3 Hour Play Festival. I feel particularly connected to the upcoming play festival since my high school’s theatre program is what encouraged me to pursue dramatic writing in college. I look forward to seeing all of the ideas that everyone brings to these events!” 

To wrap up the interview, I asked everyone ‘anything else you want people to know about your club?’, and I was met with not only insights relating to Scripted but takeaways I think people could benefit from in everyday life relating to confidence: 

“We love to hear students’ suggestions for future events! While Scripted primarily focuses on dramatic writing, we welcome all students and their creative expressions, from poems and short stories to non-fiction pieces and visual art. Additionally, our meetings offer a platform to connect with students in dramatic writing and film, which provides an opportunity for those looking to bring their ideas to life through short films, theater productions, animations, comics, photography, video games, themed entertainment, and more!“

-President Kalani

“Anyone can join. Just show up, grab some pizza, and hangout. It’s very relaxed, and very helpful to your process. And it’s great to meet other students who might be in the same boat.”

-Vice President Zack

“It’s incredibly daunting to share your work, especially if it’s a project you’ve had close to your heart for a long time. But there is no group of people I feel more comfortable having read my scripts than the community that Scripted has become.”

-Secretary Tori

“Don’t be nervous to join in! We’re excited to have any and all majors attend, and you can always just sit and listen, without being pushed if you’re uncomfortable. Our officers are always enthusiastic to talk with anyone with questions about the club or Dramatic Writing in its whole!”

-ICC Liaison Aidan

“We’re branching out with some very exciting events next quarter. Also, we have pizza at our club meetings. I put that in the posters, but it’s always worth mentioning.”

-Promotional VP Patience

I didn’t even need to interview the admin of Scripted to know that it was an incredibly inclusive, kind, and welcoming club- I experienced that myself. But hearing their words I now feel I have an even further understanding of how the club works and what to look forward to in the future. It’s no question I will be continuing to get involved with Scripted in the years to come, and I hope by shedding some light on how the club functions others will want to do the same as well.  If you’re further interested in keeping up with the club, I recommend emailing them at scripted@clubs.scad.edu, which will send you updates on all their events. You can also connect with the club at scriptedscad on instagram which is linked through the logo below!

The HoneyDripper is the Savannah College of Art and Design’s juried comics and illustration blog, dedicated to publishing, promoting, and showcasing the finest in student work.​