Thursday, July 22, 2004
The Read Thru of Our New Play
Last night at 7pm, we held the first read thru of our new play! 10 people showed up to be a part of the experience, including a playwright that we hadn’t invited. We did our best at making the whole experience as professional, yet informal as we could. We distributed folders with a copy of the script, a ledger pad to take notes, and free pens for all! We also provided wine and beer to get everyone in the mood.
We were all very nervous to show our work to these hand-selected folks. After two months of working very hard on our play, I think each of us was afraid that the play wouldn’t be as mind-blowing as we had hoped. Overall, it went very well, but there were definite moments that made my face flush with embarrassment and frustration.
First off, the girl who read the stage directions (which happens to be a HUGE part in our play) sucked ass. Ali barreled through the directions just to get them out of the way. Although everyone had a copy of the script in front of them, her lackluster performance caused everyone to tune out when she spoke. Because of that, I feel like they all missed out on some key character development moments. Ali used to work with us in the past, but since she quit the company, I have become so unimpressed with her level of passion and commitment. After last night, I’m pretty sure I never want her to do anything for us or with us again.
In any case, the reading went well. I have such high respect for both Kelly and Meg (the other people who co-wrote the play with me). They were such troopers throughout the whole night and at the end, when they could tell that I was frustrated and a bit upset, they did everything in their power to turn my attitude around. They have made working with them a highly enjoyable experience.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
At the end of the reading we held a talk-back session. We received some wonderful compliments as well as some very thought provoking questions. I was extremely pleased with the level of effort everyone put in towards understanding our play. But then, HE spoke, the playwright we hadn’t invited in the first place. This is the first thing that came out of his mouth: “I really love the concept of your play. However, I took 18 pages of notes that I would like to share with you.”
For about 20 straight minutes (during which I took a bathroom break), HE gave us criticism after criticism. Sure, some of what he said was definitely beneficial to us. But I think I lost all respect for him when he pulled out a piece of paper and said, “I’m going to teach you guys a very simple lesson on writing”. He proceeded to draw a stick figure. Next to it he drew a box. In between the box and the stick figure, he drew a lightning bolt symbol of sorts. “In every play you need to have a person, a goal, and a problem. Once you have that, everything else falls into place.”
WHAT?!? WHAT WHAT WHAT?!? I sat there as politely as I could, but who did this kid think he was talking to? I’m sorry, did I just pick up a pen yesterday? Did I spend two months working on a script, only to forget that I must have some sort of dilemma within the story? Is the play about 3 people who just sit and stare at each other for an hour? UGH. I was immediately pissed off and furious. WHO did this kid think he was?!?
With my face beat red from fury, I thanked him for his comments and we closed the meeting. Yes, we surely have more work to do on the script. As we learned last night, there are a few holes and a few things we can expound on. However, I can guarantee you that the protagonist, antagonist, and resolution were so blatantly obvious that all HE did was prove he wasn’t paying nearly enough attention.
Anyhiz…after the meeting, Kelly and Meg pulled me from the dredges of my disappointment. I do need to learn how to take constructive criticism better. I also need to lower my exceedingly high expectations of myself. I’ve been trained as an actor, not as a writer, so of course there is still a lot I need to learn. I just don’t need someone drawing stick figures to explain the mechanics of writing to me. suckmyballs.
Angie and I hopped into a cab after the meeting and spent the next hour discussing the show. She went through all of her notes with me and we worked out some of the residual issues that I was carrying with me. I eventually ended up drinking a bit too much, shoving my face with chicken nuggets and grilled cheese when Paul got home and collapsed into bed around 2am. I woke up this morning gasping for a glass of water. I guess a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of booze will do that to you.
So, we continue to write and rewrite and we move forward. I’m SO glad we did the read thru and I am muchly grateful to everyone for joining us on this special occasion. I think I’ll go home tonight, pull out my dolls, and try to teach myself how to be a better writer.
“If Barbie wants to marry Malibu Stacey, what issues will they have to overcome in order for that to happen? No, THINK Joe. You must have an issue for them to resolve. You can’t just have them make-out for two hours. THAT’S not a play!”
For good measure, suck my hairy balls playwright extraordinaire!
Last night at 7pm, we held the first read thru of our new play! 10 people showed up to be a part of the experience, including a playwright that we hadn’t invited. We did our best at making the whole experience as professional, yet informal as we could. We distributed folders with a copy of the script, a ledger pad to take notes, and free pens for all! We also provided wine and beer to get everyone in the mood.
We were all very nervous to show our work to these hand-selected folks. After two months of working very hard on our play, I think each of us was afraid that the play wouldn’t be as mind-blowing as we had hoped. Overall, it went very well, but there were definite moments that made my face flush with embarrassment and frustration.
First off, the girl who read the stage directions (which happens to be a HUGE part in our play) sucked ass. Ali barreled through the directions just to get them out of the way. Although everyone had a copy of the script in front of them, her lackluster performance caused everyone to tune out when she spoke. Because of that, I feel like they all missed out on some key character development moments. Ali used to work with us in the past, but since she quit the company, I have become so unimpressed with her level of passion and commitment. After last night, I’m pretty sure I never want her to do anything for us or with us again.
In any case, the reading went well. I have such high respect for both Kelly and Meg (the other people who co-wrote the play with me). They were such troopers throughout the whole night and at the end, when they could tell that I was frustrated and a bit upset, they did everything in their power to turn my attitude around. They have made working with them a highly enjoyable experience.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
At the end of the reading we held a talk-back session. We received some wonderful compliments as well as some very thought provoking questions. I was extremely pleased with the level of effort everyone put in towards understanding our play. But then, HE spoke, the playwright we hadn’t invited in the first place. This is the first thing that came out of his mouth: “I really love the concept of your play. However, I took 18 pages of notes that I would like to share with you.”
For about 20 straight minutes (during which I took a bathroom break), HE gave us criticism after criticism. Sure, some of what he said was definitely beneficial to us. But I think I lost all respect for him when he pulled out a piece of paper and said, “I’m going to teach you guys a very simple lesson on writing”. He proceeded to draw a stick figure. Next to it he drew a box. In between the box and the stick figure, he drew a lightning bolt symbol of sorts. “In every play you need to have a person, a goal, and a problem. Once you have that, everything else falls into place.”
WHAT?!? WHAT WHAT WHAT?!? I sat there as politely as I could, but who did this kid think he was talking to? I’m sorry, did I just pick up a pen yesterday? Did I spend two months working on a script, only to forget that I must have some sort of dilemma within the story? Is the play about 3 people who just sit and stare at each other for an hour? UGH. I was immediately pissed off and furious. WHO did this kid think he was?!?
With my face beat red from fury, I thanked him for his comments and we closed the meeting. Yes, we surely have more work to do on the script. As we learned last night, there are a few holes and a few things we can expound on. However, I can guarantee you that the protagonist, antagonist, and resolution were so blatantly obvious that all HE did was prove he wasn’t paying nearly enough attention.
Anyhiz…after the meeting, Kelly and Meg pulled me from the dredges of my disappointment. I do need to learn how to take constructive criticism better. I also need to lower my exceedingly high expectations of myself. I’ve been trained as an actor, not as a writer, so of course there is still a lot I need to learn. I just don’t need someone drawing stick figures to explain the mechanics of writing to me. suckmyballs.
Angie and I hopped into a cab after the meeting and spent the next hour discussing the show. She went through all of her notes with me and we worked out some of the residual issues that I was carrying with me. I eventually ended up drinking a bit too much, shoving my face with chicken nuggets and grilled cheese when Paul got home and collapsed into bed around 2am. I woke up this morning gasping for a glass of water. I guess a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of booze will do that to you.
So, we continue to write and rewrite and we move forward. I’m SO glad we did the read thru and I am muchly grateful to everyone for joining us on this special occasion. I think I’ll go home tonight, pull out my dolls, and try to teach myself how to be a better writer.
“If Barbie wants to marry Malibu Stacey, what issues will they have to overcome in order for that to happen? No, THINK Joe. You must have an issue for them to resolve. You can’t just have them make-out for two hours. THAT’S not a play!”
For good measure, suck my hairy balls playwright extraordinaire!
