Before I get to today’s blog…

Thinking about doing more with your writing? Why not join me in Paris June 2-7 for my Masterclass in Screenwriting? Come be part of a dynamic community of writers and literary agents to learn, to write, to network, to energize your literary goals—and just to have fun in the City of Light!

The Paris Writers Workshop is the longest running literary program of its kind. This program offers 6 masterclasses by renowned authors, each a specialist in their field—and I’ll be teaching the Screenwriting Masterclass—in English, of course.

The workshop will be held at Columbia University’s beautiful Reid Hall campus in the heart of literary Paris—Montparnasse.

Registration is now open: https://wice-paris.org/paris-writers- workshop

We’ll have a great time getting your story ideas off the ground!!

Back to School 9—The Musical

Our look at writing films set in school continues.

If you want to write a film set in a school, writing that film as a musical might be tough. Because while the musical film that is set in a school is popular, it’s almost impossible for a screenwriter to be the impetus for such a film. Nearly all of them originate as musicals for the stage. But that isn’t always the case. Let’s take a look at three that were written for the screen.

Fame [1980], by Christopher Gore, spawned both a TV series and a sequel. The film follows four students from the time they audition for this school for performing arts until the time they graduate. Since most of us didn’t go to a school for gifted performing artists, we get to enter a world that’s quite different from the high school we might have gone to. In terms of characters, though, they’re all kids in high school. It’s great to be able to tell the story through the songs as well as the dialogue and action. And music is a way into the inner psyche of these kids.

Footloose [1984], by Dean Pitchford, tells the story of the new kid in high school. Ren has moved from Chicago to a small Midwestern town where rock music and dancing have been banned. That’s right, banned. He can’t believe he’s in the middle of such a place—but he’s stuck with it. Nearly all of the other students are against the ban, so with the high school prom coming up, Ren’s determined to get this ban lifted and goes to all kinds of machinations to see that happen. He’s a rebel with a cause. [Sorry, couldn’t resist.]

High School Musical [2006], by Peter Barsocchini, became something of a phenomenon. It’s the only movie written for television that we’ve looked at in talking about writing films set in school, but as it was SUCH a hit, it’s worth looking at. It tells the story of two students who find themselves almost accidentally auditioning for their high school musical. She’s the new kid in school and he’s the star basketball player. Their respective cliques don’t want them in the musical—and roadblocks are constantly being thrown up, making it hard for them to get together. This TV movie spawned multiple sequels and a TV series. And in 2009 the TV series Glee did the same thing—and lasted for six seasons—so it’s clear that musicals set in schools are a popular way to go.

While it’s great to use super successful musical films like Grease [1978] and Hairspray [1988] as examples as you write your film musical, remember that both of them—like many of their counterparts—originated as stage musicals. For your film musical to get attention, you need to make sure you’re doing something different, something special.

Next Week: School’s Out!

Copyright © Diane Lake

04Nov18

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com