Here we are on day two of this challenge. (The script is attached at the bottom if you want to jump ahead.) It was a day that kinda got away from me as I sit in the living room at 1am trying to write this blog post. I had intended to start my writing much earlier but something sort of major prevented this.
I was so ready to be productive. I was planning my day around the 10k I was going to run and the subsequent Papa Johns Pizza I was going to devour as a victory feast. I was going to play some Warzone with some friends online and then get to my writing nice and early from 2-445pm, after which I would go for the run. Just as I was settling down my mother came into my room and told me my father had suddenly become rather unwell. Next thing I know I am on the phone with 111 describing how he is feeling and they are telling me they need to send an ambulance! It all felt a bit mad. He had fallen ill after a particularly strenuous workout with his trainer. Due to social distancing his trainer has been training him over the phone so I am quite unsure how he could have trained so hard over the phone to the point of needing an ambulance. But, thats what happened. Don't worry, he's fine. After a few tests we were able to collect him from the hospital. In those hours in between I went for my run and gorged on my pizza. It was epic. I did no writing. I sound like a terrible son. But, I want to reassure my faithful readers (Hi Arran) that I always felt like he was going to be okay and was there for him the whole time in case he needed me. I did, however, take a picture of him lying in the ambulance.
I should probably get to todays script instead of explaining why I was so late to start today. The story today follows a teenage girl called Ananda and it took me about an hour and a half
. I chose the name Ananda because it means Joy in Hindi and joy was my inspiration for todays script. I've been lucky to be a part of a new initiative called Elevate. Which is a new resource that has been compiling uplifting content with the hope of starting elevating conversations in these strange times we live and beyond. Each week focuses on a different theme. This weeks theme was Joy.
I was trying to think about what joy is/ what it means. Is it just to be happy? I watched a video which spoke about attaining joy through acts of service. One of the first things that is said in the video was a mother talking to her child. She says, "when I look back on my life, the most beautiful time I remember was when I was making other people happy." This beautiful spirit of putting others before yourself, and it being such a joyful experience, really touched me when I heard it. Further, another quote from Abdu'l-Baha touches on joy as well. He said , "to attain eternal happiness one must suffer, he who has reached the state of self-sacrifice has true joy." So that is what I tried to write a story about today. How one who is hurt and sad can find joy in helping others and putting their needs over their own. A tough task. But, I do feel like I've got off to a good start with this and I may well revisit it when the challenge is over.
When I was reading over it to check for mistakes I do feel like it kinda turned into two scripts. I was pleased with how well I was managing to tell the first part of the story quite visually. But then I got a little lost with what I was doing and ended up with a bucket load of dialogue. I also knew I wanted her to end up running into this little boy that she could help but I struggled to know how to set up her own sadness enough. Plus, I don't think we ever get to see that moment when she decided to put his needs before her own. These are things I think I need to consider before revisiting it. If anyone does read this blog and the script please do share any feedback or thoughts you may have for the script!
Something else I am noticing already that I am struggling with is trying to find the humour. I am certainly trying. The character of the teacher is supposed to be humorous in his quirky and harsh interactions with his students. I am not sure if that is clear. Likewise with the young boy and some of what he says and does. But, humour is a tough one. In films I've made and written/co-written I have felt this before. I found getting the humour out my scripts a lot easier when I was working with the actors on the day of shooting. I wonder if that is something I have to be patient with when writing. Patient to know that if I ever do end up making one of these scripts that the humour will come maybe more when the actors have the scripts in their hands or when the AD says action on the first day of shooting.
Anyways, I hope we can all find joy in our lives through helping others. Back at it tomorrow!
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