Deep Contemplation

Sean B | 20/08/2007 - 20:35

So I've been thinking...

What a way to open a blog about contemplation. I'll cut to the chase. I now think I'm a safe distance away from 'Boy Banned' (at least for now anyway...is that a rumour of another season???)to think about the piece with a deeper understanding for the character and the play itself, which perhaps will come to the front during the next production of the show.

To understand what I'm about to say you need a brief storyline. It's 1997, 'Boyz R Uz' have just been formed by the god-like record producer Ricky. Mike, Jay, Stew and Freeze are the members of the band- two's a couple, three's a crowd, four's a boy band. Ricky thinks he is on to a hit...and the 'Boyz' seem to start out that way. In actual fact they are pretty poor. How do you fix a problem...the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Bye Bye Stew.

But is Stew the weakest link in 'Boyz R Uz'. (To summarise the plot further Stew works his way back into the band, only to have it split up again.)

Here is where I'd like to begin my thinking...turning 'Boy Banned' much deeper than originally planned. Is Stew the weakest link? What are the faults of the other characters? Was this depth planned at all in the making? And how does coincidental events effect the play?

You're about to find out.

Is Stew the weakest link?
'Jay' states that Stew lacks the dancing and lip syncing abilities, 'Mike' states he doesn't have the looks, 'Freeze' just thinks he's pretty average. That is what those characters believe, from their perspective. Ego was always going to be an underlying factor in 'Boy Banned' but it is the 'Boyz' ego's and the probably unseen persuasion of Ricky that forces Stew from the band, from the false pretence of 'He's Not Good Enough...the fans find him boring'. The audience isn't given an insight into Ricky's decision, and it is only ever stated that the 'Boyz' leave him behind. The Audience also isn't truly aware of Stew's capabilities. Lip Sync and dancing are off but Jay reveals that other people record the songs and they just lip sync along on the night.

Is Stew hiding a hidden gift? Can he really sing? Is that how he got into the band in the first place?

So what are the faults of the other characters? Well at the end of the play when the band does begin to sing again we find out that Jay can't sing, he has issues with live singing and his 'lip syncing abilities take a back foot'. (Yes Josh stuffed up the line and said back foot!) Mike is to driven by ego and the idea that fame will get him all the girls he wants, talented- probably, but his ego is his downfall. Freeze, the ever truthful member of the band is simply in it for the money. (He does have a kick ass falsetto though Eye-wink ) So really any member of the band could have been kicked out by Ricky...but why Stew...was there a bigger goal in mind...was there some mystic power at play that kicked Stew from the band. Time to further explore the role of the 'godlike' Ricky.

Ricky as God is something that Jarrod, the director of the show, didn't want to push too much, and it's true I may have written the references a bit too heavy. Ricky is always a voice, never seen on stage. But taking divine power on board it is possible that Ricky had a further plan for Stew, for him to leave the band, learn how to sing and return again to help the group become super stars. This is how the plot turns out in the end. (Although stars fade...)

Stew is a scapegoat in the eyes of the other 'Boyz' they can put their weaknesses on him, he takes the blame, the fans accept this and then a new looking 'Boyz R Uz' is formed. All for the possible better.

But it's a tough competition, and the divine intervention of Ricky helps save his band. Which is probably losing money.

So was this depth all originally planned? No...not really. This piece was mainly experimental. A cheap, solo show we could whip up, produce, present and maybe take home some extra spending money for the holidays. Did we expect it to be the challenge it became...ugh not as much as it was! Do we love the thought of insurance now... Sorry I'm getting sidetracked. Depth wasn't really there. We describe the play as an extended sketch...and really that's all the original version was. But now with a deeper look into the characters I could easily apply what I've learnt about the characters I created and re-do the play with a completely different emotional feel to it. Make the 2D character of Stew into a 3D character.

Should I have done this originally with the aid of Jarrod...possibly, but time was a killer and we wanted a show. We got a show, and now our little baby is growing up, becomming mature...still in a comic way though!

So how about coincidence?
Well I've already mentioned we've learnt stuff. One of that is recording our own songs and making our own songs. Lyrically we're very proud. Our songs make us wet ourselves. When it came to recording we recorded 'Love Drought' first off...and you can tell. Audio levels and vocal pitch is so off in this song...but consider its place in the show. A newly emerging Boy Band...and one that is pretty average because of their faults. Song that come after that are much clearer (Na would probably disagree... Smiling ) The voices seem to gell better as the band becomes better. It's safe to say none of us are the world's best singers/songrwriters. We tried our best, we're happy with the results and I think the growth in our ability and in the end the change in way we recorded our songs is reflected very well in the piece and definately allowed us to show a change in the band. So coincidence...yeah it's good!

As a playwright I now reconisder what 'Boy Banned' means. It's a show about continuing to fight, even though all those around you think you can't do it. (Aka the first show I put on.) It's about realising that everyone has faults, but it's coming to terms with that and using each others strengths to overcome this. It's about showing who you are, following your passions and achieving goals.

And when I think about it...'Boy Banned' is really something quite special.

Sean B's blog | email this blog | 707 reads

20/08/2007 - 21:04 Naomi aka Na (not verified) Thanks Sean for sharing

You shouldn't, as a rule,

Author: Daniel Kershaw
Date: 22/08/2007 - 15:00

You shouldn't, as a rule, post your performance ideas on a website - some people have no moral dilemma about plagerism. And I can't envisage your copywrite holding up that well considering you've posted your intellectual properity on a public forum, free to anyone.

However, saying that, I like the premise of the show. It sounds interesting with a lot of potential for strong characters and dramatic possibilities. It sounds a little like Dreamgirls, but I am hoping it is not as shit as that! Like to see how it develops.

Actually, so long as he has

Author: Na
Date: 22/08/2007 - 16:59

Actually, so long as he has a script, stating the time and date of its creation, and his name attached, he would have a good case against anyone. The other person would have to prove that they came up with the idea first - and if they stole it, they wouldn't be able to would they!

Anyway, there's no such thing as an original idea anymore.

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Hey Daniel,I'm glad you

Author: Sean B
Date: 23/08/2007 - 08:43

Hey Daniel,

I'm glad you thought about that aspect of my post, and are caring enough to worry about copywright of my show etc. So I thank you.

However as Na says I do have a dates script with name etc etc. I have multiple drafts all with dates, lyric sheets with dates, all covered. All material that has come out due to Boy Banned also has the premiere date on it- that's Cast Recording, DVD and Program. I also have photos from the production, rehearsal and theatre scouting all dated. So I do not feel worried on that side.

The above isn't the whole script, in fact there is alot not exposed in the above post about the show. Reviews often display similar information, discuss lighting plans, characterisation, set etc so they are just as 'dangerous' as my above thoughts.

Mainly it was a way for me to have a deeper think about the play I wrote to display in a public forum.

Meanwhile if you would like to perform a fully legal production of 'Boy Banned' please get in contact! Smiling

Again though, thank you all for caring about my best interests in regards to my play. And if you see a version popping up somewhere in Australia let me know.

Although I doubt this very much!

Oh and I'm glad you liked the idea of the show...it is still very work in progress. Really our main aim was to put a show on and nothing else- so standard probably wasn't going to the highest ever. But if we do ever reprise the show it will definately be better. I'll keep everyone posted on if we ever get round to doing the show again. Meanwhile the full super duper brilliant version plays on in my head! hahahaha

Sean
____________________________________________________________
Currently working on:
A nice break before jumping into my next project.

Me again

Author: Daniel Kershaw
Date: 23/08/2007 - 09:31

Yes, I am aware of what Na said, but you have to take in account that putting dates on your script is not enough. Here a two things I do as well as the dates in order to protect my intellectual work.

1. Send the script in hard copy to yourself in the mail. Do not open it. A very old school way, but easy.

2. Create a papertrail. I do this by writing an invoice to the club that is using my work. Get them to give you some money for the rights, even if it is next to nothing. Also write up an agreement with the club/venue stipulating that they are using your work on such and such a date.

I hope someone would like to put on your production. We all hope our productions will see the light of day again. That's what is so sad about Australian plays. People spend so much time on their original scripts and most of them only get performed a dozen times, if at all.

My problem is that I spend too much writing without any certainity of getting my work performed. Sure, I'd still write even if no on wanted to produce my work, because that's what I love to do, but seeing your work produced and people enthusastic about your script is a priceless experience, even if it makes me a little sick to the stomach.

enjoy.

The problem with #2 is that

Author: Na
Date: 23/08/2007 - 09:43

The problem with #2 is that Sean is self-producing the show; but yes, making extra effort to ensure that there is a papertrail is a good idea.

I have to say that I was overly cautious about copyright when I started writing scripts and sending them out to companies and for competitions. But I keep every single draft I write (sometimes there are 10 versions), ensure all of them have my name on them, and often I take handwritten notes of my scripts as well.

I personally think that we can go overboard with the notion that someone's going to steal my work.

I also think that in this situation, sending out scripts to other people should be in excerpt form - if someone wants to produce it after seeing an excerpt, then I'll send the full thing.

Anyway, that's my 5 cents.

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Puppets in Melbourne
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Yes

Author: Daniel Kershaw
Date: 23/08/2007 - 09:45

All good points

Glad to hear you've been

Author: Na
Date: 23/08/2007 - 09:35

Glad to hear you've been documenting your production from the start. The best way to keep your copyright is by making sure you do document everything.

Sticky Apple Legs
www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs

Puppets in Melbourne
www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Actually what got me doing

Author: Sean B
Date: 23/08/2007 - 19:47

Actually what got me doing it wasn't copyright surprisingly enough.

I picked up scriptwriting techniques from a competition I was planning on entering, which gave a handy guide to 'entering your scripts into our comp' fake script which gave little pin points. I just followed the dots!

The other thing is I like to keep EVERYTHING as a momento- so every little scrap of paper that ever gets a show related doodle on it always gets kept. It's always been more of a personal thing than a copyright thing. But it means all documentation is there if the time would ever come to needing it. And usually all the stuff that does go in there is documented.

I don't fully understand the paper trail thing. Why does sending yourself a script help- because it contains a postal stamp?____________________________________________________________
Currently working on:
A nice break before jumping into my next project.

If you send yourself a

Author: Logos
Date: 23/08/2007 - 20:10

If you send yourself a script in a sealed envelope and do not unseal it on receipt then you have an official date stamp for your script provided by an organisation independent from yourself. I used to do it, only I sent them registered mail so a detailed record of delivery was kept. I don't bother anymore. I've had my plays performed overseas without my permission and without royalty payments but it is very rare. The vast majority of people are honest.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

Posting work on this web

Author: Logos
Date: 22/08/2007 - 20:21

Posting work on this web site is no different from publishing it in a book form. The work is still copyright and intellectual property laws apply.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

I also wanted to add, but

Author: Na
Date: 22/08/2007 - 22:12

I also wanted to add, but forgot to before:

The arts is about expression, and we often get so caught up in worrying about intellectual property and copyrights, that we stop enjoying sharing ideas and feelings in a cooperative and supportive way. Let's be more open about our processes of our work, not hamper them with worries of other people being nasty. If we treat other people with the expectation that they will do right by us, 9 times out of 10, they will.

Sticky Apple Legs
www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs

Puppets in Melbourne
www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

If we treat other people

Author: Daniel Kershaw
Date: 23/08/2007 - 09:47

If we treat other people with the expectation that they will do right by us, 9 times out of 10, they will

HA. Nice principle, but does it work in practice?

Yes actually. I've been

Author: Na
Date: 23/08/2007 - 10:53

Yes actually. I've been reading up on ebay's feedback system, and there are a lot of sellers who go out of their way to be helpful and nice in the hopes that buyers will be too. (Ignore the fact that buyers are their customers; the discussion was about positive and negative feedbacks, and buyers using negatives to be nasty for no apparent reason, or buyers being deadbeat buyers. The discussion was focused on the fact that sellers feel nervous about leaving positive comments before feedback is left for them, creating an opportunity for buyers to act nasty even if they had a good buying experience. Anyway, the point is that if you respect other people, 9/10 people will respect you. The other 1 person is probably going to be horrible no matter what you do; that's their problem, not yours, because you've done the right thing by being respectful in the first place)

Sticky Apple Legs
www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs

Puppets in Melbourne
www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Deep Contemplation

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