The first order of business in the creation of this screenplay is to determine the structure. I was fortunate enough to get into a class called Narrative Strategies at U Texas this semester, which is all about the structure of film. I'm learning a lot in that class.
As many of you know, the most difficult part of starting any piece of writing is determining how and where to begin. (We're going to do this screenplay in the classical Hollywood style of the Three Act Structure, BTW.) I've been discussing this with my production company, Hiltz Squared, and we've come up with two options. At first I had structured it starting in the middle of the blog, but HS didn't like that so much. So, the choice now is:
A.) We start at the beginning of the blog, including the reasons for starting it and thereby raising the central question.
or
B.) We start at the end of the story, with "Queen of Sky" on a talk show discussing what happened to her. In this scenario, the whole movie is a flashback.
I personally think option A works better for a comedy, and also it will allow us to use the blog narration that HS and I have discussed.
What do you all think? And, what do you think the central question should be? (Ex. What happened to her? or Will this blog change her life? or Will Elena aka "Queen of Sky" ever get out of the airline industry?)
9 comments:
Agreed on A.) for comedy which can go straight-ahead, vis a vis an introspective retrospective.
(Personally, in my own project, I think my next order of business is to really think of an interesting storyline and all else should fall into place.)
Perhaps I need to read your book before I can comment further with some level of intelligence on "Queen of Sky?"
Jannie
Personally, I'd go with A. It would be less convoluted and easier for the audience to follow.
Take care & blog on!
I would definitely go with "A".
Im a straight male flight attendant with 23 years experience and may I also suggest including a male character who represents such. So many movies stereotype the male flight attendant as gay. It would definitely be refreshing to see this representation. Finally, I would be more than happy to throw some of my ventures your way, of which I have many! Best of luck with the development.
Thanks, you guys!
And, of course, Rob, I know plenty of straight male flight attendants (but, then again I know a lot more gay ones). There's a straight male f/a in my book, "booty-call guy." You may not want to be portrayed that way, though. LOL!
Absolutely Ellen! Booty call guy could have been used in my younger days. These days I would have to characterize myself more of a "mack daddy"..LOL (however, I am sure my colleagues would equivocate my work personality to the role of Mike Myers in the movie A View From The Top).
I have just become aware of your book and possible movie. I must profess i have yet to read it. I have a 15 hour positioning flight to Asia this week and I shall be picking it up.
Cheers, and I look forward to reading on the progress of your wonderful adventure.
I would also agree 'A'
Seems more sensible to run your story from the beginning.
As the end is still not clear so would not work looking back over events without a succint ending.
But to leave viewers wanting to know how it pans out is more appealing.
As to Rob's request. If this is going to be a comedy I would expect some stereotypes though Rob.
You can't run the whole show if you write a screenplay and the ones that do usually do like to stereotype.
Good luck with the writing.
I sort of like the idea of "B".
Remember the movie Joe Dirt? That wasn't too hard to follow. If done right, it can be done.
I have to say I like "B" better. If you work it right, you can leave it a mystery as to why she's on the show to begin with. Kind of a teaser. Is she the show's host? Is she being introduced as the new CEO of the latest customer centric Virgin Airline? Or maybe she is there to introduce her "Flight Academy" for young ladies. Giving a taste without giving away the whole ending is my vote. It would also give a clear target for a "full circle" story. We know she's in a Talk Show studio but the audience is yearning to figure out why. Look at the TV show "How I met your mother". It's a whole series that embraces this concept. This also gives you an end point that we the fans will know about but be kept in the dark about as well.
well first off no matter what i think you should work in a cameo for yourself. perhaps an unruly passenger from one of your flights?
i go with A as well. since this is "your" story i also think that while your blog will be represented visually i also think that your voice or perhaps the lucky actress that plays you should be utilized as a sort of narrator during the movie. the voice of your character could be heard or your character could speak directly to the camera breaking that 4th 'rule' with none of the actors around you on the scene not noticing. i only make that suggestion since this movie is all about you. for an example and i'm sorry if you don't like him or not howard stern's movie private parts. sorry if this went to long.
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