About the Book
Plays and films based on real people have entertained and enlightened audiences for centuries. Biodramas, in high demand, are among the most profitable genres for stage and screen today. And yet, until now, there has been a dearth of books designed to guide playwrights and screenwriters through the process of writing a successful biodrama.
Writing the Biodrama, by award-winning and internationally acclaimed bio-dramatist Dr. Tee O'Neill, fills that void. Dr. O'Neill offers a thoughtful, artfully written, practical, and academically rich book designed to equip writers to grow in the craft of biodrama writing.
All scripts are difficult to write, but writing about real people creates unique challenges. This book is designed to help writers overcome those challenges. By reading this book, writers will:
Uncover the human traits that make biodramas powerful and popular
Discover insights from renowned bio-dramatists, such as Peter Morgan and José Rivera, all interviewed by Dr. O'Neill
Learn how to select a real person as a subject for a play or film
Explore the dynamics of research: where to start, what to look for, and when to stop
Practice Dr. O'Neill's biodrama principles with enjoyable exercises designed to inspire creativity
The book offers readers a holistic view of the entire creative process of writing a biodrama. Designed for accomplished screen and stage writers as well as new writers, this book is invaluable for anyone who hopes to transform a true story into a beautiful drama for stage or screen.
About the Author :
Tee O'Neill (Ph.D.) is an award-winning scriptwriter and lecturer in script writing and dramatic structure. She is a recipient of the Edward Albee Award, the RE Ross Trust Playwright's Award, and the Siena College International Play Award. She earned an International Residency at the Royal Court Theatre in London, as well as a Winston Churchill Fellowship. She has been nominated for the Griffin Award, the Louis Esson Prize, and the Australian Writer's Guild Award. She has also been nominated for the WA and NSW Premier's Award, and the Corcadorca Play of the Year in Ireland. Dr. O'Neill has worked as an Affiliate Writer for the Melbourne Theatre Company. Her works have been produced and commissioned by the Sydney Theatre Company, MTC, Playbox and Theatre@Risk, and the New York University School of TISCH. Her plays include Barassi: The Stage Show (Athenaeum Theatre, Arts Centre, and regional tour); Best Possible World (Sydney, Dublin, and Melbourne); The Dogs Play (Playbox Theatre and theaters worldwide); The Last Antigone (Trinity College Dublin and Otago University in New Zealand); Homage to Rembrandt (Melbourne Theatre Company); Stalking Matilda; The Wall Project; and Requiem for the Twentieth Century (Theatre@Risk). Her Edward Albee Award-winning GR8Skin opened the inaugural WITS conference in Sydney in 2016. Her latest play, Yellingbo, is to be performed at La Mama in 2021. Academically, Dr. O'Neill has been a lecturer in script writing and dramatic structure for fifteen years, including three years at the New York University School of TISCH. In 2007, she was writer in residence at New York's Siena College. In 2008 she was the William Evans Fellow in Playwriting at Otago University in New Zealand, and in 2009 she was Visiting Creative Writing Fellow for the National University of Singapore. In 2010 to 2013, she worked as a theater writing coordinator for Melbourne University. She held master classes in writing at the University of New England in 2016. Dr. O'Neill holds a master's degree in playwriting from the University of Birmingham and a Ph.D. in biographical script writing. She has written a series of novels titled The Tilda Ransome Series.
Review :
This book is a beautifully rendered journey into the joys, challenges, secrets, and time-tested methods of writing biographical dramas for the stage and cinema. Inspiring and wonderfully practical, this is the manual any writer, no matter the level of achievement, can turn to when wrestling with such questions as:
How do I make my story relevant to today?
What is the relationship between research and creativity?
How much of myself can I pour into the life of this famous (or infamous) person?
How do I explore a historical character's fatal flaws?
The book includes scores of examples derived from the work of such greats as Harold Pinter, David Mamet, David Hare, and Suzan-Lori Parks, but some of the best help comes from O'Neill's meticulous and eye-opening analysis of her own biodramas: about footballer Ron Barassi, landscape designer Edna Walling, and musician John Lennon. Her insights into crafting her own award-winning biodramas are treasures. - José Rivera, Academy Award nominated screenwriter of The Motorcycle Diaries and Obie Award winning playwright
Writing the Biodrama deeply and precisely describes the dilemmas and opportunities of writing a biographical script for theater or screen. It sheds light on the hidden writing process and exposes it in a clear, practical way. Both playwrights and screenwriters will benefit from and be inspired by reading this book. - Motti Lerner, award-winning international playwright and screenwriter of Kastner (1985), Kapo in Jerusalem (2016), and the feature film Spring 1941 (2008)
How to write from real life, from real events, and keep it truthful and vital and fascinating? This is a book we've been waiting for. - Patricia Cornelius, co-founder of Melbourne Workers Theatre and award-winning author of more than twenty plays, including Slut (2008), The Call (2009), and Good, Do Not Go Gentle (2010)
