Scriptwriting: “Just Keep Dancing Through”
Good morrow, readers! My scriptwriting is finally starting to get underway!
Writing this script has been very fun, but it also comes with its challenges. I’ll describe some of the main things that I have to face below.
One, line length. Lines in anything production involving kids usually have to be kept pretty short. I thought I was doing pretty good until I stumbled upon a kids’ musical jukebox script in the drama room that I only assumed was for a spring production. I was quickly humbled; the lines in there were so short! I’ve spent some time now cutting unnecessary fluff and finding ways to make dialogue more straight-forward for kids to read. For some of the lines that are longer, it won’t hurt the kids if they want to paraphrase them! The same story will be told. Most of the bigger lines will be given to the main characters; a formula I’ve often seen in kids’ plays.
Second, stage directions. To me, I know exactly how this scene should play out. I feel like it’s common sense, so writing out stage directions feels annoying to me. However, it is necessary especially for any production, so I have to add in every entrance and exit and any specific movement in the scene that I want to happen. The stage directions aren’t too strict though. In fact, some of them do allow for that experimentation that I was discussing for the kids to have. One of the stage directions in Ancient Greece is just for whoever plays Xerxes to insert a dance move of their choice! What dance move would you insert?
Three, comedy. This may be the weirdest issue, but I want my musical to have some funny moments. I’ve been trying to add some quips and jokes, but I’m worried the kids who read it won’t get it. I’ve decided to roll with it though, and there’s some pretty hilarious moments! I think props also help with the comedic aspect. From Hamlet making a pun of “bone-afide” genius while holding up a skull to Dionysus carrying around a frog and ribbiting in reference to the Greek comedy. Also, in a production with kids, some things are funny for the audience because… well they’re kids. In Annie Kids, you could hear a little giggle from the audience when a pint-sized Daddy Warbucks walked onto the stage or when a kindergarten Sandy started bark-singing during tomorrow. I’m sure just the nature of this will help get some laughs from the audience.
These challenges aside, scriptwriting is really fun once I get into the groove of it! I’ll put some previews to a few of the scenes below. Let me know what you think!
Take seven till next post.
Comments:
All viewpoints are welcome but profane, threatening, disrespectful, or harassing comments will not be tolerated and are subject to moderation up to, and including, full deletion.