Who wants to produce the world's first existential soap (for stage)?

Mon, 10 Aug 2009, 01:07 pm

Paul Ransom12 posts in thread

My name is Paul Ransom and I am a freelance writer (and now playwright). Anyway, as chance would have it I have not only written a play but have a possible director on board. He suggested I make cotnact with people in the industry and try and find someone to produce and so ... Just for the record the play is a three act show of approx 85mins called 'An Absent Presence', which I would describe as an existential soap opera, in that it contains a bizarre love quadrangle, drug use, betrayal, gun play, a guilty shrink, scrabble and metaphysical musings on the nature of language, love and madness. It's kinda like 'The Bold & The Abstract.' (Oh yeah, and its got very strong roles for women.) Imagine if Beckett had written a few episodes of 'Neighbours' - or something like that. So, point being, if you are even vaguely interested in perusing the script and/or meeting I would be very keen indeed. If any of this intrigues and/or pricks your curiosity, please let me know and we can either arrange to meet or just email. Paul Ransom 0417 837 231 / ransom.paul@gmail.com

Thread (12 posts)

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Paul RansomMon, 10 Aug 2009, 01:07 pm

NaMon, 10 Aug 2009, 03:31 pm

I'm confused: you have a

I'm confused: you have a director on board, but are looking for someone to produce the script (and it's a play, not a film)? What exactly would the producer be doing in the role? Not to sound rude or anything, but why don't you and the director produce it? (I'm guessing you're either new to theatre or new to self-producing shows) I only ask this because as a Melbournite and a pro self-producer/writer/all-round theatre person, I know that your best bet for getting a script produced is by doing it yourself. If you are able to apply for funding, there are companies that do play readings. If you take a look at Rebecca Jo's (a member on this site) postings, you'll see some groups offer opportunities to have their work read/performed. La Mama may still run their play appraisal service; although I doubt it. Other companies, both pro and amateur run play competitions. There are opportunities available, but you may find it easier making the approach to others than waiting around for someone to be interested in your work. Puppets and patterns at Puppets in Melbourne

LabrugMon, 10 Aug 2009, 03:41 pm

Meaning...

I took it to mean they have a script, they have a director, they don't have a stage...

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
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"ÆƒuÄ±Ê‡sÇÉ¹ÇÊ‡uÄ± ÇÉŸÄ±×Ÿ ÆƒuÄ±ÊžÉÉ¯"

NaMon, 10 Aug 2009, 03:54 pm

Meaning..

Ah, yeah Jeff that's kind of what I thought he meant... but as I mention, it's easier to self-produce than to convince someone to lend you a theatre/company to work with. Especially in Melbourne, where everyone and their dog are self-producing. I'm just also genuinely curious; many times the director will take on the role of producer especially if they are the ones interested in getting a script onto the stage, and I'm curious to know why an extra hand is required. If nothing else, because I might be able to suggest some people to contact who have the right skills. Puppets and patterns at Puppets in Melbourne

LogosTue, 11 Aug 2009, 11:25 am

Well

Strikes me that they are looking for someone with money. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Sharon MobiliaTue, 11 Aug 2009, 12:04 pm

Money

Money in (amatuer) theatre...Don't make me laugh..Ha,ha,ha "If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." Katherine Hepburn.

Paul RansomTue, 11 Aug 2009, 12:07 pm

Hey guys, Why yeah I AM new

Hey guys, Why yeah I AM new to this game and, yeah, my director insisted that he did not want to produce. (Not his thing, doesn't have time and so on.) Obviously I have considered self producing but then again I am also keen to establish a network in the Melb theatre scene. Here is where a more experienced head would come in handy. I readily confess to knowing not much about the REAL biz of getting a show on and being viable. Sure, I could blow all my savings on some vanity fair but hey ... leave that to the kids and the wannabes. Having said that, my vanity has lured me into doing a rehearsed reading at La Mama later this year regardless. (I have plenty of cast options already on tap. Actors fall out of the sky, as you know.) In conclusion, part of what I'm doing is not just a blind rush to production but a process of learning a few bits and pieces and, ultimately, getting it 'right' (whatever that is). As for the funding heroin, well ... Paul Ransom Writer/actor/director type person

Paul RansomTue, 11 Aug 2009, 12:09 pm

So yeah, folks, any contact

So yeah, folks, any contact suggestions would be most welcome. Paul Ransom Writer/actor/director type person

NaTue, 11 Aug 2009, 12:27 pm

See, this is why I asked in

See, this is why I asked in the first place: it sounds less like you need a producer, and more like you just need some advice about how to get it all going. (Money being a different thing altogether, it would be impossibly vain to expect someone to volunteer to get money, unless you are asking someone to write a grant proposal. You WILL most likely have to put your own money into it; as that's how every other group is doing it. Again, unless you approach an amateur group) I think you're probably making the right step in doing a rehearsed reading. From there it's not so hard getting your show on stage. If you don't know how, I recommend either shadowing a fringe theatre group, or volunteering for the Melb. Fringe Festival and having a sort of inside look at how these shows work. Otherwise, I'm happy to give some advice. (I can't offer to produce as I have other projects on, but can at least give you some pointers) There are some threads here about producing your own shows too I think. Puppets and patterns at Puppets in Melbourne

Paul RansomWed, 12 Aug 2009, 02:00 pm

Hey Na, Thanks for the

Hey Na, Thanks for the feedback. I'm really just starting out on this particular journey and looking to arm myself with the best info and contacts I can. Paul Ransom Writer/actor/director type person

irene nicolaWed, 12 Aug 2009, 08:16 pm

Melbourne?

So you're based in Melbourne? It sounds great, but I live in Sydney. Unless that's not a problem... then maybe we could email etc.

Paul RansomFri, 14 Aug 2009, 08:00 am

Irene, Sydney is not

Irene, Sydney is not necessarily a problem at all. We can certainly email if you like. ransom.paul@gmail.com Paul Ransom Writer/actor/director type person

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