After reading this second batch of shorties, I think one of the biggest (if not the biggest) challenges of this format is not tanking the ending. I mostly bought Aimee, but then the end killed it for me. It’s probably a common symptom of this format cause you have to wrap it up somehow and try to give an instant payoff after only a few pages of set-up. But, really, I’ve seen the “convert-the-intruder-to-your-'crimes' ” bit before.
I think it’s also a lot easier to have a visible point, or lend the feeling of worthwhile in the serious/dramatic. I tend to feel ripped off in short comedic pieces because I feel neither all that entertained nor like I got anything out of it (really, I’m sorry for always being down on the “comedies”--they just in general do less for me). This lack of substance hindered my enjoyment esp. in Anything--that didn’t really feel like a play to me. I don’t feel like there was much character development, it was just completely reliant on the outlandish proposition of the affair. And then the “twist” that the one lady was actually in love with the other lady was a little too little too late to serve as the point. I felt the same way about Philadelphia-- “the opposite” shtick isn’t enough to sustain a play. Oh, I think that could be another danger of the 10-min play--relying on a “bit” to carry the whole thing, I think that belongs in improve or sketch comedy.
I’m having a really hard time coming up with something for my 10 minute play. I think, in general I have a hard time coming up with ideas for these projects, but in 10 mins... and I’ve critique these (and others) so heavily... but I don’t really know what endings I would suggest... man... Playwriting is the hardest writing ever. It’s more blood on the page than essays and those slowly take a lot of my blood, drop by drop. But playwriting...
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So by way of thinking of something to write, it seems like comedies might not be your thing on this one. I share your frustration with the comedic shorts and for exactly the reason you name -- it seems like it might as well be sketch comedy or improv. And yes, you absolutely have to stick the ending, but even when you do, it's often not enough. Sometimes it's hard to watch these without rolling your eyes and just feeling like they're kinda dumb. But if you cut them some slack, I think they can be interesting and fun -- both on stage and as a writing exercise.
ReplyDeleteI do think that coming up with ideas on this one will be much harder, but the actual writing will be much easier. You'll have to tell me if I'm right or wrong.