Subject, Genre, Plot, Character, and Dialogue (Lesson)

Introduction

“Fiction, like sculpture or painting, begins with a rough sketch. One gets down the characters and their behavior any way one can, knowing the sentences will have to be revised, knowing the characters' actions may change. It makes no difference how clumsy the sketch is—sketches are not supposed to be polished and elegant. All that matters is that, going over and over the sketch as if one had all eternity for finishing one's story, one improves now this sentence, now that, noticing what changes the new sentences urge, and in the process one gets the characters and their behavior clearer in one's head, gradually discovering deeper and deeper implications of the characters' problems and hopes.”
― John Gardner

No one sits down and writes a finished play. It isn’t possible. The theatre is a collaborative art which requires feedback and input from others. In order to get that feedback an outline, and first drafts of scenes have to be created. Writing the outline and first drafts of a play can be overwhelming when considering the finished process at the start. For this reason, the lesson will break down the process into manageable sections. Focus on accomplishing one goal at a time, that way, you will arrive at the point of having working drafts that will be ready for the next stage of public feedback and revision.

The Responsibilities of a Playwright: Subject, Genre, Plot, Characters, and Dialogue

In order to achieve the goal of having a draft script ready for feedback we need to look again at the role of the playwright. In the video below, we will discuss these responsibilities in detail.

Below the video, you will find a notes document including a script of the presentation.

Download a presentation script for "Responsibilities of a Playwright" here.

The Responsibilities of a Playwright: Review

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The playwright is responsible for the following:

Selecting a subject
Determining focus and emphasis
Establishing purpose
Establishing point of view and genre
Developing dramatic structures
Creating dramatic characters
Shaping dramatic language

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