First Annual AW Playwrighting Workshop

[Mandy-Jane]

Okay. It had to happen. We've got one for Novels, one for Screenplays, one for Blogs - how about one for plays?

If anyone's interested, we can work out the specifics. What do you think?

Also, because November is taken up with NaScWrMo, and December is Christmas and January, people are often on holidays, we could hold it over until February. I don't know. These are just my random thoughts. I'd love to hear what you all think.

[Mandy-Jane]

Oh come on. Is the idea that bad? Anyone? Someone? Pleeeeease......

Just tell me you think it stinks. I don't mind. Anything.....

I hate being ignored and when I am, my out of control paranoia makes me think that nobody likes me.

[Greasy Spoon]

Hi Mandy-Jane

I for one wasn't ignoring you, I just haven't been to the board in a few days. :)

Anyway, I think it's a good idea - NaNoWriMo has worked well for me in the past, so I'd love to try it with a play. February sounds doable, I think...

As for specifics, I would think we'd be aiming for an estimated run-time rather than a wordcount. Or, what did you have in mind?

Also, with February being so far from now, we could try and do some theme-posting in the other months to build up to it. Like, December could be all about structure and writing for the stage, and January could be about outlining and flushing out characters and such...

I dunno, those are my thoughts. Anybody else?

[Cat Scratch]

I think it sounds like a worth goal. Daring that you're choosing the shortest month of the year, but I think we're up for the challenge. I've had a couple of play ideas rattling around in my head that I need to focus on, but immediate projects stand in the way. This sounds great!

[Mandy-Jane]

Thanks guys. Now I feel much happier.

I forgot February was the shortest month. Still I think that's okay. It's only a couple of days anyway.

I was thinking maybe just a One-Act Play with a running time of say 20 - 25 minutes; something around that?

The theme-posting sounds really good. I hadn't even thought of anything like that.

I'm thinking we wait a few more days and see if there's any further interest, then we start working on the specifics.

Now I'm getting excited!

[Cat Scratch]

Since I already have a play outlined I'd rather not do it by theme or length (this will be a full-length). It might be a good idea to have participant options, for those who want to do it either way.

[Mandy-Jane]

That's a good idea. I don't really know what the rules are with this sort of thing (or if you make your own). Are we able to have options on those kinds of things? Or do we have to follow the rules we set at the start? I'm hoping someone who's done this before will give us some clues.

[beezle]

I'd do it.

I just wish there was a place on the board to workshop plays.

[Mandy-Jane]

I just wish there was a place on the board to workshop plays.

So do I! I know workshopping's more of a "do in person" thing, but surely we could set up a workshopping/critiquing section. If we can, I would definitely be involved.

Anyone else?

[beezle]

Looks like we're the only ones, Mandy.

[dpaterso]

Hi folks,

As you know the Script Writing forum has a Screenwriting Critique Board sub-forum where WIP loglines and script pages are posted for feedback.

If you're interested in having a similar sub-forum for Playwriting then speak up! :) In the meantime, feel free to post pages in the Playwriting forum (maybe with suitable wording in the subject line, e.g. "Feedback wanted - name of play, act #" or any other variant that tells readers you're clearly looking for critique). Any message threads can easily be moved if a sub-forum is set up.

Think it over, have a mull, let me know what you'd like. :)

-Derek
My Web Page - sci-fi, fantasy, horror, cyborgs, AIs, dragons, vampyres. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
I once fought two days with an arrow through my testicle.

[Mandy-Jane]

Hi Derek

I for one, would love a critique forum for playwriting. Thanks.

[Greasy Spoon]

I'm not sure how often I'd post plays for critique, but I'd certainly be happy to provide comments for those who were looking for them, be it in a separate sub-forum or just as individual threads on this forum.

As for NaPlWrMo and the "rules", we could say that people can aim for whatever run-time they like, but they have to declare their intent before they start writing. Sort of like the "submission pledge" a number of members on this board took for this year, where they all set their own goal.

So, the only "rules" would be that
1) You could do all the outlining and planning you wanted, but you couldn't start writing your actual script until February 1st
2) Before you started writing (either on the first, or whenever else during that month for late-starters) you had to post the intended runtime for your NaPlWriMo script in a thread we'd have just for that purpose.

There'd be no rules about theme or anything, and your runtime could be as short or as long as you liked, which may also help us attract some playwriting virgins from elsewhere on the board. ("C'mon, a whole month to write ten minutes? Give it a go!")

That's my suggestion. *shrug*

Any others?

[Mandy-Jane]

They sound like good suggestions, Greasy. Anyone else?

[beezle]

The point of NaNoWriMo is really to push the writer to get down those 50,000 words, no matter what. So I think with a NaPlWrMo, I'd want to see something along those lines. Obviously not in word count, but perhaps in pages? 50,000 is on the shorter side of a full length novel, so... I don't know, a one act play of at least an hour?

I know you wanted shorter than that, but it's the prompt to 'get it written' that I like about NaNoWriMo. And I wouldn't mind being pushed to at last write a full one act'er.

Just a thought.

[icerose]

You could just share November with us. We're sharing it with nano. That way you can all start on Wednesday and share in the madness. :D

[Mandy-Jane]

Thanks, but no way. I need time to get myself psyched for this. Also, I'm a procrastinator, and doing something spur of the moment like this would just upset my warped and unbalanced mind.

What does anyone else think?

[Cat Scratch]

I still like Feb. for selfish reasons (a few big projects taking priority right now), and the rules Greasy Spoon outlined sound good. I think a page limit intention statement from the beginning would be nice, that way there is something to be held accountable to.

As for a playwriting critique forum, I don't feel comfortable posting my work in a public forum like this one, but if anyone is interested in giving/receiving feedback via e-mail or something similar I'd definitely be up for that.

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I don't check these boards every day! (Another reason e-mail might work better for time-sensitive things like crits, etc.)

[Mandy-Jane]

As for a playwriting critique forum, I don't feel comfortable posting my work in a public forum like this one, but if anyone is interested in giving/receiving feedback via e-mail or something similar I'd definitely be up for that.

I think that's a great idea. I guess I'd post work for critique in a public forum if there were no other options, but now that you've mentioned an email or private message type arrangement, I have to say, that sounds really good.

I'm definitely interested.

What about you other guys?

[dpaterso]

FYI, the possibility of passwording both the Scriptwriting Critique Forum and the hypothetical Playwriting Critique Forum (à la Share Your Work) so they're no longer public forums, has already been raised. Soon as something's decided I'll let y'all know.

-Derek
My Web Page - sci-fi, fantasy, horror, cyborgs, AIs, dragons, vampyres. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
Alta, about a million years from now the human race will have crawled up to where the Krell stood in their great moment of triumph and tragedy. And your father's name will shine again like a beacon in the galaxy. It's true, it will remind us that we are, after all, not God.

[beezle]

Also a no-way for November. I'm trying to write a novel that month.

I still think a password-protected critique sub-forum would get people the most feedback on their work, but if that's impossible, then yeah, emails between like-minded people sounds okay.

EDIT:

Here's hoping, dpaterso.

[Dlemoult]

I just now came across this.
I actually started Naplwrimo and we are doing it right now !!!

I hope you call can join us next year !!!

Best,



Okay. It had to happen. We've got one for Novels, one for Screenplays, one for Blogs - how about one for plays?

If anyone's interested, we can work out the specifics. What do you think?

Also, because November is taken up with NaScWrMo, and December is Christmas and January, people are often on holidays, we could hold it over until February. I don't know. These are just my random thoughts. I'd love to hear what you all think.

[Dlemoult]

forgot to give you the site address :

http://www.naplwrimo.org

:)

[Bmwhtly]

I've just stumbled across this. If folks are still interested, I think our own NaPlWrMo in February is a fantastic idea. I, for one, have had a play idea wandering around my brain for a while and this could be just the kick I need to actually get it done. Who's with me?

[Nicholas S.H.J.M Woodhouse]

i'm in.

[Mandy-Jane]

Me too.

[Bmwhtly]

And Me.

[alleycat]

I'm in if we do it in February (or January).

[Mandy-Jane]

Anyone else?

[Nicholas S.H.J.M Woodhouse]

What do people want to use as measurements??
number of words??
pages??
biscuits eaten??

[Bmwhtly]

What do people want to use as measurements??
number of words??
pages??
biscuits eaten??It's my understanding that in screenplays and Playwriting the standard is Pages (Minute a Page to give you an idea of Time). We could use that, but lets see what everyone else thinks

[QueenB]

I'm interested. I think a 50 page play would be a good goal.

[Mandy-Jane]

Well what about just a completed play? Whether it's 50 pages or 10 pages? As long as it has a start, middle and ending - even in draft form - by the end of the month?

Also, should we stick to February, or should we make it January? I don't know how many more of us are interested.

[beezle]

I'm still interested, and I'll go for either month. Neither are perfect for me, but if I got to pick one that was, I wouldn't be pushing myself.

[alleycat]

Have we come to any kind of consensus? (No, I didn't think so.)

Here's a couple of ideas. I'm just throwing these out for comment.

First, what if instead of calling it NaPlWrMo, we just call it the First Annual AW Playwriting Workshop (as opposed to a competition, since I don't think most of us want it to be a competition per se). Then the goal might be to finish a play in the next 60 days. That would work for both those who prefer to start in January, and those who want to wait until February.

If we get enough interest, we could then take Derek up on his offer to create a separate SYW section for plays. We could then post our work-in-progress, or our ideas for comment there if we were so inclined. I have five or six ideas I've written down (I'm leaning towards one in particular); it might be interesting to see what other thought of the ideas just from a brief synopsis.

Another thing, I almost missed this thread until Bmwhtly mentioned it in another thread. We might want to PM a few of the people who have shown an interest in plays over the past year just to make them aware of what we're doing. I know I've chatted with DougB a bit but he doesn't log on AW every day. I could send him a note. Others could PM the folks they know.

Again, these are just some ideas. I'm not arguing that this is the best way of doing it.

Comments? Ideas? Catcalls? Chocolate cake?

[Greasy Spoon]

Cake. Definitely chocolate cake.

I like the idea of a different name, and the 60 day thing. Trouble is January's almost upon us, so...

If other people like the 60 day thing, I think this is our summary so far:

- 60 days to write, starting January 1st and ending March 1st (if my math is holding up)
- We call it something other than NaPlWriMo, like alleycat's "First Annual AW Playwrighting Workshop" or my suggestion is "Sixty Days to Play" (although I know mine is far less descriptive so it might not be as good for attracting newcomers to playwrighting)
- Before they begin writing, everyone participating must post a personal goal in a thread we'll have just for that purpose. We can use estimated runtime to define our goals, and it can range from the first draft of a ten-minute piece to the a half-dozen production-ready musical epics - whatever is an appropriate challenge for you.
- People are welcome to post excerpts in the SYW forum if they like, but it's not mandatory.

- And I'll add; I think we should have an end-of-each-week thread, where even those who aren't posting excerpts could drop in and talk about how the work is going.

How does all that sound? (Besides long-winded)

[Mandy-Jane]

I think this sounds great. I love the idea of calling it a playwriting workshop rather than a competition.

60 days seems like a lot of time to me, but if everyone else agrees, I'll go with it too.

Stating personal goals at the start is good, as is the end-of-each-week thread to just report how you're going.

I haven't yet given any thought to people who may be interested, but could be unaware of this. Instead of PMing everyone, maybe if we just place a notice of it in a general place where everyone can see it, such as Water Cooler announcements (or something). I don't know. I'd hate for someone to miss out, but if they're really keen, they'd most likely be checking the playwriting board regularly anyway.

Okay, those are my thoughts.

[dpaterso]

If we get enough interest, we could then take Derek up on his offer to create a separate SYW section for plays.
But... but... but... we did. :) See the "Critique forum: Plays, Radio Scripts in SYW" sticky at the top of this forum.

I just renamed this thread so it will hopefully attract more attention (do let me know if that's not OK, e.g. if you'd prefer to start a new thread with this name?) and I'll ask about putting some kind of announcement up.

Siglines could be a way to point people here too, see below!

-Derek

[Mandy-Jane]

I just renamed this thread so it will hopefully attract more attention (do let me know if that's not OK, e.g. if you'd prefer to start a new thread with this name?) and I'll ask about putting some kind of announcement up.

-Derek

I think renaming this thread is a great idea. Thanks. I personally also think it may be helpful to put some kind of an announcement up somewhere, just to be sure that other people see it. What do you all think?

[dpaterso]

I posted a message in the Announcements forum, the obvious place. :)

-Derek

[Mandy-Jane]

Thanks mate.

[pamelajo]

I'd do it. I'm actually taking a screenplay short and trying to turn it into a short play. A local college wants submissions, but the deadline is Jan. 12. I'd like to participate.
P

[alleycat]

It looks like we're basically "good to go".

I got a message from DougB; he'd seen our posts but he's too busy with his own play productions to take part right now. I'm going to take Derek's suggestion and add the link to this in my sig line.

Now, do we want to discuss our ideas, problems and goals while we're doing this, or just post our plays in rough draft or final form? If it's the former, I or someone else can start a thread just for this purpose. I'm not sure whether that should be here in the Plays subforum, or in Share Your Work (Derek?).

BTW (and not a big thing), I usually use the term "playwright" and "playwriting" but "playwrighting" is also correct; I guess it's "each to their own" for this.

Good luck to everyone taking part.

[Mandy-Jane]

I think we should post a personal goal before we begin (as Greasy Spoon said) and then either post excerpts or not. As it's already New Year's Day (at least where I am), I also think we should get going quickly. Unfortunately I can't post mine just yet because we've had friends around and I've just drank at least a bottle of wine, and am totally unable and incapable of doing so! So if you can wait until tomorrow morning my time, I can give you something at least half decent.

BTW I say "playwright" but "playwriting". Funny hey? See you all in the morning!

[alleycat]

I understand, Mandy. I suggest some lemon Alka-Seltzer, or tomato juice (actually, any kind of juice, but tomato juice is particularly effective). ;-)

A little later I'll start a thread to discuss our WIP. If it's in the wrong place, Derek can move it later. I'll try to explain my idea, and what I'm trying to accomplish.

ac

[Greasy Spoon]

Thanks for starting up the second discussion thread, alleycat. I posted my goals there, and have also added a brief summary of the goals and my progress to my sig (along with the link to this thread, of course).

I probably won't post anything from the actual works in progress, but I'll be happy to provide feedback to others who do.

[lorcan]

Greetings! I'm coming in a little late to this thread, but I hope I can still join! I've two projects I'm working on, a novel and a short stage play and would love to participate in the workshop. Is it too late?

I've finished 10 pages of the play (my first stage play, unless you count scratchy, simple Peanuts-style scripts I wrote when I was seven) and am looking forward (!?) to posting it here for critique.

Ohhhh... sorry. Intro first. I'm a recovering freelance writer moving into novels and plays. I live in CO. I like cafe au lait. I like chocolate even more.

Cheers,
MRA

[davids]

we are in-what's a play? how does one write one if one never has? John look at that wall. I see it jane-it is moving don't you think? Well it is a start to something-a play? Yah we know-silly silly lobster mens!

[QueenB]

Okay, here are my goals:
I'm going to write the book of a two-act musical for young people, targeting high school. Song lyrics to come later... I have an idea and will write 50 pages of script, allowing 10-15 pages of song lyrics.
(I'll start tomorrow.) :)

[alleycat]

Greetings! I'm coming in a little late to this thread, but I hope I can still join! I've two projects I'm working on, a novel and a short stage play and would love to participate in the workshop. Is it too late?
Not at all. We're decided to more or less do this during the months of January and February so that most people who want to do it can fit it into their schedule. Welcome to our humble little group of misfits.

And a note, lorcan (I noticed you're still something of a newbie), you won't want to post your work-in-progress in this thread, but in a thead we've started in the Share Your Work forum, or in a new thread there.

[KTC]

OOH! I love this idea. I've written a couple plays in my time. I can't stay and read the whole thread right now. But I'm going to catch up on it in the morning. I'm very interested...great idea, Mandy-Jane!

[PeeDee]

Carrie and I have been bouncing around the idea of doing a Radio Drama production of some sort. Would that count? It's not technically a stage play, I know, but I wouldn't know what sort of home to find for a stage play anyway.

What say ye lot?

[alleycat]

Carrie and I have been bouncing around the idea of doing a Radio Drama production of some sort. Would that count? It's not technically a stage play, I know, but I wouldn't know what sort of home to find for a stage play anyway.

What say ye lot?
Sounds okay to me. Or, you could do it as a stage play of a group doing a radio drama (I never liked the TV show Fraser all that much, but they did an episode like that once and it was hilarious).

Have you ever read Stephen King's piece on his experience with trying to revive the old radio dramas?

[Mandy-Jane]

I think a radio play would be fantastic. I'm planning on writing one, one day. There should be more of it.

[PeeDee]

Sounds okay to me. Or, you could do it as a stage play of a group doing a radio drama (I never liked the TV show Fraser all that much, but they did an episode like that once and it was hilarious).

Have you ever read Stephen King's piece on his experience with trying to revive the old radio dramas?

I haven't read the Stephen King piece, no. I'd love to. He did a radio drama of a short story called "The Mist," and I enjoyed that quite a bit. Is the article online, do you know?

Maybe the next Pete & Carrie Variety Hour will be an honest-to-god radio drama. :)

[Greasy Spoon]

I concur that a radio drama should count - for sure! I've been doing a lot of reading on radio dramas recently, so I for one would love to hear about your progress, PeeDee.

Our numbers grow! Huzzah!

[PeeDee]

Splendid. Tomorrow (since it is now late, and I am the only half of our team still awake) Carrie and I shall bounce around ideas. Maybe we'll start a thread and chronicle The Rise Of The Radio Drama. Or something. (Probably not.)

(howcoolI'mwritingaradiodrama!)

[endless rewrite]

I love radio drama and have had two BBC radio plays produced so will be keen to see this one progress. Sad that it's died out elsewhere, still going strong here in the UK and something a lot of writers try their hand at.

For anyone interested free software (scriptsmart) and guidelines can be downloaded from the BBC Writer's Room.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/guidelines_radiodrama.shtml

Also useful:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/insight_radiodrama_face2face.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/tips_radiodrama_general.shtml

Copies of scripts to download here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/script_archive.shtml

Listen to BBC radio drama online here: (Live or Listen Again for a week)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/drama/index.shtml?Today

Not sure if I will be able to do anything myself for the Workshop as I'm mid project on a few things and a play takes me about a year! Will be happy to offer feedback etc.

[PeeDee]

You're wonderful! I just came back on to look for radio drama resources. And here, you've provided me with a REALLY useful list. Thank you!

Here's something else interesting (http://www.writernet.co.uk/professional_development/radio_drama/approaches_to_writing_for_radio_drama__key_points. phtml), assuming I'm not the only one who's developing a sudden and keen interest in this.

And of course, there's Seeing Ear Theater's wonderful work (http://www.scifi.com/set/).

(Particularly Joe Straczynski's City of Dreams, or Neil Gaiman's absolutely chilling Snow Glass & Apples drama)

[endless rewrite]

You're most welcome. I'm looking forward to reading your play.

This link is useful too:

http://www.irdp.co.uk/ (Independent radio drama productions)

There's also a section of links on writing for radio here: (scroll down past the theatre stuff)

http://www.burryman.com/stage.html

[alleycat]

I haven't read the Stephen King piece, no. I'd love to. He did a radio drama of a short story called "The Mist," and I enjoyed that quite a bit. Is the article online, do you know?
I don't know whether it's online somewhere or not (I doubt it). It was in the introduction to Everything's Eventual.

[Carrie in PA]

Yay! I'm excited!

Endless, thanks so much for all the links! I guess today I can call all the time spent online "research"! :D

[PeeDee]

I don't know whether it's online somewhere or not (I doubt it). It was in the introduction to Everything's Eventual.

That's helpful enough. I have a couple copies of that around here. I'll have to go find it now. :)

[beezle]

I'm in. I have an idea for a proper-length play I've been fiddling about with. Just don't expect it to be any good.

[Bmwhtly]

Just don't expect it to be any good.Worry not. I'm in, so Everyone will look good in comparison.

[lorcan]

Lovely! I'm excited to be a part of this. And I love the idea of the radio drama! I hadn't even thought about those in awhile. They were quite popular in the mid-80s in the Philippines, mostly in the rural areas, primarily on AM radio. They were usually serialized soap operas. They may still have them; I haven't been home in a long time.

Our local community station here broadcasts old radio shows on some afternoons. I'm talking '30s and '40s, the kind that have jokes that sound really innocent in this day and age.

Looking forward to reading everyone's plays! I'll go and post my goals on the workshop thread now.

Cheers,
MRA

[alleycat]

"endless rewrite" posted the link to the BBC Writers Room. If you have never used them, the templates there are well worth downloading; there's both US and UK versions. You will probably want the "gold version". Once downloaded and saved to whatever location you want to use, you might have to change the security setting for macros (in Tools > options). There are a number of options besides stage plays, including radio plays.

This will save you a lot of headaches when it comes to formatting, and it's relatively easy to use. For a play, I actually prefer this over my Movie Magic screenwriting program.

[kdnxdr]

Hello!

I've been hanging out in AW's poetry forums for over a year and am now venturing out into some of the other forums.

I've written one play in my life (not knowing at all what I was doing) and it turned out rather successful.

At this point, I came across your thread and became curious to try out a new form of writing. I know nothing technical about writing a play. Can someone like myself participate in your workshop?

kid

[alleycat]

kdnxdr, anyone is welcome to participate, regardless of experience. The goal of most of us is just to write a complete play of whatever length and type we choose during the months of January and February.

And, if you have questions, you can post them here, or start a new thread in Playwriting. We'll try to answer them . . . and sometimes we might even be right. ;-)

[kdnxdr]

Thank you! I'll give it a go!

[endless rewrite]

BBC World Service International Playwriting Competition
Copying this in from its own thread as I thought it would be an ideal place to send those radio scripts being developed for the Playwrighting Workshop.

Saw this today and thought of those of you busy writing your radio plays.

BBC World Service International Playwriting Competition

The playwriting competition is one of the most exciting events here at BBC World Service Drama, as it provides us with an opportunity to connect with our audience, drawing on a vast, untapped resource of writing talent from around the world. Previous winners have gone on to gain further commissions for BBC World Service Drama and other areas of BBC Radio Drama.
Once again, we have two first prizes: for the best play by a writer with English as their first language, and for the best play by a writer with English as their second language. These two winners will each receive £2500 sterling and a trip to London to see their play being recorded for broadcast on BBC World Service in the World Drama slot.

So, if you are an experienced novelist or writer for theatre, film, television, but are new to Radio Drama; if you are a writer with no experience at all writing your first script; or if you're a writer somewhere in between - we want to hear from you.

Deadline: 30th April 2007

For full details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1521_int_play_comp/index.shtml (http://javascript%3cb%3e%3c/b%3E:ol('http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1521_int_play_comp/index.shtml');)

[Bmwhtly]

BBC World Service International Playwriting Competition
Copying this in from its own thread as I thought it would be an ideal place to send those radio scripts being developed for the Playwrighting Workshop.

Thanks re-write.
Even if yours isn't a radio script, The deadline's in April. If your script (mine probably could) could be adapted for Radio, you've got the time after this ends end of February.
Assuming of course, you can finish by the end of Feb.
Good Luck Everyone.