Friday, 19 March 2010 03:55 pm
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deckardcanineApril is the month of Script Frenzy, a NaNoWriMo knockoff calling for a 100-page stage play, screenplay, or graphic novel in 30 days. I almost feel guilty for considering it, since I haven't touched my NaNo story since early December, yet the challenge is calling to me. I've barely dabbled in scripts in my life, but I love plays and movies in general. (Graphic novels not so much, but maybe next year if I cut back on perfectionism in drawing.)
In contrast to Chris Baty's NaNo advice, the Script Frenzy site strongly recommends that you have a story in mind when you begin. I wracked my brains a while on what kind of long story I could plan without getting boring, hackneyed, or ludicrous. Then I realized that I was under no obligation to be fully original. Not only are many classic movies based on books and other media, but even Shakespeare tended to lift from folklore.
So what could I work from that wasn't already done to death? Moreover, what such story did I want to retell? Well, my rather religious mind turned to the Bible, specifically the Old Testament. Almost at once, Jacob popped into focus. Not only does he take up the better part of 11 chapters of Genesis before Joseph (who already has two musicals) snags the spotlight, but he's one of the most interesting OT characters in himself. Being a habitual jerk doesn't stop him from getting blessed by God and slowly reforming.
Furthermore, there are parts of the Jacob story that left me puzzled or anxious for more details. I intend to read multiple translations and commentaries for ideas, but it shouldn't be too objectionable for me to fill in some blanks, possibly with a warning up front that my version doesn't insist on its own veracity. The only real liberties I'd take with the scripture are deviations from direct quotations; after all, translations vary. Characters shouldn't sound stilted to modern audiences. I'd stick closer with the words from God, tho.
I just looked over the chapters to make sure there was enough material to fill a few hours. I probably shouldn't have worried, considering the brief bases of some hit films.
The main question left to answer before I begin is, which format will I choose? A stage play is the more obvious choice, since I've read far more of them, but a screenplay might take less effort to fill the page quota.
In contrast to Chris Baty's NaNo advice, the Script Frenzy site strongly recommends that you have a story in mind when you begin. I wracked my brains a while on what kind of long story I could plan without getting boring, hackneyed, or ludicrous. Then I realized that I was under no obligation to be fully original. Not only are many classic movies based on books and other media, but even Shakespeare tended to lift from folklore.
So what could I work from that wasn't already done to death? Moreover, what such story did I want to retell? Well, my rather religious mind turned to the Bible, specifically the Old Testament. Almost at once, Jacob popped into focus. Not only does he take up the better part of 11 chapters of Genesis before Joseph (who already has two musicals) snags the spotlight, but he's one of the most interesting OT characters in himself. Being a habitual jerk doesn't stop him from getting blessed by God and slowly reforming.
Furthermore, there are parts of the Jacob story that left me puzzled or anxious for more details. I intend to read multiple translations and commentaries for ideas, but it shouldn't be too objectionable for me to fill in some blanks, possibly with a warning up front that my version doesn't insist on its own veracity. The only real liberties I'd take with the scripture are deviations from direct quotations; after all, translations vary. Characters shouldn't sound stilted to modern audiences. I'd stick closer with the words from God, tho.
I just looked over the chapters to make sure there was enough material to fill a few hours. I probably shouldn't have worried, considering the brief bases of some hit films.
The main question left to answer before I begin is, which format will I choose? A stage play is the more obvious choice, since I've read far more of them, but a screenplay might take less effort to fill the page quota.
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