Joey Madia, Storytelling and Immersive Design Services

  So You Want to Adapt a Classic? Considering the benefits of adapting the classics of literature—the proven success of their themes and structure, iconic lines, enduring timeliness, and strong characters—the question is, why WOULDN’T you want to adapt a classic? Because it’s already been done. To DEATH , you answer. Take Sherlock Holmes. Adaptations are endless, with new ones nearly every year. And the approaches writers take encompass a wide range: placing him in modern times, as a comedic figure, as a young man, as an old man, with dark secrets Doyle never would have imagined, and with Watson as a woman. There’s even the thinly veiled homage of Gregory House, brilliantly played by Hugh Laurie, which I’ll explore more later. So, I understand your concerns… in everything I write, in whatever genre, from historical fiction to adapting true stories [ https://joeymadiastoryteller.blogspot.com/2025/02/why-based-on-true-story-is-barely-based.html ] and classics for young audiences a...

  I originally put this worksheet together for a series of writing classes I taught in 2004. I have been using it ever since. See my book, Every Day Is a Story All Its Own , for more explanations and detailed examples. https://www.amazon.com/Every-Day-Story-All-its/dp/1989940897/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3GYp7gyaVw65MJCdffLUwQ.DgsXdRAFlxbAKbnHsPaPGU-13YsjldmJtcxJJ6lH_Ls&qid=1743251798&sr=8-1 The Basics   Who (the characters: human, nonhuman, alien)     Where (the setting; locale(s))     What (the main problem; who wants what and “what is wrong             in the where”)     The Framework   Beginning (Introduction of the Basics, also style and conventions)     Middle (work on Main Problem, other problems, obstacles, complications)     End (solve problems, “Happily ever ...

  On my “Wall of Inspiration” is a button I bought on the opening night of a play 40 years ago, when I was a junior in high school.  It reads, “Life is a constant audition.” It’s a good reminder, because auditioning is hard, as I say several times in my prior article on this blog, “Preparing for Auditions: Seven Steps that Get You the Job.” https://joeymadiastoryteller.blogspot.com/2025/03/preparing-for-auditions-seven-steps.html Just as hard, and very similar to auditioning, is networking. You’re putting yourself out there, in front of people, all of whom will judge you in one way or another, in the attempt to make connections, make a living (!), and further your goals.  I am actually very shy. An INTJ on the Myers-Briggs. And 18 months ago, I took a battery of tests that provided a lot of answers as to who I am and how I function. It’s the subject of “The Quirky Workings of My Mind: The Journey (so far) of a Neurodivergent Middle-Aged Creative.” https://joeymadiastoryte...

(Originally published in L’Intrigue, the Wild Magnolia of Literature ,Vol. 7, Iss. 1, Winter/Spring 2003)   In his cell of dead-word offerings, the near-mad, wretched alchemist, on the Secret Life’s desperate quest, hopes to push-pin Truth’s wispy, whispering winglets to the cracked corkboard of his lamentable, cocooning ego.   Rack-backed tables plunge their leafy innards (note-scribblings/rabid-eared compost-ready revelations) to the cobbled moldy stones as the pale hieroglyphics of decaded prison wanderings, cabinet meanderings, and window pains waltz with self-retribution’s pale guest in the dark light of a geriatric moon’s weakened beams.   The once-young alchemist/soul-seeking madman of the spider’s eye and mystic news toils in prayer and treacle preparations, forsaking the rude remarks of dusty/false-reflecting plate-things. His blade (unused/archaic since the vegetables grew too limp to peel or eat) speaks poetry to the wa...

  [ A version of this article was first published at Stage 32 in 2021. It was republished there in September 2024 ] There is nothing like auditioning. The range of emotions an actor feels stepping into a room full of decision-makers is considerable and often damaging to the quality of the audition itself. One way to keep those emotions and the mistakes they cause in check is to know how to work on a script in a hurry. And I will let you in on a secret: Good readers make better auditioners, whether you get the sides a week, a day, or ten minutes before the audition. So, if you don’t read aloud, it’s time to start. Record yourself. Listen to your vocal quality, your rhythm, and pace, and for some of the other things I mention in this article. The fact is, in the very visual medium of on-screen storytelling, actors don’t always take the time or get the guidance they need to make the most out of the text. If you don’t put in the time, you are missing out, no matter how st...

  Soul Sutra [Published in Rasputin 2015] Hunkered down In the mid-winter clay My soul aligns With the fire-pit flame. (In a) Second Sutra In the time it takes to read these words how many children have screamed and died as a result of  Dominion’s dreams? Sunlight Sutra  I fell asleep on the living room floor while reading of quantum physics and superstring theory. The light shining in  thru the semi-blinded windows enlightened the lines on the page which, liberated, lifted and swirled, rearranging themselves into every book every made. It’s all in my mind already. Reading just illuminates it like the animal in the road  who suddenly seems to appear from nowhere in the lights. Speaker Sutra Given the choice of gifts between a gold commemorative watch and a volume of Emily Dickinson I found the latter a better way to pass the time. Savonelli Sutra A stout Irish plug in a good man’s now-mine pipe. No-thing, No plan. No point beyond the act itself. An eternal mome...

  Living in Either–Or World (Cue the sad face) In the twenty-first century, debate is all the rage. I’ve been saying (lamenting, really) for a decade and a half (ever since 9/11) that Confrontation is the new Communication. Wherever you look, even in Arts and Entertainment, it’s all about “Them and Us,” Otherness, and Alienation.  And right along with this dysfunctional approach to life is the inclination to look at techniques, structural models, and other tools for your creative toolbox as “Versus” rather than “And.” When I was asked to write a version of this article for Stage 32 in summer 2021, I immediately dove into the research about Intuitive and Analytical writing—keep in mind that these approaches apply as well to the work of actors and directors. I found this “Versus” instead of “And” approach nearly everywhere I looked. This is not a mindset for Creatives, who should be both Integrative and willing and able to put any tool in the toolbox that will help them tell the...

 [ written and presented in 2018 for an arts center project on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina ] Imagine, if you will, A space Where Everyone has a Voice And their voices are a Chorus. Where Everyone is a Star And together are a Galaxy. Where Trust leads to Transformation, Exploration leads to Expression, And Education and Entertainment Share the Energy of Experience. Imagine, if you will The Power of I— Inspiration, Innovation, Improvisation, and Individualism Intertwining to Create Community and Inclusion. Imagine, if you will A space Where Image, Sound, and Word Combine to speak a spectrum of Stories. Combine to tell Our Story— Our ever changing, ever expanding Story. Where Past and Present Are the raw materials From which we build a better Future. Imagine, if you will A space Where Respect is a Right As well as an Obligation, And those who teach within this space Learn as much  As those who come to learn. Imagine, if you will A space Where Communication, Cooperation, a...

[ A version of this article was first published as an invited blog on Stage 32, March 8, 2021 ] The most important thing in life is showing up. I am blown away by your ability to show up. (Keanu Reeves, Hard Ball ) Prologue Primarily being a writer and immersive experience designer, and one who does a lot of historical research, I spend a lot of time alone. So, when I’m hired as an actor, director, storyteller, or teacher, it gives me an opportunity to test my philosophies of keeping motivated and inspired and doing the same for others. For three weeks in June 2019 I toured as Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara and in June 2022 as Allen Ginsberg in a form called Modern Chautauqua, which involves about 18 months of intensive research, the writing and performance of a 45-minute monologue, and 20 minutes answering questions from the audience, first as the historical persona and then as the scholar-performer. It also involves conducting related workshops. During the tours, I was able to tes...