Prima Facie Script |top|

Replace passive verbs with visceral ones. Instead of "John runs quickly out of the room," write "John sprints out."

The script is divided into two starkly different halves that mirror the transition from the "winner" of the legal system to its victim. Purely Dicta Act I: The Game of Law

The verdict; Tessa’s final monologue addressing the systemic failure. Cathartic / Resolving Key Takeaways for Writers prima facie script

Create a dedicated paragraph for each legal element. Do not mix Duty facts with Causation facts. Clarity is king.

The turning point is sharp and devastating. After an evening with a colleague, Julian, Tessa is sexually assaulted. The script shifts drastically in tone here. The language loses its rhythmic, confident flow and becomes fragmented, urgent, and visceral. Phase 3: The Metamorphosis Replace passive verbs with visceral ones

This script creates a presumption. The defendant can argue he had permission (defense), but the prima facie case survives because the facts, taken as true, satisfy the law.

Before applying prima facie to screenwriting, we must first understand its legal roots, as this tension is the very engine of the play. Cathartic / Resolving Key Takeaways for Writers Create

Tan’s stage directions are highly visceral. The script utilizes precise cues for sound design (such as the metaphor of rain and heartbeats) and lighting shifts to transition between the sterile courtroom, chaotic nightclubs, and Tessa’s internal psyche. Major Themes Explored in the Script The Illusion of Objectivity

The script introduces Tessa Ensler, a brilliant, working-class defense barrister who has clawed her way to the top of a male-dominated field in London. Tessa views the law as a game of rules, not truth. She specializes in defending men accused of sexual assault, expertly dismantling the testimonies of victims by exposing inconsistencies. Act I establishes her absolute faith in the legal system. She believes the burden of proof is a sacred shield against state overreach. Act II: The System on Trial

Amateur action lines describe everything in a room. Professional action lines describe only what the audience can see and hear, focusing heavily on momentum.