The Brass Monkey

So, I'm taking this incredible film class at school. We are inundated with amazing information and have already shot 8 short scripts (approximately 5 minutes each). Our amazing teacher/director, Julian Grant, is imparting his wisdom and experience and we're learning, hands-on information about eye-lines and key lights and etc. etc. etc. Fully informative and wonderful!

Our final project is a 5 minute script that we write or adapt from other works.

I decided to write my own piece. 

I've done a fair bit of writing in the past (a one-act play that was produced/directed at Roosevelt University in 2002 - pretty darn proud of that one) and a few 10 minute plays. However, I've never written a screenplay. Even a short one seemed daunting.

Julian suggested we take something from our diary or journal as a place to start if we planned on writing our own piece. I thought about that and realized that it would be difficult for me to take liberties for a "better story" if I used a situation that had already happened. In other words, I already know how that movie turns out and I'd be trying to duplicate the performance. So...I thought, instead, I'd write about a situation I had fantasized about. A conversation/meeting that never actually took place but that I had played over and over in my mind how it MIGHT go.

Words began pouring out of me. I actually couldn't find enough blank paper to "neatly" write it all out. When I finally finished it, I typed it into Celtx (a brilliant free program for those of you who would like such things... www.celtx.com) and tweaked and edited it a bit.

I'm pretty fucking happy with how it turned out.

Julian needs to approve it, of course, and will most likely make some line cuts since I normally write for theatre (more verbal) rather than film (more visual). It doesn't always occur to me that we can "act those lines" and don't need to SAY them.

I have some lovely blog readers here who will probably recognize the basis of this scenario when I describe it. I assure you, names were changed to protect the innocent (and jackasses), and the unseen-only-spoken-of man's "probable" response is definitely changed for dramatic effect.

The Brass Monkey - synopsis

SARAH is waiting at a neighborhood bar for MARIE. They used to be good friends but have not spoken for 4 months. SARAH is now dating MARIE's ex-boyfriend of 6 years.  SARAH has desperately wanted to mend the wounds between them, but, until now, MARIE has consistently avoided her phone calls and emails.  Today, MARIE has agreed to meet with SARAH for a "talk".  Little does SARAH know, MARIE has a secret and a plan up her sleeve.

Sound familiar to some of you?

If it gets approved, I'll try and put a copy up here.  It was actually pretty wonderful to "get those demons" out.  Woody Allen proved in Annie Hall that as the writer of your own work you are the master of your own destiny.  HE decides how the relationship goes when he writes the ending.  I believe we can re-write our history to some extent with our imaginations.

Here's to a healthier relationship with my past!

Peace and love to you all!

~Ali

Balloon of happiness and Blackbird

So this morning, as I do most weekday mornings, I was walking to school.  I have about a 10 minute walk from my bus stop to the front door of school if I make all the lights.  It's usually a pleasant walk and fairly familiar since I've been doing it for over a year and a half.

This morning was different.  The sun was out but I wasn't getting any of the benefits of it due to the large buildings, awnings, and shadows.  No big deal, normally, but we've been having quite a winter and a bit of sun can often brighten a winter day.  

Oh well.

I continued my brisk walk with my ipod on shuffle (per usual).  Suddenly, like a lovely moment out of a movie, I stepped on a patch of sidewalk and was showered with the glorious sun!  At the same time, Sarah McLachlan's version of Blackbird (it was on the I Am Sam  soundtrack) flooded my ears.  And I smiled.  A huge, happy, love for the earth and people and life smile.

Now, this may not seem like much.  And, honestly, in the grand scheme of things, it isn't.  But I've not listened to that song much since 2006.  It was going to be the song that I walked down the aisle to at my wedding that got cancelled 2 months (yes 2 months) before the wedding date.

Considering my emotional history with that song it's been tough one to swallow and put on the ipod.  I'd actually forgotten it was part of a playlist I used backstage for a show.  I didn't hit the stage until 1/2 way through the play and in order to drown out what was actually happening on stage I listened to my ipod with very specific emotionally resonant songs. 

I was blown away by the beauty of the sun, the immediate comfort of the song, and the glorious way I felt.  I sat down on the cold, concrete benches outside my school and listened.  I breathed and listened to Blackbird and realized how far I'd come.  It was truly a splendid moment.

When I got into school, the feeling was replaced by strong focus and intense concentration on the tasks at hand, etc. etc.

I was feeling drained and tired by the end of the day.  As I trudged my way to the bus, (a slightly different route for the way home due to the bus stop), I walked by St. Andrew's Chapel.  This building always catches my eye.  I think about the people who go inside to pray or confess (as I assume it's a Catholic church).  I notice the other entrance for "counseling services" and wonder about the couples that go in there to fix their marriages or the people who just want someone to talk to.

As I continued my daydream something inside the fence surrounding the church caught my eye.  It was a balloon.  And it was just sitting there, in the shrubbery, on the other side of these bars.  Someone had written on it, "Have a Nice Day".  I was sort of stymied.  I walked past it and then turned back around!  I needed a picture.  I didn't want to disturb the balloon so my photo doesn't have all the words perfectly displayed but you get the idea.  It was just sitting there.  For all the people to see that chose to see it.

Like I said, it may not mean anything.  But for me, today, it meant something.  I hope, by posting this picture it will maybe make you smile too, and have yourself a Nice Day. :)

Peace and love to all of you.

Ali

Because I am happy!

Ok all you wonderfully cynical bastards out there. :)  I just wanted to say that I am HAPPY. While I'm aware that Valentine's Day is, technically, a Hallmark holiday...I don't care.  I'm giddy and happy and excited to say that I have a wonderful man who loves me and puts up with my crap and I get to spend the day with him.

However, I would like to point out that if I didn't have him (or someone even remotely equal in quality) I might be somewhat cranky and cynical.  Yet, I surely hope I would not just be with SOMEONE to just have someone.  If that makes sense.  

More than anything, I am HAPPY.  Not relieved to have a Valentine.  Not thankful I don't have to endure the evening alone.  I am a happy person.  It is not solely due to being with this wonderful guy, but he enhances that happiness in me.  

So, there it is.  I'm giddy and excited and pleased to say I feel good about ME.  So, for the first time I am happy to say I'm happy with ME.  And I'm thrilled I get to experience that with someone who is pretty freakin' awesome. :)

Sorry if I made some of you throw up a little in your mouth.  

But I'm happy.

So there!  :)

(Love you all! And have an incredibly wonderful Valentine's Day!  Open your heart and make sure you love yourself.  All forms of "love" acceptable.)