Righteous Insanity

Acting Exercises: Actions speak louder

There's a scene from a movie I have used in workshops for years. The scene is an exercise in saying one thing and meaning another. The dialogue goes like this:

MAN: Why you rattlesnake. You got that poor kid fired.
WOMAN: That's not all I'm gonna do if I ever get my hands on her.
MAN: I never heard of anything so low. Why did you do it?
WOMAN: 'Cause you liked her. I could tell.
MAN: So that's it? Believe me, I don't like her half as much as I hate you, you reptile.
WOMAN: Sticks and stones may break my bones.
MAN: I'd like to break every bone in your body.
WOMAN: You and who else, you big lummox?

These characters hate each other. They're in the middle of an argument, and they're ready to kill one another. What's interesting is in the movie "Singin' in the Rain", the dialogue is delivered by two silent movie actors filming a love scene. The actors faces, bodies, and vocal tones say "love", even as their words say hate.

People do not always say what they mean, and the words on a page are rarely (if ever) enough to truly portray the conflict. Try speaking the phrase, "Nice dress, Becky," in a way that is complimentary. Now say it in a way that conveys jealousy. See what I mean?

It is not enough to learn your lines; you must go beyond the written word to the heart of the character and ask yourself, why am I saying this? Am I being nice? Am I being insulting? Am I sincere, or am I setting someone up for a fall?

Like so many theater lessons, this one has an application beyond the stage for the believer. Do we say what we mean and mean what we say? How often do we deliver underhanded comments, tearing others down when we should be building up? Are we people who can be trusted? Or do others see by our actions that our words are empty?

Speak all you want. Say what you want. Your actions, like your characters, will always speak louder than words.

30 Seconds or Less - 1000 downloads in a month!

A big thank you to everyone who has made 30 Seconds or Less, Righteous Insanity's newest skit book, a hit! The ebook has had more than 1000 downloads in its first month of release. I've also heard from several folks who have already put the book to good use.

30 Seconds or Less is a collection of 30 new skits that last 30 seconds or less. Simple, easy to stage, easy to learn. If you haven't got a copy, go to www.righteousinsanity.com and click on the link on the front page. It's totally free, so you have nothing to lose.

Speaking of free stuff, be sure to download the new play "The Big Bad Movie" as well. "The Big Bad Movie" is the story of a small town church duped into protesting a new movie that they think is evil so the studio can sell more tickets. With the video release of "The Golden Compass" two months away, this is the perfect time to present this hilarious but pointed comedy to your congregation.

One last shameless plug... if you're into Christian sci-fi, check out www.lunarshuttletickets.com to read short stories, watch short films, and check out cool audio productions like Jeff Roney's New World Army. And like everything else in today's blog post... it's free.

The Big Bad Movie - A new free play now available

Anyone remember The Last Temptation of Christ? It was the Golden Compass of his day, a blasphemous motion picture with a name cast and director that caused a huge outcry in the Christian community. Churches were urged to boycott and even picket the movie, demanding people stay away. The movie was not expected to draw that well, but thanks to the protests of angry Christians, it sold a few more tickets than anticipated.

Generally speaking, Hollywood is not Christian, and Hollywood does not make films that honor God. This is not news. In fact, every Friday they release a slew of movies filled with violence, sex, profanity, and other things that should offend us. (Funny how no one marched in protest against "Wedding Crashers", for example.) But sometimes a movie comes along that so offends our faith, we blog about it, spam our friends with warnings to stay away, and even drag out billboards with a teary-eyed Jesus to park in front of the movie theater while we march the picket line.

My question is, is this a genuine response of concern by the Christian community that Hollywood is pulling a fast one... or are we being played?

No question there are people out there who hate God, hate Jesus, hate the Bible, and want to discredit everything to do with Christianity. But movie studios, like every other business in America, are out to make money. They know sensationalism and controvery sell as well as star power and big name franchises, and they know how to play to the audience that won't come as well as the one that will.

I know you meant well. I know you were convicted in your heart to do it. But everytime you blasted an email warning people about The DaVinci Code, Dogma, Harry Potter, The Golden Compass, whatever... you gave them 100% free publicity.

Hollywood pays for TV ads, movie posters, web banners, and the like. They don't pay for you to blog or email about a movie you find offensive. And let's face it, the more people say "Don't go," the more people want to go.

We've all been played. It's time we own up to that.

That's what The Big Bad Movie is all about. Check out the new black comedy about Hollywood and the church at www.righteousinsanity.com/bigbad.html

The Big Bad Movie - Who is Listening?

You're a conservative Christian. You turn on the TV and see Diane Pelosi discussing a woman's right to choose. She explains why Roe v. Wade had to happen, the reasons why women need their choice preserved, and the consequences of banning legal abortions.

 

Does she sway you? Does she make you say, "Oh, I never thought of it that way." Do you listen at all?

 

Heck no. You know the truth, that every life is sacred. You know that Pelosi is a wacko liberal who wouldn't admit she was wrong if God himself came to her in a vision and revealed the truth. So you shut her out completely.

 

Step outside yourself for a moment. You're an agnostic. Doesn't matter if you're liberal or conservative. You live for the moment, do no harm to others, and consider yourself a good person. You have no interest in Christianity because those Christians are just a bunch of wackos who want to tell you how to live your life and take all the fun out of it.

 

You get an email from a Christian, telling you there's a new movie coming out written by a man who hates God and wants to make your kids atheists. It's evil, it's blasphemous. It makes demons out to be good guys, and in the next movie, two kids will kill God.

 

As the rational thinking, non-religious agnostic, how do you respond?

 

"The Big Bad Movie" is all about Hollywood and the church. It's a dark comedy about one small church's response when Hollywood releases a major motion picture that may or may not be truly evil. It's not a call to cease and desist from telling the truth, but a plea for Christians to step back, wise up, and reevaluate how we interact with our culture.

 

My prayer is that this play will make us all think twice before we fly off the handle the next time someone rattles our faith. We must give an answer - but we must do so intelligently. Otherwise, who is really going to listen to what we have to say?

Check out The Big Bad Movie, available free at www.righteousinsanity.com

Movies for Valentines Day

Whether you have a Valentine or not, there's something for you waiting at getyoked.net. Check out hilarious movies like "Ekin Avenue," "Flirt Medicine," and "How to Pick Up a Christian Babe" for free at www.getyoked.net

Pass it along to a single friend... or just someone who could use a laugh today.

The Big Bad Movie - A new play coming soon

Inspired by The Golden Compass and The DaVinci Code...

From Garden to Tomb: An Interactive Easter Drama

I blogged a while back about the need for more creativity in church drama, especially with our Easter productions. If you're looking for something simple, low budget, and truly unique, check out George Halitzka's interactive production of the stages of the cross, "From Garden to Tomb."

http://www.dramabygeorge.com/easter/

This is exactly the kind of thing we need more of. Bravo, George.

The Church Drama Podcast

If you're not tuned into the Church Drama Podcast, you should be. It's a great way to check out what's new and different and exciting in Christian drama.

The Podcasters just released Episode 56 in which they do a reading of Righteous Insanity's popular Easter egg skit, "I Don't Wanna Dye." Check it out on their website:

www.churchdramapodcast.com

Christian film directors wanted!

Righteous Insanity is seeking young, energetic film directors who have access to a camera and editing computers (or at least a camera; we can do the editing) to help us film some new shorts in 2008. Styles range from light-hearted parody to intense sci-fi to harsh, biting satire. There's no pay up front, but you will get credit, links to your sites/resumes (if you have them to share), and as much accolades, promotion, and thank yous as we can muster.

If you are interested, please send an email to john@righteousinsanity.com with a link to any videos you have online!

What to bring to practice

You'd think this would go without saying, but I seem to say it a lot at rehearsals these days:

Actors, whether you are doing church skits, a play, whatever, remember to bring your scripts to rehearsal.

It amazes me how many forget - and how often. Like I said, seems like common knowledge, but I guess some folks need to have it said.

On a related note, Directors, have extra scripts handy for anyone who forgets. And don't forget to collect them afterward; otherwise they'll probably get lost too.