BLOG 13

Script Frenzy Reflection Paper

• When we first were assigned this project and given the details in class, I was not looking forward to it. I love writing, but mostly writing stories. Writing dialogue, let alone a script is hard for me to think of and do. I think my strong points are describing things in detail, so composing a full story with just dialogue has probably been the toughest assignment I've ever received. I also thought about timing, and events like spring break and weekends. We didn't have a full 30 days to work on it, because lets be honest, what high school senior is going to try and write 100 pages on their weekend? Another obstacle was that this project was assigned at the end of the year, when senioritis is at its worst. If i was given this assignment in the beginning of the year, this may have been different.
• I still don't like the project now that it was done. I definitely wouldn't do this "project" on my own if I ever heard about it. I think it is an excellent project for kids or anyone really seriously interested in screen plays or writing scripts in general. You kinda have to have an interest in that sort of field in order to push yourself to write 100 pages.
• The parts in the script frenzy workbook that were the most helpful to me were the character analysis. I had my characters laid out in my head of who they were and a general description of them. However, the character analysis really helped me develop them and help me learn about each character inside and out. The parts I didn't really care for were the dialogue examples. I thought they were a waste of time because we didn't start writing our script yet, and I wasn't sure if that would ever fit into my script at a certain time, or even fit the plot at all anymore.
• I learned a lot about myself by taking on such a large project. I learned that I have to manage my time, and class time given to me to reach my personal page count goal. I had to think outside the box for dialogue and exciting moments to keep the reader interested. Working with a partner is not always the best thing. When agreeing to work with mine, I didn't realize that she was going to be out for the majority of the planning stage--leaving me to do all the work. 
• Our final page count come to around 55. I worked hard every class to push out as much as I could. I handled my time well most days by concentrating and getting a solid few pages put together. I didn't handle my time well on the days where I was over tired and just not in the mood what-so-ever to type up a script. Its hard to focus when that is the last thing you want to do.
• Our strengths of the script is definitely the over all plot and story line. What I like most about it, is that it relates to a modern day teenage lifestyle now. Its not a cookie-cutter paramount movie where you can predict every line about to be said, It's real life.
• Our weaknesses have to deal with timing of the movie. Some scenes seem to drag out forever and forever, while some scenes are a lot shorter. When I watch a movie, my favorite parts are the montages, where its just a bunch of short scenes clipped together without any dialogue that show the viewer whats going on over the course of weeks or months. I wish we added that somewhere into our script because i definitely believe it would have made it stronger.
• If we had more time in the course to spend on this project, I would try and make the dialogue more realistic and not so long of sentences. I also would try to add in the montages that I previously talked about, because I really think that would help move along the story, especially after the climax(where everything goes downhill). I would focus my time better because knowing I have an extension would make me work harder to produce something greater. I might use my free periods to write a page or two and really get done what I wish i could have before.

Thank you for everything this semester Ms. Basko! You are such a great teacher, and I'm glad I could be part of your class :) Have a wonderful summer

BLOG 12

Reflection on the Scene:

Some of strengths in this scene is the dialogue and action that are going on. I find them realistic to read, because you can hear the characters saying that-- its not proper English, its how teenagers talk. I am most proud of this scene because its not only just dialogue, but there is ups and downs, fights and make ups throughout it. After reading this scene, you arn't bored. You're interested in whats going to happen next, which is what I tried to do.

My weaknesses of this scene is that I didn't have much description as to what each character is doing with their body movement. For example if a character looks up and makes eye contact, or rolls their eyes, or breathes heavily. I could have added more description to the scene as to where they are, and describe the setting and their surroundings.

If I had to rewrite the scene I definitely would add more actions. Instead of just person after person talking, add their emotions and body language that the character is giving off. I might break up some of the individual lines, to make the conversations more realistic because when someone is having a conversation with someone they don't normally talk in long sentences. They usually are broken up parts, sometimes interrupting each other which I wish i had added.

During the peer revision I received a lot of positive feedback on my scene I chose to share. The comments my peers gave me are very similar and almost identical to what I felt. They felt that there should have been more action and the sentences were a little bit too long for each person.

BLOG #11

INT. SITTING IN LIVING ROOM ON COUCH CLOSE BUT STILL FAR APART. TV IS ON BUT LOW VOLUME

TEAGHEN
FACING TV NOT LOOKING AT BRENNAI was living in my own world and didn't understand what was going to happen

BRENNA
LOOKING AT TEAGHEN, (TEAGHEN STRAIGHT AHEAD STILL)
I just never believed this would happen to YOU. You of alll people teags

TEAGHEN
I just need my best friend again.
(LOOKS AT BREANNA)
You were the one I always would come too. I know we can go back to what we had, not fix what was broken but start something new.
(STARTS CRYING)
I  knew that it could happen, but who thought it woulda happend to me?

BREANNA
SYMPATHECTICALY SAYS
What you did wasnt right, and you let your infatuation with mason get the best of you. Ive been here for you for everything teag, im not going to let you go through something this big alone.
SMILING WHILE SHE SAYS
Thats what best friends are for right?

BLOG #10

TEAGHEN
I was living in my own world and didn't understand what was going to happen

BRENNA
I just never believed this would happen to YOU. You of alll people teags
TEAGHEN
I just need my best friend again. You were the one I always would come too. I know we can go back to what we had, not fix what was broken but start something new. I  knew that it could happen, but who thought it woulda happend to me?

BREANNA
What you did wasnt right, and you let your infatuation with mason get the best of you. Ive been here for you for everything teag, im not going to let you go through something this big alone. Thats what best friends are for right? (big smile)

BLOG #9

TEAGHEN

Hold my hand mase, and just take a breath. I know its hard but just look at me and tell me its going to be okay.

MASON

Promise me teagh that no matter what lies ahead the next several months, you wont forget our past together

I'll take the lead, ill protect you and you will be safe with me. Don't be afraid to fall, you know that i will always catch you through it all

TEAGHEN

I know, i know its just scary and im scared as hell. Ive lost people before and I cant loose you. I cant loose my friends, my parents. Im so scared
MASON

Relax babe relax, youre going to be okay. Were going to be okay. What we have is worth fighting for! You know that I believe more than anything that that we were meant to be

BLOG #8

1) sharp and lean...move things along

2) mouth your dialogue...sound your words. edit other peoples real life dialogue

3) speech manorisms..how they were raised, expression, their personality. who they are

BLOG #7

with dakota!

Opening Scene:  The movie starts with a girl kicking a soccer ball (close up of her foot), it’s the winning PK to win the girls varsity soccer team the sectional title.  Her team tackles each other in the middle of the field. To the viewer her life seems perfect and that she didn’t have anything wrong. As the montage of her life starts teaghen starts to narrate the story telling the viewer about herself in a comical way but straight up not cookie cutter.  Its building that something extreme is going to happen and her life is going to turn upside down.

Setting up the story: Teaghen and Mason met at a bonfire that past summer, and instantly fell in love. You can tell by their words and actions that they have a healthy relationship but get into fights over stupid things. At school they get an invitation to a party going on this weekend that’s going to be “the party of the year”. Teaghen and Mason decided not to go to the party that’s going on this weekend because its teaghen 18^th birthday and she doesn’t want to spend it puking in a toilet from drinking too much. Instead, He surprises her and takes her out to dinner for her birthday and they have a night full of adventures. He takes her to an open park and lays a blanket down in the middle of an open sky. They talked for hours about their lives in the future and how perfect they are for each other.  They had an “eventful” night and it was very romantic.

Inciting Incident: Mason and teaghen slowly start to get into bigger and bigger fights. She misses her first period but doesn’t think anything of it because she’s on birth control and she’s been late sometimes before. Her friends start to slowly disappear because she is so infatuated with her boyfriend, but at the end of the day she isn’t happy because she has no one to vent to when she gets into these big fights with mason.  By the time she misses her second period, she calls mason crying and he comes over immediately to comfort her. They wen t  to the local grocery store to buy a pregnancy test and went over to McDonalds to go take it, so not many familiar faces would be around. Teaghen paces back and forth waiting for the results then a close up of a tear drop falls onto the positive pregnancy stick.

The BIG decision:  Mason and Teaghen want to keep it a secret from their parents until they decide what they want to do. Mason tells teaghen that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her and he will do whatever it takes to support their family. Teaghen can’t make a decision on what she wants to do. She had such big plans for herself and a baby would throw everything off. She drives over  to her best friend’s house to tell her and try and let her back into her life. She lets teaghen talk and vent, and trys to feel sympathetic for her. When teaghen breaks the news that she’s pregnant, she wraps her arms around her and tells her everything will be okay.  Neither of the girls really don’t know what to do or to say. They’ve been best friends since they were 6 and they need each other, especially now.

KEEP BABY	ABORT BABY
Finances College Social life Responsibility	Emotional damage Mason…? Have friends/social life Have a future

OUTLINE

Dakota and Katie

Story Concept

1.      Our story will begin with Teaghen, a 17 year old high school senior that has faced many challenges already in her life.  She is the star forward player on her high school championship team and is a straight A student.  Her junior year, she met a boy that she thought was going to be the one.  He gave her flowers when she least expected it, he wrote her notes and he made her feel like she was important to someone.  In her household, Teaghen is the oldest so she does not get a lot of attention so when she finally did from Mason, she completely infatuated herself.  The story starts in a classroom with Teaghen surrounded by all her friends talking after class before the bell rings. They’re talking about their plans for the weekend and what crazy parties are going down.

2.      Teaghen and Mason decided not to go to the party that’s going on this weekend, even though it’s for mason’s soccer team. He surprises her and takes her out to dinner for her birthday and they have a night full of adventures. He takes her to an open park and lays a blanket down in the middle of an open sky. They talked for hours about their lives in the future and how perfect they are for each other. It’s only been 3 months, but they are in love. They have sex. And that is how she becomes pregnant.

3.      The rising action points will include mason and teaghen slowly start to get into bigger and bigger fights. She misses her first period but doesn’t think anything of it. Her friends start to slowly disappear because she is so infatuated with her boyfriend.

4.      Teaghen ends up getting an abortion before anyone noticed and has been trying to forget it ever happened. Mason, being furious in her actions, leaves her and she now has no one on her side.

5.      Her friends grew their distance while she was dating mason, so she is now left alone and is depressed. Teaghen wants to escape her life right now and not turn back.  Her little brother just got diagnosed with cancer, her best friends have found a new group since Mason was in the picture and Teaghen ignored them, her parents are fighting constantly and she just publically had an allergic reaction to peanuts in the middle of the mall.  She needs an escape. 

6.      She finds herself interested in the school musical because they are doing The Sound of Music which is her favorite musical of all time.  When she goes to auditions, she discovers a person that she never knew existed inside.  She meets a boy and some new friends and takes the best stride of her life so far.  Teaghen brings her school back together and makes everyone join in union before they all go their separate ways.  Old broken bonds are mended and new relationships emerge.

#4 LOGLINE

When an unexpected pregnancy strikes, the daunting task of starting a new life leaves a 17 year old girl to face the extreme choices her past has presented.


WITH DAKOTA

BLOG #3 6-Word Memoirs I Like

With time, I grow more certain.
- I like this memoir because it gives me a sense of hope for the future and reassurance that every day I will grow more knowledgeable. I like the comma after 'time', creating a pause when you read the line creating more emoiton.

Love like crazy, it may end.- In this memoir I love the message it is giving. It is saying love with all you have because you never know what might happen tomorrow. Any thing can end at any given time

I wanna live, not just survive.-I find this memoir creative because I have never thought of "living" in that sort of way. Yes, I want to live, but I want to LIVE my life! I want to have fun everyday and experience new things, not just survive life.

Wearing iPod: great to ignore people.-I found this memoir humorus because I am a victim of putting my headphones in purposely to ignore people or stop people from talking to me. I like the use of the colon because it is is almost like a description of what "wearing an ipod" is.

We all deserve hope and love.-I like this memoir the best because we do all deserve hope and love. We deserve to have hope everyday that our lives will be great and tomorrow will come. We also deserve love to keep us wanting tomorrow and looking forward for days to come.

 

"Until you're broken, you don't know what you're made of."

WE 1

Rainy days are always gloomy, but in my house we always find ways to make them days to look forward too. One thing that always brings my family together is baking. In the basement you can always find boxes of brownie mixes or cakes galore. My personal favorite to make however is home made chocolate chip cookies, because it involves more work then simply adding water and oil! I have two little brothers, and their favorite part is making the dough balls and of course, licking the spoon at the end. We crank the radio and all sing like we're superstars, even if it drives my mother crazy. Being the hyper little boys my brothers are, they love running outside in the rain. This one time when it was hailing outside, my two brothers, sister and boyfriend set up an obstacle course in our backyard...yes, in the pouring rain. They had to run down the porch, bob and weave throughout the 4 pine trees dividing my backyard with my neighbors, jump on the trampoline and get back inside! Don't forget, the ground is covered in slippery mud. If we're not doing stupid things like that, that could potentially give us hypothermia, we'll pick a movie to watch together and declare it a family movie night! By the time everyone is all comfy in their blankets, distracting themselves from the rain and thunder, the timer on the oven is beeping telling everyone that our delicious deserts are ready to enter our stomachs. We divide up the goods, and serve them to everyone to enjoy. Oh! How could I forget the ice cream and milk we have with it all too! We don't always bake on rainy days, but let me tell you, its definitely something that turns our gray days away.

"Anyone who believes sunshine is pure happiness, has never danced in the rain"

blog #2

Throughout the remainder of the semester, as well as this course, I plan to continue to grow as a writer and develop new techniques. My two main goals to grow in are variety and thoughtfulness. I don't have a problem with writing long papers, or finding things to say, however I find myself being repetitive and sometimes coming short on ideas. I want to take more risks and not write about the same old story every time I decide to write. I wish to be more creative with my text, and how the expressive is portrayed. I plan to create new strategies, or use exercises to assist me in growing as a writer. While writing, my ideas slowly shorten and I loose track of where I was once going with the idea. I want my readers to capture the voice I'm trying to put into each characters emotion. I have troubles with creating a catching "hook" or line that draws the reader into the story and makes them not want to stop reading. No goal can be achieved if you don't take the time to try. No athlete gets better if they do not train. No artist improves without ugly first paintings. No mathematician excels if they do not practice. So certainly no writer will advance without perseverance, and of course, the dreaded first drafts. Each day in life is meant to be a step forward in the right direction and the only way to make that possible is if you try each day to create something better than before. That is how goals are achieved.

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail".

Blog #1 : Welcome Entry

Hi everyone! My name is Katie, and I am a senior here at Penfield High School! I love art and computers, so being creative kinda comes naturally to me! Writing is something I love to do in my spare time. I find it therapeutic and a way to escape the stress of real world drama and just have it be me and the paper. My favorite type of writing is short stories because you can create any plot with any character and make anything happen!  In these blogs you can expect to see really whatever is going on inside my mind or life at the time. I find my strongest point is thinking of a creative idea, however my weakness is putting that idea into a well developed piece. Through this class, I hope to become a much stronger writer, and find more strengths in my writing then I knew before. I believe that quotes are the post powerful and inspirational group of words put together. Everyday I will look up a quote of the day, or just search different pages of quotes until I can a perfectly fitting one that  describes my thoughts or how I'm feeling.  I also feel that they help support whatever is being said, and make that point more powerful. So with that, I have decided I'll leave each blog with an appropriate quote corresponding with the blog! I hope you enjoy my blog and reading all the posts to come!
                               -Katie

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important that fear"- Ambrose Redmoon