\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/789-.html
Drama: December 28, 2005 Issue [#789]

Newsletter Header
Drama


 This week:
  Edited by: John~Ashen 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

Drama! It comes in all genres and is hard to define. It's the stuff that keeps us hooked when watching a show or reading a story. Most of us write drama in some combination with another genre. I'll be offering advice on how to isolate and flex your dramatic muscles. Enjoy *Delight*


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B083RZJVJ8
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Letter from the editor

60-Second Shakespeare

         Most of us, when considering the drama genre, think of emotional tension and plot conflict. But there is another kind of drama that should come to mind. Remember, from high school? Drama club! Within that club, drama = theater acting.
         On this site, plays are only one form of item. They get drowned out among the short stories, poems, and interactives. Fortunately for us all, I have found an exercise which combines both dramatic writing and theater.

         60-Second Shakespeare is a format created by the BBC. That's a big TV channel in the United Kingdom. What you basically do is write flash fiction using a Shakespeare theme. You can write a Shakespearean scene in modern terms, or you can write a modern scene using Shakespearean language. It should be sixty seconds in length, whether read aloud or performed.
         Let's break this up into its two components:

*Bullet* Flash Fiction is a condensed form of writing. Usually you set limits, like 500 words for short stories or 55 words for ultra-flash stories. Because of the word limit, your plot must be terse and fast-paced. Your adjectives must be incredibly expressive. There is simply no room for wasted language. Flash fiction forces you to pay keen attention to your writing.

*Bullet* Shakespearean language is a high style of telling a story. Do not focus on archaic wording like "wherefor art thou" but instead resist the ease of everyday language (like "where are you"). Somewhere in between is what you're looking for - "which foul place has stolen you from my presence" perhaps. *Smile*
         Write your scene, then pretend a master playwright is looking over your shoulder, pointing out places where your style can be enriched. If it's going to be acted out, the actors will appreciate the tasty lines to deliver. With simple language, they have little room to add their own dramatic inflections.

Shake-y Plots

         Here are some flash-speed summaries of popular Shakespeare plays. Consider how you write these as a modern situation :
*Bullet* Double-suicide by teens facing an impossible romance.
*Bullet* Forest fairies cause whimsy among two romantic couples.
*Bullet* Seemingly-mad prince reveals a murder of the king.

         Want an example? Here's a summary of The Taming of the Shrew : Hot-tempered older sister must marry before younger pretty sister.
         In this play, the sisters' names are "Kat"herina and Bianca. Sound familiar? It should. The play was overhauled and updated for the 1999 Julia Stiles movie 10 Things I Hate About You.

         If only you could do a similar update in 60 seconds! It's worth a shot... Here, I'll give you a game-plan :

1. Pick the scene you're going to do (from Shakespeare play or a modern movie or TV show).
2. Boil it down to the essential 3 things :
         a. What's the beginning? (characters + problem)
         b. What's the middle? (plot develops)
         c. How does it end? (resolution)
3. Plan it out. Perhaps use a storyboard or outline.
4. Flesh it out. Expand the outline, translating to or from Shakespearean-sounding language.
5. Read it aloud. See how close the whole thing comes to 60 seconds.

         If you come up with something, please send me a link. I have this devilish idea about using someone's script to do some skits at the 2006 Writing.Com convention. Muahahahahahah! *Smirk*


Editor's Picks

Some shorter dramas I found on the site:
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor
 Have you ever wondered why? Open in new Window. [13+]
Living in a childs life stricken by poverty.
by amaiyaamir Author Icon
 RUNNING DOGS Open in new Window. [13+]
3rd Place - The Redheads' Contest
by David J IS Death & Taxes Author Icon
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

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!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

John~Ashen Author Icon asks: How else can you think to isolate and exercise your drama skills?

Answer: ?? - (Readers, please share your ideas with me in the feedback section below!)

** Image ID #541381 Unavailable **
Logo for Writing.Com Moderators - small.

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B083RZ2C5F
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/789-.html