Welcome to June!

As part of the literature Gallery Directors incentive to host a 'Year of Literature' on DeviantArt, we have seen some brilliantly executed months so far. From Educate to Poetry to Non-fiction to Revision, the literature community wants to open up the eyes of everyone interested in writing. Trying new and learning new things can improve our writing, even on months that may not be focussed around your style.


"Friends, Deviants, World Wide Web, lend me your pens. We come to encourage scriptwriting, not to ignore it."


Welcome everyone to the month of June. This month has been set aside for what I hope will be a breakthrough and change towards this form of writing. What writing you ask? Scriptwriting!


What is this month all about?

So why Scriptwriting? Well Scriptwriting sits quite quietly amongst the literature world of deviantArt, yet outside of this art website it is actually surrounding us in more ways than you think. Whether you are visiting the theatre, watching a film or even a television show, Scriptwriting has influenced that performance. Not only this, but it is an art form that evolves from the words to the reading to the acting and finally to the audience. Personally it is my favourite form of writing, and I'd like to share that enthusiasm and love I have for it with the rest of the community.

Scriptwriting is the form of writing that naturally is written with the intention of future performance rather than just for reading like prose. There are many different forms of scripts written for different performance mediums (listed below).

Throughout the entire month of June we will be covering different aspects of scriptwriting. With three contests that focus on some of these elements, I will also be producing a series of news articles, intended to educate and inform you further on certain subjects. This will include, character development, consideration of audience, writing dialogue, writing stage directions, formatting scripts, publishing scripts, from page to stage, and even a discussion on the future of scriptwriting. There is also a few interviews with artist on DA who have a speciality on scriptwriting too. not only this, but other articles not just written by myself are being produced by those with expertise in the field. This includes scriptwriting for animation by ^guruubii and what directors look for in scripts by =in-art-we-trust


Aims and objectives

First and foremost this whole month is about having fun. I wouldn't want you guys to sit there feeling like I am labouring you all with difficult tasks and information. This is about enjoying yourself just as much as our other objectives and I seriously hope you all do so. Whether you take part in the contests, read some of our resource articles or even reading deviations on here I want you all to have fun.

The main objective is to encourage everyone to try something new. You may not be a scriptwriter naturally; you may not even be a writer. If you're any artist with a vision, you never know where scriptwriting might take that vision. It's all about having a go and losing that inhibition. Not only this, but you can actually learn new things about yourself as a writer, whether this is about structure or character development, maybe even dialogue in writing.

There is a learning process too. I am hoping to encourage an understanding about scripts, where they can be used, how to write them, and honing in on the techniques. I will try to provide as much resources as I can which may guide you whatever form of scriptwriting you become involved in.

Finally, the other main objective of this month is to raise the profile of scriptwriting. It may be a small portion of the literature gallery on here, but it doesn't mean there aren't some amazing well-written pieces lying in the gallery. There is also an encouragement to read more scripts, whether you take something off the recommended list in my journal, or read a few in the galleries here.

Throughout the entire month of June we will be covering different aspects of scriptwriting. With three contests that focus on some of these elements, I will also be producing a series of news articles, intended to educate and inform you further on certain subjects. This will include, character development, consideration of audience, writing dialogue, writing stage directions, formatting scripts, publishing scripts, from page to stage, and even a discussion on the future of scriptwriting. There is also a few interviews with artist on DA who have a speciality on scriptwriting too. not only this, but other articles not just written by myself are being produced by those with expertise in the field. This includes scriptwriting for animation by ^guruubii and what directors look for in scripts by =in-art-we-trust


Collection

We all have a great opportunity here to make use of the collections feature. Personally I am collecting scripts that I feel are well written and/or well written scripts. If you have any suggestions for scripts you have found, why not drop me a note and I will add it to the collection? Also, why not start your own collection and start showcasing those pieces you personally enjoy.

If you find any scripts that are just fantastic, please do suggest them as a DD. Suggestions should go to any of the literature GDs, ^GeneratingHype, ^lovetodeviate, ^StJoan and ^LadyLincoln


Different uses of scripts

Stage/play

This is one of the main areas in which we will be focussing on throughout this month. Writing for the stage is a very popular and interesting art from. Over the recent years it has journeyed through many different styles, sometime s sparking controversy and debate and often being used as a vessel of education. The theatre is an art form which often feels like it is dying, yet actually goes from strength to strength. Plays originate from the Greek theatre, with popular writers such as Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus that still have works that are used today. Of course we also cannot ignore the most infamous playwright, William Shakespeare whose work is used in so many different ways despite being written centuries ago.

Screen/Film

Possibly the most popular form is writing for film. Think about all your favourite quotes or scenes from a film- someone has written and crafted those words together and made them memorable. The film industry is one of the most global industries in the world, showing us diverse styles and genres all over.

Television

Ever sit down to watch a programme that is part of a series and left hanging at the end of each episode? It is the craft of the writer who has contributed to leaving you feel that way. Most of your favourite shows have been crafted together by excellent writing, sometimes a collaborative effort of writing. Television, similar to film can cover a wide range of genres and styles.

Radio

Before television, radio used to be the major form of media where people would receive their news and entertainment through this medium. Radio, unlike the above forms is performed with no visual compliment. Therefore the style of writing for radio can differ in that everything is relied on sound. Possibly one of the most popular radio performances is the adaptation of 'War of the worlds' by H G Well, which in 1938 was written and performed so well, those listening to it believed the world was actually under an Alien invasion.

Spoken word

Although not directly considered as scriptwriting, Spoken Word is technically the poetic form. Spoken word is the concept or writing that is written to be read aloud, not just read. This doesn't necessarily mean writing that is written in the first person, nor is writing in the first person necessarily Spoken Word. Spoken Word usually relates to performance poetry, but can cover prose also. Spoken Word has only really been an established form since the 1990s, but it's routes emerge from the Dada art movements starting from the early 1900s. Beat poetry also falls into the concept of Spoken Word.

Advertising

It may seem strange to consider, but scriptwriting is actually used often in advertising. Consider a commercial break on the television and the words you listen to. Someone has actually written those.

Animation

How many people have seen the episode of the Simpsons where Bart and Lisa write their own Itchy and Scratchy cartoon? This is exactly the same thing! :devgruruubii: will be taking you through how writing for animation works later on this month.


Resources

Throughout this month, I have been building a list of internal and external resources to assit and inform you all throughout. This has been assisted very kindly by the lovely *ninja-librarian. We hope to increase this list, so if you find any decent resources, please drop myself or *ninja-librarian with a note with the link and a brief paragraph about what the resources is about. This list is featured and will be updated through my Journal.


SCRIPTWRITING MONTH, WEEK 1: EXPOSING YOUR CHARACTER.

Romeo and Juliet are the world's most famous star-crossed lovers. Puck is the notorious fairy of mischief. Macbeth is a man full of ambition. What do they all have in common? They are characters created by William Shakespeare.

One of the reasons Shakespeare has been so prominent in the history of theatre is that he had an ability to create some memorable characters. We recognise the name, but most importantly we recognise the character. This doesn't just stop at Shakespeare in playwriting or in any of the writing mediums. Think about popular characters in novels, films and even games. What is it that makes them appealing?

A character in a script needs to leap from the page into the actor and become that same character on stage. Wherever the character is from, what they say, what their life story is needs to be shown throughout their presence. Like in most forms of literature, we want to connect to that character somehow, and because of this we want them to be somewhat realistic.

The most important element of writing a character in a script is trying to make your character real. Unless you are deliberately doing so, we're not looking to see cardboard cut-outs or stereotypes. Characters need that definition which will help and actor picks up and creates the third dimension to a character. This means as a writer you need to be able to know your characters inside out.

Our first contest focuses on two things. The first is to write a monologue. A monologue is a 'speech' said by a single person. A monologue can be written both as an internal and external passage. An internal monologue is where the character is speaking to their self, also known as a 'Soliloquy', where an external refers to something which is spoken to someone, or a group of people (can be the audience or another character(s)). The second is character, as discussed above.

A monologue is not a rant. It is a chance for a moment of a play to be epitomised and to allow a character to express their point of view or how they are feeling.


Contest 1: Writing a monologue

Objectives: Through a monologue you need to show us your character, Make them real as possible and give them life.

Rules:

Monologues must be no longer then 3 minutes long.

Must be written for performance, not internal.

Please only submit monologues written in English.

Send a link of your monologue in a Note to `Beccalicious, entitled "MONOLOGUE"

All Submissions must be received by Monday 9th June, Midnight GMT

These Monologues will be judged by ^GeneratingHype


Prizes:

Winner:

3 Month Sub, Devwear Keychain and Journal feature from `Beccalicious

3 Month Sub and Journal feature from *ninja-librarian

Shoutboard feature from ^Helewidis

Journal feature from *itzjusdrama

Journal feature from ~chugglepuff

Journal feature from *Memnalar

Journal feature from `conorschild

Journal feature from *poprocksandcharlotte


Second:

3 month sub and journal feature from `Beccalicious

Journal feature from *ninja-librarian

Journal feature from ^Helewidis

Journal feature from *poprocksandcharlotte


Honourable mentions-

Journal feature from `Beccalicious

Journal feature from *ninja-librarian

Journal feature from ^Helewidis

Journal feature from *poprocksandcharlotte


Resources:

Shakespeare-monologues.org - A huge database of all of Shakespeare's monologues

The world of interiors By Lynne Truss - An article from the guardian discussing dramatic monologues and getting into the characters mind.

How to write an interior monologue - An overview guide from Blair Hurley which may prove very useful to read.

The Monologue Archive - It is important to look beyond Shakespeare, and here we have another large collection for you.

Monologue - a definition provided by the ever growing Wkipedia.


Existing monologue deviations:

They Were Women Then by ^GeneratingHype


This beautiful monologue was an entry to ~Soundzine's 'Gender Bender Monologues' contest, and creates a character of strength.


I came from a long line of women who came from a long line of women who knew how to make babies. We were good Catholics. We were dutiful and obedient and happy for the chance. Sex as pleasure--well, that's a concept I still don't understand. Sex was for making babies. Sex was a responsibility you had to your husband. It bounced between being sacred and being a sin. I'm still not sure which is which.


Monologue by ~beyondsalvage

Written by a quieter member of the literature community, this monologue has excellent pace and punctuality.

throw myself at the jaws of death day in and day out in the hopes that he claims me and makes me whole and abolishes my sins in some darkly lit flash of white heat. Or I do it to understand death. Isn't that what we all want? To understand death? To master our fear of that greatest unknown…

The Gender Bender Monologue by `AbCat

Another entry to ~Soundzine's contest. This is a great example of how you learn about a character and then left wondering.

And there was poor old Judy, with her stumpy thighs and hesitant voice. An ugly loner with no friends or charisma. We had a lot of nicknames for her. 'Razor rash' was the one that stuck the most. And 'Butch'. And, I forget why, 'Rover'.

Panties and Pistols by ~NLY

A recent daily deviation, this powerful punchy monologue reads almost like a poem.

when it rains, i'll go out and breathe awhile
gun in my boot, feathers in my braids
for now i'm going to lay here
until my breath is strong enough
to blow that candle out

Daddy's Little Girl by `Beccalicious

I know this is written by me and this is cheeky, but here is my example of a monologue.

Oh yes, it must be great living off daddy's credit card. It must be so much joy carrying those heavy shopping bags full of shit you probably don't even need before glancing at me and having a good giggle about how disgusting I must be. I admit, I used to do that too. Funny when you view the other side how different things are.



Over the next few weeks there will be more articles, resources and contests. There is further information included in my Journal. Next week we will be concentrating on audience consideration.

Thank you for reading! I look forward to the contest entries.


`Beccalicious