scripted
Not made up
Scripted describes something written out in advance rather than improvised or spontaneous.
A scripted speech follows prepared text; a scripted conversation feels rehearsed or artificial.
In entertainment, scripted television features written dialogue, distinguishing it from reality TV or talk shows.
The word often carries a whiff of inauthenticity: Their apology felt scripted.
Prepared by repetition
- clichéOverused, unoriginal expression
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- hackneyedOverused and unoriginal
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
wooden · robotic · mechanical · unnatural · contrived · stiff · forced · artificial
Planned before acting
- orchestratedDeliberately arranged complex elements
- choreographedArranged movements deliberately
- prearrangedOrganized ahead of time
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
staged · coordinated · predetermined · programmed · manipulated · controlled · engineered · setup
Film's written blueprint
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- linesStrokes connecting two points
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
rehearsal · cue · blocking · actor · actress · playwright · dramaturgy · teleprompter
Film's written blueprint
- teleplayDrama written for broadcast
- librettoOpera's written words
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- storyboardPlanned visual sequence drawings
adaptation · draft · revision · dialogue · voice-over · narration · subtitle · caption
rehearsed
Prepared by repetition
- clichéOverused, unoriginal expression
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- hackneyedOverused and unoriginal
stilted · wooden · robotic · mechanical · unnatural · contrived · stiff · forced · artificial · rote
premeditated
Planned before acting
- orchestratedDeliberately arranged complex elements
- choreographedArranged movements deliberately
- prearrangedOrganized ahead of time
calculated · staged · coordinated · predetermined · programmed · manipulated · controlled · engineered · setup · rigged
screenplay
Film's written blueprint
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- linesStrokes connecting two points
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
soliloquy · rehearsal · cue · blocking · actor · actress · playwright · dramaturgy · teleprompter · prompter
screenplay
Film's written blueprint
storyboard · adaptation · draft · revision · dialogue · voice-over · narration · subtitle · caption
- Performance Stylesmethod acting, classical acting, comedic acting, physical theater, screen acting
- reality TVSurvivor, contestant, The Bachelor, elimination, The Bachelorette
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- presentationaltheatrical, staged, dramatic, performative, showy
- film stylesindie, blockbuster, formalism, French New Wave, neo-noir
- predeterminedfate, destiny, kismet, preordained, prearranged
scriptedunscripted
Not pre-written
improvised · ad-lib · spontaneous · extemporaneous · off-the-cuff
- flip the scriptSubvert expected dynamics
- off script
- film scriptWritten work for cinema
- script fontsTypefaces resembling handwriting
- flipped the scriptSubverted the expected dynamic
- theatrical scriptsWritten works for performance
script, description, prescription, manuscript, subscription, transcript, scripts, postscript, inscription