quote:
(And I also profer bad synopsis writing as the answer to Adman's question why some writers were overlooked)
Is the subtext here is that some (possibly) bad or naive writers got through because they wrote good synopses, but some (of us, we hope) good writers didn't because they wrote bad ones?
I can almost buy that, but if so ... how could a bad writer pen a good synopsis? Luck, maybe?
I still find it interesting that Geoffrey Palmer doing the v/o (great voice, super actor and a great bloke - I met him a a few years ago) hasn't ONCE in the intro's said something like
"This is Joe Bloggs, a painter and decorator from East Cheam. He's been a member of his amateur dramatic group for 16 years and he's written 8 plays, 6 of which have been performed at amateur level and three of which have won significant awards. But such is the difficulty of gaining recognition in this industry, even Joe has never secured a professional production, got an agent or been published."
Why? Well, of course, I can only speculate;
Joe would know what he was doing. Where's the drama in having him filmed saying "... yep, done that already Sonia. And You want this second character's anatagonism toward the female lead toned down? No, don't explain, it's a good idea. I'll have it on your desk tomorrow. No, really, stop, I know exactly what you mean. Sorry, what? No, I don't need to go to see a show to see how a stage set is changed, thanks, I've been doing that for the last few years myself. And just a suggestion, but could you stop saying 'um' do you think? From my acting experience it can make you look a little lacking in confidence. Don't want people thinking I know more than you, do we? Sorry, just my joke."
Above all, Joe isn't going to stand on the stage and have a conversation with the SM which goes something like (and as far as I can recall this is a quote).
"Ooooh, isn't it big? It's lovely. And how much of the audience can the actor see when the lights are on?"
"Well, stand there and Lesley will turn the lights on you" (LIGHTS UP)
"Oooh, isn't it bright - it's lovely."
Also - where's the kudos for Sonia et al getting Joe's play to the stage? Almost nil.
Nope.
It's my firm belief that a good synopsis and a clear (dare I say it) almost pro writing style probably made the bin quicker than one of the 30 contestants could say "Why did I write it? Oh, I dunno, just came to me really. The words - spoken by the people playing pretend in the clothes on the huge podium thing behind the big drapes in front of the sort-of stands where the spectators sit – they just seemed good when I writ them.”
Sorry. Had to get that off my chest!
