Category Archives: stage plays

20 Scriptwriting Tricks from an Actor’s POV

Introduction The first play I acted in was a high school production of Our Town. During one performance, “Mrs. Webb” recited the first of two moderately long lines. Both lines started with well. When she reached the second line, she … Continue reading

Posted in Lists, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

My new screenplay, Part 5

I’ve noted that as a screenplay, the events in Temple of Isis become more shocking. I’m a bit worried that although I have made the story understandable to modern audiences, it has added shock value due to the immediacy of … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, screenplays, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My new screenplay, Part 4

The play has been converted to a Final Draft document. I now need to clean up the formatting, convert narrator lines back to action, and prepare character studies. At this point, I’m not sure who the screenplay version protagonist is! … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, screenplays, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My new screenplay, Part 3

I’ve converted 74 pages of my play from M/S Word into screenplay format via Final Draft. The process is a bit slow, but my target is a zero level draft, ready to rework for film. The script I’m using is … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, screenplays, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My new screenplay, Part 2

I’ve translated 31 pages of my play into screenplay format. Because of the nature of the thing, none of those pages are anywhere near ready for use. In the Mouth of the Lion will remain on hold until I’ve got … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, screenplays, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My new screenplay, Part 1

Okay, I’m still revising “In the Mouth of the Lion.” Meeting tomorrow to go over the latest round of notes, and probably will need several more meetings to finalize the changes to the step outline and list the scenes to … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, screenplays, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Acting Classes

In my last post, I referred to Hal Croasmun’s “22 Ways to Improve Your Screenwriting” (here). One of his recommendations is: 18. Take an acting class. Several people have suggested this to me in the past, and Croasmun’s advice pushed … Continue reading

Posted in screenplays, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Secret of the Universe 9.80

I have another short play now in development called Secret of the Universe 9.80. On November 11th, Eve Sigall, one of my instigators, asked me to come up with something by November 13th. Inspired by her zeal, Secret is the … Continue reading

Posted in creativity, stage plays, the human condition, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Scene Tips

  The rule in cinematic scene writing is: “In late, out early.” Pick up the scene after it’s really under way. If you want your thud-and-blunder detective to go question a witness, don’t say, “Mike Bludgeon puts down the phone, … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, screenplays, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My First Song Copyright

Today I applied for a copyright for my first finished song with Judy Sanger. I wrote the lyrics, and Judy, an experienced composer, did the melody. I’m very grateful for her huge part in making this happen. The copyright office application process … Continue reading

Posted in creativity, poetry, stage plays, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment