Drama: March 04, 2009 Issue [#2908]
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Drama


 This week:
  Edited by: StephBee Author IconMail Icon
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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

The Drama Masks.


Drama is:

#1 - The Greek word for "action."

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

I was originally going to focus on the "lingo" of script writing, but I changed my mind and decided to pull out for a wide angle shot before going in for a close up. Just recently, I acquired The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing, 2nd Edition by Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D.

As I started to flip through the book, I discovered a whole section dedicated to Drama script/play writing. Over the course of the next couple of months, I'll be presenting material from the above mentioned book, looking to inspire the playwright in you.

This letter takes a look at: "The Stage."


Word from our sponsor

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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Letter from the editor

"Play" writing, as a broad term, has come to encompass writing for film and television as well. Writing for film, television and plays means developing and writing a script.

There are different categories for stage writing: the full length play, the one act play, and the musical.

*Note1* Full Length Play: This is drama's equalivent of a novel. There are usually two to three acts and the play lasts approximately 90 minutes.

*Note2* One Act Play: Think of this as drama's equalivent of a short story. This play consists of 5-7 characters and is approximately 30-40 pages.

*Note3* Musicals: Songs develop the characters, advance the plot and create the tone of the play. They can be a one act play or a full length one.

Traditionally, drama has two masks: Comedy and Tragedy. In today's world, the drama genre has added several subgenres. They are:

*Note4* ABSURDISM: A play that examines the human condition as irrational or silly. "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett is an example.

*Note5* BLACK COMEDIES: Bad things occur but they are so terrible, they become funny. The TV show, MASH, is an example.

*Note1* COMEDY: A funny play that has a happy ending.

*Note4* DOCUDRAMAS: A play that sets a realistic tone. "Schindler's List," is a docudrama.

*Note5* DRAMEDIES: A play that mixes happy and sad moods. The TV show, "Friends" would be an example.

*Note1* FARCE: Plays that have silly plots embodied by ridiculous situations.

*Note4* NATURALISM: Men and women are at the forces of nature.

*Note5* SATIRES: The vices of society are ridiculed.

*Note1* SURREALISM: A play that examines the unconsciousness.

*Note4* TRAGEDY: A play where the leading character has a compelling flaw that brings about their downfall.

In classic Greek plays, you were expected to pull up a chair and watched at the characters and setting were defined (by the Chorus) before getting to the action. Nowadays, the trend is to jump into the action.

NEXT: Drama's Major Film Festivals and their importance to the genre.

Reference material for this newsletter was taken from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing, 2nd Edition by Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D., Alpha Books, 2004.


Results of the Hot Drama Poll


Question: What Awards Presentation show do you enjoy to watch the most?

WINNER: The Academy Awards
TIED FOR 2ND: The Tony Awards & The BAFTA Awards.

Check out the Hot Drama Poll in Editor's Picks for a new question.

FEATURED PRODUCT REVIEW


Holocaust   (Rated: 18+)
ASIN: B00005JMLR
ID #109884
Product Type: DVD
Reviewer: Adriana Noir Author Icon
Review Rated: 18+
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Length of :
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: $ 17.30




Editor's Picks

MY DRAMA BIRTHDAY CONTEST WINNERS


Here are the Winners for my contest, as hosted in the Drama Forum:

FIRST PLACE:

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This item number is not valid.
#1461218 by Not Available.


SECOND PLACE:

Seeking A Valley Open in new Window. (13+)
I once wore a mask to hide my flaws; when it slipped, everyone saw I'd hidden much more.
#1267124 by Gabrielle Author IconMail Icon


THIRD PLACE:

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This item number is not valid.
#1501700 by Not Available.


HONORABLE MENTION:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1429039 by Not Available.


A HOT NEW DRAMA CAMPFIRE:
Come on and visit. Try out your skills at script/play writing.

 
CAMPFIRE
Hard Decisions Open in new Window. (13+)
Katie, Damita, and Rosa are 911 dispatchers who have to make some hard decisions.
#1520683 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


Drama Items from Around the Site:

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This item number is not valid.
#807676 by Not Available.


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This item number is not valid.
#1512715 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1523431 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1527734 by Not Available.


Gift from the Storm Open in new Window. (ASR)
Beware of storms that blow little good, even if true
#864782 by Vivian Author IconMail Icon


Some Drama Activities:

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


 DRAMA GROUP Open in new Window. (E)
THIS IS WHERE YOU GO TO PUT YOUR DRAMAS, PLAYS, ETC.
#1410735 by imaginations 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


 Hot Drama Poll  Open in new Window. (ASR)
Poll Questions about Drama topics.
#1482259 by StephBee 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: B083RZ37SZ
Product Type:
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Ask & Answer

jitsufreek
Interesting newsletter! I wasn't familiar with anything except the Oscars and the Golden Globes...

Yeah, there's a ton of award presentations. I surprised to learn how many myself.

Acme Author IconMail Icon
Thanks heaps for highlighting one of my items in the newsletter, Steph, and for filling me in on the awards schedule!

Keep writing! hehe. I love the award shows. I'm always hoping for my favorites, but sometimes they don't pick them!

flex
Thank you for another interesting read with this re-cap of some of the major award ceremonies. I have to say that I'm a fan of the sunshine, even if only watching at a distance via the tv! I delight in finding out possible future award winners through those films that stand out at the Cannes Film Festival Perhaps a re-cap of major festivals would make a interesting future newsletter?

Major film Festivals! I love the idea. I'm going to tackle that in my April Newsletter!

A pic of me taken 2 years ago.


StephBee Author IconMail Icon is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her book, "Destination: Berlin" is available on Amazon.com or IUniverse.com. "Destination:Berlin" is a tautly written saga of mistrust, derermination, and survival." - Midwest Book Review. 4 Stars, Reader Views.

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