Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Am All New

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Ice Picker
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Walk-On

Joined: 6/21/08
Location: Egypt
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Topic: Am All New
Posted: 6/21/08 at 6:47pm

Hey guys

I have written a script and will direct it. I have a 9 years experience as an assistant director and it was kinda surprise when I announced that I intend to handle a play that I've written.

I feel frustrated because I don't have the experience to handle a play from A-Z...kinda worried...On the other hand, I feel I got what it takes but I will have to go through the entire experience to know that for sure, u know? I also feel down cuz I'm sure some of the people I used to work with before might put me down.

I'm frustrated but I'm determined to grab the chance and press on with the matter...

I need your ideas for a good preparation..

love love

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jayzehr
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Joined: 8/11/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 537

Posted: 6/22/08 at 1:40pm

What language is your play written in?

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Ice Picker
Walk-On
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Joined: 6/21/08
Location: Egypt
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Posted: 6/25/08 at 6:12am

It's in Arabic...but the location of the play is Scotland, 1940, during WWII. The characters are Scots. But why does it matter?

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jayzehr
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Posts: 537

Posted: 6/25/08 at 7:36am

It doesn't matter. I was just interested after seeing that you were from Egypt. I've directed a number of plays I've written, it's a very rewarding experience. Go ahead and go for it and don't worry what other people say or think.

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Ice Picker
Walk-On
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Joined: 6/21/08
Location: Egypt
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:19am

Hey Jay...thanks for the encouragement...much appreciated :)

I just wanted to ask if there are any special arrangements for first-timers. You know, shortcuts, tips, things I need to avoid by being proactive in certain areas, etc.

Also, the thing that annoys me the most is forming the blockings. I don't know how to do it.

Thanks again, man :)

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chel
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Joined: 6/20/07
Location: United States
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Posts: 106

Posted: 7/07/08 at 10:53pm

Have I missed your show? How is it coming along?

I'm sure as you wrote it you had a vision in your head of where things would be and where actors would move.

I go through the script slowly and jot down notes, when an actor moves, how far SR or SL, etc. When do they pick up the prop, when they do does a spot light need to hit them? etc. Don't overtax yourself (or your actors) by blocking every line. But give them some pacing. You visualized someone moving DS, when do they do that and why?

Also, have a good, experienced stage manager your first time out. They will help tremendously keeping track of blocking, any changes, etc etc. And there are a lot of "etcetras".

chel

www.windhamtheaterguild.org

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 832

Posted: 7/08/08 at 10:45pm

This may help with your Blocking in defining the stage area.

http://www.blue-room.org.uk/wiki/Defining_the_Stage

Also with the general different types of stages in use.

http://www.blue-room.org.uk/wiki/Stage_Types

Diye ken "It's a brea bricht moonlicht nicht t' nicht, Missus Richt!"

One wonders what that would sound like in Arabic?

CHOOKAS Angie in your endeavours {["Nil Carborundum illegitimous"!]

[Don't let the Turkeys wear you done]}

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Ice Picker
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 6/21/08
Location: Egypt
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 7/14/08 at 7:27pm

Thanks guys, that was cool!

I have a war scene in the play that i wanna make extremly live...people flying, blood, heads off, etc. i intend to use the entire theatre: all stage and audience area. I wanna make them feel they are in a real war...

i'm coming short of special effects to help boost this scene, however...

any techniques to suggest?

thanks again

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mary051756
Lead
Lead

Joined: 1/31/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 47

Posted: 7/16/08 at 8:14am

I have to say, Ice, the war scene sounds extremely challenging for a new director! As far as the general blocking goes, I agree with chel - just provide general movement during the initial stages, and then once you see the actors off book, you can tweak where needed. I always give my actors leeway unless there is a specific mark they have to hit for a specific scene. As for the war scene, if you are going to have actors and things flying thorugh the audience, you might want to consider bringing in a specialist to work through the technical portion.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” EMERSON

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
Ice Picker Walk-On Joined: 6/21/08 Location: Egypt Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Am All New Posted: 6/21/08 at 6:47pm
	Hey guys I have written a script and will direct it. I have a 9 years experience as an assistant director and it was kinda surprise when I announced that I intend to handle a play that I've written. I feel frustrated because I don't have the experience to handle a play from A-Z...kinda worried...On the other hand, I feel I got what it takes but I will have to go through the entire experience to know that for sure, u know? I also feel down cuz I'm sure some of the people I used to work with before might put me down. I'm frustrated but I'm determined to grab the chance and press on with the matter... I need your ideas for a good preparation.. love love

	IP Logged

jayzehr Celebrity Joined: 8/11/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 537	Posted: 6/22/08 at 1:40pm
	What language is your play written in?
	IP Logged

Ice Picker Walk-On Joined: 6/21/08 Location: Egypt Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/25/08 at 6:12am
	It's in Arabic...but the location of the play is Scotland, 1940, during WWII. The characters are Scots. But why does it matter?
	IP Logged

jayzehr Celebrity Joined: 8/11/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 537	Posted: 6/25/08 at 7:36am
	It doesn't matter. I was just interested after seeing that you were from Egypt. I've directed a number of plays I've written, it's a very rewarding experience. Go ahead and go for it and don't worry what other people say or think.
	IP Logged

Ice Picker Walk-On Joined: 6/21/08 Location: Egypt Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/25/08 at 10:19am
	Hey Jay...thanks for the encouragement...much appreciated :) I just wanted to ask if there are any special arrangements for first-timers. You know, shortcuts, tips, things I need to avoid by being proactive in certain areas, etc. Also, the thing that annoys me the most is forming the blockings. I don't know how to do it. Thanks again, man :)
	IP Logged

chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 7/07/08 at 10:53pm
	Have I missed your show? How is it coming along? I'm sure as you wrote it you had a vision in your head of where things would be and where actors would move. I go through the script slowly and jot down notes, when an actor moves, how far SR or SL, etc. When do they pick up the prop, when they do does a spot light need to hit them? etc. Don't overtax yourself (or your actors) by blocking every line. But give them some pacing. You visualized someone moving DS, when do they do that and why? Also, have a good, experienced stage manager your first time out. They will help tremendously keeping track of blocking, any changes, etc etc. And there are a lot of "etcetras".
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 7/08/08 at 10:45pm
	This may help with your Blocking in defining the stage area. http://www.blue-room.org.uk/wiki/Defining_the_Stage Also with the general different types of stages in use. http://www.blue-room.org.uk/wiki/Stage_Types Diye ken "It's a brea bricht moonlicht nicht t' nicht, Missus Richt!" One wonders what that would sound like in Arabic? CHOOKAS Angie in your endeavours {["Nil Carborundum illegitimous"!] [Don't let the Turkeys wear you done]}
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Ice Picker Walk-On Joined: 6/21/08 Location: Egypt Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 7/14/08 at 7:27pm
	Thanks guys, that was cool! I have a war scene in the play that i wanna make extremly live...people flying, blood, heads off, etc. i intend to use the entire theatre: all stage and audience area. I wanna make them feel they are in a real war... i'm coming short of special effects to help boost this scene, however... any techniques to suggest? thanks again
	IP Logged

mary051756 Lead Joined: 1/31/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 47	Posted: 7/16/08 at 8:14am
	I have to say, Ice, the war scene sounds extremely challenging for a new director! As far as the general blocking goes, I agree with chel - just provide general movement during the initial stages, and then once you see the actors off book, you can tweak where needed. I always give my actors leeway unless there is a specific mark they have to hit for a specific scene. As for the war scene, if you are going to have actors and things flying thorugh the audience, you might want to consider bringing in a specialist to work through the technical portion.
	“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” EMERSON
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Topic: Am All New( Topic Closed)