The Writers Place

The Writers Place

Writing in the Dark,, an apt metaphor for anyone who has ever tried to tap out words on a backlit screen. This book, a collection of essays gathered by Max van Manen, shows how "different kinds of human experience may be explored, the methods for investigating phenomena contributing to human experience…the process of inquiry, reflection and writing…a valuable and rich resource". That is to say, writing is an attempt to reflect what goes on inside us. Inside us is where "story" occurs.

Scott Popjes maintains a busy schedule, writing, producing and editing major theatrical trailers, promos and EPK's and developing and producing TV series and films, such as "The Remarkably 20th Century" and "The Long Ride Home". Born and raised in suburban New Jersey, this everyman director/editor loves making movies.

Ernest Hemingway - The man who ran with the bulls. His literary sparseness and compression, well-worn and well-earned, captured the attention of critics and public in a volatile age. In 1952, he received the Pulitzer for The Old Man and the Sea. In 1954, he received the Nobel Prize for his "powerful style-making mastery of the modern art of narration." He wrote from life. Until his life subdued and rescued him.

Will Shakespeare - Aka "The bard". Arguably the best English writer to ever glide pen to page, populist hero as well as aristocratic raconteur, though we wish he had used all women instead of all men to populate his plays. (Not a prejudice, just a fact.) His sonnets remain divine. Rare is the writer who can scribble successfully in one genre, let alone two. Some postulate this poet and playwright was, in fact, more than one man…or woman. What would he have done with film, we wonder?

Though he produced fewer than 40 paintings, Dutch painter Jan Vermeer is one of the most respected artists of the European tradition. He is known for his serene, luminous interiors populated by one or two figures. Vermeer grew up in Delft, Holland, joined the painters' guild in 1653, and worked as an art dealer to support his wife and 11 children. In 1672, war with France ruined Holland’s economy and Vermeer's business failed. Soon after, he died of a stroke at age 42, leaving his family bankrupt. Vermeer's paintings were largely forgotten for nearly 200 years, until 1858 when a French critic began to write admiringly about his work. Interest in Vermeer surged again recently with his work exhibited at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Contemporary writers have also been inspired by him, including Tracy Chevalier whose novel Girl with a Pearl Earring imagines the life of the girl in Vermeer's painting of the same name.

L.Ron Hubbard - Whatever you may think of his other worldly beliefs, the full body of L. Ron Hubbard's work includes more than 5,000 writings and 3,000 tape-recorded lectures, spanning five, highly productive decades. A humanitarian and adventurer, he believes, "There are only two tests of a life well lived: Did one do as one intended? And were people glad one lived?" We add, "And can one write about it, anyhow?"

Johannes Vermeer's "Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid" records a prior chivalrous age where class decorum reigned. (Oh, well, you can't have everything.) One of the most talented painters in the Dutch Golden Age, that's the 1600's, Vermeer's work was forgotten for centuries. The most brilliant artists of any century are probably never discovered, their paintings hidden till ruin, their pages dropping to dust in unfound attics. We find this oddly comforting. No martyr of time, this particular masterpiece hangs in the National Gallery of Ireland. Definitely worth a gaze.

Jules Verne - Ode to childhood and the player within us. Verne was born, aptly, in Nates, France in 1828. He promptly ran off to become cabin boy on a merchant ship but was caught and sent back to his parents. Thus constrained, his imagination wandered. He wrote story after story, became very rich, bought a yacht and resumed his initial intent - to sail around the world. Or Europe anyhow. Our favorite remains Twenty Thousand Leagues.

First-Place Winner, November 2009 - April 2010
Screenplay Contest - Full-Length Series

"Which Witch is Which"

Written by K.F.M. Marshall

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly Marshall lives by the sea in Birchington, England. Although she enjoys writing in almost every genre, as a mother of three, her real passion lies in writing family films. A writer for over ten years, this is the first year she has entered any screenplay competitions, and she is thrilled to have been awarded first place in the Writers Place Screenplay Contest. Kelly currently has three original television projects and two original screenplays in development. Kelly is a graduate of the London College of Communication, University of the Arts, where she now also teaches part-time.

Additional Writer Information:
kelly@marshall-films.com

LOGLINE

A dysfunctional family has to stop squabbling long enough to destroy a malevolent witch and her army of goblins.

SYNOPSIS

The estranged Scott family discover they have untapped magical powers when Marney (16) and her annoying brother Tyler (13) are accidentally transported into an evil witch’s kingdom after using their departed grandfather's book of spells. They are stuck with each other, and if that isn't bad enough they are slowly turning into goblins. They need to escape before the next full moon traps them in this form forever. To save them, Mum has to take a crash course in witchcraft, and the kids have to put aside their sibling rivalry to face the biggest adventure of their lives. As the Scotts battle together to defeat a malevolent sorceress intent on destroying them, it dawns on them that not only are they a real family but, more to the point, a family of witches in line to the throne.

Teenage hormones and witchcraft - it's a lethal combination.

LEGAL NOTICE

The Which Witch is Which screenplay, copyright, and story idea below is owned by K.F.M. Marshall. No copying of any of the below pages is allowed unless approved by owner.

SCRIPT FOLLOWS

EXT. DARK IMPENETRABLE FOREST - NIGHT

CAPTION: 1973

Shadows. Trees tortured by lack of sunlight.

A magical ceremony is underway.

An ornate book of spells hovers in midair. On the front a beautiful face. Its lips move in time with the words of -

Witch - HETTWINA (Hetty) 30 - strange unconventional beautiful.

HETTY
Spectica - dorium. Lethusa - de.

GERARD 34 - human - watches close by. His strong arms wrap around their baby - LORNA.

Light grows in intensity.

Gerard steps nervously closer and holds his child aloft.

HETTY
Power of light - take her!

The effulgent envelops Lorna - lifts her into the night.

HETTY
Protect her from the darkness!

The earth shakes violently. Trees tear from their mooring.

The light vanishes and Lorna plummets to the safety of her shocked father’s embrace.

GERARD
What’s happening?

The ground splits beneath them. A foul green vapor erupts from the gaping crevice. Flora wilts on contact.

HETTY
Gerard go!

Gerard runs.

The skies open in an angry storm.

Skin rips - lashed by razor sharp hailstones.

A deep gash appears on Gerard’s cheek. He fights the pain as he shields his daughter from the savage elements.

A car - mere feet away but a dangerous distance to breach.

Hetty stands steadfast between her family and the materializing enemy.

ARMINYO takes form - a witch ugly in soul and appearance.

ARMINYO
Where is she?

HETTY
She’s no threat to you!

An unseen force smashes Hetty against a broad tree trunk.

INT. CAR

Gerard places Lorna in the passenger foot well. He clambers inside - fumbles with keys.

EXT. DARK IMPENETRABLE FOREST

Arminyo raises her hand. Hetty lifts into the air.

                                                                   HETTY
                                                Arminyo. The prophecy’s just a
                                                story!

ARMINYO
Give her to me!

The car smashes through vegetation - screeches to a halt.

Caught by surprise Arminyo drops her power. Hetty falls heavily to the ground.

The passenger door flies open. Hetty scrambles inside.

The engine screams as the car weaves deep into the forest.

Furious Arminyo aims lightening bolts after them.

A tree is obliterated inches from the vehicle.

The car hits a mound of earth - hurtles through the air. Bodywork crumples - threatens to over- turn as it lands.

INT. CAR

Gerard fights for control. Lorna cries. Hetty hugs her close.

                                                                   GERARD
                                                 Now’d be a good time for those
                                                 powers!

Hetty touches the dashboard. An electric surge enters the facia.

EXT. DARK IMPENETRABLE FOREST

Gerard’s car moves into breakneck speed. Narrowly misses natures obstacles at every turn.

A fireball lands inches ahead of them. The car swerves seared by flames.

Arminyo - flies inches behind them - enjoys the chase.

Trees spring to life - grab the car with gnarled fingers. Game over.

Car doors swing open. Forms bundle into the night.

Hurt - Hetty rolls with Lorna into a ditch. She touches her daughter’s forehead - mute. Her cries stop instantly.

Gerard crawls beneath a copse.

The empty car is bowled at a huge rock face. Impact. It explodes into a thousand pieces.

Hetty opens an amulet that hangs around her neck. A protective translucent vapor seeps out to cover her and Lorna. Part breaks away and oozes quickly to where Gerard hides. It covers him too.

Hetty and Gerard stiffen with fear as Arminyo sniffs for signs of life as she checks the smoldering wreckage and its surrounding area. She is inches away from them.

Satisfied she cackles - returns to vapor and oozes back into the gaping ground which closes in behind her.

Hetty and Gerard watch and wait - unsure whether it is safe to move.

EXT. CHURCH - DAY

CAPTION: 2010

A funeral. A sea of black clothes.

LORNA (now 37) - the weight of the world on her shoulders.

MARNEY (16) - complicated imperfect beauty whose distance from the group speaks volumes.

TYLER (11) - a large red baseball cap tipped low over his eyes to hide his tears. In his arms JAKE - a scruffy lap dog who seems to understand the gravity of the event.

                                                                   VICAR
                                                 ...so we say goodbye to Gerard -
                                                 a loving father and grandfather.
                                                 May he rest in peace - -

VICAR/FAMILY MEMBERS
Amen.

OPEN GRAVE

Three single white roses hit the top of a coffin.

INT. LORNA’S HOME - LIVING ROOM

Guests mingle.

A photograph - Gerard 70’s smiles out in the red baseball cap. An ugly scar on his cheek reminds us who he was.

Lorna - emotionally drained - but still the perfect hostess.

KITCHEN

Marney sits at the breakfast bar. The television on mute but she watches it none the less.

Lorna enters with an empty food platter.

LORNA
D’you have to?

                                                                   MARNEY
                                                 What else is there to do - play
                                                 happy families?

LORNA
Don’t start.

MARNEY
Dad should be here.

Jake jumps up at Marney’s leg but she pushes him away.

LORNA
We need more sandwiches.

Marney glares at her mother and leaves the room.

Jake watches Lorna sigh with frustration.

STAIRS

Tyler sits in silence with --

DAVID (11) - likes his food - likes to worry.

David’s plate is empty but Tyler hasn’t touched his.
DAVID
Food’s nice.

Tyler hands his plate to his friend. David tucks in.

DAVID
He was cool for an old guy.

TYLER
Yeah.

DAVID
D’you remember --

He burps a tune - badly. Tyler finds a smile.

Marney barges through on her way up stairs. Hears David’s rendition.

MARNEY
Err - gross.

The two friends return to silent reflection.

DAVID
He did it better.

Below them they watch Lorna show guests to the door.

GERARD’S ROOM - LATER

Tyler sits in his grandfather’s old leather chair.

Lorna enters. Exhausted she nudges onto the seat beside him. They share a sad smile.

A splash of water hits the arm of the chair - and again.

They look up. A large wet patch drips down on them.

LORNA
Great.

ATTIC

Lorna, Tyler and Jake explore the clutter.

Water seeps from the bottom of an old ornate trunk. Jake sniffs it inquisitively.

TYLER
What d’you think it is?

LORNA
An expensive call out fee.

TRUNK

Lorna gently looks through her father’s possessions.

She pulls out the ornate book of spells. Tears leak from the closed eyes on the beautiful face.

Confused Lorna looks inside but there are just pages of text. Nothing that seems to be causing the water.

LORNA
Strange.

Tyler looks at the book. He reads the first page --

                                                                    TYLER
                                                  Hettwina - Princess of Terbor.
                                                  Magical inventory.

He turns the pages in excitement.

TYLER
It’s a book of spells!

Letters tied neatly with ribbon catch Lorna’s attention. She opens a letter and reads nervously.

Jake WHINES - something is wrong.

Lorna rips open another letter and then another.

                                                                    TYLER
                                                   How to turn someone into a frog.
                                                   Warts and moles. Levitation.
                                                   Transportation.

LORNA
Put it back.

                                                                    TYLER
                                                   D’you think it’s grandad’s? What
                                                    would he be doing with --

LORNA
Put it back!

Lorna throws the letters into the trunk - snatches the spell book and tosses it in after them.

                                                                    LORNA
                                                    I don’t want you touching this!
                                                    D’you hear me? Nothing in there
                                                    belongs to us!

Lorna slams down the lid. Tyler and Jake are shocked by her reaction. Confused Tyler watches his mother head back downstairs.

EXT. LORNA’S HOME - EARLY EVENING

Tyler helps his mother carry the heavy ornate trunk. He drops his end. The spell book and letters spill onto the drive - SPARKS of electric like energy as the tome lands. It goes unnoticed.

As Tyler collects the items Lorna turns her attention to his sister.

LORNA
I’ll be back in the morning.

Tyler stares at the spell book then towards his mother.

MARNEY
Take as long as you like.

LORNA
I’m not sure you can be trusted.

MARNEY
Don’t go then.

Marney storms into the house. Lorna is torn - unsure.

TYLER
It’s just one night.

Decision made. Lorna helps Tyler put the trunk into the back of her car.

LORNA
Be good.

Tyler gives one of his best smiles.

As Lorna pulls away we see the spell book tucked down the back of Tyler’s trousers.

INT. LORNA’S HOME - TYLER’S ROOM - NIGHT

Tyler leafs through the spell book.

Jake BARKS to get his attention.

TYLER
Jake!

He jumps up at the window.

Tyler goes to see what his dog is so agitated about. Outside under an almost full moon teenagers mill around on the front lawn.

Tyler becomes aware of noise and voices from downstairs.

LIVING ROOM

A party. Music - too loud. Teenagers - too many.

Marney - the perfect hostess.

Tyler - can’t believe his eyes. Jake WHINES.

TYLER
You crazy? Mum’ll burst a vessel.

MARNEY
Can’t waste good food.

TYLER
Marney - its for Grandad.

MARNEY
Won’t bring him back.

David arrives is his best togs. He hands Marney a vintage bottle of scotch.

                                                                     DAVID
                                                   Hope its okay. Dad’s had it for
                                                   years.

Marney opens it and takes a sniff.

                                                                     MARNEY
                                                    A bit of Pepsi - no one’ll
                                                    notice.

Marney sees her friend BELLA - and walks off.

DAVID
Yeeees!

David starts to fill a plate with food. Tyler looks on in disbelief.

INT. / EXT. LORNA’S CAR

Lorna’s car crawls along a quiet road.

She checks the number of each house she passes.

A weatherboard bungalow covered in rambling roses. No.165.

Lorna’s car stops for a moment - then pulls onto the long driveway.

EXT. HETTY’S HOME

HETTY (now 67) - tears fall as she digs for worms and places them into a jar. She senses her visitor and drops her hand spade in shock.

LORNA
You recognise me then?

HETTY
How’d you find me?

                                                                    LORNA
                                                    Over thirty years - that’s all
                                                    you got.

HETTY
Please leave. You’re not welcome.

Hurt - Lorna opens the back of her car. Hetty flinches as the heavy trunk hits her drive.

LORNA
You can stop writing. Dad’s dead.

Heartbroken - Hetty watches Lorna slam her car into reverse and drive back down the driveway.

INT. LORNA’S HOME - TYLER’S ROOM

Tyler shows David the spell book. Jake sniffs it cautiously.

                                                                    DAVID
                                                    What’s he doing with a spell
                                                     book?

Tyler shrugs.

DAVID
Like it’s real.

Tyler flips through the pages.

TYLER
Wanna see if it works?

DAVID
Don’t turn me into no frog.

TYLER
How ‘bout someone Marney fancies.

David pulls a face.

DAVID
Funny.

Marney and three male friends burst into the room. They grab David and Tyler as Jake BARKS his protest.

TYLER
Hey! What you doing?

DAVID
Oow - careful!

And then it is over. Marney laughs with satisfaction.

MARNEY
Sorry losers. Invite only.

Tyler and David are left - tied twister style to the bed. Legs where arms should be and vice versa.

                                                                     DAVID
                                                      Don’t s’pose there’s a spell for
                                                      this?

Tyler thrashes about to loosen the rope.

DAVID
Stop! STOP! Rope burn!

Jake jumps on the bed to assess the situation. He sniffs close to David’s face.

                                                                     DAVID
                                                      You smelly breath lick me and I
                                                       swear I’ll -

Jake gnaws at the boys’ bindings.

TYLER
Jake. Good boy!

Jake stops and passes wind. David wriggles in disgust and spits away the smell.

DAVID
Ew. My mouth was open. Dirty dog!

Tyler sees the funny side --

TYLER
He didn’t lick you.

Jake continues to gnaw the rope.

INT. LORNA’S HOME - LIVING ROOM

Party in full swing. Loud music. Alcohol. Nibbles. Hormones. Teenagers - everywhere.

Marney sees --

BILLY (16) - handsome but waiting to grow into his body.

He is with his new girlfriend --

JULES (16) - much too pretty for Marney’s liking.

MARNEY
What’s he doing here?

Billy and Jules help themselves to food and drink.

                                                                    BELLA
                                                      Don’t. He’ll know you still like
                                                      him.

MARNEY
I don’t like him. I hate him!

(CONTINUED)