My Disc to Digital Library

While transferring some of my DVDs to digital form this past month, I noticed something interesting about my taste in movies that I never fully realized until now:

- I'm an M. Night fan

- I love romantic movies with special needs people featured

- I love film versions Cinderella above all other Fairy Tale Film adaptations

- I love period pieces when told in a creative way (Gatsby, Marie Antoinette, Moulin Rouge)

- I love Shakespeare when told in a creative way (Romeo and Juliet, Love's Labour's Lost, The Tempest)

- I love Baz Luhrman

- I belive that  it's awesome when young women are solving mysteries

Here's the latest additions. I also think it's funny how similar the cover art of Lady in the Water and Memoirs of a Geisha are.

Disney Princesses in Conversation

SNOW WHITE: Where did you all come from? I thought this was a solo.

BELLE: Anyone seen Megara? Esmeralda? Elsa even? Why am I next to the old lady?

MULAN: A pink dress really?

CINDERELLA: Girl you look flawless.

POCAHONTAS: No, you.

CINDERELLA: No, you.

POCAHONTAS: No, you

CINDERELLA: No, you.

TIANA: Someone better get me away from these crazy women.

AURORA: OMG Ariel! Jazz! gurl, selfie.

ARIEL: Cheese!

JASMINE: What am I looking at?

Quvenzhane Wallis as Annie

I usually don't talk about movies based purely on their trailers.

In the case of Annie, both the 1982  version and the 1999 version had these awesome trailers that really hyped up the film.

1982's version of Annie took the original script for the musical and expanded on it extensively.

1999's version of Annie too the original script for the musical and condensed it considerably.

Now we have the current 2014 version, which will be released in Christmas.

I am as excited for this version as I was the previous versions.

1982's Annie was the first movie I saw ever and it left a huge impression on me. It made me want to be a singer. It made me believe that nothing is ever that bad. It made me believe in the magic of being a positive thinker. And the music was so beautiful.

1999's version introduced me to the filming style of Rob Marshall, who would then direct Chicago a few years later to critical acclaim.

And now we are in 2014, and a new Annie is coming to the big screen.

Here's the trailer:



Right off the bat, this version is vastly different from the previous. Set in modern times, with some characters renamed, I'm actually quite excited. The trailer is very true in spirit to the classical musical. The music sound re-invigorated. Quvenzhane Wallis' rendition of "Tomorrow" is very sweet and real sounding. I think the young Oscar nominee is going to be great in this. Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan. To me no one will ever top Carol Burnett's take. But I'm biased. I do like Cameron though. And she rocked Bad Teacher.

I like the modern take. It immediately sets itself apart from the previous versions and I'm excited to see how the time change affects these familiar characters.

I am more excited to hear more of the music. The few bits we've heard sound new and fresh. This is really an Annie for a new audience, but I don't see why old fans like myself wouldn't enjoy it either ;-)

Some Movies I JUST realized I Absolutely Will Always Love

In no particular order

Heathers
Juno
Return to Oz
Kiki's Delivery Service
Moulin Rouge
Bride and Prejudice

Movies I already knew I loved:

Fritz Lang's Metropolis
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Pride and Prejudice (1940s version)
Phantom of the Opera (Yes, the musical movie version. Don't hate)
Macross - Do You Remember Love
Jem - Truly Outrageous
Funny Face

31 Plays in 31 Days - Reflections

Wow I feel hella accomplished. One thing is for sure. I'm a writer. I love singing, I love acting, I love dancing, but this month, I was writer.

I'll tell you what, it feels great to have my life back. I can get back to writing for this: youtube.com/edcaoartist

As a writer, I learned that I love writing for women, little girls, children and gay teens.

I also found that I can't escape the sitcom format.

For the whole month of August, I was writing for the writing challenge 31 Plays in 31 Days. In this challenge, writers would write one play for each day in the month of August. I didn't look too much into the rules pretty much because the idea was intriguing on it's own. I wanted to do the challenge whether or not it was for a contest, or fame, or whatever. I wanted to write and this was a perfect opportunity to challenge myself.

Coming up with ideas for these plays came easy, it was figuring out how to produce them in such a short amount of time that was a challenge. I really had to force myself to create a healthy writer's environment. That environment included the crazy support of my graphic designer sister and reruns of Daria, Glee, Friends, Creature Comforts and Dr. Katz.

I also found that hitting up the gym when I have writer's blocked really unblocked it. Check this out:

Writer's Block Beware!!!!

The writing challenge was more fun than a challenge and I'm not sure what that says about my writing methods, but I feel a little more ready to create in anything.

It's been a very tough August, and I'm exhausted, but I feel more ready as a writer. Please check out my past blog posts for my play entries. The good, the bad and the really really pink.

And please check out my channel ;-) Here's the link again: youtube.com/edcaoartist

31 Plays in 31 Days - Day 31 - The Goodhearts

THE GOODHEARTS

Scene - Living Space

Interior. Afternoon. A living room that has a dinning room that flows right into it. ROBERT is on the living room couch with a bowl of spaghetti watching TV. HEATHER enters ready to set the dinning room table and sees ROBERT.

HEATHER

Robert, what did I tell you about eating in the living room?

ROBERT

Heather please. I just got back from work and I just want to enjoy my spaghetti.

Audience laugh track is heard. HEATHER gives him a dirty look.

ROBERT

The spaghetti you've so carefully prepared my dear.

Audience laugh track is heard. HEATHER turns back around to prepare setting the table. Unknown to her, as soon she turns around, ROBERT has spilled the entirety of his spaghetti on the couch by accident due to a startling moment on his TV show. He goes to try to find solutions to hide the huge stain.

HEATHER

I just hate when you don't listen to me. I don't say these things to hear myself ya' know. I just say them because I'm a stay at home and I know this house front to back and I hate food stains in the living room. I have carefully set up our dining room so you can eat there. I've even positioned the TV so you can see it from where you eat in the dining room, if you ate at the dining room, and still, you eat in the living room.

The laughter has increased as ROBERT has found a white blanket to throw over the white couch and hides the stain completely. HEATHER turns around to face ROBERT.

ROBERT

I understand.

Audience laugh track is heard.

HEATHER

Did you finish all that spaghetti?

ROBERT

Yes ma'am it was good.

Audience laugh track is heard.

HEATHER

Thanks. Don't eat in here. 

HEATHER exits. BOBBY enters.

ROBERT

Son, do me a favor.

BOBBY

Yeah.

ROBERT

I'm going to take your mother out for dinner. While we're out, you have to clean this. Please.

ROBERT shows BOBBY the stain on the couch.

BOBBY

Oh mom's gonna kill you.

Audience laugh track is heard.

ROBERT

Not if my son helps me. My son who will also get a 20 dollar advance in his allowance if he helps me.

HEATHER enters.

HEATHER

What do you guys want for dinner.

BOBBY

You should go out, you go out, guys... go out.

Audience laugh track is heard.

HEATHER

What?

ROBERT

I was just telling Bobby boy here that, he notices that you work so hard all day and never get a single thank you.

HEATHER

He did?

BOBBY

I did?

ROBERT

You did. (audience laugh track is heard) So, I'm going to say thank you by taking you out for dinner.

HEATHER

Oh Robert.

BOBBY

Cool, we're going to Mickey's?

Audience laugh track is heard.

HEATHER

The fast food restaraunt?

ROBERT

We're not going to Mickey's, and you're not going, remember? Advanced notice?

BOBBY

What? Oh?

Audience laugh track is heard.

ROBERT

Oh!!! Yes!

HEATHER

What?

ROBERT

Nevermind dear, he's sick. Get your purse.

HEATHER

We're going now? Shouldn't we call a babysitter?

ROBERT

Oh the kids are teenagers, they'll be fine.

HEATHER

No parties!

ROBERT and HEATHER exit. The audience track roars with laughter. BOBBY looks at the stain and starts to roll his sleeves up. SARAH enters.

SARAH

What did you do?

BOBBY

Dad spilled spaghetti on mom's white couch.

SARAH

It looks like crime scene.

BOBBY

Yeah, don't it?

Audience laugh track is heard. SARAH flinches.

SARAH

Mom and dad aren't home then?

BOBBY

No he took her out so I can hide the evidence.

Audience laugh track is heard. SARAH flinches again and takes out a gun. She aims it at BOBBY. Lights out.

SARAH

Oh, okay.

Lights back on. BOBBY is tied up and  unconscious on the couch near the spaghetti stain on the couch. ROBERT and HEATHER enter. 

ROBERT

Bobby? Sarah?

HEATHER

Kids? Oh my GOD!!!!

HEATHER sees BOBBY tied up on the couch. SARAH enters aiming the gun at HEATHER and ROBERT.

SARAH

Sit on the couch.

ROBERT

Sarah, where did you get a gun?

SARAH

Just shut up and sit down.

HEATHER and ROBERT sit on the couch with BOBBY.

HEATHER

Honey, is something wrong?

Audience laugh track is heard. SARAH closes her eyes as the laughter fades.

SARAH

I feel trapped in this sitcom world.

Audience laugh track is heard.

SARAH

This is not funny.

HEATHER

Sarah, baby we love you. What are you doing?

SARAH

I'm a real teenage girl with real problems. No one at school likes me. I want to die. I'm bullied. I hate everyone.

Audience laugh track is heard. SARAH covers her ears.

SARAH

Shut up, just shut up. Just shut up.

ROBERT

Sarah, put the gun down.

HEATHER

Honey we love you. Please stop.

BOBBY wakes up.

BOBBY

What's going on?

SARAH is startled.

SARAH

What?

BOBBY

What's wrong Sarah?

Audience laughter is heard.

SARAH

I can't stand it here.

SARAH runs offstage with the gun. HEATHER looks on at her daughter.

HEATHER

Sarah NO!!!! Please....

A gunshot is heard.

ROBERT

Oh God.

BOBBY

Sarah? Sarah?

Lights off. Lights back on. A new couch is in the living room. ROBERT is in the dinning room on the table eating spaghetti. HEATHER enters, looks at ROBERT, and smiles.

HEATHER

Look who's eating at the dinning room table.

ROBERT

I learned my lesson honey. No eating in the living room.

HEATHER

It's a shame Sarah had to leave for awhile.

ROBERT

Yeah, but at least it means your niece can stay in her room during her stay.

HEATHER

Oh yes. She should be here any minute. Bobby, get over here. Cousin Olivia is coming.

BOBBY

Yay. Cousin Olivia.

Audience laughter is heard.

END

31 Plays in 31 Days - Day 30 - Fanning the Flames

FANNING THE FIRE

Scene - Backstage

Offstage, a ruckus of angry fans is heard. JERRY and CARUE enter, out of breath. After a moment:

JERRY

Was that really necessary?

CARUE

Yes.

JERRY

A lot of jobs are on the line you know?

CARUE

I don't care. I can't play this role anymore.

JERRY

I don't like it, but it's a fact: boybands don't sell well that have openly gay members.

CARUE

You think I give a shit?

JERRY

You better give a shit. We sell pop music.

CARUE

Maybe pop music has to change.

JERRY

You really think our music is going to change the world?

CARUE

We could change the world. 

JERRY

I love you. Because you believe the world should be a better place than it is. I'm realistic though.

JERRY exits. CARUE is left behind. He hears JERRY's announcement.

JERRY (OFFSTAGE)

I'm sorry to announce that Carue has decided to leave In Fire. But we promise you that we will keep making good music for as long as you will allow us too.

CARUE exits as the ruckus gets more loud and angry and sad.

Scene - Carue's Appartment

Interior. Morning. JONZE Is in a suit and finishing up his coffee. 

JONZE 

Carue?

CARUE enters.

CARUE

Yes Jonze?

JONZE

I'm off to work soon. Do you need a ride to your audition?

CARUE

No. I think I'll walk.

JONZE

Are you sure?

CARUE

Yeah. The walk back will help calm my nerves when they tell me I didn't get it.

JONZE

Don't be so negative. You're awesome. I knew that the moment I saw your first music video with In Fire.

CARUE

Oh, I miss those boys.

JONZE

Everyone does. 

JONZE kisses CARUE.

JONZE

It was years ago. Don't think too hard about it. I'll see you after work okay.

CARUE

Okay. 

JONZE hugs CARUE and exits out the door. CARUE stands at the edge of the door.

CARUE

Jonze. I love you.

JONZE (OFFSTAGE)

I love you too.

CARUE looks on and smiles for a moment. CARUE closes the door. CARUE starts to clean up and starts to vocally warm up. A knock is heard on the door. CARUE opens the door expecting JONZE.

CARUE

Did you forget something?

But instead....

JERRY

Hi. 

CARUE

Jerry? What are you...

JERRY

I was in town, promoting my new album.

CARUE

You shouldn't walk the streets alone. Where's your body guards?

JERRY

They're in the limo. I'll be fine here. Right?

CARUE

Yeah of course.

CARUE invites JERRY in. An awkward moment until...

CARUE

How are things...

JERRY

I'm sorry.

Pause.

CARUE

It might be a little too late for that.

JERRY

I haven't forgotten about you. Everyday since I left you, I have always thought about you. Every song I sing on my record, is for you.

CARUE

I don't care.

JERRY

I'm sorry for what happened, and I wish I could say: I wish I didn't leave you, - but I'm not. But I do miss you, and I will always love you.

Pause.

CARUE

Please go. I can't...

Pause. Hesitation.

JERRY

Okay. 

JERRY exits out the door. CARUE stands at the door, watching JERRY leave. A limo is heard leaving. CARUE watches on.

END