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It was time to develop the French Scenes for "The Changeling", as this technique guided me in the telling of the stories "The Gardener's Wife" and "Forsaken Brother".
Joanna Huffaker, my story buddy, was ready to delve into this adventure.
Basic concept of French Scenes (review):
French Scenes are main events of the story that begin with one or more key characters enter the scene and ends when one or more key characters exit the scene. Between entrances and exits are developments to the story whether in understanding the environment, revealing character, and forwarding the plot.
French Scenes tend to be divided into 5 parts though I could have as many as 32+ parts for a complicated story.
Here are the French Scenes for this Irish story--
Scene 1:
Enter Mrs. Sullivan with Baby
Exit Neighbors
Environment--
- Church--quiet, solemn, whispers, playing of hymns
- Market--buzz, vying for attention for different wares
- Bridge--over turbulent waters
- Green grass, blue skies, a couple clouds, sun
- Occasional livestock--cows and sheep
- Mrs. Sullivan--proud mama, bubbling, anxious to show baby, animated, high-spirited
- Baby--calm, happy, quiet, mild, serene (at this time he has bright-blue eyes, smooth skin, and tiny/delicate hands)
- 1st Neighbor found at Church--congratulatory towards Mrs. Sullivan then turns to worry
- 2nd Neighbor found at Market--annoyed and preoccupied
- 3rd Neighbor found at Bridge--spiteful, jealous, harsh
- Bragging of Baby
- Attracts attention of Fairies
- Introduces Neighbors
Enter Neighbors (Verbal Abuse--3 times)
Exit Neighbors
Environment--
- Church--quiet, solemn, whispers, playing of hymns
- Market--buzz, vying for attention for different wares
- Bridge--over turbulent waters
- Mrs. Sullivan--untroubled, unflappable, imperturbable which then turns to astonishment
- 1st Neighbor found at Church--worry, concern, troubled, sincere
- 2nd Neighbor found at Market--distracted, preoccupied, bothered, irritable
- 3rd Neighbor found at Bridge--spiteful, catty, ill-natured, grumpy, sulky, bitter
- Neighbors give warnings
- Mrs. Sullivan does not listen
- Verbal Abuse emphasized
Enter Changeling
Exit Mrs. Sullivan
Environment--
- Home--thatched roof, mostly made of white stone, rural, small windows, wooden table and chairs, bits of straw on the floor
- Mrs. Sullivan--alarmed, senses something, attempts to be calm and collected (which is a different personality for her)
- Changeling--loud, obnoxious, messy, impish, wails (at this time he has dull and lifeless eyes, wrinkled skin, and hands like talons)
- Home--eerie, feels cooler, too quiet and contrasts with the Changeling
- Switch of the Baby for the Changeling is made by the Fairies
- Mrs. Sullivan needs to get the Baby back
Enter Neighbors (Physical Abuse--3 times)
Exit Neighbors
Environment--
- Church--quiet, solemn, whispers, playing of hymns
- Market--buzz, vying for attention for different wares
- Bridge--over turbulent waters
- Mrs. Sullivan--urgency, wild-eyed, horrified when hears answers from Neighbors
- 1st Neighbor found at Church--sincere, slightly offended to be ignored the first time (suggests Changeling put out in elements/snow)
- 2nd Neighbor found at Market--exasperated, gives more time to Mrs. Sullivan so not bothered again (suggests to burn nose of Changeling)
- 3rd Neighbor found at Bridge--rough, on edge, rude, sarcastic, has "I told you so" attitude but pleased with Mrs. Sullivan's bad fortune, smirks (suggests roast Changeling alive on griddle)
- Solutions revealed from Neighbors but denied by Mrs. Sullivan
Enter Ellen Grey
Exit Mrs. Sullivan
Environment--
- Ellen Grey's Home--obscure location, herbs and remedies hang all over the home, things creatively placed about inside, many worn blankets
- Mrs. Sullivan--desperate, intimidated, leery, surprised, taken-aback, then becomes apprehensive and doubtful by choice presented by Ellen Grey but it may be the only option left
- Ellen Grey--amused for she has seen these reactions before, sharp and witty despite her looks, mysterious
- Solution revealed from Ellen Grey that is more accepted by Mrs. Sullivan
Enter Mrs. Sullivan
Exit Changeling
Environment--
- Home--thatched roof, mostly made of white stone, rural, small windows, wooden table and chairs, bits of straw on the floor
- Mrs. Sullivan--determined but uneasy, purposeful
- Changeling--curious, amused, talkative, creepy
- Changeling reveals age so must return Baby
Enter Baby
Exit Mrs. Sullivan with Baby
Environment--
- Home--thatched roof, mostly made of white stone, rural, small windows, wooden table and chairs, bits of straw on the floor
- Mrs. Sullivan--relieved, happy, tender in showing her love in a quiet way (no longer bragging)
- Baby--calm, happy, quiet, mild, serene (at this time he has bright-blue eyes, smooth skin, and tiny/delicate hands)
- Baby returned
It always feels good to work this process out!
Until we tell again,
Rachel Hedman
Professional Storyteller
Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)
How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com
Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.comOther places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller
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