Assignment #13 Monologues

The Monologue

See sample monologues:

http://www.monologuegenie.com/basketball-therapy-monologue.html

Exercise: The Monologue

ONE: Dealing with the Past

It is a common practice with monologues that a character relates a past story in order to illuminate something that is currently happening the plot of the play.

The problem with these types of monologues is when a character says, "I remember." "I remember" creates an insular experience; it's something that only happened to the character and it's difficult for the audience to share in the event. The audience doesn't remember.

Another problem with past monologues is the use of the past tense. When something has happened in the past, it's over, it's done. Using the present tense is much more alive and active.

EXERCISE

1. Write a monologue where the first line is 'I remember when...' and uses the past tense. Have a character talk about a childhood memory that has significant impact on how they are today.
2. Re-write the monologue, taking out all mentions of 'remembering.' Just tell the story.
3. Re-write the monologue in the present tense.
4. Read aloud the first version and then the third. Discuss the differences.

TWO: Making the Story Count

If a character tells a story in a monologue - "I went to the grocery store and THIS JUST HAPPENED," there has to be something besides the base story going on for the audience. There has to be more. The story has to show something: a character flaw, a plot point we didn't know, a lie, a romance, and so on.

EXERCISE

1. Write a monologue where the character tells a story about going to a parade.
2. Re-write the monologue so that by telling the story, the audience sees the character is a liar.
3. Re-write the monologue so that by telling the story, the audience sees the character is heartbroken.
4. Re-write the monologue so that by telling the story, the audience sees the character is in love.

THREE: The Need to Speak

In every monologue a character must 'need to speak.' Otherwise, why is the monologue there? In every monologue you write, you must determine the need for the character to speak. What drives the character? Is there anything that stands in the way of the character's need to speak? The character doesn't necessarily have to succeed with what they need. Maybe they're too afraid, or they change their mind, or there's something stopping them. Obstacles are good! But start with the need and then see what happens.

EXERCISE

Choose one of the following needs. What kind of character would have that need? Give them a name, an age, and a physical appearance. Who are they talking to? Who is the listener? What is the relationship? Decide if your character will succeed or fail with their need. Now write the monologue.

1. The character needs to reveal a secret to the listener.
2. The character needs to prove something to the listener.
3. The character needs to reveal they love the listener.
4. The character needs to reveal they hate the listener.
5. The character needs to stand up to the listener.

Scriptwriting--Assignment #12

AGENDA:

Playwriting Exercise

Pick an opening line:

The scene should be one page long. The scene should only have two characters who are in one room, in one location. Go down the list and  use the provided first line as the first line of your scene and write scene using proper format.

1. Well, aren’t you going to congratulate me?
2. What do you mean “I have to give the ring back?”
3. This is most definitely the result of a curse.
4. Dude, Lara Croft is not your girlfriend.
5. I can fix this, I am determined to fix this.
6. I have something important to tell you.
7. Why are you hiding in the bathroom?
8. Sir, you dropped your wallet.
9. I would do anything for a peanut butter dipped chocolate bar right now.
10. First day of school, first day of hell.

THE STANDARD STAGE PLAY FORMAT What follows is a guide to “professional” stage play script formatting. These pages are an explanation of the standard stage play format. See the Example Pages for visual examples of the format. There are three reasons why playwrights use this format: 1) In this format, it is easy for a producer/script reader to estimate how long the running time of the script will be. The accepted format lays out the script at roughly one minute per page. 2) This standard format is optimized to make all the separate elements of the script easy to read and comprehend (character names, dialogue, stage directions, page numbering, etc.). 3) This standard format immediately tells a producer/script reader that the playwright knows something about submitting plays. “How good could the play be if the playwright doesn’t even know the basics of formatting?” they will ask. Unfair, yes... but the way your script looks is the first impression you make.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/stageus.pdf

More Musical Writing Prompts--Assignment #11

Musical Writing Prompts

Write a page of nonfiction! Select a prompt (or two) and write a page of nonfiction---personal essay!

Why not write about a musical subject?

1.     What is your favorite instrument, why?

2.     If you could learn to play any instrument, which one would you choose and why?

3.     Who is your favorite singer?  Describe why you enjoy their music.

4.     Music and emotions run hand in hand.  Describe a time when music helped you get through a tough time.

5.     Music can be used to really get people excited and focus on a task.  Describe a time when you noticed that music was used this way.

6.     All right dancing kings and queens:  Describe your dancing style in a paragraph.

7.     Mozart was a child prodigy.  This means that when he was a child he had extraordinary talent and skills.  If you could be child prodigy, what skills would you like to have?   Why?

8.     Sometimes music reminds of events that have happened in our lives.  Describe a time when music reminded you a funny time in your life.

9.     Imagine that you are an amazing inventor.  You have just created a NEW woodwind instrument.  Describe what it looks like, how it is played and be sure to give your cool new instrument a name.  Don't forget that this is a WOODWIND instrument.

10. Imagine that you are an amazing inventor.  You have just created a NEW brass instrument.  Describe what it looks like, how it is played and be sure to give your cool new instrument a name.  Don't forget that this is a BRASS instrument.

11. Imagine that you are an amazing inventor.  You have just created a NEW string instrument.  Describe what it looks like, how it is played and be sure to give your cool new instrument a name.  Don't forget that this is a STRING instrument.

12. What kind of musical present would you like to receive?  Describe it and don't forget to tell me why!

13. Your parents have decided to take you to ANY concert that you would like to see next week.  Who would you like to see and why?

14. Your music teacher has decided to take two students to see a new musical on Broadway!  Write a letter asking to be one of the students she chooses. Be sure to use all the parts of a letter and don't forget to be convincing!  Lay on the charm!!!

15. Unfortunately, some schools are not as lucky as we are to have music classes that meet every week.  Some schools have lost music class all together! Think about the reasons that it is important to have music in our school.  Write a persuasive paragraph about this topic.

16. What great book do you think should be turned into a song?  Describe the kind of song it should be.  (happy, sad, rap music, country music, fast/slow, etc...)

17. You are an amazing inventor and you have been asked to create a musical instrument that can be used under the water!  Introduce your new instrument in a paragraph and then draw a sketch of what your  instrument might look like below it.

18. If you could audition for American  Idol, what song would you choose? Describe how your audition would  go.

19. Oh no!  You have the Rock and Roll Flu!  You can only speak in song titles!  Write a short play (with two or more characters) in which  your character only speaks in song titles.

20. Music gives us a voice for our patriotism.  What is your favorite patriotic song?   Why?

Music as Inspiration--Assignment #10

Play that Song

Turn on music that you love. Listen carefully.

1. How does the song make you feel?

Tap into the emotions the song conjures up. Consider the mood that the song sets. With a focus on that feeling—joy, sadness, triumph, love, regret, whatever it is—write a piece that also conveys the same emotion.

2. What do the lyrics make you think about?

Sometimes the lyrics will tell a story; try to expand on that story by writing it in prose form. Or perhaps the song gives you a portrait of a character; use that description and fill in the blanks to create your own scene. Or finally, the lyrics may take you back to a time in your past; mine that memory for inspiration and write about your own experience.

3. What kind of story would use this song as a soundtrack?

Imagine the story you are about to write will be made into a movie (we can dream, right?) and this song will be on the soundtrack. Use the song to dream up a movie-worthy plot point or to envision a new setting or character.

What type of music inspires you? Is there a specific song that really moves you?

Book of qualities Assignment #9

Link to Ruth Gendler's blog and website:
www.ruthgendler.com/


 New Writing Project:  Assignment #9

The Qualities

Create two "quality" personifications similar to the ones that Ruth Gendler has written.
Select an emotion and give it the qualities of a human being--personification!  How does this emotion act, "feel", live?  Who are friends of this emotion?  What does this emotion look like physically (if he or she were a person)?  Use vivid DESCRIPTION to PERSONIFY this emotion.

Those of you who would like to can also draw a picture of your "character" and we will try to publish a class book of "The Qualities" at the end of the marking period

Sample Historical Raps

Ben Franklin:

He was born in Boston but he left that scene.
Ran away to Philadelphia at seventeen.....

He taught swimming. He was thrifty. Loved to read.
Became the Postmaster General, indeed......

Ben Franklin

He wanted freedom for all including black and white.
Signed The Constitution 'cause it was right.
He invented a stove. He was a diplomat.
He published Poor Richard's Almanac and this 'n' that.

A printer and a writer and a scientist,
A poet, inventor and feminist.
He built the first library, and the first street light,
And we all know 'bout the time when he flew that kite.

Ben Franklin

He was quick with his words -- could think on his feet.
He said, "Eat to live, don't live to eat."
"Early to bed and early to rise,
Makes a body healthy, wealthy, and wise."

He learned a lot of languages and spoke them well.
The Europeans loved him. They thought he was swell.....

He was buddy buddy with French King Louis
And he thought wearing wigs was a little screwy.
Spent some time in England, as a matter of fact,
Helping to repeal the Stamp Act.

Ben Franklin

He created the electric word "battery."
Invented bifocals so we could see.
He was there when they built the first fire truck,
And we all know 'bout that time when that lightning struck.

Link for more ideas:

http://www.songsforteaching.com/biographicalsongs.htm