Thoughts, Post Read-Through
Well, last night was certainly a success, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all who came over to read.
Man was it strange to hear it read out loud. After spending so much time writing and revising, the words on the pages had gotten to be so familiar, and I heard them consistently the same way in my head. Hearing 8 separate people reading the dialogue out loud and adding all of their own character and inflection was so surreal and thrilling that it is hard to describe the sensation. One thing that was for sure was that I was excited enough that was flushed and red-faced through the whole thing. I wonder if anyone noticed. I did manage to not weep openly when everyone applauded at the end, though it was perhaps a near thing. So that's a plus.
Having the reading really did help solidify some of the changes I need to make to pieces of the script, and what really needs to happen now is an extensive revision of the stage directions. I knew that going in, but really, I think with a few exceptions, those were the only parts of the reading that didn't seem to play well. So another revision and perhaps some general cutting of extraneous stuff will certainly be in order.
One thing that surprised me was some parts of the script that got huge laughs that I didn't expect. I actually started noting the places where it happened in the margins - (laugh?). That was a wonderful surprise, and at the risk of sounding like I'm tooting my own horn, I guess my script is funnier than I thought. Toot toot.
Here's a dialogue sample if anyone's interested, and if I can manage to find a decent spot from the recording I made of the read-through, I'll see about posting it on here too. I just hope the sound quality isn't as terrible as I'm sure it is. We'll see.
***
GRACE
If, before the hundred years has expired, Rose receives the kiss of true love, the curse will be lifted and Rose will awaken.
HUBBY
But what is this common, everyday, seemingly harmless object that you speak of? Tell us what shall cause her this injury so that she may be more careful!
ALICE
Nope! I’m not tellin’!
GRACE
Yes you are.
ALICE
What? No! (Grace gives her a significant look) Ok, fine. Ready for this? Drumroll please. Aaaaaaa Spindle!
Everyone looks nonplussed and confused.
HUBBY
A what?
WIFE
Is that something to do with computers?
ALICE
No! A spindle. A SPINDLE!
A crew/ensemble member runs in on cue with a spinning wheel, frantically pointing at the spindle.
GRACE
I don’t think that is quite as common an object as it was back in old times, Alice dear.
ALICE
Really?
GRACE
No.
The guy with the spindle shrugs and runs off.
ALICE
Oh fine. Very well then... (Alice rummages through her pockets) A pack of gum? No. Some pocket lint? No. (Finally she finds the deck of cards she was playing with earlier) Aha! A common playing card!
HUBBY
Gasp!
WIFE
Horror!
HUBBY & WIFE
Woe and misery!
ALICE
Hah!
GRACE
Good one.
ALICE
Thanks.
Alice dramatically flourishes the cards, produces one seemingly out of nowhere, and whips one across the stage. It sticks into a board or a wall with a satisfying thunk, like a thrown knife.
Man was it strange to hear it read out loud. After spending so much time writing and revising, the words on the pages had gotten to be so familiar, and I heard them consistently the same way in my head. Hearing 8 separate people reading the dialogue out loud and adding all of their own character and inflection was so surreal and thrilling that it is hard to describe the sensation. One thing that was for sure was that I was excited enough that was flushed and red-faced through the whole thing. I wonder if anyone noticed. I did manage to not weep openly when everyone applauded at the end, though it was perhaps a near thing. So that's a plus.
Having the reading really did help solidify some of the changes I need to make to pieces of the script, and what really needs to happen now is an extensive revision of the stage directions. I knew that going in, but really, I think with a few exceptions, those were the only parts of the reading that didn't seem to play well. So another revision and perhaps some general cutting of extraneous stuff will certainly be in order.
One thing that surprised me was some parts of the script that got huge laughs that I didn't expect. I actually started noting the places where it happened in the margins - (laugh?). That was a wonderful surprise, and at the risk of sounding like I'm tooting my own horn, I guess my script is funnier than I thought. Toot toot.
Here's a dialogue sample if anyone's interested, and if I can manage to find a decent spot from the recording I made of the read-through, I'll see about posting it on here too. I just hope the sound quality isn't as terrible as I'm sure it is. We'll see.
***
GRACE
If, before the hundred years has expired, Rose receives the kiss of true love, the curse will be lifted and Rose will awaken.
HUBBY
But what is this common, everyday, seemingly harmless object that you speak of? Tell us what shall cause her this injury so that she may be more careful!
ALICE
Nope! I’m not tellin’!
GRACE
Yes you are.
ALICE
What? No! (Grace gives her a significant look) Ok, fine. Ready for this? Drumroll please. Aaaaaaa Spindle!
Everyone looks nonplussed and confused.
HUBBY
A what?
WIFE
Is that something to do with computers?
ALICE
No! A spindle. A SPINDLE!
A crew/ensemble member runs in on cue with a spinning wheel, frantically pointing at the spindle.
GRACE
I don’t think that is quite as common an object as it was back in old times, Alice dear.
ALICE
Really?
GRACE
No.
The guy with the spindle shrugs and runs off.
ALICE
Oh fine. Very well then... (Alice rummages through her pockets) A pack of gum? No. Some pocket lint? No. (Finally she finds the deck of cards she was playing with earlier) Aha! A common playing card!
HUBBY
Gasp!
WIFE
Horror!
HUBBY & WIFE
Woe and misery!
ALICE
Hah!
GRACE
Good one.
ALICE
Thanks.
Alice dramatically flourishes the cards, produces one seemingly out of nowhere, and whips one across the stage. It sticks into a board or a wall with a satisfying thunk, like a thrown knife.