Drama
This week: Edited by: StephBee More Newsletters By This Editor
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
DRAMA IS:
#1 - The Greek word for action.
#2 - A real life situation or succession of events having the dramatic progression of a play.
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This week we'll take a look at scene patterns to help, you, the writer, structure the scenes in your writing. We'll also take a look at the Zurich Film Festival.
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There are three types of scene patterns:
A - The Opening Description. (setting the scene)
B - Characters take the "stage."
C - Heaping on the conflict.
The most traditional way to establish your scene is to do it in the order listed above.
An example:
(A) It was a cool, autumn day. A breeze rustled the tress, making several brittle leaves fall to the ground.
(B) James jogged down the dirt path through the woods wearing a sweat suit and his Ipod.
(C) A sudden fist connected with his face. He crumbled to the ground.
The traditional style works fine, but can be clunky, especially if you have a fast paced story.
TIP: It's okay to vary scene patterns to make them more "meater." In the above scenerio, you could easily start with James on the jogging path and then getting struck. Whatever serves the pacing of the story best.
In plays, you usually find the art direction has set the scenes with props for the scenes. In the opening scenes then, you get into the characters coming onto the stage. Think of "Romeo and Juliet." Shakespeare switches it up by introducting conflict right away between the servants, then he starts to have the main characters come on scene. We meet Romeo, his family and friends next, and then we meet Juliet and her family.
As you work on your story and plot out your scenes, always consider which pattern will serve the scene and story the best.
Reference for this newsletter: Revision and Self Editing, James Scott Bell, 2008, F&W publications.
NEXT: Descriptions in Drama Writing.
THE ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL
This film festivals has been in the news lately so I thought I'd take a look at it. Surprisingly, the Zurich Film Festival is relatively new, having it's premier in October 2005. The main objective is to support young directors and writers all over the world. From my reading, I gathered that while it is an international festival, it really has a soft spot for directors.
The film festival gives out several awards. They include:
Golden Icon: lifetime achievement in acting
A Tribute To: lifetime achievement in directing. Oliver Stone won the award in 2007.
This year actor Michael Keaton makes his directing debut at the Zurich Film Festival with his film, "The Merry Gentlemen." Also, this year's Golden Icon receiptant is Morgan Freeman.
THE HOT DRAMA POLL
There was no response for last month's HOT DRAMA POLL.
This month's question: What do you consider your strength in your writing? What do you "get into," when you write?
Dialogue
POV Narration
Descriptions
Characters
Setting
FEATURED PRODUCT REVIEW
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Here's some DRAMA picks from around the site:
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #1592661 by Not Available. |
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #1600728 by Not Available. |
| | Atia's Rain (13+) Fan fiction inspired by the HBO Series, "Rome." Atia confronts Servilia. #1251780 by StephBee |
SOME DRAMA ACTIVITIES
| | Drama Forum (13+) For those of us drama queens and kings, a forum to swap writing ideas and post questions #1394242 by Joy |
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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! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Here's some feedback from my 16 SEP 2009 Newsletter:
sarahreed
It's hard for me to choose between the Tragedy and Comedy masks. Well, I definitely don't like tragedy, but I can't say I always like comedy. I'm somewhere in the middle, leaning more towards comedy as I like to write light-hearted and positive stories. However, I've written my share of serious and dramatic works.
I'm like you, Sarah, I lean toward comedy, but I've written my share of serious, dramatic stories as well. Drama Rocks!
I hope my thoughts on how to structure scenes this newsletter is a help.
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her children's book, "The Giving Meadow" will be published with 4RV Publishing in the spring of 2010. |
ASIN: 0910355479 |
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