Writing: You’ll work on a dialogue exercise, in which you fictionalize two relatives with distinctive speech patterns… and then put these characters in a situation that comes with built-in tension: a wedding, a funeral, a birth, a graduation, a sporting event, etc.
Think about where the mid-point of this is (or would be, if you wrote more than 5-8 pages.)
ACT 1
Scene 1
SETTING:
A 1940s divorce court. The stage is level with the audience, as if they are actually in the court proceedings. In front of the audience is a meter high fence which extends down the sides of the stage. It is wooden with vertical supports. Above the fence is a second story with the same type of fence overlooking the stage. There are high wooden struts and columns supporting the balustrades. In the center is an oversized wooden desk flanked by doors and flags.
AT RISE:
A judge is situated behind the desk. In front are the two couples spread evenly in a semicircle around the judge: BELLE-ANN, TEDDY, BEA and CARL. BELLE-ANN is dressed in a tiered yellow ball-gown. She is a famous actress and is treating the divorce like another promo-show. She speaks in light southern lilt. TEDDY is in long pants, suspenders, a button up shirt and a flat cap. He is the epitome of nonchalant. He speaks with a New York accent. BEA is plain and dowdy. She looks tired and speaks in a way that you can tell she is not well educated, but she is smarter than people give her credit for. CARL is portly and pasty. He is constantly sweating and seems a little bit out of the proceedings at all times. He is very dumb, but thinks he is much smarter than his wife, BEA. There are court room attendees planted throughout the audience and along the sides of the room behind the balustrades.
BELLE-ANN
(with a slow Louisianan drawl)
A Monday morning. Now let me think about it what do ah do on a Monday morning. Well, first things first ah have to be up and down at the motion picture studio to get my hair and make done all big. Y’all know about my latest release.
(She smiles a soft but winning smile at the crowd to subtle looks of idolisation, lust and admiration.)
BELLE-ANN (CONT’D)
Well, I’m getting ahead of my horses. I spend the rest of the day filming chase scenes where I get trussed up in the woods.
(winks at the audience seductively)
BELLE-ANN (CONT’D)
And, of course, Teddy saves me before it’s all too late. I go back to the makeup tent and then it’s time to go home.
Think about where the mid-point of this is (or would be, if you wrote more than 5-8 pages.)
ACT 1
Scene 1
SETTING:
A 1940s divorce court. The stage is level with the audience, as if they are actually in the court proceedings. In front of the audience is a meter high fence which extends down the sides of the stage. It is wooden with vertical supports. Above the fence is a second story with the same type of fence overlooking the stage. There are high wooden struts and columns supporting the balustrades. In the center is an oversized wooden desk flanked by doors and flags.
AT RISE:
A judge is situated behind the desk. In front are the two couples spread evenly in a semicircle around the judge: BELLE-ANN, TEDDY, BEA and CARL. BELLE-ANN is dressed in a tiered yellow ball-gown. She is a famous actress and is treating the divorce like another promo-show. She speaks in light southern lilt. TEDDY is in long pants, suspenders, a button up shirt and a flat cap. He is the epitome of nonchalant. He speaks with a New York accent. BEA is plain and dowdy. She looks tired and speaks in a way that you can tell she is not well educated, but she is smarter than people give her credit for. CARL is portly and pasty. He is constantly sweating and seems a little bit out of the proceedings at all times. He is very dumb, but thinks he is much smarter than his wife, BEA. There are court room attendees planted throughout the audience and along the sides of the room behind the balustrades.
BELLE-ANN
(with a slow Louisianan drawl)
A Monday morning. Now let me think about it what do ah do on a Monday morning. Well, first things first ah have to be up and down at the motion picture studio to get my hair and make done all big. Y’all know about my latest release.
(She smiles a soft but winning smile at the crowd to subtle looks of idolisation, lust and admiration.)
BELLE-ANN (CONT’D)
Well, I’m getting ahead of my horses. I spend the rest of the day filming chase scenes where I get trussed up in the woods.
(winks at the audience seductively)
BELLE-ANN (CONT’D)
And, of course, Teddy saves me before it’s all too late. I go back to the makeup tent and then it’s time to go home.
