The Joy of Writing is... Listening
Friday 10th December 2010
We had a great Introduction to Sitcom Writing workshop on Sunday. This time we didn't have to travel as far as Paris, but had a lovely new venue at The Actors' Temple in Warren Street, central London.
There were 12 participants, ranging from the nervous to the shy to the eager and enthusiastic, and it was a testament to their bravery that they all jumped into the exercises with both feet and, when split into groups, there was a healthy buzz about the room with lots of excited discussion about the characters they were creating and how said characters would conflict with each other.
When working in a 'table writing' situation like this, it's really important to be able to give your point of view so that your vision of how a character would act and react comes over to the rest of the group. The other essential element of this is to listen to what is being said.
The old joke goes that God gave us one mouth and two ears and they should be used in that ratio. It's very easy to enthusiastically blurt ideas out, but it's just as important - if not more so - to listen to what your fellow writers are contributing and to give them the space to do so.
I'd wholeheartedly encourage playing improvisation games that deal with free association (there's loads listed on www.improvencyclopedia.org) as well as going to improv classes to learn and practice these techniques in a fun and safe environment (check out www.thecrunchyfrogcollective.com for a list of classes near you). But the thing that makes a good improviser is the ability to be aware of and support what's happening on stage, as well as taking the lead as and when the scene needs it. So too with group sessions - listen when others are speaking and lead when the time is right.
If you need further evidence of the value of listening and then leading, just ask Thatcher how she was evicted from power - a certain case of not listening to her cabinet over the poll tax and Europe, but I digress ever so slightly.
The great thing about The Actors' Temple is that it's just across the road from the New Diorama Theatre, and the day ended with a backstage tour for all the participants, so they know the space that they're writing for.
We've had some great feedback from Sunday ("Thank you, the workshop was excellent." "Friendly hosts, nice quiet venue. Really interesting information and very constructive feedback." "Best £47 I've ever spent!").
And the great thing about the Help! I've Written A Script workshop? It's all about listening...