Playwriting Brainstorm?

[RXS]

So every year, my Drama Class has a project where we write and produce our own plays. Today, I had a pretty cool idea for the play I'm going to write.

The main character is named Uuntak. He is a warrior in a primitive, Amazonian Tribe. Although he is the latest addition to the warrior squad, he shows the most promise.

The premise of the play is basically Uuntak going through normal life, but something is happening to him. He's going through "flashes" for lack of a better word. He goes dizzy, he blacks out, and suddenly he is in civilization, proper society. Whatever he does in the Amazon parallels what he does in Civilization.

For example, if he and his tribe hunt for food, then Uuntak (whose name is "Ian" in Civilization) goes with his friends to get a burger or something. His conscience, however, is still with him.

Slowly, as his real life friends start to believe him and he flashes back and forth between the Amazon and Civilization, they begin to flash with him and they remember everything.

The conflict is the interesting part. The more he flashes and the more people believe him and regain their memories, he, ironically, gradually loses himself. Something is eating away at him every time he flashes. He starts getting intense headaches, nosebleeds, and soon his memories start fading, along with his sanity.

These are the character profiles I've done so far:

Main Character(s) - "Uuntak/Ian" - Uuntak is a promising new addition to The Tribe's warriors. Lately, however, he had been "flashing" to another life entirely, a civilized city life. Everything he does in his amazon life parallels what he does in civilization. He is strong of mind, or what is left of it.

Girl Warrior/Girlfriend - "Kungaa/Terry" - Kungaa is the only woman in The Tribe's warriors. She and Uuntak share a very mysterious connection and soon she begins to have "flashes" too. In civilization, she is Ian's girlfriend and the first one to believe him of his origin.

Witch Doctor/Scientist - "Aanchit/Dr. Zomero" - In civilization, Dr. Zomero was a renowned scientist who conducted studies on Space/Time anomalies and their effects on the Human Brain. He was mysteriously discredited, however, due to a plagiarized section of his thesis. Due to this, the only job he could (barely) get is at the fast food restaurant where Ian and his friends go to, which is where they meet. This parallels their meeting in the Amazon, where they meet during a hunting trip. Back home in the amazon, Aanchit is a Witch Doctor/ The town's Spirit Healer. Once he starts to believe Uuntak, he starts to look for remedies. Herbal and spiritual ones at home and scientific ones in his alternate life.

There are other characters, such as the Tribe's Chief/Town Mayor, Uuntak's best friend who happens to be his jealous rival, and someone else.

Can we just brainstorm a few ideas? I really feel strongly about the direction this play is taking :]

[DestinyHolder]

*cracks knuckles*

You thought about if its going to be a serious play? or a panto?

If its a panto having a small character who poofs into the scene, commenting on his/her views or just reviewing the scene would make it easier for an audience to understand what is going on.

Since your story line could become difficult it would be a good idea to have some sort of character who would explain what was going on.

[Lone Wolf]

I would help, but I'm not much of a Shakespeare.

[RXS]

It's gonna be a regular play.

I've been thinking about blocking and stuff and how I would go about the "flashes"

>.>

[Tidus dude]

Good idea. Dont get me wrong, but this would be confusing for one, and secondly, this might be hard to perform as a stage play....

[RXS]

I had an idea that the main character could faint and there's a VERY brief blackout where he switches personalities and stands up and crap.

Or, if anything, I could just get seperate actors for each side of the play.

[DestinyHolder]

It's gonna be a regular play.

I've been thinking about blocking and stuff and how I would go about the "flashes"

>.>

Flashes? Hm...

Do a freeze frame with the characters who was just in the scene with Uuntak and just leave Uuntak describing what he sees.

4th wall, talking as if you are having a conversation with the audience, something like 'Woah what happened? did you see that. I was just stood here then everything went blank blah blah blah'.

There is tons of other techniques you could use, It late so I can't think of many off the top of my head. BUT I know there is most likely one which would fit in perfectly.

I think there is 'flashes' in Mac Beth... I can see how they do it. I have the book somewhere...

[Tidus dude]

I had an idea that the main character could faint and there's a VERY brief blackout where he switches personalities and stands up and crap.

Or, if anything, I could just get seperate actors for each side of the play.

ok that'd be easier. unless your cast can do super quick onstage costume changes xp.

[RXS]

As for costumes I was thinking very simple like jungle clothes that can go UNDER the city clothes so they can just take them off quickly when they switch characters.

[Tidus dude]

As for costumes I was thinking very simple like jungle clothes that can go UNDER the city clothes so they can just take them off quickly when they switch characters.

that could work too.

=]

[RXS]

Me and my Drama Teacher were brainstorming ideas too, and she also suggested doing a pantomime, but it would be very very hard to do o.o

[DestinyHolder]

Me and my Drama Teacher were brainstorming ideas too, and she also suggested doing a pantomime, but it would be very very hard to do o.o

easier than normal plays >>
alot more fun too.

[Tidus dude]

Me and my Drama Teacher were brainstorming ideas too, and she also suggested doing a pantomime, but it would be very very hard to do o.o

for this kind of play....that COULD be hard. that could work though.

[RXS]

I knoooooooow!

D: