A Word About: Creativity

Whether you consider yourself a playwright, poet, fiction writer, journalist, or simply an artist, there are similar problems that arise when dealing with creating something from nothing.

In groups of 1 or 2, please read the article entitled: Structure: Part Two: Creativity, Scenario, and Writing. As you read, for participation credit, please answer these questions to hand in:

1. What's the difference between "Inspiration" and "Discipline"?
2. What, according to the author, is "Writer's Block"? What can a writer do to make it "go away"?
3. How can we, as artists, "prepare the soil" for our creative seed to prosper?
4. What's the difference between "Technique" and "Creativity"?
5. What are, according to the article, two solutions to deal with criticism and "creative roadblock"?
6. How does failure help a creative person?

Included in the packet is the tv script (not in proper format) for Monty Python's episode 8. After reading, you can check the episode out here:
Part 1
Part 2 (not available - use your reading skills)
part 3
Part 4

Comedy Sketches: Again, you will hopefully note the difference between writing a sketch and writing a play. The two are similar and are often mistaken for each other. The difference is really meaning and commentary about the human condition. Some sketches do this, but overall, this is the realm of the play: to discuss thought-provoking material.

Sketch exercise #2: Coming up in December the Improv Troupe will be doing a show for the holiday and we'd like to include student written sketches. Alone or with a partner, begin working on the following:

Write a series of short monologues or sketches for the Holiday Improv Show (only one is required, but feel free to write more if the fancy strikes you). Material should be PG or PG-13 only, please. Scripts draft due (next class).

1. Ideas for holiday themed sketches (sketch or monologue should be 1-3 pages, play script format):
• Fairy (or star…for those of you not British) on the Christmas tree monologue – scene version: all the decorations talking
• Toys in a toy box
• Reindeer pre-flight
• News Flash – Santa Claus Found Dead
• What really happened when Scrooge arrived at the Cratchits on Christmas Day
• A lineup of children or adults sitting on Santa’s lap – what is it they want?
• Frosty the snowman goes on a date

Brainstorm your own ideas!:

2. Pick a few holiday characters and run with it. Put them in situations. Remember that escalation, sane man/mad man, and lists are funny. Use one of these techniques to help you!

• The thirteenth reindeer
• The spirit of Hanukah versus Santa Claus versus Jesus versus Kwanza Guy versus an ancient druid
• Spotty the elf
• Mr. and Mrs. Claus
• Jack Frost
• Any of the 8 reindeer (Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, etc.)
• Susie Snowflake
• Scrooge
• The Grinch
• Ralphie (from the Christmas Story)
• Tom Turkey
• An overgrown elf (Will Farrell)
Brainstorm your own ideas!:

3. Choose a Christmas carol and rewrite the lyrics