23.1.24 – Introduction to Political Stories.

Topics involved in this module:

• What is ‘politics’? What does it mean to us?
• What is political theatre?
• Stories, and why we tell them.
• “The personal is political.”
• Censorship – can we say anything we want?

Scriptwriting:

• Why we write.
• Structure.
• Character and location.
• Dialogue and subtext.
• Image and action.

Task of writing:

• What to expect – Plays! Reading and writing.
• Group readings and shared feedback sessions.
• What is expected of you – self directed work.

Our own definitions of politics:

• “The practice of establishing power and enforcing law.”
• “Conflict of interest and a general divide.”

List of human needs:

• Food
• Trade of goods
• Acquisition of money/rewards
• Structure and organised behaviour – protection from said organisation
• Medical care
• Knowledge and education
• Rules
• Shelter (under agreement)

Hierarchy (top to bottom):

• Self-actualization – morality, creativity, spontaniety, problem solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts.
• Esteem – self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others, respect by others.
• Love/belonging – friendship, family, sexual intimacy.
• Safety – security of body, of employment, of resources, of morality, of the family, of health, of property.
• Physiological – breathing, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis, excretion.