It is EASIER to re-write than to write. I did not say "easy." I said, "
er." You cannot fix what does not exist. I am in the middle of RE-writing, editing, fixing, re-examining the script of my brand new play. Here' s how I did it, why, when and where it is and how ALL THAT can encourage you to get to work on your project.
Back Story :: Earlier this Summer (it is not over, look outside), I was approached by a friend to "translate" one of his most recent books (he's written 175+) to a play. Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye—best known for their series of apocalyptic LEFT BEHIND novels—have just completed The Jesus Chronicles. They crafted a novelized account of the life of each of the gospel authors under the titles John's Story, Luke's Story....etc.
Jerry and I have been friends since 1971, when were in pre-school together—Jerry was ahead of me. (His crayon box had 24 crayons I was still on the 8 box.)
Jerry ask if I would be interested in writing a play based on Matthew's Story. As I first imagined, all the reasons TO DO it came true: The source material (both the gospels and Jerry & Tim's book) would serve as a bottomless resource of story and dialog ideas. No matter the subject, Jerry is a first rate storyteller. The biggest challenge was editing the material. If you only use Matthew, there are still too many stories to fit into a proposed 75-90 minute play.
This project was commissioned by Colorado Christian University so I knew, before writing one word, that it would be produced (April 2011.) CCU was looking for a new Easter "passion play." Immediately we agreed that the play would begin by telling "Levi's story" (Jesus renamed him Matthew) and then Matthew's story of being with, learning from, and being transformed by Jesus. That's a lot to tell on stage, no matter the time constraints.
The CCU folks, Jerry, and I also agreed this was not to be just the
passion story which is, traditionally, the last week of Jesus’ life here among
us. I chose the working title "The Levi Project." As seen
in flyers and emails on campus it has created a bit of mystery, giving
everyone a chance to learn and tell others the full scope for the
project: the story of Levi and his story of his friend, Jesus.
Jerry and I agreed, too, that we would not limit ourselves to the stories in Matthew's gospel if a story from Mark, Luke, and John would serve our theatrical task of telling this story. Several years ago I saw a preview for a film billed as "the most biblically accurate Jesus movie ever made...based on Luke's gospel” Early in the film, as Jesus was born, the shepherds arrived then...the story moved on. Wisemen? HELLO?? During a Q&A with the producer I raised my hand. Standing, I asked, "WISEMEN?"
"Ah!" Said the producer, his chest filling with pride, "They are not mentioned in Luke and we wanted to be faithful to scripture."
"Where," I asked him, "Did you find a Bible with ONLY the gospel of Luke in it?! Everyone who sees this film will stop watching at that point and think the projectionist has dropped the second reel in the trash." Once he explained it, realized that their myopic focus on biblical accuracy had made them appear unintelligent. They did not fix the wisemen problem. It's called Jesus. Be sure not to see it. Missing wisemen is merely the first of many failings in that particular attempt to bring Christ to the big screen. I wanted to be sure that our focus on Matthew's story of Jesus didn't make this play be holy and "hole-y."
There are four gospel accounts of Jesus. They all share several stories with the other gospels but not the same ones. They have different emphasis, favorite phrases, and each has content that is unique to that author. They do not have conflicting accounts.
The director also requested that we have a cast of 8-10 principal roles, several other smaller roles (just one or two scenes each), and opportunity for some crowd scenes. (I did check and the National Registry of Biblical Epics requires at least three crowd scenes.) Within those parameters was another challenge for a playwright: Where are the women? There are women throughout the gospels, but not as major characters. I created a few that are integral to the lives of the key characters. One women, Hannah, is a great role for an older female actor.*
My initial creative process began—with reading Jerry's book Matthew’s Story. (Most of it I listen to as an audio book so I could be “reading” almost anytime, anywhere. I was also marking up, highlighting, the book. (Highlighting audio CD's is not helpful.) Simultaneously I was writing lots of notes in a special blank-page (NO LINES) journal (separate from my sketchbook.) This helped me rack each story, major quotes, parables, and miracles. In the margins I wrote the page number for future reference, once the actual writing began.
Photo, right: my "other office" at my local java den: (clockwise, from bottom/center) note book, sticky notes, index cards for storyboard, novel with highlights and marginal thoughts, Phillips New Testament, (The Message, not visible in photo), medium-extra hot-two sweeteners-latte, and lots of felt pens, (book notes journal written in fountain pen with rusty orange ink.) [Notice the blue and green index tabs on the journal. Available at an office supply, they stick to any page, can be repositioned, and sticky portion is transparent so it doesn't cover up any content. You add you words to both sides of the tap with a Sharpie. Great tool.]
Next I went through all those pages of notes and wrote index cards of possible scenes to create a storyboard. I ended up with 86 cards (scenes)—far too many. Going through the stack, card-by-card, I highlighted the edge of the cards I considered essential story elements. Still too many. I edited out, for the time being, stories who's absence would not leave a gaping void.
Laying out 4 to 8 cards at a time, I began to write, and write, and write... Eventually, the script was actually written on my MacBook using Nisus Writer Pro, the best word processor in the Milky Way (Mac OSX only.)
I had great fun telling a very familiar story in fresh ways. The great challenge of making the most familiar words Jesus spoke sound like he was saying them now, to a 21st century audience—today's language, without slang or cliche.
There’s humor in daily life of these characters and in the way people talk to each other. Jesus is not the tallest, most striking figure in the crowd. More than once, people introduce themselves to the tall and ruggedly picturesque Bartholomew—thinking he is the one. Jesus even says, “I wanted to be taller.” (Not even tall, just tall-er.)
The last few days I have been re-writing. It will continue for a few more days. I have a key scene to write and add. I received Jerry’s notes and cogent editing, yesterday. Very helpful. I plan to pull out a few scenes and stories here and there to get to our desired length for the inaugural production. When I do pullout a story or section of a longer scene I save these for possible inclusion in what will become the published version of the play.
Review copies of the full script should be available in a month or two (*see note at end of post.) This is a play you will want to produce in the Spring or late winter for Easter. There is no nativity, but the Magi (all four of them: gold, frankincense, myrrh, and chocolate) do have a key walk-through scene with Herod the Great. Their visit incites the slaughter of the innocents.
Having spent weeks reading, researching, scribbling ideas, and writing the script, it is now a completely different exercise to RE-write, tighten, brighten, fix, improve, and straighten out the existing 30,000 word script. (it is already 2,000 words short-er.) There are about thirty characters that speak at least a few lines each. Jesus, Matthew (Levi), Efah (Levi's business partner), Hannah, and a couple disciples are the key roles. Several scenes can be done with fewer actors and double casting will also bring cast size down, your choice.
Getting it Done! If you have a project in mind: personal, creative, work-related, any project and are nervous about starting. “What if the first line isn’t right?” It probably will not be, the first few drafts. In my new play, Levi/Matthew has the very first and very last line. I did not plan that, it happened.
But you cannot edit, RE-write, fix or improve any project that does not exist.
Start! Start today. Spend fifteen minutes starting. You will have a project and be further along than you have been during all the hours, weeks, and even years you've spent thinking, worrying about starting.
Yesterday I washed my car. “Get a new car?” Asked a friend at a café that I visit fffffrequently. "Nope." I've had it more than a year and it was four years old when I got it. It’s just clean-ER today.
Start a new and long-imagined project...Or dig out an old project and and make it bett-ER.
“
The Levi Project” is now a full length play called:
I, WITNESS
The story of Jesus as told by his friend, Levi
We need you. There are roles for male and female humans of all ages and levels of experience (even the theatrically in-experienced.)
If you live in the Denver area, and would be interested in any level of participation please contact (soon) Sanne McCarthy, Director of Theatre, at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Co. You can email Sanne [ like “Donna” with an “S”] at CCU: [email protected]. Rehearsals begin soon and are spread out. Characters who appear in only one or a few scenes will have lighter schedule until March and April.
* Want to read the play? To get on the list to receive a review copy of the finished script for your theatre, college, or church email me directly and put "I, WITNESS" in subject line. CAFABC88-D233-3991-5E30-DED0BF1FFD92
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