This is my second attempt at script frenzy. The first, a screen play for a movie, I wrote by hand and got totally out of control and ended up being a triology of total mayhem and outrageous unexplained paranoia for hamsters of the plotting kind. Serious!

Now I'm been challenged to write another. I chose to continue to torture myself at all costs because otherwise I have no excuse for calling myself an alcoholic, so I've decided to write a stage play. Not one, but two. Not any stage play(s), but musicals.

Oh, I hear people get "discovered" all the time by big stars only to buy their CDs and find myself so mad I toss it out into the highway with absolutely no regard for public safety at all. Oddly, it was inspiring. And, most of all I HATE MUSICALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, I can't stop singing and my children beg me to stop all the time, so what better way to stand up and be counted. Oh yeah! I hate musicals and I KNOW I CAN DO IT BETTER! So, off I go...grumble grumble, and here I am writing not one but 2 #$^&%^#^#%$!!! stupid musicals.

So, any sympathy out there?

I actually have a question. What if you have to add some story line that sets up the story? I mean like, what if you write too much. I guess the idea is to go back and edit...

Ok, so I didn't think out the question I had well enough.

The musicals I'm writing are loosely based on real musicals, one of which I really can't stand. My children taunt me with the songs all the time.

So, my question is this...what is a good first step for a new writer of stage plays. I have the outline of the original play and an outline of the story for the other (which I'm making into a musical), but the characters I want to change. I don't want to re-do those stories rather make the story I can relate to, which is why I suspect I hate them so much. The themes are just vaguely familiar enough to catch my interest, but not close enough to the theme of my life and times - so to speak - to make much sense to me.

Do I jump in and start writing, do I write up character characteristics, do I make an outline of the story I have in mind, do I ...etc...

And, here is another question - the musicals I want to write I sorta want to be recognized as being based on the other stories. How do you do that without totally making it a crappy copy? I have some ideas, but I'll wait and see if anyone understands and responds.

Scripts are just 99% dialogue and 12% singing and 1% audience participation by throwing roses to the lead singer and stage play script writer (not necessarily the same person)!

How do you usually write? Do you like to outline and have all your character sketches neatly lines up before you start, or do you just sit at tthe keyboard and see what spews forth?

My suggestion is to approach this musical the same way you approach your other writing endeavors.

As far as your musical being recognized as being based on another story, people do it all the time. I can't think of any examples right now*, but many a romantic comedy is a "modern-day retelling" of a classic fairy tale. Same basic story, same basic characters, but slightly different (which is what you are proposing to do, from what I can gather from your posts). Do something clever like name your female lead "Cindy" if you musical is based on Cinderella. And make sure love interest is very rich (probably the heir to a lucrative family business) and that he's described as "very charming" by all the ladies.

I don't know if that helps in any way, but then again I don't think I'm entirely sure what you're planning to do with the undisclosed but clearly despised target musicals you are rewriting...

*Okay, I kind of thought of one - 10 Things I Hate About You as a retelling of Taming of the Shrew. And the bazillion retellings of Romeo and Juliet.

Criss, la Reina
www.crisswrites.com
www.xanga.com/reinacristina

Thanks! I started today just jotting down an outline based on the outline. I changed the names, but left it clearly recognizable for those "in the know".

I don't think all people would hate the musical I'm basing mine on. Just me. It's just so...so, that's rare and unusual and how in the world did they get to Washington so fast and suddenly have so much influence as to change the entire course of world history??? She was a nobody for goodness sakes!!! Totally unrealistic, yet I'm going to challenge myself to keep that part and just update it to fit today. I think I'll tone down the world history changing part, though and just make it regional like in a place everybody knows but would never expect to change.

Anyway. Thanks! I plan to post excerpts once I get enough going. Trust me....after the first one you'll go...oh yeah...I know that musical.

The other one...it's touchy. But, I'll probably post that one, too. I'm not sure if anyone would know the story. It's a common theme in the life of the common person, though. Those with unbalanced families, that is.

Good luck on yours!

Scripts are just 99% dialogue and 12% singing and 1% caffine.