Hi! Well, this is my first entry into my journey into writing 31 plays in 31 days. I’ve already, I don’t know if convinced is the word, but convinced myself that the way to finish this is to just do it.
From the jump, my mindset with this challenge is to approach this is to take every day as a new exercise and to explore what works and what doesn’t. I’m not looking to put more pressure on myself whether or not to have a play done every day, but as I said, just do it.
Here’s my current approach, which I KNOW will change… maybe:
The night previous before bed
– Usually between 10:00pm – Midnight: Think of premise, plot, or characters.
– review my play ideas list on my iPhone
– if possible, try to break the script and write it on the phone
– maybe come up with names
6:00am – 8:00am – Write the first draft
– Name the play 08xx2012_cp_untitled.docx
The name of the play needs to be done after the looking over the first draft and that should be predicated on the feel of where the story is going, something I’ve never heard before, somewhat witty, and must give some clue as to what the play is about and compel the reader to ask, ooo… what is this about?
Lunch
– Edit with pen if printed out.
After work 5:00pm –
– FINAL DRAFT
Hopefully by around 8:00pm
– Submit
The Script: The Profession of One Mr. Valentine
The Play: The Profession of One Mr. Valentine
Inspired by a party I went to where Aunties and Uncles were trying to set me up with, for lack of another term, strangers. And this wasn’t about boyfriend-girlfriend stuff… this is for marriage. And this, again, with a stranger who lived half-way across the world. WTF?
So in my play, a guy tries to save himself from the same embarrassment of having others try to determine his romantic future through a third party who happens to have the same mannerisms as someone in the mob. If you don’t know, I’m a HUGE fan of the TV Drama BREAKING BAD. A character named Mike, played by Jonathan Banks, is who I modeled Mr. Valentine on – the matchmaker.
Lucky I got through 7 pages in 2 hours, but it was fun to see how the play revealed itself while maintaining the the different character voices: one’s paranoid the other calm and professional. Was fun and love the characters for this brief play. Still debating whether or not to post my play on here as well… we’ll see.
Another thing, I’m using the play format that PlayGround SF requires for their submission process. Works for me 🙂
Oh, I also wanted to base this around a bench – since I need to write another play(s) as the requisite prop/setting. Might set the next play in a park as well… hmmm… well, a place with a bench in it. hehe. Already starting to think of the next play!
night.
The Script: The Profession of One Mr. Valentine