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Question: How can I write an effective 2 minute monologue!?
I have an assignment that I have to do and I'm required to write a 2 minute monologue!. I wanted mine to be very dramatic, and I'm going to play a person with a split personality!. I have 2 mannequin heads that I am going to use as props to symbolize the different aspects of my personalities!. I'm also going to be playing the Psycho theme in the background, and also the "Their all gonna laugh at you!" line from Carrie, to kind of give it an eerie atmosphere!. Here are the things she is requiring!. Movement, Dialogue, Fine Art, Acting, and Music!. She also wants an effective introduction, good line delivery, a profound message, and a strong conclusion!. If anyone could give me any tips or advice I would greatly appreciate it, and also if you could direct me to some links of where I can write a professional and very good monologue , like the proper format!. I would really appreciate it, and will award the person with the best answer!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I'm doing GCSE drama right now!. We have to write a monologue too, but ours is for 'FAME' and we're doing it based on 'infamy' and school shootings!. You haven't said if you're doing it for GCSE or A-levels or an audition but I think these links are valuable for whatever grade you're doing!.
This is a similar question asked on yahoo
http://answers!.yahoo!.com/question/index!?!.!.!.
This is a 'dramatic monologue' which might help you with ideas about performing!.
http://www!.826valencia!.org/writing/stude!.!.!.
These are some tips which I use frequently to help me write and perform my own monologue
http://www!.teachers!.tv/monologues/tips
You could read Louis Nowra's "The Golden Age" for a great perspective on mental illness, to help give you more understanding and depth in your performance!. I think regardless of your acting or writing ability, you should always look into your own experiences to try and develop a honest monologue!. If you put on a much 'harsher' or 'profound' accent (like perhaps, the 'locals' of where you live) it makes your character seem more realistic, much more so than if your character is speaking Queen's English!. Mental illness can happen to anyone, so make sure you're aware of that when performing!. I think you should include a character background in your monologue, perhaps give reasons why she has a split-personality, has she/he always been that way or did they develop the personality from a childhood trauma!?
To make it effective I think you should use contrast in your piece, maybe you could be talking about something terrible over a happy song ("somewhere over the rainbow"), or be laughing one second and suddenly quiet the next!. You could use contrast to show the difference between the two personalities, such as one being a lovely, happy sociable person and the other being very dark and lonely!. Don't be afraid to make it 'raw' and 'shocking', as having a split personality can be both of these things, and the more honest you can make it the more honest you can perform it!.
http://www!.saskschools!.ca/curr_content/d!.!.!.
another helpful link! :P
http://hubpages!.com/hub/How_to_write_eff!.!.!.
Movement: This is really up to you, whether you decide to make it really physical or just very 'contained'!. I always thought that if you want something to be very powerful, don't move around a lot, keep the energy in a small space and it allows the audience to concertrate on you instead of what you're doing!. However, that doesn't mean that a physical piece can't be equally dramatic, I just think you'd need to work very hard on the movements that you do, so you aren't just randomly walking around but instead doing something with purpose!. Very dramatic movements, that are sharp and precise!.
Hope I helped!. :)Www@QuestionHome@Com
Tell a funny story about something you did with your family!. Every detail and then the 5 W's What where who when why!.!.!.!.
While doing the mono make sure you imitate your Dad and how he said it!.
What makes the three bear so great is the story teller doign the voices
http://www!.imdb!.com/name/nm1962531/Www@QuestionHome@Com
watch the monologue from "pulp fiction" Christopher Walken give little butch a watch from his father!. That is a dramatic monologue with all emotionsWww@QuestionHome@Com
Write it about a schizophrenic then practice different voices and personalities!. Then have conversations with yourself!. Like the barman from the 'THINK' advert or Gollum from LOTR!.Www@QuestionHome@Com