Project Ideas

Okay, so I haven’t worked at all on words unspoken since the last time I posted, but I have realized that the show just doesn’t have much potential. It’s just not that great, and I don’t want to waste my creative energy on something that’s not going to go anywhere.

Since then, I’ve come up with several ideas for shows and am looking to start working on them one by one:

broken:

“broken” is a rock musical about a man who has repressed four years of his teenage life because of the events they threw at him. However, now that he’s older, he realizes that he needs to come to terms with those memories so that he can get on with his life. This revelation is triggered when he meets his on/off girlfriend from those four years, who persuades him to go to therapy. He tells his therapist that “It’s not memory loss, it’s just paying the cost of the childhood I endured.”

The show ultimately follows two story lines: that of the man’s struggle to remember his life, and that of his younger self and the hardships he faced, which are revealed as his memory is unblocked.

Eternity:

“Eternity” is still an inkling of an idea. It’s about a young man, fresh out of college, who is attacked one night in an alley and turned into a vampire. The show would focus on him having to deal with being forced to leave his family and friends, his discovery of this new life, and his resistance of being a monster. As I said before, this idea just popped up in my head and needs some work.

The Good Son:

Yet another inkling of an idea, and this one is even newer than Eternity. “The Good Son” would follow a seventeen year old boy’s life as he deals with his mother leaving him and his father. His father begins to grieve heavily and is upset whenever he sees his son grieve. This forces the son into hiding his emotions and he becomes isolated from the rest of the world. Trying to cope with everything, he begins to go clubbing and do drugs, which causes his life to spiral out of control. The story also follows the father’s emotional journey of having to live, for the first time, on his own while dealing with his son’s strange new behavior.

Overall, I think these all have incredible possibilities. I feel like every single one of them is gripping and dramatic, and each really pushes the boundary on what has and hasn’t been done in musical theatre before. That’s what I like: I like shows that are different, powerful, and maybe even a little bit off the beaten path. These are all going to be incredible, and I’m sure they’ll be fun to write, as well!

2009
08/22
CATEGORY
General
words unspoken
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TOM: What do we do now?//LUCY: We get up. We leave. We get on with our lives.//TOM: I don’t know if I can do that.

It’s over. Finished. Well, at least the first draft is. Earlier today I printed out the full hard copy of words unspoken and something felt different about finishing this first draft. Usually, I feel relieved that the writing is over, but today I felt somewhat blue. I’ve devoted my life to writing this first draft for the past month, and now it’s finished. Something jsut doesn’t feel the same. As I was writing the last scene today,(13 pages long, can you believe it?) I just kept thinking how attached to this story I was and how I didn’t want to leave them behind for a month.

I actually stopped writing the finale for a moment to take a long deep breath, and then I wrote the final line of the show. Now, I just have to save up the money for the software and edit the libretto. I’ve got a pretty good ammount of cash saved up for the software, and I have my plans on how to get it.

It’s just so hard to believe it’s over. See my last post for more details on my current thoughts and emotions.

2009
04/26
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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9, The Final Stretch

9 more pages, 5 more songs, one final scene, one first draft, one insane teenage writer, one last day.

This is it. I’m heading into the final scene of words unspoken tomorrow. And I intend to finish it off completely, no excuses. I just can’t believe that I am this close to being done with the first draft. A few months ago, the concept of the show didn’t even exist and now, here it is, alive and kicking. I’ve really made emotional connections with these characters and have cried so many times the past couple of days. Of course, I cry because the final few scenes of the show are some of the most tense, dramatic, emotional scenes in the show. I’ve really enjoyed working on the script and I’m looking forward to continuing on into editing. Of course, in May I’ll be doing outlining/character development for Variations but I’m planning on coming back to words unspoken in June.

It’s a bittersweet moment, knowing the first draft is almost over. On one hand, there’s this feeling of pride and relief and on the other hand, the creation of the show is finished, now I have to move onto the second step: helping the show grow. And I will. I will. In June.

Part of me wishes I wasn’t going to wait to edit, but you know, I think I pretty well deserve it! I mean, 150 pages in a month? Come on, it’s pretty insane. May is going to be good for me: I’m working on Variations, I’m going to be working on a new book, and I’m heading to Washington DC for vacation.

It’s turned out to be a pretty good month, looking back. I’ve felt empowered and excited, never really been depressed about the script. I’ve never really felt like “Okay, I should just give up”…no, wait, I have. I guess it’s just something that comes with the territory.  By no means am I saying this month was easy, though. On the contrary, it was a struggle to figure out just how to word things. I’m just glad I’ve reached the point that I can kick back and take a break.

I was writing a monologue for a character this morning and it finally hit me: This next scene is going to be the last good scene I write for the show. Unless I end up writing new scenes in editing, of course, which it’s always possible to do.  But I realized how quickly this month has flown by. I’ve been working on the show for 25 days, and I’ve only not written on 5 of those days. I just can’t believe it.

Tomorrow I will be printing out the entire first draft of words and putting it in a binder. That should feel pretty good. Usually I print out my work as I go, but for some reason, I just didn’t do it for this one. And somehow it helped!

I guess I had better wrap this up, we’re having steak for dinner tonight. To all of those who are participating in Script Frenzy this year, congratulations. In my book, writing 1 page in a month is just as good as writing 100.

2009
04/25
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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Over the Hill

I can’t believe it, but I am only 30 pages away from finishing the first draft! I broke the 120 pagecount mark today, so I am really starting to relax. Up until now, I’ve been questioning whether the show was going to make it to 150, but now I feel like it’s really going to fit perfectly.

The characters have really come to life over the past few weeks, and now it’s hard to believe it’s almost finished. After this, I’m going to let the script sit for a little while  before editing. While it sits, I’m going to work on fleshing out an idea I’ve had for another musical.

The show has a working title of “Variations” and is the story of an emotionally distant artist named Leona Williams who deals with the calamaties of her life by painting. Unfortunately, when she paints she creates a story behind each picture, and this is how she handles her situations and she can’t deal with anything when things don’t go exactly the way she wants them to in real life. Ultimately, she ends up living more in her paintings rather than reality because of a relationship she strikes up with one of the men in her paintings who looks strikingly like her best friend.

Of course it needs to be worked on a little bit, but that’s what I’m doing next month. I really think it’s an idea worth exploring. It at least deserves to take up some of my notebook paper. I’m really excited about it and am still enjoying writing words unspoken!

2009
04/22
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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Week 3 Begins

On Friday, though I didn’t post, I broke the 100 pagecount barrier. I’m really excited about continuing into the last 50 pages of the script this week. I didn’t write anything at all yesterday because I was spending time with family and getting ready for a performance. I am hoping to get back to writing today, but if not, it’s fine I’m a few days ahead of schedule.

I can’t believe I’m already entering the last 50 pages of the script, it’s really been a whirlwind ride and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. words unspoken is really looking like it’s going to be the nsot promising show I’ve ever written. I’m really excited about getting the last part of Act II written. Also, I should be getting the notation software this summer, so I will soon be starting to write the score for the show as well. Although, the score may be written when I reach the second draft. Anyway, I better get going. Just wanted to come in and give an update real quick!

2009
04/19
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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Hitting 90

Well, I just crossed over the 90 page mark. I got up to page 93 today in the first draft of words unspoken! I’m so excited, but at the same time I feel like I’m going to be sick. I am going to have to deal with the death of a character tomorrow, and this is really the first time a character’s death has ever really gotten to me. Of course, I’ve put this character through so much torture in the script that I’ve really empathized with them. Today, I also had to write another beating scene, and I almost lost it completely during that.  This is turning out to be one of the most brutal writing processes I’ve ever been through.

It’s hard to believe that there are less than 60 pages left to write. It’s even more difficult to believe that the scene I finished today (Act II, Scene II) is 12 pages long. I can’t believe how quckly some of these stories are going to tie together, but at least I know hwo they’re going to all end! I’ve really enjoyed having an outline for this project. It’s really helped me lay out the foundation of the show. Now, at least, I know how to edit. This is also the first show I’ve written where my characters are completely three-dimensional. I’ve really grown as a writer thanks to Script Frenzy and NaNoWriMo.

I’m so glad this script is coming along well! 57 pages to go! Wahoo!

2009
04/16
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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Continuing the Battle

I’m proud of myself so far, I haven’t gotten behind schedule once! I’ve always stayed ahead of schedule, and I’ve only take two days off. But now, I’m getting into the grittier material. Act II is a whole lot darker than the first part of the show. I’m currently dealing with a scene where one of the characters has to die, and yesterday I wrote a scene where one of the characters is actually beaten onstage. Yeah, this is a very brutal show. Oh, and there are two more deaths to come! Obviously this isn’t Willy Wonka.

Still, the only deaths in the show are in Act II, and I’ve written shows where characters died in Act I. Anyway, my current pagecount is 83, so I’m chugging along quite well, really. Can’t believe April is only half over! I need to be going, I’m helping set up lights at a local theatre. Can’r believe I’m only 72 pages away from reaching the goal!

2009
04/15
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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BLACKOUT, END OF SCENE, END OF ACT I

As of about 30 minutes ago, Act I of words unspoken is complete.  It came in right at 70 pages and I ended up going on to write the first 5 pages of Act II! I’m so glad that I’ve hit the halfway point before April 15th, that just gives me a great feeling about the script! I’m so glad I gave myself the 150 page goal for the script, because I think it may end up being jsut about that! If I had tried to cram this script into a hundred pages, it would have seriously sucked. There’s just too much sub-plot that can’t be avoided. The sub-plot is a huge part of the show, because there really isn’t a “main plot” in the conventional term. The show is about all the teenagers, so it’s imperative to the whole show that all the characters’ stories be told.

I’m really proud of myself for being this far ahead of schedule. The last two Script Frenzies, I was struggling the entire way, but having an outline has seemed to help! Anyway, I think I’m going to wrap this up and go listen to some nice, relaxing music, I’ll post again tomorrow, hopefully!

2009
04/13
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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A Day of Rest

I know I said that I was going to finish off the last few pages of Act I today, but I mean, it’s Easter and I’m ahead of schedule. I’m really glad I did decide to take a break, though, because I ended up running to Helen, GA today and…well…My whole day has been booked solid. I’m just glad I’m getting to spend the rest of Easter here at home with my family, as it should be. Hope everyone is having a nice Easter (if you celebrate it, if not, well, have a nice Sunday eveing!).

2009
04/12
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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And Now, A Fifteen Minute Intermission

I’m only pages away from finishing Act I of my Script Frenzy 2009 project: words unspoken. I had planned on finishing it today, but life got in the way and I’ll be writing the Act I Finale tomorrow. It’s pretty hard to believe that it’s only been 11 days, but it has. My current pagecount is 66 pages, which is pretty good for a first Act. I imagine the first Act will end up being around 70 pages long. At this point, I’m just writing the script and not even worrying about the pagecount. It’s really been helpful to have an outline. It’s been a great guiding tool, and it’s nice to know where the story is going. Now, I can really set up for events that are still to come.

Most musicals have a big, dramatic finale for Act I. Not me, I’ve got it ending in a tree with a kiss while the rest of the cast is singing a reprise of an earlier song. The end. Until Act II, at least!

2009
04/11
CATEGORY
Script Frenzy
words unspoken
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