Thursday, November 30, 2017

November 2017 Writing Challenge - #29 - A Gift, or Why Are We Doing This?


Hey there!

So, what's the point of theater?

Why create theatrical energies with live humans to live humans that exist in oh-so-precious time... time that will disappear as soon as it's done and we'll only be left with... WILL THEY EVEN REMEMBER?

What can you give them?

Now, this question us usually a HUGE WRITING BLOCK for me. Like... if I think about "what's it all mean? why am i doing this?" the words just do NOT flow.  So don't go there with it. 

Instead, go with -
what's wrong with me that I've overcome or come to terms with?
What's unique about me that I don't see anywhere else?
Dive into yourself and put the thing at the heart of you on stage... as a gift.

The thing about gifts, they don't have to be "justified" in the same way. 
Deus ex machina is fine. 

People don't need or want you to plausibly solve the world's problems.
They do want you to be able to talk about them.
Or to show them things they don't normally get to see, like courage or selflessness.

In Little Red Cyrano,  (opening this Friday!) my gifts are pretty coded in ways. I mean, the Christian character is a total comparison/mockery of my own attempts to be part of Deaf Culture. Cyrano is the flip side of that failure in many ways. The chorus and other elements contain little Easter Eggs that matter a lot to me, but ultimately are an elaborate Deus ex machina

And like who knows how the play is going to go, but certainly it's not trapped in a self-indulgent, formulaic, realism for no reason, mentality.

So go for it.

Ideas?
Finish sentences like this:

Most people think I'm X but really I'm...

If X happened, it would truly mean my complete downfall

If I didn't keep X about myself under control, X would happen.

Don't get fancy with your structure. Not today anyway
Just string the package together enough to put a gift in there.

And give it! To your audience and yourself.

*******

Well, I finally ran out of random ideas for the next scene I might need for Spellbound, so I might be done pulling together the material for a first draft.  Now I need to actually figure out how it all pieces together.  In the meantime, guess I should do an actual writing challenge of the day.  Which day?  Hmmmm...

********

Two guys.

Alone on a stage.

                          TODD
So -

                          DAVID
Yeah.

                          TODD
Guess we better get ready for the lights to go down.

                          DAVID
Why?

                          TODD
Well, we're kissing.

                          DAVID
And - ?

                          TODD
No one wants to see anybody kissing.

                          DAVID
Not even vicariously.

                          TODD
Certainly everyone wants to *be* kissing.

                          DAVID
Kissing is fun.

                          TODD
It is quite enjoyable.

                          DAVID
I quite enjoy kissing you, for instance.

                          TODD
And I, you.

                          DAVID
You're a very good kisser.

                          TODD
Why thank you.

                          DAVID
You take your time.

                          TODD
Well, why rush things when you're enjoying yourself.

                          DAVID
You're also very attentive to the other person.

                          TODD
I try to be.

                          DAVID
You're not just trying to devour my face.

                          TODD
It is a face worth devouring, but I like to concentrate on particular areas.  Yours is a face worth savoring.  One can spend an awful lot of time just on the lips.

                          DAVID
The lights still appear to be up.

                          TODD
Yes.

                          DAVID
No one has pulled us offstage or dropped in the setting for a different scene.

                          TODD
No.

                          DAVID
I don't even see or hear any other actors nearby.

                          TODD
It doesn't seem like they're planning to interrupt us.

                          DAVID
We could have been kissing this entire time.

                          TODD
It does appear that we're wasting an opportunity.

                          They kiss.

                          Slowly.

                          DAVID
Well.  The play doesn't appear to be over.

                          TODD
A kiss is rarely the end of things.

                          They kiss again.

                          No hurry here.

                          DAVID
I also appreciate the judicious use of tongue.

                          TODD
Not just shoving it in there.

                          DAVID
You wait to be invited.

                          TODD
Well, it's not a competition.  We're in this together.

                          DAVID
Everybody wins.

                          They kiss again.

                          TODD
This is going remarkably well.

                          DAVID
Do you suppose he'll get a play out of this?

                          TODD
I hope so.

                          DAVID
Right now, we're just introducing ourselves.

                          TODD
Shall we get back to that?

                          DAVID
Absolutely.

                          They kiss again.

                          TODD
Do you think we're making anyone uncomfortable?

                          DAVID
Well, we still have all our clothes on.

                          TODD
Some people might prefer a little skin.

                          DAVID
We're hardly grinding against one another.

                          TODD
There are hands involved at this point.

                          DAVID
Yes, but I'm not shoving them down your pants.

                          TODD
True.  I like your hands in my hair.

                          DAVID
It's quite nice hair.

                          TODD
You're quite gentle.

                          DAVID
Well, your brain is in there, and I'm quite fond of your brain.  I don't want to jostle it too much.

                          TODD
I often wonder if I'm more or less alert when I'm kissing.

                          DAVID
I think you're less distracted, more focused on the task at hand.

                          TODD
If we're doing it right.

                          DAVID
Yes.

                          They kiss again.

                          TODD
Everything else I've been doing today, or need to do, goes quite out of my head.

                          DAVID
That's not a bad thing.  In fact, I'm quite flattered.

                          TODD
You should be.

                          DAVID
We can just keep doing this and let everyone else go home.

                          TODD
That sounds like a very good idea.

                          They kiss again.

They don't show any signs of stopping.

The audience is free to go.

Or watch.



(to be continued)



Tuesday, November 28, 2017

November 2017 Writing Challenge - #28 - Verfremdungseffekt

Hey there!

Sorry if you've felt a bit alienated from this due to my falling behind.

I've never opened a show December 1st while this challenge was happening.

It's... overwhelming.

Anyway- let's REEXAMINE Verfremdungseffekt or Alienation effect


"Brecht saw that these audiences were manipulated by theater technology — beautiful, realistic sets, cleverly naturalistic lighting, the imaginary fourth wall, and most importantly, emotionally effusive acting techniques. He soon watched with horror as the Nazi movement gained popular support in his country with its racist, xenophobic demagoguery, relying on similar emotional manipulation. Emotional manipulation was, to him, Enemy Number One of human decency.

It was in this context that Brecht developed his theory of Verfremdungseffekt, also known as V-effekt, alienation effect, or distantiation effect. (Important disclaimer: there is compelling evidence that many of Brecht’s greatest ideas were developed in uncredited cooperation with his artistic partners).

The alienation effect attempts to combat emotional manipulation in the theater, replacing it with an entertaining or surprising jolt. "

So like the whole point of Western Cinema Blockbusters is usually the exact kind of thing that Brecht would have hated- identifying with superheroes that have unlimited power acting with questionable morality and without the consent of the populace as an example.

ANYWAY

Let's remember that in order for an alienation effect to be a VERB and not like... just super boring theater with no emotional (and therefor no THEATRICAL arc)... you need to pull people in! You need to have the puppy's head on the chopping block ready to strike as you talk about the importance of self-determination in politics... or whatever.

Formula: hugely compelling moment that draws immediate and inherent investment- INTERRUPTED to alienate and then deliver some other INTELLECTUAL message. Then resolve the moment smartly in conjunction with the intellectual content.

Go for it.

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

And... one last chunk of the Jeffrey/Duncan arc, reworked, and turned into something more like a real scene to conclude their issues...

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

The wiccan supply store.

JEFFREY enters, finding DUNCAN behind the counter, package in hand.

                          DUNCAN
As promised, the last piece of the puzzle.

                          JEFFREY
What do I owe you?

                          DUNCAN
You left me your card, remember?  It's taken care of.  Here's the receipt.

                          JEFFREY
Isn't there supposed to be a delivery charge or something?

                          DUNCAN
Guy owes me a favor.

                          JEFFREY
I get the feeling a lot of people owe you.

                          DUNCAN
What can I say?  I'm a helpful guy.

                          JEFFREY
You said no one likes being second choice.

                          DUNCAN
We don't have to do this now.

                          JEFFREY
What can I say?  I owe you.  So - ?

                          DUNCAN
No one should settle for being second choice.
Or settle *for* their second choice, not if there's someone else they really want instead.

                          JEFFREY
But what if that person isn't an option.

                          DUNCAN
Then hopefully you can let them go.

                          JEFFREY
Nobody gets their first choice though, not really.
I mean, sure, some people settle down with their childhood sweetheart but very very few.

                          DUNCAN
You saying they only call it first love because there's a second?

                          JEFFREY
Kind of.

                          DUNCAN
You're dodging the issue.
You shouldn't have to talk yourself into liking someone.

                          JEFFREY
I think you're selling yourself short.

                          DUNCAN
     (introducing the pot to the kettle it's calling black)
Pot, Kettle.  Kettle, Pot.

                          JEFFREY
Duncan -

                          DUNCAN
I've been burned before. OK?  A lot.  I'm trying to develop a better self-preservation instinct.

                          JEFFREY
Which is admirable.
But we all go through a lot of people, a lot of choices, some of whom are good for us, some of whom aren't.
But they all help make us who we are, for better or worse.
So hopefully you've made enough mistakes by the time the right person comes along that you can appreciate them when they're standing right in front of you.
And you can convince them you're the right person for them, too.
Look, neither of us is the other's first, or fourth, or even 20th choice -

                          DUNCAN
Just how many people have you dated?

                          JEFFREY
Shut up, I'm trying to be romantically realistic here.

                          DUNCAN
OK, continue.

                          JEFFREY
You're not my first.  But would you like to take a shot at being my last?

                          DUNCAN
You're getting better at this.

                          JEFFREY
That mean a kiss is in my future?

                          DUNCAN
I have to tell you everything?

                          JEFFREY
No.

                          DUNCAN
Well?

They kiss.

                          DUNCAN (cont'd)
Finally.

                          JEFFREY
You could just ask, you know.

                          DUNCAN
Chemistry lessons?  You need chemistry lessons, as well as the wiccan/pagan lessons?

                          JEFFREY
Apparently.

                          DUNCAN
If I'm standing this close to you -

                          JEFFREY
Yeah.

                          DUNCAN
Which, in my capacity as a store employee, is clearly unprofessional -

                          JEFFREY
Yeah.

                          DUNCAN
So far inside your personal space as to be uncomfortable -

                          JEFFREY
Yeah.

                          DUNCAN
That probably means I want to lay hands on you.

                          JEFFREY
Oh.

                          DUNCAN
So, you would be within your rights to kiss me.

                          JEFFREY
I see.

                          DUNCAN
Unless I tell you not to.

                          JEFFREY
Are you telling me not to?

                          DUNCAN
No.

                          JEFFREY
Good to know.

They kiss again.

                          DUNCAN
Teaching you how to be less socially awkward is going to be frustrating.

                          JEFFREY
But it's kinda fun, so far, right?

                          DUNCAN
Don't push your luck.

They kiss again.

                          DUNCAN
I can help you.

                          JEFFREY
Yes, we've established that.

                          DUNCAN
I mean, with the magic.

                          JEFFREY
And I'm grateful, I really am.  We'd be so screwed if you weren't -

                          DUNCAN
I don't mean just with this particular incident.

                          JEFFREY
Oh.

                          DUNCAN
I mean, if you want to learn.
The pagan stuff, the Wiccan stuff.
I can help.
I've been there.
I remember what it was like to be the newbie.
It wasn't that long ago.

                          JEFFREY
Yeah.  That'd be -

                          DUNCAN
And you don't need a love spell.
With me.
I see you.

                          JEFFREY
Oh.

                          DUNCAN
If you want.

                          JEFFREY
Yes.  Absolutely.  I mean, I see you, too.

                          DUNCAN
Good.
I'll try to keep the bossy mentor stuff and the boyfriend stuff separate.

                          JEFFREY
Love's hard enough -

                          DUNCAN
Yeah.


(to be continued)




Monday, November 27, 2017

November 2017 Writing Challenge - #27 - Children's Theater


Folks. I’m hurting. Ha! Tech and ASL and new play and actor who drama all in one. 

Sorry

This one is Childrens Theater 

What’s the difference? You can NOT have a fourth wall and must open the possible truths available with reduced complexity but not beauty 

**********

Just waiting for the call to be posted.

Still working through the reworking, streamlining and additional material of making the previous Jeffrey and Duncan posts into something more akin real scenes I can use in the context of the other plotlines.

here's part two of three, today's assignment

***********

The wiccan supply store.

DUNCAN finishes a call and hangs up, smiling.

                          JEFFREY
That sounded like a good call.

                          DUNCAN
It was.  A very good call.  We have the final ingredient.

                          JEFFREY
Where do I go to get it?

                          DUNCAN
Nowhere.  Right here.  They had a delivery truck coming to our charming little town today anyway.  It's already in transit as we speak.  Should be here this afternoon.

                          JEFFREY
You're a lifesaver.

                          DUNCAN
This mean I get a date out of it?

                          JEFFREY
Well, I was hoping to get a date out of this anyway, regardless.  We don't have to make it conditional on anything.

                          DUNCAN
So why'd you want to make him happy?

                          JEFFREY
Who?

                          DUNCAN
Your friend, who you gave the potion to.

                          JEFFREY
Micah.

                          DUNCAN
You said you did it to make him happy.

                          JEFFREY
Well, it didn't work out as planned.

                          DUNCAN
But why'd you do it in the first place?

                          JEFFREY
I've sort of been crushing on him for a while, so -

                          DUNCAN
So why not just give it to him, instead, for yourself?

                          JEFFREY
Colossal failure of nerve?

                          DUNCAN
You handed it off to him, so he could turn around and use it on someone else instead.

                          JEFFREY
Idiot move, I know.

                          DUNCAN
Even if you were second choice, you didn't want to force it?

                          JEFFREY
Well, his first choice was a straight, married guy whose wife is pregnant.  I don't think that counts as an actual first choice.

                          DUNCAN
It does if you give him a love potion, he uses it, and it works.

                          JEFFREY
No one likes to be second choice.

                          DUNCAN
No.  They don't.

                          JEFFREY
So, about that date -

                          DUNCAN
You know, I don't like being second choice either.

                          JEFFREY
You're not.  I mean, it's not as if I have any other viable options right now, so you're first choice.

                          DUNCAN
By default.  You're a real charmer.

                          JEFFREY
Duncan -

                          DUNCAN
There are so many things wrong with this, I can't believe you'd encourage him.

                          JEFFREY
You haven't seen them together.

                          DUNCAN
I don't need to.  Auggie is straight, and married, and his wife's pregnant.  Jesus, take a hint.
You want him to be miserable?

                          JEFFREY
No, of course not.  Why do you think I gave him the love potion in the first place?

                          DUNCAN
Apparently because you were too chickenshit to use it on the guy you wanted to, a guy who was at least actually gay to begin with.

                          JEFFREY
So that would have been all right?

                          DUNCAN
No, but currently you're just playing into every conservative religious person's stereotypical gay nightmare.

                          JEFFREY
And which nightmare is that exactly?  They have so many.  They're obsessed with us.

                          DUNCAN
The one where we gay men are constantly prowling around, looking to convert unsuspecting straight men.  Enough guys do what Micah did, they set the movement back fifty years.

                          JEFFREY
Not everything is about gay civil rights.

                          DUNCAN
We don't have the luxury of being careless.

                          JEFFREY
Oh, so as long as we're good little boys, stick to our own kind, they'll leave us alone?  You know better than that.

                          DUNCAN
But why provoke people with a stunt like this?

                          JEFFREY
We are actively working to undo this as quickly as possible.
Micah is not taking advantage of Auggie. I'd be surprised to hear he laid a finger on him.

                          DUNCAN
Damage is done, buddy.

                          JEFFREY
Look, I made a mistake, he made a mistake.

                          DUNCAN
Drugging somebody is a little more than a mistake.

                          JEFFREY
So you're going to turn us into the police.

                          DUNCAN
Right.  Because they'd believe this situation was actually happening.
Why would you just wait around for someone to change their mind?

                          JEFFREY
I'm not just waiting around.  He's my friend.  Friends spend time together.

                          DUNCAN
You gave him a love potion he used on someone else.  Again, take a hint.

                          JEFFREY
So what exactly do you do?

                          DUNCAN
What exactly - ?

                          JEFFREY
When you like somebody, you know, rather than just wait around for them to change their mind, what do you do?

                          DUNCAN
I tell them I like them, I ask for their phone number, I engage them in conversation, I assume they don't need to be hit over the head.

                          JEFFREY
This is new for me.

                          DUNCAN
What?

                          JEFFREY
Being the one someone is interested in.

                          DUNCAN
Well, it's fading fast if you don't get your act together.

                          JEFFREY
And what exactly would constitute getting my act together?

                          DUNCAN
"An it harm none, do what ye will."

                          JEFFREY
What's with the ye olde Englishe all of a sudden?

                          DUNCAN
OK - And if it harms none, do what you will.

                          JEFFREY
I understood you the first time, I just -

                          DUNCAN
If you're ever wondering what you should do, as a Wiccan, hopefully you ask yourself the question, "How can I cause the least harm?"

                          JEFFREY
And - ?

                          DUNCAN
Did you ask yourself any questions at all?  Did you consider the harm you might be doing?

                          JEFFREY
But I didn't do anything.

                          DUNCAN
Not directly, no.  Actually what you did was worse.  You handed off a love potion when you weren't entirely sure what it was going to do, to a person who knew even less about what he was doing than you did.

                          JEFFREY
Are you actually angry with me right now?

                          DUNCAN
Yes.  Because I want to think you're better than that.  I want to think I'm attracted to people who are better than that.  But it seems like every pretty surface just has a moron underneath it.

                          JEFFREY
I am battling right now between being mad that you called me a moron, and thrilled that you called me pretty.

                          DUNCAN
You have irreparably damaged their friendship.  Your friend and his best friend.  There's no going back after this.  The trust has been violated in a way I'm not sure they can ever get past.  Not to mention his pregnant wife.

                          JEFFREY
Yeah, that's bad.  I get that.

                          DUNCAN
Did you get it before you gave him the love potion in the first place?

                          JEFFREY
What?

                          DUNCAN
Did you actually think - this either isn't going to work, or if it does, it's going to end up driving a wedge between them and then maybe Micah will see me as the only alternative he has left.

                          JEFFREY
Wow.  You are way overthinking this.

                          DUNCAN
Which means you're underthinking it.

                          JEFFREY
I just wanted him to be happy.

                          DUNCAN
No, you're careless.  You didn't think it through.

                          JEFFREY
It sounds like if I thought it through and did it anyway, you'd have thought I was an even worse person.

                          DUNCAN
Maybe, but at least then I'd think you were a person who took the time to consider the consequences of his actions before taking them.

                          JEFFREY
I had several days when I was making the love potion to think about this.  And then a few days before that when I was considering whether to make it or not, and get the ingredients -

                          DUNCAN
And the whole time - ?

                          JEFFREY
I was wondering if I could work up the nerve to actually use it on Micah myself.

                          DUNCAN
But you didn't.

                          JEFFREY
I mean, if I did it without telling him, that'd be wrong, right?  But I'd still know.  Even if he said he loved me, I could never really believe it because I'd altered his consciousness to suit myself.

                          DUNCAN
So, instead of doing that, you just set him up to do the same thing to somebody else.

                          JEFFREY
Man.  I suck.

                          DUNCAN
Look, you've got most of the raw materials you need.
It'll be a while till the delivery truck gets around to me.
Go, get your stuff together.  Get the pre-mixing out of the way.  When the last piece of the puzzle arrives, I'll give you a call.

                          JEFFREY
Did I screw this up before it even started?

                          DUNCAN
The love potion, yes.

                          JEFFREY
And the you and me, potential us?

                          DUNCAN
Let's get the mess you came in with cleaned up first.
Then we'll deal with everything else.


(to be continued)