Acting Lesson by Matthew Goodwin - Short - Ever thought experimental theatre groups were for you?  Do you have what it takes to impress the all-powerful 'I could have directed Streetcar' Drama Teacher?  Just how does one prepare to play Proctor in 'The Crucible?' - html format.

I hope people will read my short and add a comment or two.  Again, I was focusing on strengthening my dialogue writing. 

This scenario actually happened to a friend of mine in a outback town where theatre is not high on the agenda.  He was amused by the seriousness of his theatre director -- even though they WERE putting on THE CRUCIBLE.  I've blown the director's character WAY up and stereotyped him a little bit (the stage director in the Simpsons version of Streetcar comes to mind) but I wasn't focusing on writing an original character, that wasn't my purpose...

Teasing my friend was...

He liked my script when I emailed it to him though.  Mind you I haven't seen him for about a year.  I wonder if this had anything to do with that?  Hmm.

mg

Matt - You're very strong in the dialogue department. This and The Engine Room can prove that. I was able to see the Director clearly, though Leigh was a little more muddled. He seemed the only true individual to start and I thought he would'nt do the pose - but he did. So I was a little off there. I can't really grasp who he actually is.

But - since you are writing for dialogue, I would say it is good. Though I do prefer The Engine Room more!

Amusing.  I do see the strength of your dialogue.  I didn't much care for the ending.  Felt a little too abrupt.

Held my interest throughout though.  Not too bad.

hey matt.
A very amusing story. got me laughing.
Maybe just the joy of recignigtion... whatever works out, right?

But i must agree  with lesleyjl21. that the ending isn´t finished. it could be fun to see it "done"

best wishes David

I agree with the other posters that your dialogue is excellent. Leigh could be a little more developed as a character though and the ending is a slight let-down.

Very funny stuff though. Good work

Wow! This was hilarious! I laughed out loud tons of times. I think the script was extremely funny, except I have to agree with everyone else that the ending was too abrupt.
Great job though.

Acting Lesson’s action, (as in action/dialogue), was almost smothered in slovenliness, until dialogue becomes incipient from Leigh—“So he’s not here yet?”.

But it isn’t a blemish, once Leonard posits himself on screen, cleansing all imperfections, with an authoritative presence. He ironically pushes for hastiness, albeit, he’s belated himself.

Momentum mounts, with each heap of dialogue, and discharges at its climax, which compensates us for such a dexterous and clever script.

Also, as a suggestion, having The Crucible’s personalities of John Proctor and Abigail Williams personified in Leigh and Natalia, would’ve made their characters more stimulating. But Leigh and Natalia are, in a sense, now of amiable and likeable quality.

Rating: 3/4 or 7.5/10

I thought the script had very well written, intresting, and funny dialouge. I didn't like that you said "Half-arsed"  it just bothered me for some odd reason. Good script though.

Hey Matthew,

Great Script.  My Short Film Club wants to produce it, but your email bounces!  email me at  r.brouwer2tvdsb.on.ca  (change the 2 to @)

It's been a while since you posted it...i hope to get your reply

Rich Brouwer

Hey RBrouwer
This script was posted over four years ago and I don't think the writer ever visits the site. You may struggle to contact them, is basically what I'm saying. I suggest your script club check out some of the more recent shorts on here, I'm sure you'll find some good ones.