To: "Puptcrit" <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
From: puppetmaster-AT-puppetswithpizazz.com
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:12:09 +0000
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Adapting Grimm's Fairy Tales...


Tips on scripting: 
--Know your beginning, middle and end.
--Most importantly, know your characters. What makes each one unique? How do they feel about each other? 
     In reading a fairy tale characters' personalities are deliberately vague because the storyteller\writer wants the listener\reader to bring his or her own interpretation to the story. However, once you pull the character off the page and put him onto the puppet stage,  you, the script writer, must assign him a personality. Remember how Disney used the mice in "Cinderella." Through them he showed us her generous, animal-loving, etc. personality. If you know...really, really know...your character, the dialogue will almost write itself.
--but rely not on dialogue. Puppetry is a visual, not an auditory, entertainment. So write your first outline as "he goes here and he does this;  then this falls down and the dog runs out..."etc.
-- The later drafts need to have every non essential word eliminated. Prop up your script pages and walk across the room. If you see more black than white you have some major cutting to do.
 --what can happen? Here's a good tip: carry a little notebook. At the traffic light (or wherever) let your mind settle on two of your characters. What can happen between them? Jot down every idea (good or not) you get--only one idea per page. Later, when you have a heap of them deal them out: "this is good for act 1; this one is for act 3; this one gets junked..".etc.
--start the show with a bang. 
--after the climax get out fast.
--do several trial performances for discerning but sympathetic audiences. Consider their comments.
--don't be hesitant to cut, add, clarify or rearrange the script, but always make the changes the next time. If you do it on the spot you might paint yourself into a corner. You can tell where to change by listening to your audience for restlessness.
--good luck
------Original Message------
From: Pixie Moss
Sender: puptcrit-bounces-AT-puptcrit.org
To: Puptcrit
ReplyTo: Puptcrit
Sent: Jan 25, 2009 11:57 PM
Subject: [Puptcrit] Adapting Grimm's Fairy Tales...

Hello,
               I am a felt doll maker and have been working the last
few years on turning my creations into puppets. I have almost finished
the design and now will be turning my attention to puppet theatre and
script writing. I have no experience writing any kind of script at
all, though I do have a knack for writing stories.

I would like to start out using an old Grimm's or other fairy tale and
was hoping to get some advice on adapting fairy tales to puppet plays.
How do I begin ?  What is the first step ? Is there an easy formula
for writing out a script and adapting a fairy tale ? Should I make the
puppets first, or script ?

Any advice on this topic or script writing in general would be appreciated.....



-- 
Enchanted Gypsy ~ Travel Diaries
http://www.enchantedgypsy.blogspot.com/
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