Hi there,
As you know, MPS is planning to produce a "soap". For the last couple of weeks we've been working on getting a script together, so that we can shoot the project around week 2. Here's a brief run down of the soap.
There will be 5 episodes, each 15 minutes long. Each of the first 4 episodes will follow the plot of a different central character, building to a climax that will remain unresolved. The four story lines intertwine, something like that film Go, and even a bit like Pulp Fiction. The fifth episode will be a "resolution" tying up and linking the first four narratives. Each programme will be kind of quirky and funny, definetely not Eastenders, more along the lines of Scrubs - a serial soap. Each episode must stand alone, but will also be part of a bigger story.I've included further down a synopsis of the main story lines.
We're looking to put together a crew for the soap. Most urgently, we are looking for writers. Andy Moran is the script editor, and will be making sure the script is coherant, consistant, funny... We are looking for writers to help write the individual episodes. I've mentioned I've included episode synopsis futher on. These will guide your narrative. It'll be up to you to add minor characters, life, colour, dialogue, action... Andy will then piece together the different elements from the different scripts to make a the overall soap. If you're interested let me know, or just go ahead and write. All ideas are welcome. We want to get the script writen as soon as possible.
Naturally we will be needing actors for the production, as well as technical people for the shoot. Just email me with the role you'd like.
The plots of the first four episodes go something like this. (the names are a little odd...you're warned)
Episode 1 - Mr. Book Mr. Book really fancies Girl Incognito. He needs money quick be able to impress her by offering to pay the rentmoney she is struggling with. He comes up with a scheme, taking late library returns from students for 80% of the fine on the books. Students go to him to save money. He scams a load of cash and a load of books. He dumps the books with his friend Mr. Honest, who lives nearby. Mr. Book rushes to Girl Incognito's house to surprise her.
Episode 2 - Mr. Honest Mr. Honest is reaching breaking point. He is sick and tired of all the pretending that goes on in life, and he decides to say things like they are. This leads him to break up with his girlfriend, Ms. Drama she is too much of a pretentious drama queen, and he just doesn't feel like lying about loving her. In a suitably dramatic scene, Ms Drama throws Mr Honest's belongings outside, including the books left by Mr. Book in episode 1. The story ends with Mr. Honest overhearing Ms Lazy, whom he finds refreshingly "honest" and cool.
Episode 3 - Ms. Lazy Mr. Powerpoint is a business studies student destined for middle management. In his spare time he practices powerpoint presentations, tries on different shirts and ties... He has a girlfriend Ms. Lazy, who though intelligent, is just not bothered with too much. Ms. Lazy puts up with Mr. Powerpoint because she is just too lazy to break up with him. The emotional hassle is just not worth it.
Mr. Powerpoint walks past the pile of books thrown out by Ms. Drama and notices a really old looking book, which he decides to take as a gift for Ms. Drama (his organiser shows that it is about time to give a gift to show affection. what better than an antique looking book). This is the final straw for Ms. Lazy who decides it is finally time to break up with him. Mr. Powerpoint can't understand why she would break up with him, after all he'd followed standard accepted dating protocol. Ms. Lazy gives him a slideshow presentation explaining the breakup. The episode ends with Ms. Lazy inviting Mr. Honest to come watch television with her.
Episode 4 - Girl Incognito Girl Incognito is a nice friendly girl, who is struggling to pay her bills. One-time yoyo champion of Ireland, she is stalked by geeky yoyo fanantics. She no longer wants anything to do with yoyo, she's grown up. she works hard to raise some cash, but cant make ends meet. Though she likes Mr. Book, she doesn't have time for him. During her story, Mr. Book beats up the yoyonerd stalker, while Girl Incognito watches on from inside her house. The episode ends around when Mr. Books knocks on her door to surprise her with his gift of rent money.
The final Episode This is the one that brings all the stories together. During this episode Mr. Honest and Ms Lady get together, Mr Book and Girl Incognito get together, Ms. Drama is consoled by Mr Powerpoint - although high maintenance, Mr. Powerpoint can apply his formulas to her and she responds positively (match made in heaven). Throughout all the episodes, this old book will reach all four stories, and will play a part in shaping the stories. The book has some kind of "love spell" on it that causes breakups, but equally can form couples. There will be a "guardian" of the book, a mysterious character, never too far from it. The story of the book will be clarified (though not entirely) in this final episode.
There will be a host of incidental characters who will move between the stories, adding colour, humour, and filling in blanks in the narrative. There will be other subplots as well. The stories will be taking place over DCUFM week, and a DJ voice over will provide some narration.