SUNDAY'S SURPRISE: Open The Envelope (m)

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Registered: 03-25-2003
SUNDAY'S SURPRISE: Open The Envelope (m)
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Sun, 01-27-2002 - 1:04pm

SUNDAY'S SURPRISE: Open The Envelope (m)


Although we're short story writers, this week let's "open the envelope" and try out hands at screenplay writing. Write the opening scene to your movie. Things to consider might be 1) What music is playing; 2) Where the scene takes place; 3) Is it daytime or at night; 4) Who’s in the scene; 5) What angle or POV is the camera using. Once you’ve got that add a little dialogue. The following link has lots of movie scripts so you can see what the format looks like:

http://www.simplyscripts.com/a.html

The theme is up to you but please limit your scene to 1,000 words or less. Have fun,

Mac

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Avatar for jadetigerroses
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 5:49am

WTG!!! Who needs a new partner when she can handle it herself? Typical guy heheh. (nt)


Have a mystical day,

Jade

Please Pray and Support O

Avatar for jadetigerroses
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 5:51am

Nice Job! Good description!!! loved it! (nt)


Have a mystical day,

Jade

Please Pray and Support O

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 8:05am

EDITORIAL PRIVILEGE


INT. CITY STREET OUTSIDE THE OFFICES OF "The Pine Forest Echo" -- 7 AM

-- as a well-dressed woman (reporter) carrying an armload of files, reaches into her purse for keys and lets herself into

INT. THE LOBBY OF THE PINE FOREST ECHO

-- and walks down the hallway passing dozens of plaques and awards hanging on the walls

INT THE NEWSROOM

-- where she sees Lee Madden, (REPORTER'S POV) still wearing the clothes she wore the day before, slumped over her desk. Files are scattered all over the floor and there is an empty space on the right wing of Madden's desk where her computer had been.

REPORTER tentatively: Lee, are you alright? There is no response.

The reporter gently nudges the woman, and her lifeless body falls to the floor, where we can now see the knife protruding from her chest.

Title and theme song erupt onto the screen.

Title: "EDITORIAL PRIVILEGE"

(theme song: A Day In The Life, by The Beatles) http://www.aros.net/~jjreese/beatring/realaudio/adayinth.ram

INT. WILLIAM BEST'S OFFICE -- 1:35 P.M.

-- Best, editor of the "Pine Forrest Echo", is being interviewed by Pine Forrest Criminal Investigator Buck Law.

LAW: Mr. Best, do you know anyone who would want to kill Ms. Madden?

BEST: (lighting cigarette) Lee had her fair share of enemies, some even called her "turbo bitch." She could be pretty tough when she thought someone was witholding information. But, no, I don't know anyone who would want to see her dead.

LAW: You say she had her share of enemies; who?

BEST: Well, it's no secret that there are some in your own police department who didn't care for Lee.

LAW: (shifts uncomfortably in his seat) Anyone else?

BEST: If you're looking for an enemy list, just read the paper. (he puts out his cigarette) She scared the hell out of a lot of people. She was fearless. There wasn't a story she would shy away from.

LAW: What stories was she working on before her death?

BEST: She was working on a 3-part series on the proposed intermodal development and a follow-up on the Pickering murder.

LAW: I'll need her notes.

BEST: Officer, I don't want to seem rude, but it should be obvious to you that isn't possible. I assume you saw the newsroom. Lee's computer and files are gone.

(telephone on Best's desk rings. he picks it up and swivels his high-backed chair around so that he is facing the wall away from Law.)

BEST: (speaking quietly into receiver) I can't talk right now. (he pauses presumably while the caller is speaking, then continues) I'll get it to you, but I can't right now. (another pause, then angrily) Soon! Damnit! (he hangs up the phone).

BEST: (swivels his chair back around to face Law) If there's nothing else, officer, I really need to meet with my staff. This has been a big shock to all of us.

LAW: (flips his notbook shut) I'll be in touch. (Law exits)

(Best opens his desk drawer pulls out a bottle of bourbon and takes a long drink directly from the bottle.)

END OF SCENE

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 9:53am

They say the first ten minutes (m)


is suppose to hook the viewer into the movie. Well, girl, you did it in ten seconds!!! I loved the name of the slot machine too. You also had me wanting to find out why Mindy had her looks altered and what happened to Laura.

Good job!

Mac

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 10:00am

I vote for a new partner!!! (m)


Just like a man to show up after you've done all the work-LOL. I think you did a great job with your opening scene. It sets the tone for the movie and shows us who the main players are. Your dialogue was realistic too.

Thanks for the read, Kat. It was lots of fun to read.

Mac

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 10:07am

I like it!!! (m)


Jade, you've got me hooked. Sounds like a good romance a brewing and I wanted to know what's going to happen with Mitch and Jess. Also, your details were great. I'm no expert in screenwriting but I think you have to be very detailed as you've done in your piece.

Mac

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 10:17am

Wow, Patty (m)


Do you have a movie or two you've written and forgot to tell us about? LOL. This was terrific. You had me very interested and guessing what Best really knew and wasn't sharing with Law (great name for the investigator).

Great job!

Mac

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 10:40am

Jeez, Jade, make the rest of us look bad...tehehe. Good job with this assign! Kat.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 10:41am

Thanks, Kat (m)


Glad you liked it. Screenwriting is my true passion. I have two scripts in the works but they've been on hold for a while.

I was going to put a "side note" on my post saying that I really want to write screenplays. But I told my hubby about this scene (before I posted my message) and he was like, "what the hell."

So I didn't mention it before because he made me think it was off the wall.

Thanks again,

Mac

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2003
Mon, 01-28-2002 - 10:44am

Obviously a trained professional...


I hope you're going to do something with this, because you had me hooked right off the bat!

Wowzer is all I can say, Patty! Kat

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