Making Characters Sound Natural, Having Control of One's Work, and Beginning a Career in Playwriting Later in Life - Playwright's Spotlight with Paul Webb

Send us Fan MailPlaywright and screenwriter Paul Webb streamed onto Playwright's Spotlight all the way from outside London just a week away rehearsal were about to end for his play Warsaw. Paul is a charming Brit with a background in writing that makes everything sound so easy. That's not to say we don't discuss obstacles and struggles, especially considering entering playwriting at a late stage in life. In a addition, we discuss his shift from poetry into playwriting and being self-taught, drawing from History and his development of The Four Knights in Knaresborough and the following evolution of his play Warsaw and its struggles. We also breakdown the balance and transformation of different stages of life, making characters sound natural, having control of your work (or lack there of) in the mediums of film and television vs stage, being in a completely different country during the rehearsal process, and whether or not there are any secrets to rewrites. Paul's is an inspirational and motivating story for any one hesitant to take any leap into the realm of creativity. Enjoy!Paul Webb wrote his first play, Four Knights in Knaresborough, at the age of 50. It was produced in London, had a national tour and drew the attention of the film industry. He was subsequently commissioned by Stephen Spielberg, Michael Mann and Ridley Scott, working closely with all three over a number of years. He wrote Selma, the 2014 film about the voting rights campaign in Alabama, led by Dr Martin Luther King. Shortly after, Paul turned once again to the theater. His play Hold On! premiered at the St. Louis Black Rep in January 2024. Paul recently completed Six Easy Steps, an intimate history of the marriage between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the defining influence of their confidante, Louis Howe. Paul is currently working on a play about the epochal summit meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in Iceland in 1986.For tickets for his play Warsaw playing May 1st through May 17th at the International City Theatre in Long Beach, CA, visit - https://internationalcitytheatre.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=841To watch the video format of this episode, visit - https://youtu.be/doV2ng0uwMELinks to sites and resources mentioned in this episode - Theatrical Rights Worldwide - https://www.theatricalrights.comWebsites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's SpotlightPunk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show