Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the tag “Plays”

20 Aug 2013
1 Comment

The many faces of Juliet


image: fanpop.com

  •  I’m not quite in countdown mode, nonetheless, I am very much anticipating the new version of Romeo and Juliet which is FINALLY being released in the US.  I have been following its progress for the past two years, waiting, watching for news, photo releases, projected film dates. And finally, yes finally, the new Romeo and Juliet will be out in theaters in the fall. First they said February, then it was July, and then I heard September, and unless they’ve changed it again, it should be coming out about the time school is back in full swing.  Field trip, anyone?

  • image: thewallmachine.com

    • image:gnomeoandjuliet.wiki.org

    • Another reason I’m so excited about a new version of Romeo and Juliet is because it’s overdue for a freshening up. The 1968 version with Olivia Hussey had its moments, and although it didn’t follow the play exactly, it does give students a fairly good idea of the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers.  West Side Story is the classic sixties adaptation, and once again, it is not the true play. The 1990s version with Leonardo D. and Claire strays too far from the actual play to count as a true teachable film version. Interestingly enough, my ninth graders either love it or despise it, due to its style. Of course, they all adore Gnomeo and Juliet, which is cute, yet again, strays so far from the play I only serve it up as an inducement,provided they get all their R&J assignments in by the end of the quarter.

      Other reasons I’m looking forward to the new version:

      1. Hailee Steinfeld as Juliet.  She owned the part of Mattie in True Grit, and held her own against Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon, who were also impressed with her. I can’t wait to see what she does with Juliet.
      2. Updated cinematography. 1968 to 2013 means improvements in the quality of production.
      3. I’m really tired of the 1968 Zeferelli movie. I have taught ninth grade for 10 plus years with three to four sections each year, which means I’ve watched the film, oh about 40 times. Yeah, I’m ready for a new version.
      4. Paul Giametti as Friar Lawrence. I’m a Paul G fan, for sure.
      5. Julian Fellowes adapted the play, (Downton Abbey), and that in itself is a huge reason my anticipation factor is revving up.
      Anyone else anticipating a new Juliet with her Romeo?
Related articles
Posted in Movies, Reflections, Teachers, Uncategorized and tagged , , , ,
29 Mar 2013
9 Comments

Playing Around with Words


The Script Frenzy logo

The Script Frenzy logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Writing is what I do.  I teach it. I read it. I aspire to it.  I’ve tried all forms of writing: picture books, poetry, novels (middle readers, YA, adult), non-fiction (essays, informational, reviews), oh yeah–blogs.  My latest foray into wordsmithing is plays.  I gave up on screenplays since the format and competition didn’t work for me.  Then I switched to stage plays.  Oooh, I do very much like them.  NaNoWriMo used to run Script Frenzy, a spring version of novel writing in a month that involved writing a play in 30 days.  I tried it and definitely find a new niche.

Even though Script Frenzy retired, I got inspired. So far I have created a contemporary version of Julius Caesar and the school’s drama teacher showed interest in it, as did one of my students who called the role of Anthony.  I’ll keep you posted of the world premiere. I also morphed Hamlet and Alice in Wonderland, mixing in a bit Wizard of Oz. It’s definitely a work in progress, as they say.

Since screenplays didn’t pan out for me, I am converting them into stageplays.  I hope to dive into my languishing pile of manuscripts and toss them around in my Celtx program and see if they Presto! into plays.

Gosh! I  love writing!  There is such a variety and formats to try out and play with.  It’s like dress up with words.

Any of you try out a new writing form with success?

Related articles
Posted in Blogging, creativity, Reflections, Writing and tagged , , ,
06 Apr 2012
4 Comments

A Little Frenzied About Writing


Contests.  Oh yeah, that challenge to produce something, be it a bit of athletic prowess or artistic flair, it is that little voice that queries: “Got what it takes?  Willing to try and show it?”

Not being much an athlete I mainly gravitate towards the artistic endeavors, especially writing contests.  While people meditate, fret, and procrastinate their taxes in April I am contemplating and playing with words.  Hello, Script Frenzy.

What I like about Script Frenzy (actually there is a lot I like about Script Frenzy) is that I am competing with no one but myself and that the real prize is meeting the set goal. Plus, the finished product is something tangible, something I can maybe even turn around and share with others.  Heck, I might even get a coin or two for it.  Script Frenzy is all about producing 100 pages within 30 days.  I like it.

If you aren’t familiar with Script Frenzy here you go:

Script Frenzy in a Nutshell

The Challenge
Write 100 pages of original scripted material in the 30 days of April. (Screenplays, stage plays, web series, TV shows, short films, and graphic novels are all welcome.)
When
April 1-30
Cost
Free. We run on donations.
Who
Everyone (worldwide) is welcome. No experience required.
Prizes
Happiness. Creative juices. Pride. Laughter. Bragging rights. A brand-new script.
How 
Sign up! Tell everyone that you are in the Frenzy. Get ready to start writing on April 1.

And you will be in good company:

Stats

Annual participant/winner totals

2011: 19,123 participants and 2,204 winners

2010: 21,008 participants and 2,078 winners

2009: 12,048 participants and 1,271 winners

2008: 8,526 participants and 968 winners

2007: 7,876 participants and 1,072 winners

You can see many participate, yet few actually “win”, meaning finish, which increases the motivation to be included in that final tally statistic number.

Two years I ago I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Write Month) which is mungo craziness.  NaNo is writing a novel, 50,000 words in ONE month.  Basically, the calculations come down to producing about 1,700 words a day.  And it’s a bonus if they make sense.  It was tough because (tad bit of whine here) November is parent/teacher conferences as well as Thanksgiving, on top of the usual craziness of teaching high school English.  Yet, I persevered and got ‘er done.  Two years later I am still editing.  One can not take the time to write and edit a novel in 30 days.  It’s tippity-tappity, finger-flying for 30 days.  Produce in a hurry, edit at leisure.  When my novel, which turned out to be a teen girl writing a novel for NaNo (smacks of Escher, I know), is done I will let you know.  I am hoping to be done by summer and will try Smashwords.

Anyway, back to Script Frenzy.  This year I decided to get going on another stage play since I so enjoyed writing an adaptation of Julius Caesar last summer.  I’m making my creative writing students participate in Script Frenzy as well, or they need to produce some poetry.  April is National Poetry Month as well, you know.  Hmm, gotta get a post going to celebrate that as well.  What’s that? What am I writing?  It’s a spin-off of Alice in Wonderland. 

Jessie Willcox Smith's illustration of Alice s...

Jessie Willcox Smith's illustration of Alice surrounded by the characters of Wonderland. (1923) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I adore the word play in Carroll’s classic and wanted to try an update.  I know, I know, Alice has been done and redone.  But this time Alice meets Hamlet and Dorothy as she wanders in Wonderland.  Gotta go…she’s about to play croquet with the Duchess and her cronies.

Posted in Writing and tagged , , ,

Post Navigation

Newer Entries →