My Script is Online

Hello, dear loyal blog friends!

I have been working on my Budget Jet sitcom pilot script since we last spoke. I sent it for professional feedback (which was PRICELESS, btw!) Now I've just posted the (4th draft of the) script on Talentville, a social networking site for screenwriters. If you go over there and sign up you can read the first 10 pages for free. Please use my referral link so I get credit! www.talentville.com?ref=401c92d6

Click on "Library" then you can search for sitcoms. Put "Budget Jet" in the "contains" field or my name "Ellen Simonetti" in the "resident" field and it will pop right up. Also, if you search by date submitted, mine was submitted April 28, 2013, so it should come up first this week.

I'm in the process of submitting the script in some contests, though I was hoping to get a little more feeback first. Unfortunately, many of the contest deadlines are looming.

Hope you're having a GREAT 2013!!! :)))

EDIT: I realize most of you aren't going to go sign up at Talentville to read my script. So here's the synopsis:

Series Description

Cute, enthusiastic, but klutzy new flight attendant Nikki Simms tries her best to help pull dysfunctional-family-run Budget Jet out of its nose dive. She blog-narrates her ups and downs, sharing her often naïve advice for other aspiring flight attendants.

Nikki’s new Budget Jet “family” includes: incompetent widow Mrs. Evelyn Gold and her bitter stepdaughter, Janice Gold, who run the airline; new BFF D’Andre Williams, a drag queen who is thinking about transitioning to female; Yesenia (Jesse) Damaris Lopez Villanueva, a Puerto Rican party girl who’s always making problems for Nikki; handsome and narcissistic Captain Richard (Rick) Dennis Prescott the Third who loves the chase, but has a fear of commitment ever since his wife left him for a woman; and Joan McDaniel, the burnt out lead flight attendant who has no other skill set, leaving her stuck at Budget Jet.

Episode Synopsis

While preparing for her first flight, Budget Jet flight attendant trainee Nikki screws up horribly and must convince her dysfunctional airline “family” that she deserves a second chance.

Long-awaited Update

Ah, yes. It's been over a year since I posted on this blog. You probably thought I had abandoned it. Not so! I decided to give the TV sitcom writing thing one last shot.

I recently finished a pilot script for a show tentatively titled Budget Jet. Hoping this goes somewhere in the New Year (2013). I need to send the script to get coverage. One person has given me good feedback so far. I will post a few snippets here if anybody's interested (IF anybody's reading this anymore :-P)---btw Bogger, still no smilies? Really?

Anyway, here's the episode synopsis to give you an idea of what the show's about:

BUDGET JET

"Plane Dysfunction"

Episode Synopsis

It’s flight attendant trainee Skye’s first day on the job. She must prove herself to her new Budget Jet “family” in order to earn her wings. She narrates her experiences through her naïvely optimistic blog. Meanwhile, CEO Evelyn Gold struggles to work with her bitter stepdaughter, Janice, to improve Budget Jet’s abysmal on-time stats and return the airline to black. Plane dysfunction derails both peon and CEO’s plans.


Well, wishing you all a happy holiday season wherever you are!

Latest Update

I hesitate to post this update with Mercury in retrograde (may need to post a reversal next week), but here goes anyway.

This spring and early summer the TV project was moving forward nicely. There were lots of hours spent on a pitch, followed by some BIG meetings in L.A. But, alas, we now appear to be stuck in development hell once again.

I need to really get my act together and finish the first draft of my feature screenplay. I started over fresh back in Feb/March, right before I went to the John Truby story seminar in L.A. (Two thumbs up!) I've only got another 10-20 pages to write...but then the REAL work begins: the Rewrites.

Status Update

Hello All, long time no talk! I recently got back from a month in Hawaii (trying not to rub it in, but it's hard). Still going through Mainland readjustment/Hawaii withdrawal. In fact, if the wind changes tomorrow, I might pack my things and head back.

Anyhow, when I got back from Hawaii, I thought to myself "Now what?" A string of guilt trip thoughts started bombarding me once again, like "I should be doing something meaningful/productive." But then I heard the words of Byron Katie: "Is that true?" (Just went to one of her workshops :-) )

Anyway, I do want to get back on track and finish my screenplay. I still have a Canadian production company interested in turning my book into a movie, plus I have my new friend Bob Cohen in NYC who wants to turn it into a TV show (he's in the process of pitching it right now!) These are opportunities that people dream and wait their whole lives for. So, to get out of my stuck place, I'm thinking about doing another screenwriting workshop in L.A. next month. Either that or I need to do something to really clear out my throat chakra. I took voice lessons last summer and that seemed to work. If anybody has any other suggestions, pls let me know. I love New Age therapies, and, as you can tell, I'm a workshop junkie.

Many thanks,
Ellen

An Exciting Turn of Events

Hello All, while I'm still working on the movie screenplay, there's been an exciting turn of events on the TV side!

Posted: Wed., Nov. 24, 2010, 4:00am PT

Airline comedy in the works
Bob Cohen options 'Dysfunctional Flight Attendant'

By Michael Schneider

As thousands of Americans take to the skies this weekend -- after being subjected to those controversial security checks -- TV vet Bob Cohen sees a comedy there.

Cohen, whose resume spans from PBS and KTLA to Barris Industries and Palladium Entertainment, has optioned the rights to the novel in blog format "Diary of a Dysfunctional Flight Attendant" to turn into a scripted series.

The book, penned by Ellen Simonetti, takes a look at the humorous and surreal world of the pilots, flight attendants and crew that make up the airline industry.

Read the rest of the article on Variety.com

Long Time No Post

Hi All, it's been a while, I know. A lot has happened. My computer crashed back in Sept, then I went to San Diego for a week for a great energy medicine workshop (intending to work on my screenplay while I was out there--that didn't happen), then I came back and had my dear friend Gina visiting me from Costa Rica, and now it's already time to gear up for the holidays, and I'm doing a lot of travel this holiday season :)

Meanwhile, I've finally picked up and reread Act I of my screenplay, and of course I hate it! So, I'm rewriting it...at least the beginning. I think what I wrote before was only amusing to airline people.

Anyhow, people keep asking me about my case with my former employer. All I can say is the matter is resolved. I'd like to thank my lawyers, Kevin Fitzpatrick in Atlanta, and Gary Bledsoe and Walter Muse in Austin, for a GREAT job!!!

Now back to writing this durned screenplay...believe it or not, Ricky Martin, my gay boyfriend, has given me a lot of inspiration this week! ;-)

First Snippet!

Hello All, I've actually finished the first draft of Act I already! I've submitted it to the production company for review. I told them it flowed so fast, I must have either done something really right or horribly wrong!

In honor of Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who made a saucy exit the other day--Good for him!--here's a scene from my screenplay of kind of the reverse scenario. A passenger has (almost) had enough! (Of course, all flight attendants know the passenger-abusing-flight attendant scenario is more the norm!)

(FYI, VO = Voice Over. This is the blog narration.)

[scrippet]
INT. AIRPLANE - FIRST CLASS CABIN - NIGHT

ELENA (VO)
Queen of Sky just wasn't on the ball last night. I was working first class on the way to Buenos Aires, and it didn't start off well.

Elena helps a boarding PASSENGER stow her ridiculously oversized SUITCASE in the overhead bin. Elena loses her grip and drops it on a middle-aged frequent flyer in a business suit, Mr. Souffrant (the same man she collided with in the first scene), seated on the aisle.

ELENA
I'm sooo sorry, sir.

MR SOUFFRANT
(politely)
Don't worry about it. I'm fine.

LATER

ELENA (VO)
Then I spilled a drink-OK, two drinks-on another guy. I'm such a klutz! We were still at the gate.
Elena carries a coffee and bloody mary on her small metal tray. She trips and spills them both on Mr. Souffrant.

ELENA
(throwing a stack of cocktail napkins on the spill)
I'm so sorry, sir! Let me get you a cleaning voucher.

MR SOUFFRANT
(still polite, with a feigned smile)
That's OK, don't worry about it. Just get me some seltzer and a towel.

LATER

ELENA (VO)
Thankfully, things went better in flight.

Elena lounges on the first class jumpseat reading a PEOPLE MAGAZINE as Mr. Souffrant repeatedly rings his call bell trying to get rid of his meal tray. Ricky struts up from coach and Mr. Souffrant tries to hand him his tray.

RICKY
(with a dismissive flip of the hand)
I'm sorry, sir. Is not my cabin!

Ricky continues to the front of the plane and joins Elena on the first class jumpseat. They start chatting.

RICKY
These passengers are so high maintenance.

ELENA
Tell me about it! I'm working first class, remember?

RICKY
Oh, hey girl, did you make the crew juice?

ELENA
Not yet. Thanks for reminding me.

Elena gets up and disappears behind the galley curtain where she starts making a toxic-looking concoction of red wine, champagne, different minis from the liquor kit, Sprite, and a splash of orange juice. She mixes it in three empty Evian bottles.

EXT. AIRPORT ARRIVALS AREA - MORNING

ELENA (VO)
Anyway, all that matters is we got to Buenos Aires in one piece.

The NINE-MEMBER CREW climbs onto their hotel van and Elena starts passing around cups of sangria.

ELENA (VO)
(continuing)
And, most importantly, Queen of Sky has a hot date on the layover!

Their van pulls away from the terminal, splashing through a mud puddle, which drenches the much-abused Mr. Souffrant as he stands on the sidewalk waiting for his ride. His facial expression finally changes to full frustration.
[/scrippet]
OMG! What a cool app this is! Anyway, let me know what you think. Remember, this is my first draft and I'm a novice screenwriter, so PLS constructive criticism only!

Note to Self: Add a Steven Slater-esque scene later in script.

Good News!

I've finally written the first 3 pages of my screenplay! So that means only 87 pages to go :-) :-P

I wrote the opening sequence wherein our heroine is describing her Trip from Hell on her blog and it's portrayed through a slightly exaggerated flashback. Plan to continue with the second scene/sequence of Act I today.

I will post snippets of the screenplay when I figure out how. Constructive feedback would be greatly appreciated...especially if you're in the industry.

Queen of Sky Movie Update!

Hello All, I just completed a 7+ page feature film treatment, which I've shipped off to the production company for feedback. A friend of mine recommended reading Syd Field's book, The Sreenwriter's Workbook. She was right! It was GREAT and helped a TON with my structure. My friend also suggested I make Queen of Sky's suspension the midpoint of the movie. So, below is the revised structure:

• Plot Point I (Inciting Incident): Layoff Announcement at Legacy Airlines; Elena aka Queen of Sky fears she may be affected.
• Pinch I (midpoint of 1st half of Act II): Queen of Sky takes fun, slightly risque pics on airplane
• Midpoint: She's suspended because of the pics.
• Pinch II (midpoint of 2nd half of Act II): Queen of Sky decides to give media interviews
• Plot Point II: She's fired and decides to sue to get her job back.
• Climax: She and her lawyers fly to Atlanta to meet with Legacy attorneys.
• Resolution: I'll keep this under wraps...you'll have to wait til the movie comes out 8-)

What do you think? Like? Unlike?

And I've also written a new log line (one-line summary):

"A Bridget Jones-esque flight attendant's colorful, autobiographical blog leads to her suspension and, ultimately, her transformation."

And the film's Central Question is: "Will Elena aka Queen of Sky get out of the airline industry and find a more fulfilling career?"

I'm thinking of starting a Facebook fan page, since I've gotten SOOOO many people I don't know (most of whom I'm assuming are fans) adding me as a friend on my personal page. Lemme know what you think...

Trying to get this baby off the ground

Hello people, thanks for following my blog and sorry for no updates. I am now told our project is stalled because they(the production co. and director) have had trouble finding a writer. I volunteered to start writing the script again. I had written a couple of TV episodes a while back, but now we're back to feature film, thus I'm starting pretty much from scratch, except for a brief outline I have sketched out a REALLY long time ago. So, I may need you all's input again.

Thanks in advance!

-Ellen