I know, it's embarassing. Why spend my time thinking up ideas for TV series—especially when I don't even want to see them through? (Read the previous post before continuing.) But if you've been following this blog for awhile, you already know why I do these things. First, I believe that non-result oriented play is almost always productive. Second, creating work "in the style of..." is a way of integrating analysis with performance. It's an artistic way of distilling the features and qualities of a media product and of answering the ontological question "what is this?"
To have fun with this idea, I created this contest. Here are the rules...
1. Read the previous post on TV series ideas.
2. In a short paragraph write an ending for the episode 6 scenario of the marine park series (see below). Post as a comment to this blog entry.
3. At least two people must enter for the prize to be awarded.
4. The prize will be a new DVD of my choosing from my collection.
5. You must post your answer by next week
Scenario
Episode 6
The Whale Whisperer
Valerie has been working at the marine park as a night janitor. During her free moments, she interacts with the killer whales and we discover that she has a special, extraordinary gift for communicating with the animals. In fact, she is able to get a normally reticent whale to perform. One of the park managers notices Valerie's gift and wants to make her a trainer. Valerie loves the idea. But the show's director argues that short and thick Valerie just doesn't have the "look" to be in front of an audience.
Hint:
Serious answers are more likely to win than non-serious answers. Don't have Valerie opening her own water park in Mexico to popular acclaim! Also, drama and moodiness counts. This show is supposed to be more "Studio 60" than "Baywatch." You can make slight changes to the scenario if needed or change Valerie's name. Actually, when I thought of this idea, Valerie was named Maria and this episode was going to be a comment on race and class. A semi-ironic ending plot twist is always a nice touch.
6 comments:
Scenario
Episode 6
The Whale Whisperer
Valerie has been working at the marine park as a night janitor. During her free moments, she interacts with the killer whales and we discover that she has a special, extraordinary gift for communicating with the animals. In fact, she is able to get a normally reticent whale to perform. One of the park managers notices Valerie's gift and wants to make her a trainer. Valerie loves the idea. But the show's director argues that short and thick Valerie just doesn't have the "look" to be in front of an audience.
Valerie overhears the heated conversation and is simply happy to hear that the manager and the other trainers are on her side. She good naturedly agrees with the director's reservations about her looks. Later the trainers approach her trying to draw her out and talk about the possibility that she could work in a show. Valerie stops them short explaining that she heard everything and that the director is right, she agrees with him! She excuses herself from the stunned trainers who are left to relocate their recent outrage on her behalf. The show ends with the director encouraging Valarie to hook up with a famous whale trainer in view of one day working as an instructor and supervisor to the trainers.
So what are the dramatic moments Ben?
When the trainers are working themselves up to talk to Valerie. A heated scene where they decry their discriminating director and all that he stands for. Maybe one or two of the trainers tries to take the directors side setting up future tension(translates drama) within the staff. Show stopping stunner when she turns out to be on his side. You could show Valerie overhearing the original conversation about her looks in a flash back afterward. More drama later as the staff reels from this and then observes Valerie getting chummy with the looksist director. Tada!
Tim, the manager that discovered Valerie is able to arrange for an audition. With the director and a handful of trainers present, the midnight audition is simultaneously boring and tense. In her ill-fitting wetsuit, Valerie walks out to nervous laughter and a few cruel remarks. She dispatches all criticism with the most impressive audition they've ever seen - even the director can't resist. There's a feeling at the end of the audition that Valerie just may take the place by storm - some trainers even seem threatened by her rare genius. Tim and Valerie exchange knowing glances - suddenly Valerie looks beautiful to him. But Valerie holds back a little, cautious of her sudden popularity. She heads off to the locker room as the others begin to head home. On his way out, the director congratulates Tim. Tim stands alone in the arena reflecting, then heads for the locker room. Startled, Valerie throws something into her dufflebag and addresses him cooly. Tim is now sure that he's attracted to Valerie. He approaches, but Valerie seems bent on getting out of there as fast as possible. Tim tells her the good news - she starts tomorrow. Valerie allows a smile, and thanks Tim for his help, but she continues to pack. As she's hanging her wetsuit, the curious Tim peaks into her bag. He catches a glimpse of a prescription pill bottle. Underneath it, an unopened half pint of vodka. He turns away, Valerie zips her bag and brushes past Tim on her way to the door. Tim calls after her, offering a ride home, but his voice is drowned out by the kickstart of a motorcycle.
-david
I get the mood which I like David, but I think I'm missing the idea. Is Valerie some kind of serial whale training biker chick? Is she one of those Shine-like prodigies who threw away her career or whose career got the best of her?
She's the tortured genius, and a lone wolf. There are two twists: first, Tim and others thought she was to be pitied, a charity project, but instead she is a force to be reckoned with. The other twist is that her looks are not her real weakness, her secret addiction is. It makes her vulnerable to enemies, and she's not a team player anyway. Some people such as Tim are hooked, but being on her side may get tricky.
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