CRAFT STUDIO: AWAY BY MEGAN E. FREEMAN
What I was reading:
Megan E. Freeman’s Away is the much-anticipated companion to her bestselling novel Alone—you can check out the recommendation for Alone here and Away here. While Alone is written beautifully in verse, Away takes on several text forms with each perspective bringing their own particular format. Readers will see letters, newspaper articles, radio announcements, text messages, poetry and, the focus of this Craft Studio, scripts.
Text:
| FRIDAY
1:15 P.M. Interior. Midday. FADE UP on Teddy’s bedroom. Movie posters cover the walls. Some are from old black-and-white films, but others are more contemporary. All are classics. Biographies of filmmakers and film history fill a bookcase. CUT TO Teddy sitting in front of a huge computer monitor, wearing headphones and editing video footage. GRAM (calling from the doorway) She walks over and lifts one headphone off his ear. GRAM Did you finish school? TEDDY Yep. Just logged off. GRAM Is it my imagination, or am I right that this TEDDY It’s easy, but I’m learning, don’t worry. GRAM Have you made any friends in the group chat? TEDDY Gram, please. I’m fine. And it gives me Gram leans over Teddy’s shoulder and looks at the monitor. On the screen, Dorothy and Scarecrow dance on the yellow brick road. Teddy freezes it. TEDDY That’s where he flubbed the lyric. I’m going to dub GRAM (squeezing his shoulder and turning to go) Well, lunch is ready, so come and get it. TEDDY Would it be okay if I eat in here? GRAM (hands on her hips) Seriously, Teddy? TEDDY (looking at her) I bet Giuseppe Tornatore didn’t GRAM I’m sure Giuseppe Tornatore had an TEDDY Okay, okay. Be there in a minute. Gram leaves the room and Teddy leans forward again, concentrating. On the screen, Dorothy and Scarecrow remain frozen, their feet off the ground mid-dance, their mouths wide open in song. |
Craft Moves I Noticed:
- Setting as Character: Teddy’s room, filled with movie posters and film history books, reflects his passion for film, revealing his interests and personality without needing explicit description.
- Cinematic Language: Freeman uses film terminology like “FADE UP” and “CUT TO,” mirroring Teddy’s world and passion for film. This integrates his interest directly into the narrative style, making his love for film part of the story’s structure.
- Blending Narration, Dialogue, and Action: The text smoothly transitions between description of the scene, his dialogue with Gram, and the ongoing action of what the characters are doing as they speak.
- Font and Page Setup: The script format uses a typewriter font, with scene descriptions aligned to the left and dialogue centered with the action of the characters in
Invitations for Writers:
- Build Character through Setting: Describe a personal space for your character (like their room). What does it reveal about their interests, personality, or secrets?
- Write Natural Dialogue with Actions in Parentheses: Craft a dialogue between two characters. Use parentheses to describe what they do while speaking. Consider how their words and actions reflect their relationship.
- Experiment with Form: Borrow a structure from a medium your character loves (e.g., film, music, visual art). How can the form reflect their passions? Think of a new story or one you’re familiar with—what format would best match the characters’ personalities?