28 July 2023
Setting the Baseline: The Core Concept
To start off, it's crucial to clarify the core concept of your musical. Essentially, what is your musical about? A love story? A revolutionary event? A magical carnival? If I were to name a musical I had developed, it would probably be something delightful like "Aldous's Accidental Adventure in Antarctica." The story would include penguins, of course, because why not? And since it's a musical, these cute little fellas, delightful and feathered, could sing and dance. The core concept would be about fostering friendship and discovering the unlikeliest companions in far-off places. Now, when you're thinking about your idea for a musical, try to distill everything into a single phrase or sentence. This should serve as your compass when you're writing the other components of the plot.
Diving Deeper: The Protagonist and His Motivation
The protagonist is the heartbeat of your musical. This is the character who we, as the audience, will follow throughout the journey, cheering them on, empathizing when they falter, and rejoicing when they triumph. To make an effective protagonist, the character should be relatable and authentic, with a clear goal or motivation driving them. In 'Aldous's Accidental Adventure in Antarctica', the motivation of Aldous, the protagonist, could be to return home, but along the way, he's compelled to help his new friends, the charismatic chattering penguins, save their home from a wicked walrus warlord. Isn't that a wallop of a tale?
Crafting the Opposition: The Antagonist and the Conflict
Ah, the villain of the story, the antagonist. And just like a cat loves to toy with a mouse, a compelling antagonist loves to toy with our protagonist, forming the central conflict in your musical. The antagonist can also have relatable motivations, which makes them interesting characters in their own right. In our Antarctic adventure, the walrus warlord could be causing chaos because he's been ostracized by his own kind, creating a deeper layer to his character and the overall story. Make sure to add nuance to your antagonist to pique your audience's interest.
The Unfolding Path: Plot Points and Story Structure
With the basic characters set, now we need to dive into the actual plot. I recommend adhering to the tried-and-true three-act structure: the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution. With each act, introduce key plot points to propel the story forward. Like how Aldous could stumble across a magical pebble that the penguins need to keep their home safe from the warlord. But in the end, it could be revealed that the pebble's power relies not on magic, but on the unity and courage of the penguins all along. Plot twists are always a treat!
Creating Magic: Musical Numbers
After all, it's not just a drama — it's a musical! Musical numbers form the beating heart and melodic soul of your story. They can give depth to characters, advance the plot and enhance the overall emotional experience. They must be strategically woven into the plot, and each song must contribute to character development or story progression. Think about where songs could naturally fall into your story, and what they could convey within the unfolding narrative.
Enriching with Subplots
Your plot could benefit from additional layers of subplots. Similar to the main plot, subplots also contain smaller conflicts and resolutions, and they revolve around secondary characters. For instance, in our Aldous's Antarctic amusements, there could be a subplot involving a baby penguin overcoming its fear of ice-sliding by the regular encouragement of Aldous. The subplot should enhance the main storyline and should not lead your audience astray from the core concept.
Breathing Life into Characters: Characterization
Characters make or break a story. Beyond just the protagonist and antagonist, other important characters make the story fuller and more entertaining. Imagine a grandmotherly yet feisty penguin called Granny Gwen who guides Aldous on his adventures and provides him key insights to help the penguins - what a charming character addition that would be! Make each character distinct and meaningful, showcasing a tangible growth arc.
Tying the Knot: Resolution and Denouement
Last but definitely not least, is the denouement, or the resolution. This is the part where all loose ends are tied up and the story comes to an end. It could be indicated by a closing musical number, where all characters come together, offering a feel-good culmination of emotions. Aldous might bid farewell to his dear penguin friends, hopping back on his boat, with a heart now filled with precious memories and life-changing experiences. And as the boat drifts away, he can't help but tap his foot to the heartwarming farewells song sung by his unforgettable feathered friends.
Remember, writing a musical is not solely about big dance numbers and catchy songs. It's about telling a engaging story that your audience can resonate with, be it about personified penguins or age-old love tragedies. Just set out your creative energies free and let them ignite the blaze of your storytelling power. Very much like stringing together notes to form a symphony, let your words dance across the page and stage to weave a captivating and musical tale. Break a leg!
