Script Frenzy - Write a Play in the Month of June!

Yesterday I posted the first chapter of my screenplay. Only the first chapter - because that and an outline are all I have so far. I'm a terrible procrastinator when it comes to getting a large body of work written. It took me two and a half years to finish my Michael-stories (short story series)! I didn't want my next big project to take me so long - so in November, I signed up for NaNoWriMo - a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. I wound up completing my entire novel within the thirty days.

 The people who run NaNoWriMo are also doing one for screenplays in June - Script Frenzy. The object is to write a play or a screenplay of 20,000 words in thirty days.  I'm going to try and take my screenplay idea and write it within that timeframe. Anyone else want to give it a try? I need some screenwriting/playwriting buddies!

The name of the screenplay I'm going to be writing is called Endless Summer, and it's mostly fictional-  though based on some true things that happened when I was a teenager. There's four main characters, and it cronicles their lives through friendships, breakups, love and loss.

It is called Endless Summer because the catalyst character is named Summer.  Anyhow.. here's the outline I have if anyone is curious:

 Part one -

Scene one - at the church, Summer meets Ivy and Sam (this is already written - woo.... one scene, I know. I gotta get cracking)

Scene two - In Ivy's room, we learn that her and Sam are writing a story called 'the Saga'. We see a hint of the dysfunctional relationship between Ivy and her father. Setup for scene three, Ivy invites Summer to the Monkees concert because Sam can't go (grounded?) - talking about her cousin Julian that will be taking them.

Scene three- Julian's house -he is coming down stairs, sees Summer there and nearly falls down them (was expecting Sam to be with Ivy). Concert going, obvious connection between Summer and Julian.

Scene four- a BBQ - Summer sings for Julian, there is talk of forming a band. We learn that Julian has been depressed for a long time before meeting Summer, had unspecified "troubles'

Scene five- Summer, Julian, Ivy and Sam have formed a band called Endless Summer. Band practices, hanging out montage, etc. All ends in Julian and Summer kissing for the first time. Julian balks - age difference, bad idea, Ivy's cousin, etc. - Summer kisses him again.

Scene six - road trip, band has some mishaps but is having fun. Summer and Julian grow closer. Ends with cops coming for Sam (he didn't tell his mother where they were going) and Julian being arrested.

Scene seven- Ivy confesses that she doesn't ever want to go home, regardless. Tells Summer about her terrible secret - sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Julian (released now) is stunned- says Ivy can live with him.

Scene eight - Ivy's father is arrested. Summer won't testify to protect herself and Julian. Sam stands by Ivy. Julian starts drinking.

Scene nine -Summer and Julian have a messy breakup in a Philadelphia parking lot,

End of Part one

Part two -
A couple of years (maybe five?) have passed since part one. Ivy is living with Julian .No one else is speaking to each other.

Scene one - We see Summer restlessly drifting through life - college, travel. Nothing satisfies.

Scene two - Sam de-goths, enlists in the army becomes all grunt.

Scene three- Ivy is being all slutty - looking for love, clinging to anything she thinks will make her less empty.

Scene four- Julina is drinking too much, playing little clubs. Dedicating songs to "Summer, it ended far too soon..."

Scene five - Sam is kicked out of the army for having a same sex encounter.

Scene six- Summer starts writing a book about that summer with the band. Julian starts writing a song about Summer....

Scene seven- Sam, at a decision point, needs to call someone. Either Summer or Ivy. He chooses Ivy.

End part two

Part Three

Scene one - Summer's book is published, she's doing well, but is lonely. Julian's song is playing over the radio. Julian reads the book, Summer listens to the song. There's laughing and crying.

Scene two- Ivy is bitter about Summer's success. She pushes Sam to return to writing their Saga again. Their old writing looks childish now - and new writing just won't flow. Ivy gives up in frustration.

Scene three- Ivy comes on to Sam. Sam rejects her. Ivy calls him hurtful names and assumes this is indication he's gay. Sam storms out - leaves and drives to one of Summer's book signings.

Scene four- Julian after a concert comes home drunk as hell and finds Ivy naked in his bed. They do it.

Scene five - Over coffee or dinner, Sam tells Summer about the army thing, and about Ivy. She asks if he's gay- he kisses her, tells her he's always been in love with her.

Scene six -Julian, disgusted with himself and Ivy, throws her out and says he never wants to see her again. He throws away all the bottles, quits drinking.

Scene seven- Ivy, a pregnancy test that's positive. She calls Sam's old number... it's been disconnected. She calls Julian... hangs up when she hears his voice.

Scene eight - Talk show, Summer and Julian are guests because someone's figured out the connection between the book and the song. They haven't seen or talked to each other since the breakup. By now, about ten years have passed. Awkward, but they make it through. They talk about the connection between the book and the story, about what happened...

Scene nine- Ivy, watching television, the talkshow. A bottle of pills by the beside next to a bottle of vodka or gin or something like that. She lays in bed, reaches for the remote. Fast forwards. Rewinds. Freezes on looks. It's clear now that she's been doing this for a long time, maybe months have passed since the show first aired and she recorded it. We pan down and see her belly is large and swollen. She lets the tape play, and we hear Summer and Julian talking about that summer in the background as she starts taking pills...

End - The funeral - back at the church, a funeral scene. Summer stretches her arms up at the cross like she did so long ago. She then walks back towards where they are burying Ivy. Julian looks up from the graveside, sees Summer. His eyes are sad, but there is hope that she has returned. They talk... he sees the ring on her hand, a wedding ring. Sam comes over to join her... wearing a matching ring. Julian is happy for them in a way, though of course, feeling that crushing loneliness. He gives them the opportunity to leave him alone with his dead cousin and the wreck of his life, but they don't go. Summer embraces him, and Sam joins in. The three of them stay like that, silently hugging at Ivy's grave. The camera pans out to show the shadow of the cross being swallowed by the setting sun, and the trees with colorful foliage. Summer is over, autumn has come