The Script Edition

Hello everyone!

Yesterday was our first meeting after the Easter holidays. It was also the first time that Lena led the meeting; she did a good job introducing us to the joy of writing a script for theatre or for a movie. Lena led us through the art of script writing by having us write five different kinds of scenes. I will list each one below, if you feel like trying out something, feel free. You could even send it to us later and we will post it here on the blog, with your permission of course.

The first scene was a warm-up exercise. Lena asked us to write a scene while using specific stage directions:

A: comes up, sits on a chair

B: comes up, stands next to A

A: looks at B, shrugs

B: sits down next to A, puts hand on shoulder

A: pushes hand away, walks away

The second scene was a bit more complicated. Lena started by explaining us what a monologue is in theatre, namely a scene where one protagonist talks to himself or to the audience directly. The exercise was to write a scene where the protagonist writes a letter confessing something and in the meantime talk to the audience about it. Valerie, one of the participants of the meeting, wrote a funny monologue which reminded us of the very real anxiety of having to make a phone call. You can read it by clicking here! 

Then, Lena asked us to write a dialogue which would be the follow-up of the monologue we had written before. Meaning, two protagonists talking to each other, one of them holding something which suspiciously looks like the letter the other character wrote in the scene just before that. Although, what the protagonist is actually holding is something completely different. Lena was so kind to share with us the scene she had written about a girl who just wrote a letter confessing she has a crush on her brother's best friend and then freaks out because she believes her mother found that letter. It turns out though that the mother found a letter by the brother's secret admirer. 

The penultimate revolved a Greek tradition: the choir. Traditionally, the members of the choir would comment on what happens during the play and give some background information. Our task was to write a scene where the protagonist talks about all his elaborate and ambitious plans even though the choir is a bit more ... realistic. You can read what Ruben wrote here! 

For the last exercise, Lena talked to us about the tradition of the Commedia Dell'arte and its most famous characters. Our challenge was to write a new scene with 2 of the characters Lena presented to us. While writing, we heard Ruben laughing so when we had all finished, we promptly but in a kind way asked Ruben to share his work with us. I believe I am not only speaking for myself when I say that I was impressed by the creative swear words. You can read the story here. Enjoy! 

That was it for this week! In 2 weeks (May 2d), we will be meeting at the World's End for our next meeting which will be a games edition!

Until then,

Cara