Workshops
SHARPEN UP YOUR WRITING + DIRECTING SKILLS AT KLPac IN APRIL
One of the world’s leading short play writers will travel to Malaysia in April to deliver writing and directing workshops at KLPac.
Alex Broun from Australia has also worked extensively as an actor and director for prestigious companies such as the Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, New Mercury Theatre and Mollisons.
The workshops run 18-20 April and will provide invaluable training to help polish theatrical skills and prepare participants for Short+Sweet Malaysia and beyond.
According to S+S Malaysia Associate Producer Masnaida Samsudin it will be a “great opportunity for participants to get FEEDBACK on their work, and MEET other writers and directors for future collaborations”.
In total four workshops during a three day session:
Scriptwriting/Directing Workshop:
Friday Evening:
-Scriptwriting Beginners Part I
Saturday:
- Scriptwriting Intermediate / Advanced Part I
- Directing Beginners
Sunday:
- Directing Intermmediate / Advanced
- Scriptwriting Beginners Part 2
- Scriptwriting Intermediate/Advanced Part 1
Short+Sweet 10 minute Scriptwriting Course: Beginners
This course is designed for people who have often thought about writing for the theatre but have never been given the inspiration or encouragement to give it a go.
There are two aims of the Short+Sweet Beginners scriptwriting course. The first is to INSPIRE you to write a play, the second is to start to give you the TOOLS to write that play to enter for Short+Sweet Malaysia. Deadline: End of May 2008.
The course will cover the basics of writing a 10-minute play. During each session, you will be given handouts that deal with specific aspects of ten-minute scriptwriting and useful exercises that will help you learn the skills of scriptwriting.
In these sessions, we will look at:
WHAT is a ten minute play?
What to write your ten minute play ABOUT?
Possible STYLES for your play.
The Four Stages of WRITING a Play
Writing an OUTLINE for your play
How to SET out and enter your play to Short+Sweet Malaysia
Short+Sweet 10 minute Scriptwriting Course: Intermediate
This course is designed for people who have already written for the stage and perhaps come to the course with the first draft of a ten minute play.
The course would also be suitable if you have completed the Beginners Course and would like to take the next step in writing a ten minute play.
The aim of the course is to give you further scriptwriting SKILLS to refine your play and to workshop the first draft.
Session 1 – 3 hours
In this session we will quickly summarise the aspects of scriptwriting taught in the Beginners Class and then explore further aspects of writing a ten-minute play:
Play Ideas
Story Structure: Six stages of your story
Story Structure: Beginning Middle and End
Writing Dialogue
Getting to know your Characters
Session 2 – 3 hours
In this session we will further develop the skills necessary for writing a play. We will look at:
Theatricality
Dramatic Tension
Surprise
What is the difference between a skit and a play?
Editing and re-writing your play
After this session you will be encouraged to write (or refine) a ten-minute play of your own. This will then be read in class in the final session.
Session 3 – 3 hours
In this final session you will bring the first draft of your own ten-minute play.
The play will be read aloud in class and feedback will be provided so you can work further on the play.
Directing: Beginners
This course is designed for anyone who has ever thought about directing theatre but has never had the opportunity to try.
The course will cover the basics of directing for the theatre.
Session 1 – 2 hours
In this session we will look at:
The Director’s Role
Communicating with Actors
Choosing what play to Direct
Session 2 – 2 hours
In this session we will look at:
Rehearsal process
Staging your play
Adding theatrical elements – design, lighting, sound
Directing: Intermediate
This course is designed for people who have some experience in directing in theatre (or another medium such as film) and would like to learn more about the craft of directing or explore different approaches.
The course would also be suitable if you have completed the Beginners Directing Course and would like to take the next step in learning how to direct for theatre.
As well as sessions with Alex, the course will contain a workshop with actors where principles explored during the course can be put in to practical use.
Session 1 – 3 hours
In this session we will quickly summarise the aspects of directing explored in the Beginners Class and then explore further aspects of directing for theatre:
Casting your play – what to look for in an actor
Creating a positive and creative environment in the rehearsal room
Stage Imagery – using it to effectively tell your story
When to talk and not to talk?
Analysing text
Session 2 – 3 hours
In this session we will further develop the skills for directing theatre, focusing specifically on the particular style of directing pioneered by legendary Australian Director George Ogilvie – Actor Empowerment (AE).
We will look at:
Raising the stakes
Working with a new text/playwright
How to help actors create the best possible performance
Moving your production into the theatre and conducting technical rehearsals
Session 3 – 3 hours
In this final session you will work with actors to direct a short scene that will be presented at the end of the workshop, utilising the techniques you have explored during the course.
After scenes are presented you will receive feedback from Alex on further areas you might like to develop.
Workshop Schedule 18th, 19th & 20th April 2008
Friday Evening: 7 - 10pm - Scriptwriting Beginners Part I
Saturday Morning: 10 - 1pm - Scriptwriting Intermediate/Advanced Part I
Saturday Afternoon: 2 - 5pm - Directing Beginners
Sunday Morning: 10 - 1pm - Directing Intermmediate/Advanced
Sunday Afternoon: 2 - 5pm - Scriptwriting Beginners Part 2
Sunday Evening: 6 - 9pm - Scriptwriting Intermediate/Advanced Part 2
Venue
The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre - KLPac
Sentul Park
Jalan Strachan
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Costs
Course is Free of Charge. RM 10 Registration fee only.
PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.
Presented by Short+Sweet Malaysia in collaboration with KLPac.
Workshop FAQs
FAQ
• What is the maximum capacity for each workshop?
- Up to 40 pax
• Is there an age limit for the workshop?
- 16 years old and above
• Must I attend all the courses?
- People don’t have to attend every session of the weekend. There are four separate courses. Participants are ONLY required for the sessions that relate directly to the course they are doing. They run as follows:
Scriptwriting Beginners – 2 sessions - Friday April 18 (7pm – 10pm) and Sunday April 20 (2pm – 5pm). Note: People doing this course are not required on the Saturday at all.
Scriptwriting Intermediate/Advanced – 2 sessions – Saturday April 19 (1pm – 4pm) and Sunday April 20 (6pm – 9pm). Note: People doing this course are not required on the Friday night.
Directing Beginners – 1 session – Saturday April 19 2pm – 5pm
Directing Intermediate/Advanced – 1 session – Sunday 20 10am – 1pm
(Note: If there are some actors who are available - keen to be involved – of course they can enroll in the courses but it would also be great to have them at Session 2 of Scriptwriting Intermediate/Advanced on Sunday April 19 6pm – 9pm, as we will read some of the participants work there and it would be great to have actors available for that.
• Can I enroll in both the beginners’ and intermediate / advanced courses?
People doing these courses might like to enroll for both. That is not a problem. There is a degree of repetition between both but if people have the time and aren’t sure where they fit they are welcome to do both. The difference is the Intermediate / Advanced covers more ground and moves faster through the material.
• Is there a course fee?
No, the course is provided free of charge. However, there is a RM10 registration fee which you can pay on the day itself.