The Other Half Of Writing.

I’m working on a script for our spring drama at ALC , and it has been an interesting process. As many of you know, I design visual presentations for a living - mostly for lawyers. While I enjoy working in that medium, I have always liked writing. More accurately, I like to “have written” more than I actually like the process of writing. At least that’s the case right now - with a few exceptions.

When it comes to graphics and multimedia, I have years of tricks, techniques and experience from which to draw. I can do something half decent without much effort. But while I have been writing in short bursts for many years (eg. skits, short sketches, etc.) - I have not written anything this lengthy. I really don’t have any tricks to fall back on when writing something like this, so it is definitely work. I have to get in a zone in order to focus enough to be coherent - usually with some Beck or Coldplay running in the background. I am learning a lot about the process, and the further I get into it, the more I think I’m starting to enjoy the actual writing. The challenge is keeping my mind focused enough to keep the story flowing properly. I am trying to use tools that can assist with organizing my thoughts. For example, I’ve been trying some mind-mapping software with limited success. As a visual thinker, I see the scenes in my head as they are to be performed on stage, but without a cohesive plot line, they are just a series of scenes. So, I determined that the best way for me to work is to write the scenes as I see them - in no particular order, then add hooks to connect everything. That’s seeming to work, but I think I will be able to do that most effectively once I have all the scenes written. I still have a few to go.

I am also interested in the idea of adding multimedia to the show. I am writing the script to integrate video, music and lights. We have a programmable lighting system and nice big video screens that will add a cool component. I am hoping to use video as another cast member - which could be cool. It will be nice to be able to add to the story with these familiar tools.

I hope to be done with the script this week. If anyone is going to be in the Plano, TX area in March, please drop by ALC and check out the performance. Stay tuned for specific dates.