How to Structure a Full Length Play

Full length plays require a great deal more pages than other types of plays. But the time, effort, and work put in can be the same as a much shorter work if you remember a few things.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• ideas
• patience
• conflict
• paper
• pen
• computer

1. What is a Full Length Play: A full length play just has more pages; the basic structure of conflict and drama and character development is more involved, certainly, but essentially the same as a one act and the drama found inside is very similar to a ten minute play; there is just more of it. So once you master the shorter forms, the rest is just exposition.
2. Map It: Because there are more pages, assumedly more characters, and certainly more exposition you will want to map it out. Figure in your major turns of events you want to happen, figure out where on the map they happen, and how and where the resolutions come. A full length play, unlike the much shorter ten minute play and even, to an extent, the one act play, must have resolution. You will make actors, directors, and producers mad if there is intentionally no resolution to your story. And no one will recommend that anyone else go see it unless it is out of spite.
3. Write. Rewrite: You must have rewrites! The most brilliant dialogue, some witty comment, some sly situation; they will be written out. Your idea will begin as one thing but if you don’t let the idea evolve with the rewrites then you are going to have a really compressed story. Even when a lot of it stays, a whole lot else will need to find its way out.
4. Get Outside Opinion: One of the biggest mistakes that “artists” make is that they do not appeal to others for their input. When you are first making a name for yourself and you don’t want too many ideas spoiling your stew, which is fine if that is your attitude but it is also at your peril. Too often there are simple solutions to complex problems that you, who has been pouring your blood, sweat, and tears into this project for so long will be unable to see. So show it to a trusted friend, partner, husband, wife, brother, sister, or comrade; you may get the answer that was staring you in the face all along and be able to get on with your play!

Tips & Warnings

• It’s nothing personal; rewrites need to happen!
• Remember the Sopranos? Don’t leave huge questions you don’t intend to come back and answer!