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

New Blog Update

Hello All! Long time no talk!

So, no updates on the movie deal so far. This is a very slow process. I will update this blog when there is some news on that front. In the meanwhile, I've started a new blog at Healthfilled.com. It's about self-healing and energy health :-) two of my favorite topics! Check it out and let me know what you think.

Here's to your health!

Haiti Relief

Hello friends,

I had a wonderful time in Hawaii, and plan to upload my photos soon. Meanwhile, I wanted to convey this email from my dearest friend Gina, who is Haitian (living normally in Costa Rica):

Dear Friends,

A number of people have asked me which aid organization I recommend.

I can really recommend the one of the haitian singer Wycleff Jean http://www.yele.org/ . he has been bringing in the past and now real effective help to the people of haiti and 100 percent of money donated goes to help . he is already there in the streets helping.
Either you can use your cell phone to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can visit Yele.org and click on DONATE. http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/516652/wyclef_jean_s_urgent_cry_to_save_haiti

Also there is the Dr Paul Farmer http://www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti

http://www.grassrootsonline.org/news/press-releases/grassroots-international-establishes-earthquake-emergency-relief-fund-haiti

The british organization oxfam


The red cross of course and unicef and

The catholic relief organization http://crs.org/

I am sure there are others and I shall do my best today and tomorrow to find out. In the meantime many thanks for support.

As you know my immediate family is doing well ( meaning alive) although my moms' house ( and all her neighbors') has been totally destroyed she was able to come out of it alive and with her body suffering very superficial wounds. I am in France ( for the last two months visiting family) now with my cousins who have lost family members and friends including their aunts husband who died trying to protect his 12 year old daughter who miraculously survived in good shape under two corpses and concrete debris. They are crying day and night and as you know some people have suffered much worse.

The response and the generosity of the people in the rest of the world and in France where we are now has been truly remarquable.

Lots of good wishes and thanks to you all,

Gina

Vacation Time

Hello All,

I'll be lying on a beach somewhere warm and sunny for most of the rest of this month/year, but I should have an update when I get back. If not a movie update, then at least an update on the status of my suntan.

Happy Holidays!

Quickie

Hi all, had a great time in San Francisco this week again. Someone asked me about my case against Delta, so I wanted to address that quickly. I haven't heard anything in a while, so I believe the case is still pending. If anybody knows anything different, please let me know! :)

Long Time No Talk

Hello All, sorry for no posts lately. I've been debating whether to ditch this blog and start another blog, which I may or may not link to this one. I was kind of thinking it would be nice to sink back into cyber-anonymity.

But then I heard from my production company the other day that they've found a director for our movie. So, stay tuned. This movie-making is a slow business. Sorry about that last entry... that was my pain-body coming out again. I'm currently reading the Power of Now and have subscribed to EckhartTolleTV.com.

Just got back from a fun vacation out in the Bay Area. Went to Sonoma and Napa and SF and even visited my good friend Kata and her baby twins in San Jose. I taught her how to balance the twins' chakras. I may or may not post trip pics here.

Ciao!

My Blog Imposter on the New Journalspace

Hello All,

I haven't Googled my name in a long time, but I just did and found a blog (posing as me, I suppose. I didn't read far enough) popped up first. Could someone please tell me how to fix this? queenofsky.journalspace.com is NO LONGER my blog! Journalspace.com crashed and then was relaunched, as you all may recall. I don't have time for this drama.

This is my ONLY blog now! (queenoscreen.com, that is. If you're reading this on FB, it's being imported as a note.)

I'm afraid to look at my Wikipedia page, but if someone could check over there for malicious crap, I'd appreciate it.

Many thanks!

-Ellen