I was wondering if as a result of entering the competition and using the forum, you have been motivated to continue writing for the stage? Especially those of you that had never written a stage play before.
While I have written a few plays before entering the competition, I’ve found that I’ve developed the courage to pursue writing in a different genre: my plays have predominantly been comic dramas – but I have now toned down the comedy on one of my ‘backburners’ and pumped up the drama… and it’s a very exciting feeling.
Plus, I feel as though someone has given my muse a caffeine injectrion; I now have four plays on the backburner – my goal: to complete them by Christmas.
I'm hoping that one of our gang only has to finish one - for TPTT!
But, yes, I agree - this has been a spur.
I can't say I'm moved to extend my writing horizons beyond comedy - but it HAS given me the impetus to finally polish the single play I have already written and to do the same for the 20 minute stand-up I wrote and performed in May, plus to complete my second TPTT submission and to write a second stand-up.
I also want to get underway a 'chain' play I have suggested to someone I've met on this Forum (a rather odd co-writing idea we've had between us which will either turn out total pants or will be brilliant!) - and, of course, get the playshopcoop up and running.
I hope the Production Team see this thread and give themselves a pat on the back for what they've started. Thanks, Screenstage / C4!
On the last point - I want to get a domain up and running for that, and Forum on that site.
All ideas on the www addy (and a company name) to my usual addy.
Hi there, yep I've found TPTT has given me the kick needed to get going again...the entry I submitted has been in my head and bugging me for years.A tiny bit of it was once performed at the Traverse theatre in Edinburgh at the new writers evenings they run there and it was a great experience but I felt too under confident to go further...
By the way Adman am impressed with the bedouin tent get up for 11 year old b'day...sounds brilliant - did they love it?I had an 11 year olds b'day yeaterday fun, but not nearly as gklam!
I know the feeling about having a play sit in your head for ages before the courage arrives to commit it to paper… The same thing happened with my and one of my TPTT submissions – I thought that the subject matter was too close to home. But once I managed to get it down, I was so proud of the product that is has become one of my favourites.
I’m really interested in what happened to you in Edinburgh… Was it a rehearsed reading? I’ve tried to set one of those up before, but it didn’t come to anything… The best I achieved (prior to an AmDram production of a play) is to get a load of my AmDram mates around to my house (offering them free food and a slab of tinnies) and get them to read the play aloud as I taped it.
How much did your extract reading change the script?
And Adman’s comment about hoping The Production Team read this thread is spot on. I don’t know about them, but I’m so excited that this competition has encouraged people to start writing for what has been wrongly described as ‘a dying form of entertainment’.
Entering the competition and being on the forum has been the injection of energy I needed. Everyone is so passionate about writing and the theatre that it's infectious. I love it!
I trying to hone my skills towards comedy as most of my previous writing is dramatic to the point of depression.
I have a couple of additional plays ideas rolling about in my noggin, but my first and foremost goal is to complete the two plays I entered with. I want to see both of these as finished products.
*Note to self - Better get on and do some writing then!*
Thank you to C4, TPTT production team and everyone on the forum. It's fantastic.
HEIGHO, forum's playing up. However: Most of us seem to share the same experience. Had an idea for a play but no incentive and/or market for it. My idea I've had for a while, tho' whether I spent enough time to develop it so as to have a chance in comp, of course I can't know. How many have completed at least a full draft of submission?
Hi Jay...been dipping in and out a bit on the forum but on hols now so more time. The Traverse experience was fantastic - I don't know if they still do the new writers thing butat the time you were able to submit short pieces for criticism and possible performance. I think I submitted a few over the months but only had one performed, the one I've entered in TPTT. If your script wasn't chosen you would still get really good feedback ( critical but positive) from folk who know what works in (their)theatre.At one time you could submit from anywhere in the UK but I think that was narrowed down because they were inundated - you had to gaurantee you would be at the Theatre on the monday pm to go through rehearsals and production. I found the whole thing a bit overwhelming as they use established actors if they can who also comment on the script. My script was performed by some folk from a scottish soap and it wasn't really changed that much. It was unbelievable seeing something come to life and they made sure they represented the script as I wanted.
After this showcase they leave you to take it forward as you wish and I did make some overtures to the BBC new writers dept.They wanted to see the full script but for some reason I chickened out - fear of rejection at that time I think. Only written a village panto and bits and pieces since....
Since we moved to the Highlands I have often thought about trying to do something similar to the Traverse on a much smaller scale. If you live somewhere more populated I think it may be a goer (but lots of organisation). I think the Traverse used drama students and amdram folk to perform too......
How do you get a job in the navy - I can just about manage a few hours a week.
Being duty helps Just sitting through the night waiting for the phone to ring.
Also being a hyper-insomniac... I tend to do my best writing between 2200 and 0200! It's amazing how much you can do when everyone else is asleep and there are no distractions...
I tend to do my best writing between 2200 and 0200! It's amazing how much you can do when everyone else is asleep and there are no distractions...
Hello JaysPlays... this is Ootsy... the reason most writers prefer writing in the early morning hours is because the humans are asleep... meaning no extra energy to mess with... it is wonderfully silent... to the point of you the writer being able to hear a muse or two...speak... Ootsy
...not learn much from learned books, but from true, sincere, human books, from frank and honest biographies. Henry David Thoreau
Just sitting through the night waiting for the phone to ring.
