Miscarriage of Justice

[karmasoup]

BREAKDOWN

JUDGE sits behind bench at CENTER STAGE.

WITNESS, slightly lower, sits at STAGE LEFT.

PROSECUTOR stands FACE FRONT, UPSTAGE CENTER, placed between JUDGE and WITNESS, arms behind back, head down, looking thoughtful.

DEFENSE sits at STAGE RIGHT, profile LEFT, level with WITNESS.

PROSECUTOR:   (looks up,

Comments

[reckless_blues]

Oh I soooooo want to criticize this for not sticking to screenplay format and style. (I used to critique a lot of screenplays on message boards and such. Not following screenplay format and style to the letter is the quickest way to look like you don't know what you're doing and get your screenplay thrown out, so critiquers are absolute fascists about it, and it's a kneejerk reaction.)

Actually, I like how it's written. A lot of times you see script format and prose format blended and it just reads like a half-breed that has the weaknesses of both parents and none of the strengths. Here, since it's pretty action driven, it leads to a quick and breezy read compared to prose. I think you made a good choice when you picked this medium.

[kagomeshuko]

I attended a screenplay writing workshop at a film festival. I was shocked at how precise screen plays have to be.

I'm used to theatre and plays in that and those aren't so strict, it seems. The character name is bolded and then the dialogue is given.

There's some direction, but it's usually up to the director for that, unless for some reason, it has to be exact.

[karmasoup]

Actually, this isn't a screenplay, it's a stage play, which is different, and follows different rules. In truth, I am much more familiar with screenplay rules, as I've written and directed films in the last few years (one which was recognized by the Toronto After Dark Film Festival and earned me my IMDB credit), but I haven't written a stage play in 20 years.

Unfortunately, I couldn't follow some of the rules for stage play because of the limitations of LiveJournal's editor. With all of the formatting the way I originally had it, the system wouldn't accept it because it was too complex, so I had to make some judgment calls to get it to look as readable as possible, and still be simple enough that the editor would let it go through.

But I'm glad you liked it anyway... it's supposed to be ridiculous and lighthearted, so I figured I might get away with breaking a few rules. Thanks for checking it out!

[reckless_blues]

Mm. I thought it might be stage play format - I only know enough about it to recognize the differences, though, so I couldn't tell for sure.

My IMDB credits are all various forms of "chore monkey" (and then once or twice everybody else on set sucked so I ascended to key PA).

[kagomeshuko]

Interesting and the chicken part made me laugh.

[karmasoup]

I'm glad it got a laugh... I was giggling through several parts... it was totally impossible to write this with a straight face, so I'm happy that came through.

[blythe025]

Lol. This was ridiculous. Ridiculously awesome. I was most amused.

[karmasoup]

Well, hey there, stranger! Haven't seen you around these here parts in a while... welcome back, and nice to know you're lurking about. (Will we see you in Second Chance? *bats eyelashes*) I'm so glad you enjoyed this... I always got so much delight out of Fay, so the thought that I made her creator smile totally makes my day! :) (I really need to poke back in on her and see what she's been up to lately!)

[blythe025]

Hi! I haven't really been around livejournal much, so I'm trying to make an effort to read through my friend's list everyday and get reconnected.

I haven't hung out with Fay for a long time, over a year at least, so I should probably check in with her myself and see what she's up to. ;)

[karmasoup]

Well, maybe you could ping me when you do, if you get back to her... I so enjoy reading her adventures, but I don't keep up with LJ F-lists very well, so I'd otherwise likely miss it. :(

[mamas_minion]

I thought this was great and loved the stage directions so you knew where the characters were. Made it easier to picture the scene.I laughed just imagining this classroom.

[karmasoup]

Oh, I'm happy to know you could see it. That was the intention, to let the action bring the image to mind. Glad to know it worked.

[jexia]

I enjoyed this!

[karmasoup]

Thanks!