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
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sunday, September 1, 2013
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
Saturday, August 31, 2013
31 Plays in 31 Days - Day 31 - The Goodhearts
THE
GOODHEARTS
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
Friday, August 30, 2013
31 Plays in 31 Days - Day 30 - Fanning the Flames
FANNING
THE FIRE
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.
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
Thursday, August 29, 2013
31 Plays in 31 Days - Day 29 - After Ever After
AFTER EVER AFTER
SNOW WHITE wanders alone in the forest, tattered and out of breath, when a carriage passes her by. CINDERELLA is in it.
CINDERELLA
Hi sweetie, do you need a ride?
SNOW WHITE
Yes. Please.
CINDERELLA
Come on in.
SNOW WHITE enters the carriage.
SNOW WHITE
Thank you so much.
CINDERELLA
You look like you've been through a lot. What's your story?
SNOW WHITE
You wouldn't understand.
CINDERELLA
Really? And how could you possibly know that?
SNOW WHITE
Did you have a stepmother who tried to kill you?
CINDERELLA
Kinda?
SNOW WHITE
Really?
CINDERELLA
Yeah.
SNOW WHITE
Oh wow. I'm sorry.
CINDERELLA
Oh I'm fine. I got out of there. Now I help my husband rule a whole kingdom.
SNOW WHITE
Wow.
CINDERELLA
See, we have more in common with each other than you think. Everyone has a story. Where do you want my carriage to take you?
SNOW WHITE
I really don't know. When my stepmother tried to kill me, I went to live with some dwarfs. She then found me and put a sleeping spell on me.
CINDERELLA
Oh no.
SNOW WHITE
What?
CINDERELLA
Sleeping spells are the number one cause for divorce.
SNOW WHITE
You don't say.
CINDERELLA
I do say.
SNOW WHITE
Well that's what happened. A prince kissed me, we got married, and now we are divorced. I'm going back to live with my friends.
CINDERELLA
That's nice. Where are these friends?
SNOW WHITE
I don't know. The woods aren't exactly organized properly.
CINDERELLA
That is true. You could get lost out there. (looks out the window and sees ROSE) She looks lost.
SNOW WHITE
Who?
The carriage stops. SNOW WHITE and CINDERELLA go towards ROSE who is picking flowers.
SNOW WHITE
Hey, are you okay?
ROSE
Oh I'm fine. I'm just picking flowers for my bouquet. I'm getting married.
CINDERELLA
Oh that's nice. Who is he?
ROSE
Some guy.
CINDERELLA
That's fine and all sweetie, but where's the church.
ROSE
I don't know. It might be down that way.
SNOW WHITE (WHISPERING TO CINDERELLA)
Do you see anything down that way?
CINDERELLA (WHISPERING TO SNOW WHITE)
Just air.
SNOW WHITE (WHISPERING TO CINDERELLA)
The same stuff that's probably in her head.
CINDERELLA (TO ROSE)
Sweetie, do you need us to give you a ride to the church.
ROSE
Oh no. My prince will come.
SNOW WHITE (TO CINDERELLA)
She's clearly crazy.
ROSE
It's been real nice meeting you ladies.
ROSE gets up with her bouquet.
SNOW WHITE
Where are you going?
ROSE
Off into the forest. I have more flowers to pick.
ROSE exits into the forest.
SNOW WHITE
Should we leave her?
CINDERELLA
Of course not. She could get hurt.
SNOW WHITE
She's not listening to us though.
CINDERELLA
I know, but I'm reminded of one of my stepsisters. She was younger than me and I always felt a need to protect her no matter how dopey she was.
ROSE screams.
SNOW WHITE
Oh no.
SNOW WHITE runs into the forest towards ROSE. She finds ROSE in shock and in horror as RAPUNZEL lies on the ground, ready to give birth.
SNOW WHITE
What's wrong.
ROSE
There's something coming out of her.
CINDERELLA arrives on the scene.
SNOW WHITE
Oh my God. Cinderella she's giving birth.
CINDERELLA
Okay, we can do this. I helped my stepmother give birth to my sisters.
CINDERELLA goes down to help RAPUNZEL.
CINDERELLA
What's your name?
RAPUNZEL
Rapunzel.
CINDERELLA
Rapunzel we're going to help you.
ROSE
Is she dying?
SNOW WHITE
Yes. This is how my mother died.
CINDERELLA
No ladies. Childbirth is not a death sentence. You're going to be all right. Now push.
ROSE
Oh I can't watch.
RAPUNZEL screams.
Interior. A hallway. ANA and RONAN enter.
ANA
Mama? Mama?
RONAN
The castle is so huge.
ANA
We're not supposed to wander alone. We'll get lost.
RONAN
We can't find anyone.
RAPUNZEL enters.
RAPUNZEL
Children?
ANA
Mama?
RONAN
I told her not to wander.
ANA
Liar.
RAPUNZEL
Kids, kids. Please. Let's behave. I think your aunts are waiting for us in the dinning hall for lunch.
RONAN
Yay, lunch.
RAPUNZEL leads her children to the dining hall. CINDERELLA, SNOW WHITE and ROSE await her.
CINDERELLA
Hello Rapunzel.
SNOW WHITE
Yeah finally.
ROSE
Don't listen to her Rapunzel. Snow is just mad at our rule to wait for everyone to be present at the table before we all eat.
SNOW WHITE
Why do we do that?
CINDERELLA
Because it keeps us all as a family. It always us time to eat, and spend time together.
ANA
Can Snow White tell us a story?
RONAN
Yeah, tell us a story. She has cool stories.
ROSE
Can I tell you kids a story?
ANA
Yeah sure.
RONAN
Yeah.
RAPUNZEL
Rose, maybe you shouldn't.
SNOW WHITE
No let her. Let her.
ROSE
Once upon a time there was a princess.
ANA
Yeah.
ROSE
And she fell asleep.
RONAN
Yeah?
ROSE
And then a prince kissed her waking her up.
ANA
Yeah?
ROSE
And that's pretty much it.
ANA
Oh.
CINDERELLA
Rose here is still writing her story. And aren't we all just starting to write our own stories. Remember, everyday, is a new beginning.
RICHARD enters.
RICHARD
Cinderella.
CINDERELLA
Yes my husband.
RICHARD
There's a young man here to see Rapunzel.
RAPUNZEL
To see me?
RICHARD
Yes miss.
CINDERELLA
Send him in please.
RICHARD
Yes my love.
RICHARD exits and re-enters with CHRISTOPHER. He has a blindfold on... because he's blind.
CHRISTOPHER
Is Rapunzel here?
RAPUNZEL
It's my prince.
CHRISTOPHER
Rapunzel I hear you, but I can't see. You're mother blinded me.
RAPUNZEL
She wasn't my mother. She was a witch.
ROSE
Was she a good witch or a bad witch.
SNOW WHITE
Shut up Rose.
CINDERELLA
Children, ladies, let's give Rapunzel and her friend some privacy.
SNOW WHITE, ROSE, RONAN and ANA exit. CINDERELLA grabs hold of RICHARD.
CINDERELLA
You too darling.
RICHARD
Yes. My love.
CINDERELLA and RICHARD exit hand in hand.
CHRISTOPHER
Where have you been Rapunzel?
RAPUNZEL
I was being punished, for loving you.
CHRISTOPHER
I am so sorry.
Pause.
RAPUNZEL
You're a father.
CHRISTOPHER
What?
RAPUNZEL
I gave birth to twins.
CHRISTOPHER
What?
RAPUNZEL
I was left to fend for myself. If I didn't meet Cinderella, and Snow White, I probably would have died. Rose I could've done without, but she makes me laugh.
CHRISTOPHER
Those two children. They're ours?
RAPUNZEL
Yes. Twins. The girl is Ana. The boy is Ronan.
CHRISTOPHER
I have a son. There's an heir to my throne.
Pause.
RAPUNZEL
You're taking my kids away?
CHRISTOPHER
No, you're coming too.
RAPUNZEL
I don't want to leave. I like it here. I have friends. I have "my" kids. This is my home.
CHRISTOPHER
But they're "my" kids too.
RAPUNZEL
You can't just show up out of nowhere and become a father.
CHRISTOPHER
What makes you an expert on this?
RAPUNZEL
I'm their mother.
CHRISTOPHER
Did you just wake up and become a mother?
RAPUNZEL
Technically yes. I kind of have no way of getting out of it, and for the last five years I've been raising them. They're my kids. Not yours.
CINDERELLA and RICHARD are seen eavesdropping.
CHRISTOPHER
You know I didn't abandon you.
RAPUNZEL
I didn't abandon you either. Things just happen.
CHRISTOPHER
I'm here now, and I'm not leaving without my kids.
CINDERELLA
I wouldn't have it any other way.
RAPUNZEL
CInderella?
CINDERELLA
Prince Christopher, you are welcome to stay here as long as you want as long as you go by my rules.
CHRISTOPHER
What?
RICHARD
Cool it there.
CHRISTOPHER
Okay
CINDERELLA
In my house, women are not second class citizens. We are equal to men.
CHRISTOPHER
Really?
CINDERELLA
So think twice before trying to force my friend here to go someplace she doesn't want to go.
RICHARD
Say "yes ma'am"
CHRISTOPHER
Yes ma'am
CINDERELLA
Good. Now follow me this way. We will show you to your quarters.
CHRISTOPHER (WHISPERING TO RICHARD)
You let her be in charge.
RICHARD
All I do, is accept her, for her.
CINDERELLA, CHRISTOPHER and RICHARD exit. RAPUNZEL is left alone.
ROSE and SNOW WHITE join RAPUNZEL in her room.
ROSE
I just want to make sure you're doing the right thing.
RAPUNZEL
I am. It's been a year now since he showed up and he is so good with the kids. He can marry me if he wants.
ROSE
Good. Good.
SNOW WHITE notices ROSE starting to tear up.
SNOW WHITE
Rose are you okay?
ROSE
I'm fine. I'm fine.
ROSE exits.
RAPUNZEL
I don't think she's fine.
SNOW WHITE
Who cares. Look, as long as this is what you want to do, you have my support.
RAPUNZEL
Oh goody.
RAPUNZEL and SNOW WHITE hug.
SNOW WHITE
How does Cinderella feel about you moving out?
RAPUNZEL
You know her. She doesn't want to see any of us leave.
CINDERELLA is alone with tears in her eyes, sitting on her throne. ROSE enters, tears in her eyes still,
ROSE
Cinderella?
ROSE approaches CINDERELLA.
ROSE
Are you okay?
CINDERELLA
Oh Rose. Yes. Why?
ROSE
You've been crying.
CINDERELLA
Well your eyes aren't dry either.
ROSE
I guess I'm going to miss... Rapunzel. Oh I'm going to miss Rapunzel.
CINDERELLA
Me too. She was like a sister. We all became sisters didn't we? And I'm going to miss having kids around. Too many changes.
ROSE
Why don't you have kids?
CINDERELLA
What?
ROSE
You're married. You're financially set. Why not?
CINDERELLA
To be honest, childbirth grosses me out.
ROSE
What?
CINDERELLA
After seeing my stepmother give birth and more recently Rapunzel, I think I'm set.
ROSE
Childbirth is a beautiful thing.
CINDERELLA
Do you remember what we saw?
ROSE
Not really, I think I blocked it out.
CINDERELLA
See?
ROSE
There's always adoption.
CINDERELLA
True, very true.
SNOW WHITE and RAPUNZEL enter.
SNOW WHITE
There they are.
RAPUNZEL
Hi ladies.
CINDERELLA and the girls huddle and hold hands.
CINDERELLA
Oh good, we're all together one last time. Friends forever, sisters for life, until the very end of...
ROSE
I can't do this.
ROSE breaks free of the huddle.
ROSE
I'm sorry I can't.
RAPUNZEL
Rose what's wrong?
ROSE
Oh Rapunzel, I did something so terrible.
RAPUNZEL
What? What did you do?
ROSE
I... kissed your prince.
RAPUNZEL
What?
CINDERELLA
Oh Rose.
SNOW WHITE
You airhead, why would you do that?
ROSE
It was a mistake. I'm sorry.
RAPUNZEL
Why did you... do you even love him.
ROSE
I think I do.
RAPUNZEL
Oh heavens.
ROSE
I'm sorry I did it, but I couldn't keep it a secret.
RAPUNZEL
I hate you.
CINDERELLA
Wait, Rapunzel...
RAPUNZEL
Are you taking her side?
CINDERELLA
I'm not taking anyone's side. Have you heard his side?
RAPUNZEL
Of course not. This is the first time I'm hearing this.
CINDERELLA
Do you realize that if Rose never told you this, you might not have ever known. He's the one lying to you, not her. Sure she did such a heinous act, but look at her.
SNOW WHITE
Yeah, she's too flakey to even know what she did.
ROSE
I know what I did. It was bad, and I am so sorry.
RAPUNZEL
I can't deal with this. Goodbye girls.
CINDERELLA
Wait, are we going to see you again.
RAPUNZEL
I don't know. I don't know.
RAPUNZEL Exits.
ROSE
Ladies I am so sorry.
Exterior. Afternoon. CINDERELLA, SNOW WHITE and ROSE are having a picnic. There is an uncomfortable silence. RAPUNZEL enters after awhile.
ROSE
Rapunzel, how are you?
RAPUNZEL
I'm fine.
CINDERELLA
Are things okay now?
RAPUNZEL
Yes.
SNOW WHITE
The kids?
RAPUNZEL
They're going to live in the castle with Christopher, and I'm going to visit, a whole lot.
CINDERELLA
So am I.
SNOW WHITE
Me too.
RAPUNZEL
Thanks ladies.
ROSE
Can I come?
RAPUNZEL
No. I'm mad at you. But I won't be mad forever.
CINDERELLA
Come on Rose. Give it a month, she'll get over it.
ROSE
How are you so sure?
CINDERELLA
My stepsisters live with me now. Forgiveness takes time.
ROSE
That is hope.
SNOW WHITE
My stepmother doesn't hate me anymore.
ROSE
It's because you're not pretty anymore.
The girls share a laugh.
RAPUNZEL
It takes time okay?
ROSE
Okay.
RAPUNZEL takes ROSE's hands. They smile.
END
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