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write a play


 

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How to write a play by incendio

"Five months of procrastination, five intense days of writing... one finally finished play."

How I did it: I wrote a treatment for a children's play while I was working at a summer youth theatre camp in August 2008.  One of my colleagues suggested I write the play so they could produce it in the summer of 2009.

I sat and thought and procrastinated for a long time, until finally I got a not-so-impressed email from my stage manager telling me that the director has been bugging her about "so what's the deal with incendio's play?"  That, along with my 2009 goals to be productive, kicked my butt into gear.

The actual play only took me five days to write.  30 chacters, 43 pages long, approximately 9500 words.

Lessons & tips: DON'T WAIT.  DO IT NOW.  If you have an idea kicking around in your head, get it out on paper.  That's really all I can say.  Discipline yourself to writing at least 15 minutes a day... that's about three pages... totally do-able.

Resources: I majored in theatre and film in university and took both playwriting and screenwriting courses while I was there, which definitely helped.  Other than that, I just sat and wrote.  :)


3 people found this helpful
 

Jan 08, 07:55PM PST | 0 comments | 5 cheers



More "How I Did It" stories

fauxparse

It took me
6 months
It made me
proud

How I did it: I had an idea at a barbecue, while talking shit with a bunch of other actor-y types. My friend happened to mention it to the Artistic Director at a local theatre, who took me to lunch and basically said "let's do it!"I spent the next few months ripping The Tempest down to its bare bones and reworking it into something that kids would not only enjoy, but hopefully take lessons from. I killed my darlings over and over again, but the end res… Read how I did it…

Mar 22, 07:47PM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer


EdgyVeggie

It took me
2 months
It made me
satisfied.

How I did it: The best choice I made was to keep the script short. By setting an attainable minimum on page numbers, I was able to focus on quality and not quantity. I worked a few times a week for two months, and was able to turn out a script I could be mildly proud of. Read how I did it…

Dec 24, 08:52PM PST | 0 comments | 3 cheers


writingandstuffs

It took me
2 months
It made me
I did it!

How I did it: I just started writing. That's all you can do. You have an idea, and you just carry on writing your idea. You'll have about 30 ideas before you do.I ended up going through Inside the Trench (WW1 Story) Sweeney Todd (Horror) Not Another Bloody Comedy on In the West End, and Not Broadway (Comedy) and God knows how many others before I did, Reservations at Nine, a simple two act play about three people, a love triangle, and… Read how I did it…

Oct 27, 01:10AM PDT | 0 comments | 3 cheers


People doing this:

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    People doing this are also doing these things:

    Entries

    cincibohemian94 Typing this one a big crazy computer in TimeWarner store! I am cool :)

    Ehhhhh... 4 weeks ago

    I started this goal a couple days ago. I AM GOING TO STICK WITH IT!!! Yeah, I made that promise to myself. It’s seeming a little stupid starting out, but hey, there’s always editting…as long as I get it done!:)

    Jun 02, 08:47PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    swaped

    =) 3 months ago

    i had been meanin to write a one act play for a long time to enter inmy schools compitition and then one day i just grabbed a marbel notebook and worked nonstop. I gave it to several friends to read and comment on and by the ffth day it was ready to go. It was submitted and cosen and will be preformed this summer! just the thought of having my peice be performed is very exciting!

    Apr 05, 11:31AM PDT | 0 comments


    laz1023

    following my dream 4 months ago

    last month i got fired from my corporate job. and it was the best thing to ever happen to me. i have always wanted to write but never had the time or opportunity. now i’m broke and hungry and that raw emotion is translating into the best writing of my life. i am hoping to finish shortly.

    Feb 26, 05:30AM PST | 0 comments


    tvjohn

    writing a play 4 months ago

    i would like to write a play….something about the human condition and
    philosophy…..everyday people, with extraordinary dreams.
    all about growth & attitude…..but how everything remains the same !

    Feb 24, 06:18PM PST | 0 comments


    incendio August 31st. Life is going to change.

    PLAY IS COMPLETE! 5 months ago

    January 8/09 – 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM – 6 pages of my play completed (43 pages total, approximately 9500 words)

    I’m so happy! (And actually really proud of myself for finishing it.)

    I’ve emailed it off to my director… I hope he likes it!

    Jan 08, 07:39PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    incendio August 31st. Life is going to change.

    Late-night writing. 5 months ago
    • January 8/09, 12:15 AM to 12:45 AM – 3 pages of my play completed (33 total, approximately 7100 words)

    I’m nearing the home stretch! :D

    EDIT: Some afternoon work… 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM – 4 pages of my play completed (37 total, approximately 8100 words)

    Jan 07, 09:46PM PST | 0 comments


    incendio August 31st. Life is going to change.

    Progress from my "Write every day for 15 minutes or more" log: 5 months ago
    • January 8/09, 12:15 AM to 12:45 AM – 3 pages of my play completed (33 total, approximately 7100 words)
    • January 7/09, 11:15 AM to 11:30 AM – 1 page of my play completed (30 total, approximately 6400 words)
    • January 6/09, 10:30 PM to 12 AM – 6 pages of my play completed (29 total, approximately 5900 words)
      12 AM to 2 AM – 6 pages of my play completed (23 total, approximately 4700 words)
    • January 5/09, 11 AM to 2 pm – 12 pages of my play completed (17 total, approximately 3200 words)
    • January 4/09, 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM – 5 pages of my play completed (approximately 1000 words)

    Jan 07, 08:33AM PST | 0 comments


    bluberfish

    Untitled 6 months ago

    ‘Novels’ written: 1
    Good Novels written: 0
    Attempts at adaptations of said novel into hopefully good play: Too many to count.

    Dec 09, 09:26AM PST | 0 comments


    incendio August 31st. Life is going to change.

    Progress! 7 months ago

    After so much procrastination, a prologue is written.

    I’ll take it.

    Dec 05, 02:31PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    Pixydust2

    write a play 7 months ago

    this is a long term goal

    Nov 15, 02:50PM PST | 0 comments


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