ARKS TO GO: THE FLOOD SEQUEL - FURTHER THOUGHTS
Been reading over the Arks to Go short sketch/playette posted yesterday and the more I read, the more I'm thinking this has the potential to at the very minimum, to be a one-act play. Perhaps even - dare I think it - something for the BBC International Playwriting Competition, next year. Most likely it will have comic elements because that's my style but there is room for a lot of serious commentary about the state of our planet.
Right now the sketch stops at the point where the woman, upon hearing that there will be a male specie along with the animals aboard the ark, wants to pursue the concept. After all - no competition for his attention. Re-writing it as a one-act would require more dialogue between the woman who needs a name, Noah, the male, and a selection of characters they meet along the way to acquiring animals for the ark.
Points to ponder:
- how will the male be selected?
Might be interesting for woman to place an ad in the local paper specifying mate for ark voyage.
- how will she acquire animals to accompany her on voyage?
Approach local zoos or travel to continents where wild animals are known to live? Zoos? Perhaps travel from continent-to-continent on the ark, and encounter resistance from various governments who see the ark as a threat
- should the male be easy-going slob-type or up-tight designer-dude who worships money?
-how will she handle the animals i.e. cleaning up animal poop...food...water...squabbles between various species?
- also considering having Noah be the other male accompanying her
- how will people react to the ark and its residents? How will her family react to the idea?
Lots of potential ideas - we'll see where they go.
I'm open for feedback and further ideas on how this story should progress. Feel free to comment.
OLD SOLDIERS - RADIO SCRIPT UPDATE #4
Thinking further regarding the story line. Now toying with the idea of perhaps turning it into a comedy crime caper.
Let's say: you have a trio of elderly senior war vets who are tired of having to live from hand-to-mouth. They live in rented rooms. Joe McKenna (main character) is continually pressed for rent from his obnoxious landlady. The other two experience similar problems.
Their meeting at the local pub/bar and reflecting upon their lives ends up with them touching upon the idea of robbing a liquor store or jewelry store...not sure what type of business, yet. Joe visits his son and grandchildren in anticipation of following through with the robbery and in case he ends up in jail, or worse.
Have to give it more thought...
Assassination of a High School President
. Sony Pictures. 2009. DVD, via Netflix. Rated R.
The Plot: Bobby Funke, sophomore, journalist for his High School paper. An assignment to profile the school president becomes something more when the SATs are stolen. Don't worry; Funke is on it!
The Good: A black comedy; Funke narrates this as if he is a New York Times reporter, tracking the big story. Pretty much everyone is a target. If you're looking for who is "good" or who is "bad", who is "right" or who is "wrong," look elsewhere.
While not as sophisticated and dark as Brick or Election
, it's still an entertaining and occasionally insightful look at high school as representing all the worst of real life. (Seriously, when people say something is like high school, is it ever in a good way?)
Funke tells the story as if he were narrating a film about a major newspaper investigation; actually, more as if he was narrating a 1950's film about a major newspaper investigation. Reece Thompson, the actor playing Funke, gives a great performance; he always plays it straight, taking this seriously so the viewer does also.
Unfortunately, the big mystery (who stole the SATs) is pretty obvious to at least this viewer, even though the why was fuzzy until the end. Still, it was good to see the investigative process Funke followed as he got to the point of knowledge, and, dare I say, wisdom.
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© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Still submitting and waiting for that first acceptance. I mean, I ain't gettin' any younger! Be that as it may...I'm back working on a play I started perhaps ten years ago with many edits and tinkering along the way. The more I read it - the more I realize that I really like it so I'm sharing the first ten or so pages with the world - or whoever happens to drop by. I should be so lucky!
Will provide updates as to its progress along the way. Meanwhile, enjoy. Feedback welcome.
DEAD WRITES
by Eleanor Tylbor
AT RISE: Funeral chapel. A group of people chat between themselves while waiting for the service to begin. A coffin is situated on an elevated stand in the middle of the room
FELICIA PEMBROOK, wearing a diaphanous dress, sits on the floor next to a coffin examining her surroundings. Slowly, she examines her body, touching her arms and legs
LIGHTING: Dim lighting, except for a coffin in the middle of the room, which is spot-lit with a white light.
SOUND: somber organ music.
FELICIA
What the hell… Really must'a tied one on last night. Weird though. No hangover like usual… No feelings, period
Staggering to a standing position she walks around the coffin, touching the surface while trying to peer inside. A somberly dressed male passes by, seemingly without noticing or acknowledging her presence
(cont’d) 'Scuse me…hello'?'
Man continues to ignore her, focusing and fixing the inside of the coffin
Is this a… for real funeral parlor? Shoot! What’s the matter with me? Uh duh! This is another of Phil’s jokes. Wait 'til I get him…
Man continues to ignore her
Don’t bother answering me or anything… Fine – your funeral. Hey - cracked a funeral joke! Anyway, I'll find out on my own!
A man (JOSIAH) enters and stands directly behind FELICIA.
He has white hair, is dressed in a white shirt and matching
white pants that glitter
JOSIAH
Perhaps I could be of assistance in some way?
FELICIA
Ho-ly shit. What do we have here? A human Christmas tree ornament
SOUND: thunderclap
JOSIAH
I beg your pardon? Were you talking to me?
FELICIA
Do you come with your own sound effects, too?
JOSIAH
We're quite witty, aren’t we? Just a suggestion here and take it for what’s it’s worth but your colorful use of language could prove to be problematic
FELICIA
Do tell! You an agent for the grammar police?
JOSIAH
Excuse me? Police?
FELICIA
Aha! A little nervous are we, when I mention “po-lice”? Perhaps you’ve dealt with them on occasion?
JOSIAH
In my business we deal with all types and police officers are very common where I work
FELICIA
Not surprised. You earn your living dressed like… that?
JOSIAH
Sorry?
FELICIA
I bet you are – and then some
Holds up her arm and exaggerates a very feminine walk
You know…Cher? Wigs? Makeup?
Looking around and speaking softly
Padded bra… panty hose. Does it ring a bell?
JOSIAH
(puzzled)
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