VLF9

Last July 2012, I was able to watch one of my theatre teachers perform in VLF8. VLF is an annual festival for first time writers or for plays that have never been played before. It was my first time to watch last year, too. I was moved with the shows that I watched and I distinctly remember Sir Vera announcing his e-mail to the audience just in case one of us wanted to submit for VLF9. I got my phone and saved his address in my notes.

Now, his address is no longer just in my phone's notes. It's now included in my Sent Folder. I never actually thought that I would be able to do what I just did. I submitted an entry for VLF9 as a playwright.

A month ago, I gave myself some time to think about ideas. I got my handy-dandy notebook and pour whatever thoughts I had there for around a week or two. School got in the way and I was not able to reread my notes or think of a solid story line. Early this week, my plate was full with, well, plates! I just got around into finishing all of them Tuesday afternoon. My mom and I had our date last Wednesday and we had our annual Visita Iglesia last Thursday. I spend my nights rehearsing for our recital.

Last Thursday night, after rehearsing, I said to myself that I would not submit this year. I even sang the line "Well, maybe next year" from Send In The Clowns. I thought that it was too short of a time to think and write. I was just stressing myself with the idea so I decided to kill the idea. Come Friday afternoon, I was faced between cleaning my computer files or giving writing another chance. For some reason, I had this itch to write because I thought that it was too big of a wait if I would let this pass this year. I got my handy-dandy notebook and tried outlining my story. It took me 6 hours to outline and around 9 more hours to write the play (not to mention around an hour more to read about how plays should be written, because I really didn't know much). I sent the script to my mom and some of my friends for review.

The morning after, I got good feedbacks. This maybe due to our relationships but as I said in my previous post, I will try to lessen my cynicism. I took the notes constructively, edited my script, and around an hour ago, I sent my very first one-play act.

It would be great if it would be included in the festival but as it is, I think having one script in my sleeves makes me happy enough! It feels surreal just having sent it! I wonder what kind of roller coaster ride I would have in summer if it would be picked! I know not a lot about stage script writing and I know much less about stage directing and all those other things! But hey, I am up for it!