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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2558-.html
Drama: August 20, 2008 Issue [#2558]

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Drama


 This week:
  Edited by: StephBee Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

** Image ID #1197029 Unavailable **


Drama is:

#1 - The Greek word for "action."

#2 - A real situation or succession of events having the dramatic progression or emotional content of a play.

This newsletter will examine dialogue writing in a play, how to present dialogue, and include stage directions. We'll also be adding a scene to our play, "War and Wine."

Finally, we'll address the topic "what's the point of our play."


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B01DSJSURY
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Letter from the editor

Adding dialogue and screen directions to a script/play.


*Note2* #1 - Establish the scene and setting. Center this. Example:

Scene 1 (use Arabic numbers here)
The Huet's Living Room


*Note2* #2 - Double space between scene headings and dialogue

*Note2* #3 - List the speaker above the dialogue. The speaker's name should be centered and in capitals.

*Note2* #4 - Single spce all dialogue, character headings and stage directions.

*Note2* #5 - Stage directions should always be placed in parentheses or brackets. They should be indented from the left margin.

         *Note4* Always start stage directions on a new line in the middle of dialogue.

         *Note4* If you continue to a second line, indent the entire stage direction.

*Note2* #6 - Dialogue should NOT be indented. It should be aligned with the left margin.

*Note2* #7 - Under the scene heading, briefly describe any information that the reader needs to know to be able to fully picture the scene.

Here's an example from our play, "WAR & WINE."

SCENE 1
The Huet’s Living Room


It’s mid-afternoon. Edmund is dirty. Claire is in a wheelchair arguing with Volker. The living room has gray light coming in through the dingy windows. The furniture is dusty and dull.

CLAIRE

We don’t have that amount of wine, Herr Schleich!

VOLKER

Oh, come now, Frau Huet. According to your own records you’ve shipped high volumes before. I know you can produce the amount of cases I’m asking for.

         (enter EDMUND and ISABELLE. EDMUND is wiping his hands on a rag. Isabelle follows           him in.)

EDMUND

What’s wrong? Isabelle heard someone arguing.

*******************


If you want to read the scene in it's entirety you can visit:

War and Wine Open in new Window. (13+)
Young Edmund Huet struggles to maintain his family's vineyard during World War II.
#1452559 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


FEEDBACK welcomed! What do you think of our play so far? Write in and let me know. If you're working on a script or play submit it to the newsletter to be featured.

So, what's the point of our play?

After reading scene 1, do you know what the point of the play might be? Think along the lines of "theme" and write in.

NEXT: Themes in play writing.

Let me give a shout out to: flex for the following contest links. If you're a script/play writer and have a script/play ready to go, consider submitting to one of the following contests.

http://www.hightidefestival.org/pages/playwrights.php
http://www.risefilms.com/summer/
http://www.4talentmagazine.com/4talent-awards-entry-criteria
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/wolff.shtml



Editor's Picks

Enclose are some recent "Drama" items added here on WDC.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1454456 by Not Available.


 A Tribute to America Open in new Window. (E)
A play for a describing the major point in American History
#1461722 by Strawberry Fields Author IconMail Icon


 Make Me Care Open in new Window. (E)
We all laugh to hide what we truly feel.
#1462006 by Silver Author IconMail Icon


 Garage Sale Find of a Life Time Open in new Window. (E)
Sidney finds something at a garage sale that she couldn't live without.
#1462162 by Mrs. WRITE Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1462284 by Not Available.


Some Drama Activities here on WDC:

Drama Forum Open in new Window. (13+)
For those of us drama queens and kings, a forum to swap writing ideas and post questions
#1394242 by Joy Author IconMail Icon


The Play's The Thing Open in new Window. (E)
A contest for script writers. Winners announced. New round open.
#1421907 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


Dramatically Speaking Open in new Window. (E)
25 terms for 25 issues of the drama newsletter
#1309038 by Turkey DrumStik Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B083RZJVJ8
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Ask & Answer

Well, I didn't have much feedback from my last newsletter so write in! Let me know how you're liking my "in depth" at developing a play! *Smile*

Joy Author IconMail Icon
Great newsletter, Steph. Bigsmile
Especially the format information should help first-time playwrights. Scene breakdown is a good tool for planning, too. *Smile*

Thanks, Joy. I agree - by using the scene breakdown I was really able to flesh out what I wanted to do with the play.

A pic of me taken 2 years ago.


StephBee Author IconMail Icon is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her book, "Across the Fickle Winds of History," was published with Lulu and can be found in her port. It is told in the first person by Olga Romanov, the daughter of the last Czar of Russia and has received 3 stars from Foreward/Clarion Reviews.

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