With a “war of the worlds”
mentality, I have been facing each genre with a Macbook and Microsoft Word,
prepared to conquer. The scenes I’ve already written have come from poetry,
fiction, nonfiction, real-life experience, comedy, and thriller. However, the
one category that I have been able to avoid thus far as been the infamous Chick
Flick. Also known as a “rom com”, these are the movies that girls die to watch
over and over again, but sound like a branch scratching the side of a car to
most of the male species. Despite half of our population’s loathing of this
genre, I decided to give the “rom com” a try. Considering that I’m a total suck
for the When Harry Met Sally story
line, I have to admit that the thought of creating my own seemed like an
exciting challenge to me, as opposed to a harrowing one.
Also, I didn’t have the steady hand
of Christopher Keane, Blake Snyder, or Peter Hanson to walk me through it. To
be honest, after writing this scene I realized that I want another go. The
words felt familiar on my fingers, especially since the “rom com” genre is the
one that I have the most personal experience with. This urge to try again, do
better, that’s prevalent, now reminds me why I’m doing any of this in the first
place; because I love to write. In his book, Save the Cat!, Blake Snyder
often advises budding screenwriters to write for the genre that they enjoy
watching the most. My desire to do better the next time forces me to make a
next time. So although I’m still exploring the different genres that screenwriting
has to offer, I’d really like to dive a bit deeper into the chaotic world of
“rom coms”.
As for my first attempt, here is a
scene that I wrote to introduce the audience to the two leading roles of this
story, and also mark the moment when both of their lives would dramatically
change.
SCENE ON A PLANE
INT. PLANE – EVENING
DANA sits on a crowded,
commercial flight to Hong Kong, wearing sweatpants and a baseball t-shirt. She
is sitting in the middle of a five-seat row, and looks uncomfortable. To her
right, an ASIAN MAN in his fifties SNORES loudly. TYLER sits to her left, tall
and handsome, TAPPING an iPad screen.
Dana tries to lean back,
but isn’t comfortable. She fidgets in her seat, but still can’t sit still. ZOOM
IN on Tyler’s elbows, sitting on both armrests.
DANA
You
know, it’s common courtesy to only use one of your armrests, just so you know.
TYLER
(amused)
Thanks,
I love being kept up to date on the latest airplane etiquette.
Tyler returns to scrolling
up and down on his iPad. Dana HARUMPHS.
TYLER
(CONT’D)
Or
were you expecting some form of modern-day chivalry?
DANA
(mutters)
Something
like that.
The snoring man slumps
onto Dana’s shoulder, and she GROANS. Tyler LAUGHS.
DANA
Just great, that’s just great.
Beat. Man SNORES loudly,
and Tyler LAUGHS again. Then, the intercom turns on and A FLIGHT ATTENDANT
begins to speak.
FLIGHT
ATTENDANT (O.S.)
We
will be arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport in just a few hours. On
behalf of the Captain and the Crew, I’d like to thank you all for choosing
United Airlines, and we hope to see you again soon.
Dana tries to push the man
upright, but he slumps back down on her again. Tyler LAUGHS a second time.
DANA
You think this is funny?
Tyler stops laughing.
TYLER
I think we got off on the wrong foot.
He lifts his arm to shake
hers, but she quickly slips her elbow under his, claiming the armrest. Tyler
pushes his hair back with the hand that awkwardly hung in the air moments
before.
TYLER
Tyler.
He drops his hand onto his
thigh, giving up on the handshake altogether.
DANA
Dana.
She smiles, and with that,
Dana and Tyler call an unspoken “truce”. Tyler drops his tray table and sets
his pillow on top of it.
TYLER
Here, try this.
Dana lays her head on the
pillow, and before she can say anything, she falls asleep.
CUT TO:
INT. PLANE – LATER THAT EVENING
Dana wakes up, looking
into Tyler’s eyes. Startled, she sits up quickly. Tyler takes another sip of
his drink, and extends his arm towards her.
TYLER
Tyler.
Dana looks confused, but
shakes his hand anyways.
DANA
You mentioned that.
TYLER
Sorry,
it’s the booze. I like to drink when a plane hits turbulence.
Dana looks up and sees the
seatbelt sign FLASHING. She CLICKS hers in place.
DANA
You afraid of flying?
Tyler SCOFFS.
TYLER
I’m not afraid of anything, just, nervous.
Dana is the one to LAUGH
this time.
DANA
You’re totally scared right now.
TYLER
Am not.
DANA
Are too.
TYLER
I feel like I’m back in the first grade.
Dana smiles, stops. She
leans back in her chair, shifting away from the armrest.
DANA
Here, you need it more than I do.
Tyler is reluctant at
first, but finally reclaims the armrest, smug.
TYLER
How
do you know that wasn’t a ploy to get the armrest back?
DANA
Because
you’re sweating bullets.
Tyler wipes at his
forehead with his sleeve, and Dana CHUCKLES.
TYLER
(grinning)
How’s the old man treating you?
Dana pushes the SNORING
man one more time, but he still won’t wake up, and slumps back onto her
shoulder.
CUT TO:
INT. PLANE – DAY
The flight attendant pokes
both Dana and Tyler on the shoulder with her long, fake nails. They both
squint, slowly opening their eyes, before they realize that they are the only
two passengers left on the plane.
Dana sits up straight, and
Tyler scrambles to his feet to get a black briefcase from the overhead
compartment.
FLIGHT
ATTENDANT
Welcome to Hong Kong.
Dana jumps across the
aisle and peers out of a window to see the city’s skyline in the distance.
Then, she starts walking towards the front of the plane.
TYLER
Forgetting something?
Tyler holds up a green
backpack, which Dana runs back for, snatching it from his grip.
DANA
Thanks for reminding me.
TYLER
How
do you know this wasn’t a ploy to get you to talk to me again?
DANA
(over her shoulder)
I don’t.
Tyler follows Dana off the
plane.
FADE TO BLACK.
MOVIES WATCHED: 9
SCREENPLAY PAGES WRITTEN: 35
NOVEL PAGES WRITTEN: 65
PAGES LEFT IN MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR
PECULIAR
CHILDREN: 170
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