FILMandMOVIEmaking.com

My latest writing assignment arrived last week. What a fun and an excellent challenge.

I was asked by a theatre production company to write a piece for their next theatre show. Being one for a test I set off immediately to gather my thinking; in fact I had my initial thoughts during the briefing.

My brief was different to what I’m used to because I was asked to write just one section of the performance, not an entire screenplay or theatre play. My part had to fit in with the other writers’ drafts. I wasn’t used to this as I normally write the complete piece from fade in to fade out.

I use a brainstorming technique to write down everything that comes to mind on the subject. This resulted in a few good ideas, but one stood out from the pack.

I finally decided to settle on the main theme being football – no, not the American game, the world sport with the round ball. The one where Manchester United frequently win.

This gave me some ideas for the performance, but I’m a writer and not a director so I’ll see what the director says before I dare to make my suggestions. The last thing directors and actors want is the writer telling them how to do their job. That is why I’m a writer and they’re directors and actors. We do our own work.

How do I write? I wrote as much as I could in one sitting and then put it to rest. Two days later I started the first re-write and generally moved things around until it appeared to fall in to place. Then I sat on it for another day or two and then started the third re-write.

Nit picking begins next. Could I change one word for something else that would improve the whole package? That’s the attitude I take with almost every word. How can it be improved? Does a sentence need moving to another location to build the overall structure?

I had to think how an actor would make the presentation, while writing it. They’ll have to deliver it on stage, not to a camera. It’s not a screenplay so a different approach is required. The audience sits right in front of you and thirty rows back, not all over the globe in a movie theatre drinking buckets of Coca Cola.

Now I can’t tell you what the show is called yet. I can’t tell you what the production’s main theme is and I can’t let you know the content of my piece – yet. Once the producer has given the go ahead and all the final contracts are signed off, I’ll be pleased to show you my latest offering. Until then I can’t even tell you the producer’s name!

Once I have permission I will take you further through the process of my writing for this event.

I don’t know when it’ll make either Broadway or the West End, but I do look forward to the show, the book, the DVD and the CD – did I miss anything?

I’ve had some encouraging words back from the producer so now I have to see what they want to do next. Will we need to modify it for a female or a male role? Will the piece need to be longer or shorter? I wonder how many re-writes we’ll need before it’s ready?

As with all written works, it’s nice to have the dilemma. If my piece gets shunted away I know I enjoyed writing it so much I’ll find another home for it.