Slippery Forensics

[airpezman]

After watching a NFL Final Round Tape, I have noticed the following.

Observation: Performers completely add lines/words to help create the character/add more punch lines/create more of a dramatic build.

Now, I've also noticed that people are quick to point out the following-

1. you can add transitions.
2. you can take one word from one page and add it to the next page, blah blah.
3. you are allowed to add ___ % to the script...
4. there are often different versions to one play/book.

I understand these 4 possibilities, and I am talking about something different,

Now, I am talking about NFL only... and I am not even speaking in regards to the 4 situations that I have listed. I have noticed that people add lines/create new phrasing for PURELY "dramatic" effect to get more "bang" out of the cutting.

So, when interpers are cutting a script...keep this in mind. even NFL FINAL ROUND students add lines/create new phrasing.


PEZ

[jman255]

I Hate My Sister Maggie...Read the book as he performs it...Nothing alike.

[Nocturne]

I've also heard that about Click Clack Moo.

[SniffyGuy]

One thing that often happened with me was that I would memorize the piece kinda loosely, or rather, incorrectly. So sometimes I would go back and look at my typed cutting and the wording would be completely different from what I had actually come to say. I didn't ever find this to be a big deal regarding legality because I wasn't drastically changing the plot or anything.
In my HI last year, however, there was one word choice change that was a concious choice. When Flavius asks for a "martinus" and the bartender questions if he means a "martini," the line that I would say would be "No, just one." In the script, however, the line is written "If I wanted two I'd ask for it." I feel like I remember checking to see if the words I used were in the script, but really, even if they weren't, I didn't think it was a huge deal. And I felt that it was a worthwhile risk to take because the chosen delivery worked so much better than the way it was written.

My problem with line adding is when performers basically construct their own scenes, jokes etc... To me it defeats the challenge of the cutting stage. I also don't think a few added lines here and there are worthy of a disqualification. Rather, I think it should be more a matter of judgement - if you're judging to amazing performers, one of whom has clearly added lines to the script to add to the humor and the other simply has a brilliant cutting, you could use the line discrepancy as a manner of deciphering between the two.

[airpezman]

completely agree with your posting. My objection is when performers drastically add new lines/scenes to create more "bang" out of the cutting.


Why do I object to this? Well, I want everyone to follow the same rules. If we are allowed to change 25% of the piece or whatever....let us all know this rule.

Interesting enough-I have found that people do not want to point fingers, be blunt, and call people on this. For the most part, you willl have people become very defensive and actually attack your character when this topic is brought up.... people might say "sour grapes"..

It just seems to be a Taboo Topic. Whenever I have brought up specific examples of cuttings being changed drastically, here are some of the following responses.

1. You don't want to call them on it. Think about what that does to your reputation. You don't want to harm your professional relationships.

2. Just let it go.. If someone is good, they're good... the new added scenes/lines do little to help them win.

3. Maybe they took one word from one page and added it.

4. Maybe they are using transitional material..

5. Maybe they are cutting in a unique way.


It's just been my observation that many people want to dance around the issue than "taking the bull by the horns".....

Your honesty with your cutting is helpful for our discussion. However, I am referring to MAJOR changes.

Example: "Then he kicked me in my stomach.... told me to unzip his pants...and kept screaming in my ear... you are a nobody".. something like this and then you look in the entire piece and can't find it... but it seems to really add a nice climax to what was not there in the piece..

I just feel sometimes people add scenes to make the piece more fitting for Speech..


Example: I had a friend (not naming names) who later told me that he wrote at least 1/3 of the entire duo that placed 2nd at CFL. He told me this when I became so frustrated that I couldn't find his powerful cutting in the play.


Pez

[IrishEyes3505]

I totally agree. I hate being baffled when I am unable to find the cutting of an amazing piece because of entire added sections. In my Di, the biggest change is totally natural. Due to may character's accent, some of the wording sounds more authentic than it did in the book. I suppose it's bacause broken English is easily misunderstood in writing, but less so when spoken.

[ria]

now that i know about this stuff, i don't hardly ever add anything to my pieces. but once when i was a sophomore in high school, i found a piece i really liked for d.i., but it was only about 4 or 5 minutes long. i told my coach about it, and he told me to add to it. so i ended up writing another half onto this piece, not really knowing it was illegal. and i never really did anything with it, i wasn't good then, but once i realized that's not allowed, i felt really bad. and now it's also a pet peeve of mine that ppl don't get called out for this kind of stuff.