...for far too long, Disorientation Blog. Hell, I never even said that the show went up, how it went, how proud I am of the cast and crew, or even where you can see it online (take a wild guess). That will all be rectified in time. In fact, there's even more to come out of this experience. But more on that later (and yes, I promise there will be a later).
For now, I just want to apologize to any poor souls still trafficking this site. For you, here's your "stick-to-it-tive-ness" merit badge: Disorientation, draft 6, grammar checked, locked, and loaded. It's about 18 pages shorter and 11 characters lighter, so it's a biiiit different. Oh, and Will is a lesbian.
Leave comments or blah-de-blah.
It begins again....
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Keeping A Promise....
A while ago I said that I'd release all of the cut Vicky lines that were too vulgar and over the line in the first draft. Well, instead of putting it up on here, I'll be dropping all of you guys a download link for it as a thank you gift. Huzzah.
I'll have a write-up about the whole experience later on this week. Tomorrow, post-mortem...whatever the hell that means.
I'll have a write-up about the whole experience later on this week. Tomorrow, post-mortem...whatever the hell that means.
Friday, April 24, 2009
It's Here
Today's the day, folks!
PVHS's Disorientation opens for it's one-night-only grand premiere at Pascack Valley High School tomorrow, Saturday April 25th at 7 pm. Here's a little taste of what's to come....
PVHS's Disorientation opens for it's one-night-only grand premiere at Pascack Valley High School tomorrow, Saturday April 25th at 7 pm. Here's a little taste of what's to come....
Monday, April 20, 2009
Mixdown
Well, I tried to make an iMix, but they don't have three songs (damn you, Apple! or damn you, Ramones and Talking Heads!) so I figured I would just list them. There will be songs for the pre-set and intermission, I think, so this is just what is locked down now:
Preshow: Vampire Weekend - Campus
Act I
After Sc 1: Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along The Watchtower
After Sc 3: Bob Dylan - Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
After Sc 4: Beck - Orphans
After Sc 5: The White Stripes - I'm Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman Everyday
After Sc 6: The Who - Behind Blue Eyes
After Sc 8: Gnarls Barkley - Going On
After Sc 9: Talking Heads - Life During Wartime
After Sc 10: The Whigs - Right Hand On My Heart
After Sc 12: Radiohead - Optimistic
Act II
After Sc 1: Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline)
After Sc 3: Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness
After Sc 4: Danny and the Juniors - At The Hop
After Sc 5: Interpol - Slow Hands
After Sc 6: The Cool Kids - Bassment Party
During Sc 10: The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop and Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
After Sc 11: The Kinks - You Really Got Me
Encore: The Eagles of Death Metal - Don't Speak (I Came To Make A Bang!)
There's a longer playlist (one song per every in between scene) but this is the one that we'll be using. So yeah, there ya go.
Preshow: Vampire Weekend - Campus
Act I
After Sc 1: Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along The Watchtower
After Sc 3: Bob Dylan - Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
After Sc 4: Beck - Orphans
After Sc 5: The White Stripes - I'm Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman Everyday
After Sc 6: The Who - Behind Blue Eyes
After Sc 8: Gnarls Barkley - Going On
After Sc 9: Talking Heads - Life During Wartime
After Sc 10: The Whigs - Right Hand On My Heart
After Sc 12: Radiohead - Optimistic
Act II
After Sc 1: Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline)
After Sc 3: Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness
After Sc 4: Danny and the Juniors - At The Hop
After Sc 5: Interpol - Slow Hands
After Sc 6: The Cool Kids - Bassment Party
During Sc 10: The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop and Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
After Sc 11: The Kinks - You Really Got Me
Encore: The Eagles of Death Metal - Don't Speak (I Came To Make A Bang!)
There's a longer playlist (one song per every in between scene) but this is the one that we'll be using. So yeah, there ya go.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Birthday Post!
So what do I do on my birthday? I don't get a gift. No, in return, on this day of days, I decide to give you a gift instead. The greatest gift of all!
A BLOG POST! HURRAH!!!
Well actually that's not entirely true. I was able to watch a partial run of the play and, as per the advice of the directors, I have some notes and some script corrections. I'll get the latter out of the way first....
SCRIPT CORRECTIONS:
- WILL: Since the "set-up for a really bad joke" has been cut, there's a gap of time where you don't say anything before Eric launches into "Well I have this cat named Alison." So now, after you're asked if you've "been around any cats," you will try to contribute by saying, "I have a dog...?" before Eric realizes he doesn't care what your answer is and goes "Well I have this cat named Alison."
- ERIC: Cut the Fett joke after the Friend Zone/Inescapable Abyss section. It's tacked on as a plus-one and it doesn't work as anything more than "OH HAY ITZ A STAR WARZ REFERENCE IVE SEEN THAT MOVIE 2!!!!" and it makes me vomit in my mouth every time I hear it. Shouldn't have put it in in the first place, so pardon.
Now, for the run notes, this is my first time really seeing, oh, any of this on its feet, so I couldn't pay as close attention to everyone on stage. Please be advised that if I don't have a note for you, it doesn't mean that you're not doing well or aren't going to be precious to people in the audience. I'll have a better sense of that tomorrow with a full run and one session under my belt. Huzzah! Onto the notes....
- Crew: Those tiny four foot ladders are simply adorable.
- JJ: Your posing before meeting Will is wonderful, especially your positioning in relation to the group.
- General: Just so you all know, the "Or maybe it's a D" joke was not intended to be a joke about breasts. So my note is to get your heads out of the gutter. Thank you kindly. (...And keep it.)
- Frank: Perfect read and reaction on "I have to get my money back."
- Liz: I never had you in the middle of Alison/Will scene, but I'll be damned if it didn't make everything much more interesting. Also, have you seen Persepolis? As you were rockin' out you looked just like a section when the main character is rocking out. If you haven't seen it, see it ASAP - that goes for all of you.
- Ali K: Originally you'd be giving The Finger to Will, but the point and stare is better in character and much, much funnier. Also, don't stare at people and clap like you're a wind-up toy. It's a bit disconcerting.
- Katherine: I could listen to you say "LOL!" all day. Actually, after a while that might turn me into Alison. Once every hour, like a Grandfather clock.
- Maja: I only got a scene of you, but I loved the eye contact bit, your big laugh for Alison, the OTHER eye contact bit later on, and the final "aay" on "R.A." So yeah, enjoyed most of the things you did.
- Tara: It seems like the bathroom stalls are ready, so I'm quite excited to see what you will be doing with Jen. This run was also barren of Barron, good Rachel bits, and I haven't seen Jen M. yet. Mmmm Monday.
- Brandon: Your "EDEN!??!" and the "woooow" after "mantis" made me giggle like an idiot.
- Sam: Enjoy the reaction to "me Jane!" Slow, slow burn....
- Frank: I pictured Eric more like Damone in Fast Times, slower, lower register. And while you do have to slow down in sections, I enjoy how you're making Eric into a more excited, energetic freak. It's a different kind of take, and it makes the character more interesting.
- Christine: Very much enjoy your freakouts, but where is the squeal bit with Alison! Eeeee!!
- JJ: Like when you point the three or four "no's" at the improperly-dressed ladies. It was odd to re-write (add) to that scene then hear the old version.
- Katherine: You're such an asshole to Will and it's great. The "ew, no" made my heart grow three times that day.
- Madison: Your character voice for Lauren is great. A slightly sarcastic tone. It's an odd note, but it jumped out at me while I was writing a note (and then had to write this one, "so wonderfully sardonic").
- Liz: Welp, I can hear you loud and clear.
- Ali B: Congratulations on learning how to laugh. We all know you could do it !
- Sam: Your "huhmuhmuh" while getting the DVDs out during the "burst" line made me giggle heartily.
- Alyssa: You have a very tiny "no!" in response to Meg trying to burn down the house, and I noticed it and was a fan (especially with the book gripped in your arms into your chest).
- Jacky: You get me every time when you grab/hug Alison and put your head on her shoulder as you enter. It's great.
Oh yeah, and
Kelsey: You have a complicated part with a lot of subtle beat changes and little jokes that take time to tinker with, and you're making it look effortless. Great, great work.
Ok, time for some birfday bagels. If you haven't gotten an invite yet, the facebook invite for the show can be found here.
See y'all tomorrow!
A BLOG POST! HURRAH!!!
Well actually that's not entirely true. I was able to watch a partial run of the play and, as per the advice of the directors, I have some notes and some script corrections. I'll get the latter out of the way first....
SCRIPT CORRECTIONS:
- WILL: Since the "set-up for a really bad joke" has been cut, there's a gap of time where you don't say anything before Eric launches into "Well I have this cat named Alison." So now, after you're asked if you've "been around any cats," you will try to contribute by saying, "I have a dog...?" before Eric realizes he doesn't care what your answer is and goes "Well I have this cat named Alison."
- ERIC: Cut the Fett joke after the Friend Zone/Inescapable Abyss section. It's tacked on as a plus-one and it doesn't work as anything more than "OH HAY ITZ A STAR WARZ REFERENCE IVE SEEN THAT MOVIE 2!!!!" and it makes me vomit in my mouth every time I hear it. Shouldn't have put it in in the first place, so pardon.
Now, for the run notes, this is my first time really seeing, oh, any of this on its feet, so I couldn't pay as close attention to everyone on stage. Please be advised that if I don't have a note for you, it doesn't mean that you're not doing well or aren't going to be precious to people in the audience. I'll have a better sense of that tomorrow with a full run and one session under my belt. Huzzah! Onto the notes....
- Crew: Those tiny four foot ladders are simply adorable.
- JJ: Your posing before meeting Will is wonderful, especially your positioning in relation to the group.
- General: Just so you all know, the "Or maybe it's a D" joke was not intended to be a joke about breasts. So my note is to get your heads out of the gutter. Thank you kindly. (...And keep it.)
- Frank: Perfect read and reaction on "I have to get my money back."
- Liz: I never had you in the middle of Alison/Will scene, but I'll be damned if it didn't make everything much more interesting. Also, have you seen Persepolis? As you were rockin' out you looked just like a section when the main character is rocking out. If you haven't seen it, see it ASAP - that goes for all of you.
- Ali K: Originally you'd be giving The Finger to Will, but the point and stare is better in character and much, much funnier. Also, don't stare at people and clap like you're a wind-up toy. It's a bit disconcerting.
- Katherine: I could listen to you say "LOL!" all day. Actually, after a while that might turn me into Alison. Once every hour, like a Grandfather clock.
- Maja: I only got a scene of you, but I loved the eye contact bit, your big laugh for Alison, the OTHER eye contact bit later on, and the final "aay" on "R.A." So yeah, enjoyed most of the things you did.
- Tara: It seems like the bathroom stalls are ready, so I'm quite excited to see what you will be doing with Jen. This run was also barren of Barron, good Rachel bits, and I haven't seen Jen M. yet. Mmmm Monday.
- Brandon: Your "EDEN!??!" and the "woooow" after "mantis" made me giggle like an idiot.
- Sam: Enjoy the reaction to "me Jane!" Slow, slow burn....
- Frank: I pictured Eric more like Damone in Fast Times, slower, lower register. And while you do have to slow down in sections, I enjoy how you're making Eric into a more excited, energetic freak. It's a different kind of take, and it makes the character more interesting.
- Christine: Very much enjoy your freakouts, but where is the squeal bit with Alison! Eeeee!!
- JJ: Like when you point the three or four "no's" at the improperly-dressed ladies. It was odd to re-write (add) to that scene then hear the old version.
- Katherine: You're such an asshole to Will and it's great. The "ew, no" made my heart grow three times that day.
- Madison: Your character voice for Lauren is great. A slightly sarcastic tone. It's an odd note, but it jumped out at me while I was writing a note (and then had to write this one, "so wonderfully sardonic").
- Liz: Welp, I can hear you loud and clear.
- Ali B: Congratulations on learning how to laugh. We all know you could do it !
- Sam: Your "huhmuhmuh" while getting the DVDs out during the "burst" line made me giggle heartily.
- Alyssa: You have a very tiny "no!" in response to Meg trying to burn down the house, and I noticed it and was a fan (especially with the book gripped in your arms into your chest).
- Jacky: You get me every time when you grab/hug Alison and put your head on her shoulder as you enter. It's great.
Oh yeah, and
Kelsey: You have a complicated part with a lot of subtle beat changes and little jokes that take time to tinker with, and you're making it look effortless. Great, great work.
Ok, time for some birfday bagels. If you haven't gotten an invite yet, the facebook invite for the show can be found here.
See y'all tomorrow!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Thoughts From The Day
Man you guys have a lot to do, but it was very reassuring that you guys have done your homework and know your lines. It sounds like a very good base that you can add to in the coming week. Considering the amount of time you have (and have left), I'm impressed by your work.
Now the last thing I want to do is hear that you guys slacked off after hearing that. Please don't stop working.
I re-wrote a line for Beth earlier today, I have to look at something for Barron still, and all the lovely ladies in Act 2 Sc 4 can toss away your pages cause you have new lines to learn! Before you lose your minds, I only added about a line each per character (Meg now says "Us!" for example, and that's the add). It was needed. That scene was boring and didn't have any conflict. Now, hopefully, the conflict is more clear and works better as a set-up for the "sitting outside the party" scene before Alison uses her powers for evil.
Strengthen!!!!!!
Clearly you guys have questions, and that's what the internet and/or The Lupfers and me are for. If you have a question, ask us, we'll let you know. Christina didn't know what a NARC was, (or its verb, "to narc") and it's an easy fix. Now that line has meaning, she can say it the way it properly, and the line will (hopefully) work! It's a wonderful process.
You know where you can find me on facebook or through email at antonmichaelp [@] gmail.com if you have any questions or issues, or leave them here in the comments. There's nothing more infuriating and wasteful when someone doesn't get the reference and refuses to ask, so the line reading suffers, then they're told how to say it and the actor goes "oh, THAT'S what that means!" Just ask! It's what we're here for!
Keep up the good work. Well, I can be the judge of that on Saturday.
Now the last thing I want to do is hear that you guys slacked off after hearing that. Please don't stop working.
I re-wrote a line for Beth earlier today, I have to look at something for Barron still, and all the lovely ladies in Act 2 Sc 4 can toss away your pages cause you have new lines to learn! Before you lose your minds, I only added about a line each per character (Meg now says "Us!" for example, and that's the add). It was needed. That scene was boring and didn't have any conflict. Now, hopefully, the conflict is more clear and works better as a set-up for the "sitting outside the party" scene before Alison uses her powers for evil.
Strengthen!!!!!!
Clearly you guys have questions, and that's what the internet and/or The Lupfers and me are for. If you have a question, ask us, we'll let you know. Christina didn't know what a NARC was, (or its verb, "to narc") and it's an easy fix. Now that line has meaning, she can say it the way it properly, and the line will (hopefully) work! It's a wonderful process.
You know where you can find me on facebook or through email at antonmichaelp [@] gmail.com if you have any questions or issues, or leave them here in the comments. There's nothing more infuriating and wasteful when someone doesn't get the reference and refuses to ask, so the line reading suffers, then they're told how to say it and the actor goes "oh, THAT'S what that means!" Just ask! It's what we're here for!
Keep up the good work. Well, I can be the judge of that on Saturday.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
New Schedule Up
If you check on the google site for Disorientation you'll find a better breakdown of the schedule for reheasrsals. This way, if you're Frank, you're not unknowingly rolling in to a bathroom scene and your afternoon of doing nothing takes a serious 40 minute hit out of it (not to say Frank doesn't use his time effectively or not, but merely as an example). I'd copy and paste the address of the site or merely the schedule itself, but Im iPhone-ing from DC here, so go to the only other site for the play you know of that many of you go to first before coming here anyway thereby rendering this meaning worthless to most of you.
But it's the thought that counts, isn't it?
To further one point that the Lups brought up, please attend all mandatory rehearsals. I had to completely cut one character out already and I adore this cast and want this to be the original cast of my first (only?) play. And there's no way in hell we have the luxury of cutting someone, re-writing, possibly re-casting, and then memorizing. We have exactly enough time now and not a minute less.
Hope you're all enjoying the memorization process while on break - hopefully it's more fun then memorizing the salient points of the Magna Carta or whatever you normally do in school. My apologies to Sam and Kelsey for the amount of verbage. No sympathy for Tara, Liz or Gabby. Christine, you're on the fence.
See you when I see you
But it's the thought that counts, isn't it?
To further one point that the Lups brought up, please attend all mandatory rehearsals. I had to completely cut one character out already and I adore this cast and want this to be the original cast of my first (only?) play. And there's no way in hell we have the luxury of cutting someone, re-writing, possibly re-casting, and then memorizing. We have exactly enough time now and not a minute less.
Hope you're all enjoying the memorization process while on break - hopefully it's more fun then memorizing the salient points of the Magna Carta or whatever you normally do in school. My apologies to Sam and Kelsey for the amount of verbage. No sympathy for Tara, Liz or Gabby. Christine, you're on the fence.
See you when I see you
Monday, April 6, 2009
A "Character Sketch" Has Multiple Meanings
Bless Liz's heart, as she keeps giving me fodder for updating this blog, and great art for us to marvel at as well. Here is her interpretation of every character from Disorientation, and great little moments between characters to show who they are and how they deal with everyone. It's so ridiculously clear who everyone is...I'm still taken aback, and it's been a few hours since I first saw it. Enough of me blabbing on, here's the picture (click on it for the super-high-res-and-super-big version, unseen ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE INTERNET, I think):
In case you're lazy (or simply unaware), here is the list from the top left row on down, left to right, of each character:
Top Row: Lauren, Madison, Mona, Haley, Rachel, edit: Angelica, Maya
Second Row: Meg, Dean Anderson, Ms. Barron, Jolene, Jocelyn, Beth (although she's in between the top rows)
Third Row: Eric, Will, Alison, Vicky, Sarah
Fourth Row: Bridgette, Hillary, Katy, Becca
Outcast Row: Kris and Jen
Bottom Row: Clint, Toby, and Nathaniel
Amazing. It's already my desktop on my writin' computer.
In case you're lazy (or simply unaware), here is the list from the top left row on down, left to right, of each character:
Top Row: Lauren, Madison, Mona, Haley, Rachel, edit: Angelica, Maya
Second Row: Meg, Dean Anderson, Ms. Barron, Jolene, Jocelyn, Beth (although she's in between the top rows)
Third Row: Eric, Will, Alison, Vicky, Sarah
Fourth Row: Bridgette, Hillary, Katy, Becca
Outcast Row: Kris and Jen
Bottom Row: Clint, Toby, and Nathaniel
Amazing. It's already my desktop on my writin' computer.
Friday, April 3, 2009
What's In A Name?
Thanks to the intrepid Liz, I now have a 50th blog post to put up (hurrah!). Yep, we're half way to one hundred, and unless a TON of stuff unexpectedly happens over the next three weeks, this'll probably be the only big landmark this blog's ever gonna get. So let's enjoy it while we can, folks.
In the previous post, Liz left a comment asking, "where did you get the characters' names from? I thought Alison was the only name you took from a song, but then you mentioned Jolene was also inspired by a song, so I was just wondering who else was inspired by stuff."
A good question, so I'll go through and list [i]every single name[/i] and the deep thinking that went into each one. I found the original roll call sheet (but won't be posting as there is a bit too much course language and 'real people' names attached to a few of them) so I'll take from that as well.
Alison - From the Elvis Costello song, which is great, cause the song is all about someone who got away...so you name your child after it so that it can run away and get married on you. I guess it's just forward thinking and looking towards the inevitable.
Will - I had recently written a one-act on William Shakespeare, and I'm pretty sure "Will" just stuck after that.
Beth - Seems like the name of a hapless RA
Vicky - Wasn't her given name (something involving her perceived use of men was the place holder), but fell into it. Sounds in your face. Also the name of my cousin's business partner, so we get a laugh out of that.
Sarah - Originally "Suzanne" do to a joke about the name of said cousin, and she's the only person other than my mom and the Lups who have read every draft, so I thought that'd be a nice gag. But "Sue" or "Suzanne" isn't as fun to yell as "SARAH!" Also, every Sarah (or Sara) I've ever known have been polite, decent, and generous, so I love the twist.
Dean Anderson - WASP
Ms. Anita Barron - First Gloria, but I had watched West Side Story recently, and as a tribute to my favorite musical of all time (out of the 4 I actually like) I threw in Anita. Barron feels like the character a bit. Strong, proud, nearly to a fault.
Eric - There was a kid on my floor Freshman year who I thought was just like this character for a solid two or three weeks. He'd just mutter something really off color, then walk back alone to his single. He isn't like that after getting to know him, but since the play takes place over 2 or 3 weeks....
Jolene - I wanted someone who hasn't from the northeast, and I had a neighbor for two years from Hilton Head, and was listening to The White Stripes' cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." And there we go. There was also a real southern girl named Jolene who moved to PR for her senior year in like 01, and it was the oddest name I've ever heard. Wanted that same sort of reaction in the college.
Meg - It's the shortest thing she'll ever say.
Bridgette - Originally was Gertrude, just wanted the juxtaposition of the name vs. the character, just like the girl who the character is based off of. She'd wear big, NE Patriots gray sweatshirts and 500 dollar shoes. Truckdriver mouth, dainty sensibilities.
Clint, Gavin, Toby, Nathanial - WASP WASP WASP WASP. All of those names attend Boston College (in fact, all of their last names, as featured in their Meet: blog are of BC hockey players, past and present). Also, helped named by Mr. Lupfer.
Hillary - HRC, in case you didn't know already.
Jocelyn - I hear this name and I think of a turtleneck sweater.
Becca and Katy - Two friends who aren't stoners, so it makes me giggle.
Lauren - Who I just realized was originally cut, named after my friend Deejo. Character is pretty much her, too.
Madison - Doesn't it just sound as pure as the driven snow?
Mona and Haley - Two really sweet sophomore girls from my floor freshman year. Again, I giggle alone.
Maya - Just sounds otherworldly. If I wanted to make the way her character is now play, I probably would change her name to something more basic, to show how she's just fallen into spirituality as opposed to believing in it.
Rachel - Of all the Rachels I know, none of them was a clean freak. I needed to rectify that issue, obviously.
Kris - This is what "Christine" is called when she rebels, and Kris rebelled at 15 and hasn't really looked back since.
Angelica - Play on the word "angel."
Jen - Named after my friend Jen, another sophomore from my floor, who truly doesn't like social situations (not nearly to this extent). She also has a turtle dog toy that squeaks, and might lend us the original stuffed-animal-chew-toy for Beth, and will probably be at the show.
Funny, I cut Lauren but had in an artsy girl named Alex and Mary Jane, who would've been real characters. Then I needed another sensible voice in the room (Lauren), didn't want to add another intro to the opening (Alex) and had no way to get this person to where I needed them to be (Mary Jane) so they were just a text message. Oh technology and laziness.
If you've made it through all of that, enjoy your break! I'll try and throw some stuff up here to keep you from being bored, so far away from the education and learning you all hold so dear.
(ps the post tags are other school name options, all "_________ College")
In the previous post, Liz left a comment asking, "where did you get the characters' names from? I thought Alison was the only name you took from a song, but then you mentioned Jolene was also inspired by a song, so I was just wondering who else was inspired by stuff."
A good question, so I'll go through and list [i]every single name[/i] and the deep thinking that went into each one. I found the original roll call sheet (but won't be posting as there is a bit too much course language and 'real people' names attached to a few of them) so I'll take from that as well.
Alison - From the Elvis Costello song, which is great, cause the song is all about someone who got away...so you name your child after it so that it can run away and get married on you. I guess it's just forward thinking and looking towards the inevitable.
Will - I had recently written a one-act on William Shakespeare, and I'm pretty sure "Will" just stuck after that.
Beth - Seems like the name of a hapless RA
Vicky - Wasn't her given name (something involving her perceived use of men was the place holder), but fell into it. Sounds in your face. Also the name of my cousin's business partner, so we get a laugh out of that.
Sarah - Originally "Suzanne" do to a joke about the name of said cousin, and she's the only person other than my mom and the Lups who have read every draft, so I thought that'd be a nice gag. But "Sue" or "Suzanne" isn't as fun to yell as "SARAH!" Also, every Sarah (or Sara) I've ever known have been polite, decent, and generous, so I love the twist.
Dean Anderson - WASP
Ms. Anita Barron - First Gloria, but I had watched West Side Story recently, and as a tribute to my favorite musical of all time (out of the 4 I actually like) I threw in Anita. Barron feels like the character a bit. Strong, proud, nearly to a fault.
Eric - There was a kid on my floor Freshman year who I thought was just like this character for a solid two or three weeks. He'd just mutter something really off color, then walk back alone to his single. He isn't like that after getting to know him, but since the play takes place over 2 or 3 weeks....
Jolene - I wanted someone who hasn't from the northeast, and I had a neighbor for two years from Hilton Head, and was listening to The White Stripes' cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." And there we go. There was also a real southern girl named Jolene who moved to PR for her senior year in like 01, and it was the oddest name I've ever heard. Wanted that same sort of reaction in the college.
Meg - It's the shortest thing she'll ever say.
Bridgette - Originally was Gertrude, just wanted the juxtaposition of the name vs. the character, just like the girl who the character is based off of. She'd wear big, NE Patriots gray sweatshirts and 500 dollar shoes. Truckdriver mouth, dainty sensibilities.
Clint, Gavin, Toby, Nathanial - WASP WASP WASP WASP. All of those names attend Boston College (in fact, all of their last names, as featured in their Meet: blog are of BC hockey players, past and present). Also, helped named by Mr. Lupfer.
Hillary - HRC, in case you didn't know already.
Jocelyn - I hear this name and I think of a turtleneck sweater.
Becca and Katy - Two friends who aren't stoners, so it makes me giggle.
Lauren - Who I just realized was originally cut, named after my friend Deejo. Character is pretty much her, too.
Madison - Doesn't it just sound as pure as the driven snow?
Mona and Haley - Two really sweet sophomore girls from my floor freshman year. Again, I giggle alone.
Maya - Just sounds otherworldly. If I wanted to make the way her character is now play, I probably would change her name to something more basic, to show how she's just fallen into spirituality as opposed to believing in it.
Rachel - Of all the Rachels I know, none of them was a clean freak. I needed to rectify that issue, obviously.
Kris - This is what "Christine" is called when she rebels, and Kris rebelled at 15 and hasn't really looked back since.
Angelica - Play on the word "angel."
Jen - Named after my friend Jen, another sophomore from my floor, who truly doesn't like social situations (not nearly to this extent). She also has a turtle dog toy that squeaks, and might lend us the original stuffed-animal-chew-toy for Beth, and will probably be at the show.
Funny, I cut Lauren but had in an artsy girl named Alex and Mary Jane, who would've been real characters. Then I needed another sensible voice in the room (Lauren), didn't want to add another intro to the opening (Alex) and had no way to get this person to where I needed them to be (Mary Jane) so they were just a text message. Oh technology and laziness.
If you've made it through all of that, enjoy your break! I'll try and throw some stuff up here to keep you from being bored, so far away from the education and learning you all hold so dear.
(ps the post tags are other school name options, all "_________ College")
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Reflections From The Read
Well, the first rehearsal is in the books. In fact, the second rehearsal is going on now, but I am blissfully uninvolved as characters are built and understood better (while I tool around with my new blu-ray player). I just wanted to comment on a trend that I saw develop yesterday and ask for some assistance.
It seemed to me that interpretations of certain jokes read yesterday went a bit overboard, and away from my intent. There are some jokes hat are a tad gauche, but I intended for only a few of them to be pointed, but it came across that there were more. Your interpretation of my work is not something I can control, fight over, or is even up for me deciding that you're "wrong." I made a script, you make of it what you will - that's your job description as actors.
However, this project is not fun when it makes people ill-at-ease, uncomfortable, or simply makes the process not a fun and enjoyable experience. If you have problems with content that might hinder your appreciation of your time in creating the staged version of [i]Disorientation[/i], I'd love to know about it. You can always email me at antonmichaelp [at] gmail or leave an anonymous comment here on this post.
I wrote this to create a positive and unique experience for you guys, and would not want to see it ruined by my own hand (that'd be rather contradictory, wouldn't it?). So by all means, voice our opinion.
Now after all of that, who wants a ride on the Tobycoaster?
It seemed to me that interpretations of certain jokes read yesterday went a bit overboard, and away from my intent. There are some jokes hat are a tad gauche, but I intended for only a few of them to be pointed, but it came across that there were more. Your interpretation of my work is not something I can control, fight over, or is even up for me deciding that you're "wrong." I made a script, you make of it what you will - that's your job description as actors.
However, this project is not fun when it makes people ill-at-ease, uncomfortable, or simply makes the process not a fun and enjoyable experience. If you have problems with content that might hinder your appreciation of your time in creating the staged version of [i]Disorientation[/i], I'd love to know about it. You can always email me at antonmichaelp [at] gmail or leave an anonymous comment here on this post.
I wrote this to create a positive and unique experience for you guys, and would not want to see it ruined by my own hand (that'd be rather contradictory, wouldn't it?). So by all means, voice our opinion.
Now after all of that, who wants a ride on the Tobycoaster?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
It Begins
I guess. Here is the rehearsal schedule for Disorientation:
It suddenly got very, very real. Which means I have a very positive reaction and we're going to have to scoop the rest of you off the floor with a shovel.
See you on Tuesdeeeee
Tuesday 3/31 3:30-6:30pm ALL (Readthru of new script, design/concept discussion, etc.)
Wednesday 4/1 3:30-6pm
Thursday 4/2 3:30-6pm
Friday 4/3-Sunday 4/12 OFF
Monday 4/13 3:30-7pm
Tuesday 4/14 3:30-7pm
Wednesday 4/15 3:30-7pm
Thursday 4/16 3:30-7pm
Friday 4/17 3:30-7pm
Saturday 4/18 9am-5pm
Sunday 4/19 OFF
Monday 4/20 3:30-8pm
Tuesday 4/21 3:30-8pm
Wednesday 4/22 3:30-8pm
Thursday 4/23 3:30-8pm
Friday 4/24 3:30-8pm
Saturday 4/25 Rehearsal TBA- Performance 7pm
It suddenly got very, very real. Which means I have a very positive reaction and we're going to have to scoop the rest of you off the floor with a shovel.
See you on Tuesdeeeee
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Like Kevin Garnett (or Seuss) Anything Is Possible
I have recently returned from watching the Pascack Valley High School musical, [i]Seussical[/i] and yet again I was just completely blown away by the talent bursting off the stage. I sat in awe at the performance itself, but in the back of my mind, was selfishly going nuts. "I can't believe they are doing [i]my play[/i]." It seems almost unfair. When you first start as a writer, or an anything for that matter, you have to slum your way through, pay your dues, and after some time THEN you are afforded the opportunity to work with wonderful talent.
I've somehow skipped a few beats.
I can't believe Katherine is going to be Sarah. I can't believe that Lenny is going to cram so much into Nathaniel. I can't believe that Liz, with her wonderful voice, will be relegated to so few lines, that Gabby can't act like a monkey. And on, and on, and on down the list. At every turn during the show, with every costume (or character) change, for every button line and wonderful look, I was bowled over by just how lucky I am. The show teaches everyone to be happy for where you are and what you're doing, and that we normally don't look at the things we have, but rather what we don't, and that's how we view our lives.
I absolutely cannot believe how lucky I am to be graced with such an amazing cast. My words are my words, whatever. These performances could elevate them to something truly special. I have really stopped caring about how a play of mine will be put up, but rather how well PV will be able to do pull it off. It's an honor and a blessing to get the opportunity; it's an embarrassment of riches to have a cast like this.
For everyone who was on stage for [i]Seussical[/i] and in my cast, thank you for taking interest in my work. For all of those who weren't on stage, your presence was missed, and I can't wait for that to be rectified on the 25th.
We'll see each other on Tuesday (Maja's birthday !), and you'll be tired, half dead, and over-worked, and I will be overjoyed.
I've somehow skipped a few beats.
I can't believe Katherine is going to be Sarah. I can't believe that Lenny is going to cram so much into Nathaniel. I can't believe that Liz, with her wonderful voice, will be relegated to so few lines, that Gabby can't act like a monkey. And on, and on, and on down the list. At every turn during the show, with every costume (or character) change, for every button line and wonderful look, I was bowled over by just how lucky I am. The show teaches everyone to be happy for where you are and what you're doing, and that we normally don't look at the things we have, but rather what we don't, and that's how we view our lives.
I absolutely cannot believe how lucky I am to be graced with such an amazing cast. My words are my words, whatever. These performances could elevate them to something truly special. I have really stopped caring about how a play of mine will be put up, but rather how well PV will be able to do pull it off. It's an honor and a blessing to get the opportunity; it's an embarrassment of riches to have a cast like this.
For everyone who was on stage for [i]Seussical[/i] and in my cast, thank you for taking interest in my work. For all of those who weren't on stage, your presence was missed, and I can't wait for that to be rectified on the 25th.
We'll see each other on Tuesday (Maja's birthday !), and you'll be tired, half dead, and over-worked, and I will be overjoyed.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Almost Time...
I was scolded tonight by someone for not updating the blog, but I've been throwing my life away at Curtains while the PV'ers have been slaving away for the Cat in the Hat during Seussical (the entire thing is an allegory on fascism: discuss). So I'll update you all on a rather odd thought:
We're thirty days out from Disorientation's opening night.
That's a full month by most standards (save for April, June, November and Freakmonth-uary). And we're five days away from the first rehearsal, where I get to see all your smiling faces when you realize that you just did a set strike and now you're going full-bore into another show that you have about 25 days to prepare for.
...anyone still with me?
The PRHS crew will be heading out (in full regalia, I believe) to Seussical on Saturday for the matinee. Have a wonderful Friday night performance (like PRHS will have as well, hopefully) and we'll see you all bright and mid-day on the weekend.
Then I'll see you at the first rehearsal for Disorientation.
omg.
We're thirty days out from Disorientation's opening night.
That's a full month by most standards (save for April, June, November and Freakmonth-uary). And we're five days away from the first rehearsal, where I get to see all your smiling faces when you realize that you just did a set strike and now you're going full-bore into another show that you have about 25 days to prepare for.
...anyone still with me?
The PRHS crew will be heading out (in full regalia, I believe) to Seussical on Saturday for the matinee. Have a wonderful Friday night performance (like PRHS will have as well, hopefully) and we'll see you all bright and mid-day on the weekend.
Then I'll see you at the first rehearsal for Disorientation.
omg.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Trickle Begins...
It seems that some of you have gotten your hands on draft four of Disorientation. I hope you like the changes. For the rest of you, copies will surely be on their way, and I hope you also like the changes. If you have questions, comments, or tasty recipes, feel free to leave them here. Especially the last part.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Out Of Words
It's over.
I have just sent the grammar checked fourth draft after it got its final polish in to the Almighty Lups, and might I say, it's a lot of words. And pages. Ugh.
Luckily for me, I don't have to memorize them, especially after learning oh so many songs for a musical like Seussical ! You poor, poor guys and gals have to. Oh my. And you're going to have a lot of new stuff to learn, new stuff that has proper spelling and comma use to boot.
I do not know when you'll be getting your hands on the scripts, that's mostly whenever there's enough free time by a Xerox machine for Lup. However, I think you'll find a smoother, sharper...hell, just an overall better play in your hands when it does get there. I hope you'll enjoy, cause the last thing I'd want is to write a show for a group of people who hate performing it. So just don't tell me you hate it.
ps Mickey Rourke got screwed
I have just sent the grammar checked fourth draft after it got its final polish in to the Almighty Lups, and might I say, it's a lot of words. And pages. Ugh.
Luckily for me, I don't have to memorize them, especially after learning oh so many songs for a musical like Seussical ! You poor, poor guys and gals have to. Oh my. And you're going to have a lot of new stuff to learn, new stuff that has proper spelling and comma use to boot.
I do not know when you'll be getting your hands on the scripts, that's mostly whenever there's enough free time by a Xerox machine for Lup. However, I think you'll find a smoother, sharper...hell, just an overall better play in your hands when it does get there. I hope you'll enjoy, cause the last thing I'd want is to write a show for a group of people who hate performing it. So just don't tell me you hate it.
ps Mickey Rourke got screwed
Monday, February 16, 2009
Draft IV: By The Numbers
Well, as per usual, I crunched the numbers and got some interesting results (at least for me, who is clearly trying to push Sabermetrics into play writing). Here are a few little points:
- The play ballooned up by 4 3/8s pages, including a page jump in the Alison/Toby seduction scene to include the other girls and a page jump in the scene with Alison and Sarah that leads Alison to seek Beth's assistance.
- Biggest trim came in the Dean Anderson/Major scene, losing 6/8ths of a page.
- There was a net gain of 30 new lines with this draft. This makes for 59 new dialogue parts in the past two drafts. So much for scaling down....
- If your character figures large in Alison's story when Will's not around, you probably got more lines (Sarah was the biggest gainer with 9 more lines than last draft). Alison also has the most lines, beating Will by 3. Finally.
- I barely touched a few scenes, specifically Eric/Will with the cat monologue, the Yeah Dudes scene (just omitted Gavin), and Will/Vicky's scenes all went mostly unchanged.
And, finally, as a treat to you, here is the new Alison/Will scene when they talk in the hallway. Well, if you can read my handwriting, that is.
Looks like something you'd find on DeviantArt or something. For the record, nothing below the opening description stayed until Will's "it's not that easy" on your page 33.
- The play ballooned up by 4 3/8s pages, including a page jump in the Alison/Toby seduction scene to include the other girls and a page jump in the scene with Alison and Sarah that leads Alison to seek Beth's assistance.
- Biggest trim came in the Dean Anderson/Major scene, losing 6/8ths of a page.
- There was a net gain of 30 new lines with this draft. This makes for 59 new dialogue parts in the past two drafts. So much for scaling down....
- If your character figures large in Alison's story when Will's not around, you probably got more lines (Sarah was the biggest gainer with 9 more lines than last draft). Alison also has the most lines, beating Will by 3. Finally.
- I barely touched a few scenes, specifically Eric/Will with the cat monologue, the Yeah Dudes scene (just omitted Gavin), and Will/Vicky's scenes all went mostly unchanged.
And, finally, as a treat to you, here is the new Alison/Will scene when they talk in the hallway. Well, if you can read my handwriting, that is.
Looks like something you'd find on DeviantArt or something. For the record, nothing below the opening description stayed until Will's "it's not that easy" on your page 33.
Fin.
24208 words
3038 paragraphs
8 months in the making
8.5 hours tonight alone
1 pretty much finished play
I had a whole long post here, but it didn't publish, and I'm about to pass out while trying to walk to my bed. I finished the almost-final draft at 6:41 am. It was totally worth it.
I now send it to the Lups (both plan and She- varieties), they'll give it a gander, check for grammar, spelling, and lots and lots and LOTS of new stuff. Different Alison/Will scenes for every one of their one-on-ones, streamlined ending, a joke I might have to cut, but screw it, it was funny when I thought of it.
"That's all well and good," you say, "but we're acting in it, so when do we get it?" I'm hoping there's a week turn around (it was a week to make this fourth draft, hopefully a week to polish it), which would place this script in your hands for your reSeussal next Monday, the 23rd.
I'm going through the stats tomorrow, I'll post anything interesting. The bottom line is a new 4 pages. That's...somewhat expected? We'll see what happens with that. I think it might actually streamline this whole show better. But that's for another day.
Now? I coma. Sweet, glorious victory coma.
3038 paragraphs
8 months in the making
8.5 hours tonight alone
1 pretty much finished play
I had a whole long post here, but it didn't publish, and I'm about to pass out while trying to walk to my bed. I finished the almost-final draft at 6:41 am. It was totally worth it.
I now send it to the Lups (both plan and She- varieties), they'll give it a gander, check for grammar, spelling, and lots and lots and LOTS of new stuff. Different Alison/Will scenes for every one of their one-on-ones, streamlined ending, a joke I might have to cut, but screw it, it was funny when I thought of it.
"That's all well and good," you say, "but we're acting in it, so when do we get it?" I'm hoping there's a week turn around (it was a week to make this fourth draft, hopefully a week to polish it), which would place this script in your hands for your reSeussal next Monday, the 23rd.
I'm going through the stats tomorrow, I'll post anything interesting. The bottom line is a new 4 pages. That's...somewhat expected? We'll see what happens with that. I think it might actually streamline this whole show better. But that's for another day.
Now? I coma. Sweet, glorious victory coma.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A Sign Of Good Faith
We can rebuild her. We have the technology.
Final draft in your hands definitely before the end of the month.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
If Will Were Tyler Durden
The word processor I use to write up Disorientation--or any screenwriting, for that matter--is called Front Page, and one of the best part are all the little toys and gadgets that come with it. For example, did you know that there are 23,368 words in the play, accounting for 2929 paragraphs? I didn't, and now I want to vomit.
Anyway, another cool feature allows me to isolate one person and get all of their lines. This gives me a great idea for the entire flow and tone of a character. For this draft, that character specifically is Alison. I never realized how many straight-up angry bitch comments she makes (clearly), but it's enough to choke a feminist, that's for sure.
It also allows me to hear her rant with no one else there. Enjoy as Alison talks to Will in the hallway, and do it for the last time, as a good portion of these lines will not be in the final draft.
Anyway, another cool feature allows me to isolate one person and get all of their lines. This gives me a great idea for the entire flow and tone of a character. For this draft, that character specifically is Alison. I never realized how many straight-up angry bitch comments she makes (clearly), but it's enough to choke a feminist, that's for sure.
It also allows me to hear her rant with no one else there. Enjoy as Alison talks to Will in the hallway, and do it for the last time, as a good portion of these lines will not be in the final draft.
Scene: INT. DORM HALLWAY - LATE NIGHT/EARLY MORNING P.29-35
ALISON: What are you trying to do?
ALISON: Is that the sweet spot?
ALISON: Nothing to say, it seems.
ALISON: It’s not the Inquisition.
ALISON: At least no one converted you.
ALISON: (looks at Will)
Nah, I was thinking of something from earlier.
ALISON: No, I wasn’t laughing at you this time. Wasn’t exactly laughing with you, either.
ALISON: Well if anyone fell I’d laugh. It’s a knee-jerk reaction.
ALISON: (looking at Will)
Sorta. (looks at audience) That’s much more rewarding, though.
ALISON: I kind of wish you were my only problem. It wouldn’t be as bad as say (directs toward her door) SOMEONE WHO WON’T GET OFF THE PHONE AT 3 IN THE MORNING!
ALISON: (looking at Will)
Pfft, one. You’ve been born with a unique advantage over more than half the world. Congratulations.
ALISON: Don’t worry, I’m sure this is just a temporary stopover before you get a better job than a more qualified person who just so happens to have breasts.
ALISON: --Are what? Too smart for you? Threaten your manhood? Know better than you?
ALISON: Some?
ALISON: (looks at Will)
--No, they’re fine. Divorced, but fine, separately, I guess....
ALISON: The term “mankind” alone is offensive. What about Womankind? When we try to describe our own species we are second-class. But if you’re a man--
ALISON: What isn’t?
ALISON: (heavy sarcasm)
I pity you.
ALISON: So you came to an all-girls school for what, a self-esteem boost? Of all the selfish--
ALISON: (quickly)
Parents do a lot of things. (regaining focus) So what, daddy tossed you into a barrel of women thinking we were easy pickings?
ALISON: Good.
ALISON: Now you know how every girl has felt since thirteen. (perky) Hey, maybe you do belong here.
ALISON: Bedtime.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Winging Over To London To Jam With The Stones!
As you requested, here are three films for the overall tone of the piece, as well as some things to look at for character (the example for Katy and Becca is, of course, the almighty Spicoli).
Note: Some of these movies are rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America, and as such, should not be viewed without parental consent if you happen to be under the age of 17. This way your parents can't get mad at me.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982) imdb - Blockbuster - Netflix
Can't Hardly Wait (1998) imdb - Blockbuster - Netflix
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) imdb - Blockbuster - Netflix
Note: Some of these movies are rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America, and as such, should not be viewed without parental consent if you happen to be under the age of 17. This way your parents can't get mad at me.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982) imdb - Blockbuster - Netflix
Can't Hardly Wait (1998) imdb - Blockbuster - Netflix
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) imdb - Blockbuster - Netflix
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