CCR Plan and Script
Tomorrow, I'm going to be filming my very first CCR answering the first two questions I've discussed in my previous CCR research posts. For the first one, I wanted to reference the 2000's series "Sex and the City." Maybe it's because I've gotten into it recently or because it's a good prompt to answer a question, but I've been thinking about it for a while.
If you've watched it before, you'd know that Carrie Bradshaw, the main character, is the writer of a magazine column in New York City. At the start of every episode, she asks herself a question that she writes in said column and the episode is all about answering it pretty much.
I thought it fit really well and it was a cute idea. Of course, I'll be adding my own creative elements and it'll be MUCH more PG than the actual show.
But before I start anything, I have to write a script! I'm learning from my mistakes already.
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"CCR 1 & 2" shown on the screen like it's an episode's title.
It starts off with me laying on my bed, laying on my bed in front of my laptop.
Voice Over: As I'm finishing up my eighth week of working on this video project, I've been reflecting a lot on not just the actual production of it all, but also what it meant. Ever since the beginning, I've been constructing ways to either challenge or go with the conventions of the sci-fi/dystopian genre. And further than that, representing issues through my piece of media.
(As I talk I'm shown at my laptop, my desk, different places)
Voice Over while it's being typed on the screen: "So I couldn't help but wonder, how exactly did I achieve what I wanted to present? How did I use the conventions of the dystopian genre while also challenging them. . . and how did the product reflect social issues doing so?"
"Recalling the research I did in January, the dystopian genre lives in the dark ambience, run-down cities and areas, the ambitious main character, the abuse of an authoritative power, and often times a direct call-out of problems that really do occur in real life."
(I'm now being shown going to sit on my couch and laying down, turning on my TV.)
"I did use all of these in my product, but there's one thing I specifically left out. Most dystopian universes are shown to be in a far future or the past. For example, in the Hunger Games, we're shown lots of new technologies to tell us that they're very technologically advanced. Instead, I depicted the world as it is now through wardrobe and exclusion of futuristic implications."
"I avoided this because I wanted my message to be that though we're constantly shown that a dystopia is an exaggerated fantasy, that we're actually much closer to it than we may think."
"Which might be hard for some to see, but the issues I represented in the product are real life issues that happen and have been happening."
"Problems like a rationing system issued by a government,"
I walk to my kitchen and open the cabinets.
"That even though some of us don't see personally because we have the luxury of having our fridges and cabinets full of what we need, it still exists in countries like Cuba."
I then walk over to the window where I filmed the dining room scene, looking out the window.
"Then also issues like police brutality. In places all over the world, including the United States, there have been cases of officials taking advantage of their power."
"If I looked out this window the way my characters did and saw what they saw, I'd be just as concerned as Beatrice was. She represented the voice of reason, empathy. While her mother represented the society who has had to turn a blind eye to things like this for their own safety."
I start to walk back into my room.
"And in the world now, whether it's for our own safety or because of mere ignorance, we do the same thing that Beatrice's mother does. And eventually, the more we ignore and tolerate, the more grave situations could rise."
I'm shown sat on my bed.
"In simpler terms, when you walk in your room and see that you have a few things laying around, you pick it up. Though sometimes you don't because you feel like you could just do it later and it'll be fine. Though over time you keep saying the same excuse,"
The clothes pile on me increasingly.
"And before we know it we're in a mountain of crap. And sure we could wait for a helping hand to clean it up, but at one point we realize the only person that could really do something useful about it is us."
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I'm sat back on my laptop.
"I also had to think about how my choices would engage the typical audience of the dystopian genre."
The laptop screen is shown, scrolling through different movies.
"Since the main audience would be teenagers to young adults, I think the biggest thing that would engage said audience is how Beatrice is of a similar age. As young people, sometimes we feel as if we can't do anything about the happenings around the world. So though we can't relate to Beatrice's exact situation, we can relate to her emotions."
"Other than that, it's not like the product is based on a book, but elements like the style could also draw a younger audience like the colors used and the overall indie-ish style of the movie which is very popular these days."
(Many Examples Shown On Screen)
"And lastly, where would I make the content available if this were a real media product. Realistically speaking, I can't say I'd want it to be in theaters or on Netflix, but rather smaller platforms like Youtube and Tubi that would also be easily available to anyone."
I go back to writing on my screen.
"In between total fiction and harsh realities, relatable main characters, and the options of distribution, I think I really achieved to make something good that I can be proud of.
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It's not completely the same, but heavily inspired, and I'm excited start!
