From Script to Stage-Jim Tippins

From Script to Stage/Screen

INTERIOR. ICE CREAM PARLOR – DAYTIME

Myrtle Beach in the Summer

The directions in the script are simple: A man and woman in their early 20’s sitting across from each other sipping on two milkshakes. The dialogue begins after those directions. Wow, there is not much detail in this example. The director is often given a great amount of latitude in creating what is reflected on stage or screen.

For every director, church dramatist, worship leader, community theater and Broadway director, there are four questions and four basic responsibilities for any director to address. Before an author’s words are formed into something that is visual, powerful and relevant you must answer these four basic questions:

1. Who?
2. Why?
3. Where?
4. When?

These first four questions are generally answered in the first few pages of the script. Who? A couple? Brother, sister? Friends? The script then starts filling out these characters and the story they inhabit. Why are they there? Needed an out of the way place? A busy place? Ultimately, the script will reveal that as well. Where? Well it’s in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the summer. That nails it down. When? Is it the past, present, or future? We look to the script as well.

Costumes, props, set pieces, staging, lighting, everything is in need of a firm grasp of these four questions. The script is inspired by the author, but interpreted by the director and the who’s, why’s, when’s, and when’s are just the basic answers to these questions.

To go to the next level in preparation for putting script to stage or screen, the director is faced with four major responsibilities. From the simple reader’s theater to the largest play or musical, a director must prepare for rehearsals through Research, Script, Reality, and Moments. This first column will explore how research can impact everything put on stage or screen.

Research

Research goes beyond the written script. A script is not meant to be an encyclopedia or almanac of everything. It is up to the director to do a little research. The scene above is set in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the summer. What is the average temperature there during the summer? If it’s near the beach, are there people in bathing suits coming in? Is the lighting going to very bright or muted? For this one scene we have to answer a hundred questions. Sometimes actors cannot get an understanding of their character unless they get some sort of motivation from the director. And the director cannot get all of the answers of these questions from the script. That is where research is vital to any production. Since research takes place at the very beginning of any production here are some tips to help in your research.

1. The Internet is an incredible source of information. If you use the internet as your main source of research make sure you confirm and reconfirm all the information. There are as many opinions as there are noses….everyone has one. There is a reason most schools do not take Wikipedia as an official source. Wikipedia was created and van be edited by anyone with access to the internet. Try to find those that are authorities in the areas in which you need help. And don’t just take their word for it. Check with other authorities as well. A good researcher always checks their facts.
2. Don’t take for granted information commonly overlooked. A good biblical example is where Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas comes up with a gang of Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus. The scripture says that there is a captain and officers involved but were they Romans or were they from the temple? Research shows that the temple had soldiers officially and a sort of hired mercenary as approved by the Romans. The Romans may have been involved, but what a feeling of empowerment if you were to make that decision based on true knowledge and not just tradition.
3. Have your research needs on your mind outside the production time. One of our creative arts teams was using stuffed characters for the Mark Lowry song, Cartoons. When we went into Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, we walked into the Warner Brother’s store and we were all very happy when we found about half of the stuffed characters that we needed in one place. Always be on the lookout for things that will help your production.
4. Find and utilize people who are experts. In another biblical production we wanted to create a realistic High Priest costume. The breastplate contained 12 gems representing the tribes of Israel. On top of those gems is written in gold, the names of each of the tribes. We were walking around the local mall and saw a goldsmith who would make and personalize your jewelry. After a few minutes we found out he was of the Jewish faith. It just happened that I had a copy of the Hebrew names in my pocket. He took one look at it and said he would be honored to attempt such a task. Two weeks later, we had twelve gold names as required for the High Priest.

Research keeps you safe from scrutiny and complaints. People are smart and glaring inconsistencies will distract people from receiving the message that God might have for them. Whether it is a biblical or secular production, we must strive to be as authentic as possible. Do your research.

Dr. Jim Tippins is currently President of On the Edge Productions, Inc., a resource for Christian scripts and minister aids. An award winning author, Dr. Tippins is proud to share the stories that God has laid on his heart. He has produced, written, and directed scripts, musicals, reviews, and plays all over the country. He has performed with the Kentucky Opera, Overture Opera Company, Theater of the Republic, Swamp Fox Players, Community Choral Society, Florence Symphony and Long Bay Symphony. To see resources and more information, please visit,

www.ontheedgeproductions.org. Or join his blog at drjimtippins.com