An Introduction to Proof-listening a Dramatic Work
Welcome, new proof-listener!
Proof-listening for a dramatic work is similar to proof-listening for a regular project, so before you read this page, please read our Guide for Proof-Listeners.
Differences between Proof-listening a Regular Project and a Dramatic Work
While they are similar, there are a few key differences to know about before agreeing to become a dedicated proof-listener (DPL) for a dramatic work.
The most significant difference is that a dramatic work requires both parts-PL (of all individual roles, reading along with the scripts) and final PL (of the edited chapters/acts, reading along with the source text).
DPLing a Dramatic Work is a Bigger Commitment
If you offer to DPL a dramatic work, you are committing to listening to every individual role in the drama (the “Dedicated” part of being a DPL), as well as the finished edited acts/chapters. This will take more of your time than DPLing a solo or group project of equal length as you have to listen to everything twice, and listen for slightly different things each time.
Some coordinators take on both parts-PL and editing, in which case they will need someone else to do just their final PL. Some will read the narrator/stage directions and parts-PL all the other roles. In this case, they’ll need someone to PL only their lines (and perhaps the final chapters/acts). Make sure you know exactly what you are committing yourself to!
If you commit to parts-PL, you are also committing to doing those PLs as quickly as possible. Because readers come and go from LibriVox frequently, any delay in PLing the roles could leave the coordinator with a role that will need to be scrapped and redone because the original reader is no longer available to make corrections.
Most Dramatic Works Require "Special" PL
Each BC may have slightly different requirements for their DPL. When you first start, you may have to ask some questions. Make sure you’re clear on what the requirements are before you start.
For example, generally all Shakespeare plays, unless noted otherwise, require Word Perfect DPL, which means even the slightest deviation from the text must be noted for the reader to correct. BCs of other plays or dramatic readings may require Word Perfect PL just because they prefer it. Still others may be satisfied with Standard PL, but even that will be slightly different than it is for regular projects, because you can’t just sit back and listen without the text. You have to make sure no lines are missing.
You Must Follow Along with the Text
This is the most important difference in DPLing a dramatic work (making sure that no lines are missing). This is probably one of the most important steps in the entire dramatic production process, as people come and go from LibriVox and some dramatic productions take years to complete. It can be very difficult for a BC to contact someone who's been away from LibriVox for a year to chase down one missing line that wasn't caught earlier!
Why PL a Dramatic Work?
One experienced LibriVox DPL explains it this way: “I began DPLing dramatic works for my love of the plays and appreciation of the performers. Before joining LibriVox, I listened to every play I could get my hands on, but I wanted to be a part of the acting, to contribute something. It is fascinating to listen to all of the individual voices, wondering how it will work together, wondering if it will all fit. And then getting to hear the finished product before anyone else and finding how perfectly it has gone! There is no feeling that quite compares to it! And there is no job on LibriVox that is quite as rewarding as DPLing drama.”
How to Get Started
Easy one! There are a few options. If you want to start small, check the current DR Scene & Story Collection or the One Act Play Collection in the Readers Wanted: Dramatic Works forum to see if there are any works requiring PL in either of those. That’s a fun way to get to know all about DRs/plays without making a longer commitment.
If you’re ready to make a longer-term commitment, look through the Readers Wanted: Dramatic Works forum for the usual tilde (~) before the title of a DPL-hunting project. Or stalk the New Projects Launch Pad, for new plays/DRs just starting.
If nothing turns up there, check out the Dramatic Reading Novels in Preparation or One Act Plays and Other Collections - Planning Thread to find something that’s coming soon.
If all else fails, you might even go to the Dramatic Reading Suggestions or Play Suggestions forums and make some suggestions about dramatic works you’d like to participate in, and hope someone will jump on them!
See Also
- An Introduction to Dramatic Readings and Plays for New Readers
- How to Edit a Dramatic Work
- How to Create a Dramatic Reading Script
- How to Become a Dramatic Reading/Play Coordinator
Written by catrose; edited by Winnifred (October 2024)
