Tuesday, November 18, 2014

1. Scribble:  Eva Lacey

(If not, practice writing a script for a comic strip.)

2.  Writing Memoir:  Richard Wright "The Night I Won the Right to the Streets of Memphis."

Memoir: Richard Wright

2. Creating a dramatic script based on your memoir --

Cast of Characters:
Define each character with about three descriptors rather than a complex biography. “Anxious teen who needs a job” or “high-school prom queen growing old with style” are good starts. [Source]

• Each character's voice should be so distinct that their lines could only belong to them. Rhythm, syntax, diction and grammar should be unique and consistent. Read lines without character names attached and see if the speaker's identity is obvious.

 In a script, dialogue is not in quotations. 

Stage Directions: 
Stage Directions briefly describe the setting and major movements of the characters.
In a script, actions and stage directions are written in italics and/or in (parentheses).   

For a dramatic script, change past tense to present tense: 

Prose Narrative	Dramatic Script
"Bobby opened the window."	(Bobby opens the window.)
“You get out of here!” Fred yelled at the dog.	FRED: (yelling at the dog) You get out of here!  yelled at the dog.
The tree crashed to the ground.	(The tree falls down. Crashing noises.)
Gwen said, “I hoped you would come to my party!”	GWEN: I hoped you would come to my party!

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Example:  Source
FRANKENSTEIN
By Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, adapted for radio by Antony Ellis (06/07/1955)

Characters
DR. VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER
HENRY (Victor’s friend) ELIZABETH (Victor’s cousin & girlfriend)

Setting: Henry’s house, on the back porch, late in the evening.

Prior to this scene, Dr. Frankenstein created a monster. When his monster starts destroying 
things and killing people, Dr. Frankenstein runs away to England, hoping to leave the evil 
monster behind him. 

ELIZABETH: (screaming) Victor! Victor!
VICTOR: We’re out here, Beth.
ELIZABETH: Oh I’ve just had a horrible experience. Darling, I’m so glad to see you!
VICTOR: You’re pale, Beth. Sit down right here next to me.
HENRY: Oh, what happened, Beth?
ELIZABETH: I was . . . I was walking in the woods not far from here when I looked up and saw
. . . and saw a man . . . sort of a man standing over me.
HENRY: Well men aren’t so bad, that is if you happen to know the right ones, and you do. 

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3. Go to the Computer Lab to type your scripts.