How an Idea for a Book Turned into a Radio Play
Hobbies feature strongly in my personal portfolio for
enrichment, and I have several: writing, watercolour painting,
and an enduring passion for researching the period of transition
from silent to talking pictures.
Currently I am combining all three in an endeavor to produce a
manuscript for an illustrated book notionally entitled The
Hollywood Revolution: 1927/29.
(Quirky, yes, I know).
To test the water I created a 30 minute radio drama on the
topic, which has been accepted by a major broadcasting network
for late night scheduling in 2006.
In the resource box below you will find the address for the
website that contains the complete outline on which I based my
play.
If you know the era, you will know the names; but even if you
are unfamiliar with both, the text should still evoke a few
chuckles...
What was so special about Hollywood in 1928?
The movie revolution was underway and history was in the making.
The unexpected box office triumph of 'The Jazz Singer' had sent
tremors of fear ripping through the industry and expedited at
breakneck speed a reluctant transition from silent to talking
pictures. Careers were at stake; fortunes were being made and
lost; sound tests were in and many big time stars were on the
way out.
What's in it for you if you read my outline?
1. At worst, it will show you how to take any creative idea and
produce an outline for a book, play, sitcom, soap; whatever. It
all starts and ends in the mind and the sooner you open it, the
sooner you will reach your objective.
2. At best, my outline might just spark off some creative
thoughts of your own by thinking out of the box to begin with
and then fleshing out the bones of an idea that's been lurking
in your subconscious for who knows how long.
3. It might also help you develop an ear for dialogue...
Jim Green is a bestselling author with a string of niche
non-fiction titles to his credit. You can read the outline for
his commissioned radio play 'The Sound Tests: Hollywood 1928' at
http://sound-tests.1st-creative-writing-course.com