ACT IV: It’s All About You

The New Year starts with a BANG in - err - February? January is just for those New-Years-Resolutioners and we can’t be bothered with that “one-month-a-year” crowd!

We have a date! The ACTion Collective’s ACT IV will be February 18th at 7:00pm at 440 Studios (440 Lafayette St., Manhattan). As we have always promised, this event is free, free, FREE!!! *maniacal laughter* And we will bring some refreshments (read: a few beers, some wine, crudite if you’re good).

To recap what we’re asking for ACT IV:

  • Write a scene of not more than 5 minutes. Brevity = Soul of Wit.
  • Keep the character list small but the parts BIG. You’re writing for actors, so give them a gift.
  • Make it fantastic or make it sub-par. Just make it.
  • You can direct it or you can be in it. It’s all about you.


So that brings us to the question:

How’s your scene coming along? Mine is coming along just fine, thank you for asking.*
*I wrote this a week ago - I do hope that things are actually going “fine” by the time you read this. When I wrote this I only had 3 lines written.

For those of you who haven’t written anything yet:

You should probably reply to this email right now and say you’re coming. That way you’ve gotta get started, unless you want to disappoint me…

For those of you who have cranked out a page:

Congrats! Keep hammering away, you’re doing great!

For those of you who have finished:

WOWZA! Do you think you’ll try to cast some people to rehearse it with you?

For those of you who have yet to find that inspiration, we thought we could offer you some fodder:

  • Listen to your favorite album. What appeals to you about it? What stories is it trying to tell?
  • Perhaps you can start with an interesting conflict.
  • Check out our fans on Facebook for — yes — faces to get characters going.
  • Don’t shy away from simple stories - it’s only five minutes.
  • Oddly enough, I found that this article on masterpieces made writing seem less daunting.
  • And if you just need a little kick in the pants to get you going - go here to get inspired.

Let us know if you’re coming, either by email or through our Facebook Invite.

And as always: ACT more! (And, uh — write some, too…)