Short plays written for the theatre have had to adapt to Zoom. And now podcasts. Ken presents two of his favorite ten minute comedies adapted for Zoom. It’s theatre of the mind, or Starmaster, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
FRIDAY QUESTION: Are there any types of jokes that you have to be careful not to write? I don't mean to start a conversation about political correctness, I'm referring to policing yourself against certain styles?
SECOND FRIDAY QUESTION: As a showrunner, outside of not hiring known jerks, how do you combat negative attitudes?
Friday Question about an actor prepping ancillary skills for a role. I just read that Riz Ahmed spent seven months learning how to play drums for an upcoming movie. I suppose that makes sense if he's the main character and his drumming is a main plot of the film. What about when it's only a smaller part? I've heard lots of stories about actors learning skills before shooting began...I can't think of many right now except Cary Elwes and the grueling sword training he had for The Princess Bride (in which his swordsmanship was just a few scenes in the film). Who decides (studio, the actor, the director) how seriously the actor needs to learn this stuff, and is the actor paid for it all even if it's several months of training before shooting starts?
My FQ is inspired by your plays and this XKCD comic panel. In 2020 fiction, do you address COVID, pretend it didn't happen, or what?
I noticed that, in this delayed season, The Good Doctor (ABC) had two (grueling) episodes on the pandemic, but then it was back to normal. Whereas Grey's Anatomy (also ABC) actually has the title character with the ailment, and it's a part of the setting for its sister show, Station 19.
I suppose this would be an issue with any significant event, though I can't think of any other than 9/11.
curious Craig: I once saw Alan Alda, then promoting his movie SWEET LIBERTY, telling the story of the scene where he and Michael Caine were supposed to fence against each other. A year out, Alda starts taking fencing lessons. Every so often, he invites Caine to come along and Caine always puts him off. Day of shooting, Caine shows up, says, "What do you need me to do?" and does exactly what's needed to look right on camera, no more, no less.
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FRIDAY QUESTION: Are there any types of jokes that you have to be careful not to write? I don't mean to start a conversation about political correctness, I'm referring to policing yourself against certain styles?
SECOND FRIDAY QUESTION: As a showrunner, outside of not hiring known jerks, how do you combat negative attitudes?
Chag Sameach, Ken!
Friday Question about an actor prepping ancillary skills for a role. I just read that Riz Ahmed spent seven months learning how to play drums for an upcoming movie. I suppose that makes sense if he's the main character and his drumming is a main plot of the film. What about when it's only a smaller part? I've heard lots of stories about actors learning skills before shooting began...I can't think of many right now except Cary Elwes and the grueling sword training he had for The Princess Bride (in which his swordsmanship was just a few scenes in the film). Who decides (studio, the actor, the director) how seriously the actor needs to learn this stuff, and is the actor paid for it all even if it's several months of training before shooting starts?
My FQ is inspired by your plays and this XKCD comic panel. In 2020 fiction, do you address COVID, pretend it didn't happen, or what?
I noticed that, in this delayed season, The Good Doctor (ABC) had two (grueling) episodes on the pandemic, but then it was back to normal. Whereas Grey's Anatomy (also ABC) actually has the title character with the ailment, and it's a part of the setting for its sister show, Station 19.
I suppose this would be an issue with any significant event, though I can't think of any other than 9/11.
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curious Craig: I once saw Alan Alda, then promoting his movie SWEET LIBERTY, telling the story of the scene where he and Michael Caine were supposed to fence against each other. A year out, Alda starts taking fencing lessons. Every so often, he invites Caine to come along and Caine always puts him off. Day of shooting, Caine shows up, says, "What do you need me to do?" and does exactly what's needed to look right on camera, no more, no less.
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