PLAY WRITING
Sat, 4 May 2002, 12:03 pmKen Blowers14 posts in thread
PLAY WRITING
Sat, 4 May 2002, 12:03 pmThere are three parts to any theatrical experience: the audience waiting to be entertained; the actors ready to entertain; and the writers who provide the entertaining material that bring the first two together! This website needs a corner for home-grown writers, where they can be nutured and encouraged to write the plays you want to see.
A place where companies and producers can say: 'I'm looking for a play that would suit young people 15 to 20, older people 50 plus, or middle of the road; one act, or two or more; and goes for 25 minutes, fifty minutes, or more.
A place where writers can say: I write one-act plays with absolute minimum props, suitable for small amateur companies - general drama, comedy, and crime.
A place where publishers can trawl for new material to publish.
A place where companies can find plays to read.
What do you think, dear reader?
A place where companies and producers can say: 'I'm looking for a play that would suit young people 15 to 20, older people 50 plus, or middle of the road; one act, or two or more; and goes for 25 minutes, fifty minutes, or more.
A place where writers can say: I write one-act plays with absolute minimum props, suitable for small amateur companies - general drama, comedy, and crime.
A place where publishers can trawl for new material to publish.
A place where companies can find plays to read.
What do you think, dear reader?
Re: PLAY Ball!
Tue, 7 May 2002, 02:16 amG'day Ken
Welcome to this website. An auspicious introduction! Feel free to barge in at any time, (without the need to apologise!), if you come with such progressive ideas to provoke discussion. That's exactly what it's here for.
"We do tend to focus abnormally on the actors" ... I think I've had this argument before, with a contributor called Glynn...I would agree with you if you strike the word "abnormally". I argue that the very definition of theatre requires performers, a performance, and an audience... so it's hard not to focus on those three elements above all else.
However, the bulk of performances do rely on writing, and I will be the first to proclaim that good writing can make limp theatre tolerable, but nothing can save poor writing. So I take your point that writers are often unsung heroes and we need to encourage and open up opportunities for their development wherever possible.
Auctor makes an excellent point about valuing your work. If you give it away, it becomes worth less. (The same problem happens with "bottom-of-the-heap emerging" actors, so keen to play a part for free that the industry is swamped and nobody makes a viable income.) I understand the counter-argument: that the goal of the entertainer in this industry is often simply his/her OWN entertainment, rather than to make an income; but it's still apparent that even intangible rewards diminish if they are not valued.
Unfortunately, your "apirants who will happily trade what they have today for a chance to expose themselves to better things to come tomorrow" often forget to TRADE. Giving their services away doesn't establish guaranteed trade, only exploitation; and the mere 'chance of exposure to better things to come' is a weak promise to hope for. Far better to negotiate for definite, specific returns. At first they will always be far less than your outlay, but at least you will accumulate assets that will grow with interest and experience.
David may have made a veiled reference to Field of Dreams', "If you build it, they will come", but I think the concept is not such a dream.
You seem doubtful..."I would like to think it was that easy. But then, if it was , would we be having this collective discussion right now?"
The fact that we ARE having this discussion is the first part of the process! You posted a concern, and this website provided you with many avenues of discussion and like-minded thinkers. This is exactly where you're likely to find the help you seek, if you ask.
Continue to define what it is you seek, argue for its existence, and find supporters to collaborate with your ideas, and you are much closer to turning it into a reality.
Bon Chance
crgwllms
[%sig%]
Welcome to this website. An auspicious introduction! Feel free to barge in at any time, (without the need to apologise!), if you come with such progressive ideas to provoke discussion. That's exactly what it's here for.
"We do tend to focus abnormally on the actors" ... I think I've had this argument before, with a contributor called Glynn...I would agree with you if you strike the word "abnormally". I argue that the very definition of theatre requires performers, a performance, and an audience... so it's hard not to focus on those three elements above all else.
However, the bulk of performances do rely on writing, and I will be the first to proclaim that good writing can make limp theatre tolerable, but nothing can save poor writing. So I take your point that writers are often unsung heroes and we need to encourage and open up opportunities for their development wherever possible.
Auctor makes an excellent point about valuing your work. If you give it away, it becomes worth less. (The same problem happens with "bottom-of-the-heap emerging" actors, so keen to play a part for free that the industry is swamped and nobody makes a viable income.) I understand the counter-argument: that the goal of the entertainer in this industry is often simply his/her OWN entertainment, rather than to make an income; but it's still apparent that even intangible rewards diminish if they are not valued.
Unfortunately, your "apirants who will happily trade what they have today for a chance to expose themselves to better things to come tomorrow" often forget to TRADE. Giving their services away doesn't establish guaranteed trade, only exploitation; and the mere 'chance of exposure to better things to come' is a weak promise to hope for. Far better to negotiate for definite, specific returns. At first they will always be far less than your outlay, but at least you will accumulate assets that will grow with interest and experience.
David may have made a veiled reference to Field of Dreams', "If you build it, they will come", but I think the concept is not such a dream.
You seem doubtful..."I would like to think it was that easy. But then, if it was , would we be having this collective discussion right now?"
The fact that we ARE having this discussion is the first part of the process! You posted a concern, and this website provided you with many avenues of discussion and like-minded thinkers. This is exactly where you're likely to find the help you seek, if you ask.
Continue to define what it is you seek, argue for its existence, and find supporters to collaborate with your ideas, and you are much closer to turning it into a reality.
Bon Chance
crgwllms
[%sig%]
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