Drama: May 27, 2009 Issue [#3067]
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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

The Drama Masks.


DRAMA IS:

# 1 - The Greek word for "action."

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

DRAMA TECHNIQUES
When it comes to drama writing, there are all kinds of techniques you can employ. This newsletter will explore some of them.

THE 2009 TONY AWARDS
The awards are right around the corner. I'll give you a run down on the shows and the actors nominated.

CANNES!!
The Cannes Film Festival is here! I've got the skinny. hehe


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Literary techinques can help a writer take their writing to the next level. Here's a list. Have you used a couple of these in your writing? Let us know!

ANTHROPOMORPHISM
This is where animals and inanimate objects take on human characteristics. They may think, talk, or look also human. Often, this techinque is incorrectly called personificaton. Example: The King and Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland."

CHARACTERIZATION
A way of telling the reader a character's life history, personality, & physical attributes.

CLIMAX
The turning point of a story, usually centered around the main character's "choice." It's also thought of as the "dramatic high point" of a story. Example: In "Romeo & Juliet," the climax is where Romeo kills Mercurico in Act III.

CONFLICT
A struggle between two forces which drive the story. Example: good vs evil.

CREATIVE LICENSE
An exaggeration or altercation of facts for the purpose of enchancing fictional content.

DRAMATIC IRONY
The audience/reader is aware of something important the characters aren't.

EXPOSITION
The author interupts a story to give background info. (Most often a flashback)

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
The language conveys a different meaning than the meanings of the words used. Examples: metaphors & similes.

FORESHADOWING
The author suggests a future event.


HYPERBOLE
An explantion that exaggerates.

MOOD
A general sense of a work the reader/audience is suppose to get.

SETTING
The time and place where a novel/play takes place. *Note1* Editor's note: I read a lot of stories here on WDC where the setting is ignored, but when done effectively, it augements a story well.

PLOT
The sequence of events in a story.

POINT OF VIEW
The identity of the narrator through whom the reader/audience experiences the story.

SYMBOLISM
Specific objects represent abstract ideas.

THEME
The main idea of a novel/play. Example: The main character grows from being a boy to a man. (coming of age)

By incorporating these techinques into your writing effectively, you'll enhance the quality of your story.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Send me a story with Dramatic Irony. I'll award my favorites with a Drama Merit Badge.

THE 2009 TONY AWARDS

The Tony Awards are here! They're going to be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on 7 June 2009. Tickets for the event are $700.00. The Tony awards are named after Antoinette Perry, the co-founder of the American Theatre Wing. They first aired on 6 April 1947 at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.

UP FOR BEST PLAY:
DIVIDING THE ESTATE
GOD OF CARNAGE
REASONS TO BE PRETTY
33 VARIATIONS
JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE
THE NORMAN CONQUESTS
MARY STUART
WAITING FOR GODOT

Some notable actors & actors up for awards:
Jeff Daniels for God of Carnage
James Gandolfini for God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush for Exit the King

Jane Fonda for 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden for God of Carnage
Janet McTeer for Mary Stuart
Stockard Channing for Pal Joey
Alison Janney for 9 to 5

Visit my HOT DRAMA POLL to a question regarding the Tony Awards:

 Hot Drama Poll  Open in new Window. (ASR)
Poll Questions about Drama topics.
#1482259 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

As I write this, the Cannes FF is halfway over. The films in competitioin are being screened. The most notable is Brad Pitt's "Inglorious Bastards." This year is the 62nd festival. If you want to check out some of the lastest videos and press releases from the Festival, visit: http://www.festival-cannes.com

NEXT: An in-depth look at "setting" in Drama Writing.

FEATURED PRODUCT REVIEW


Once   (Rated: ASR)
ASIN: B000X1Z0BU
ID #110023
Product Type: DVD
Reviewer: Madi Author Icon
Review Rated: E
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: $ 8.49


Vertigo   (Rated: E)
ASIN: 0783226055
ID #110009
Product Type: DVD
Reviewer: Ryan Long Author Icon
Review Rated: E
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Length of :
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: $ 16.60




Editor's Picks

Here are some Drama Picks from around the site:

 The Man in the Cage Open in new Window. (E)
Ironic encounter with life on the other side of the prison fence. Reviews appreciated
#1559300 by shoelessjoe221 Author IconMail Icon


 Spontaneous Decision Open in new Window. (13+)
Awarded 8th Place (Mainstream Category) in the 77th Annual Writer's Digest Competition.
#1484802 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1559220 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1553388 by Not Available.


 Jimmy Open in new Window. (E)
A special memory of my brother who died from leukemia when he was twelve years old.
#1194402 by PENsive is Meemaw x 3! Author IconMail Icon


Stopgap Open in new Window. (18+)
Watch out for people who always have a plan .... and a 'tell.' Short Shots May '09
#1559283 by NickiD89 Author IconMail Icon


SOME DRAMA ACTIVITIES

 All that Glitters is not Gold Open in new Window. (E)
British crime drama
#1482039 by Goldwell Author IconMail Icon


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

 
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Ask & Answer

Jaye P. Marshall Author IconMail Icon
Thank you, Steph, for a very informative newsletter. I have always felt that I write mostly mainstream; it was terrific to get it defined so clearly. Now I can go back and have some way to judge it.

Glad it helped. It helped me. I enjoyed doing the research for this newsletter.

werden Author IconMail Icon
An interesting newsletter.

I do not write drama (as in plays and/or scripts) but I enjoy reading about all forms of writing (Even the ones I don't engage in)

Who knows... maybe one day I will write a play or incorporate a play into one of my stories.

Thanks for sharing

You're welcome *Smile*

StephBee Author IconMail Icon is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her book, "Destination: Berlin" is avaliable at Amazon.com and IUniverse.com. "Destination: Berlin" is a tautly written sage of mistrust, determination, and survival." - Midwest Book Review.

A pic of me taken 2 years ago.

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