Script: Prince Redbreast, Pages One and Two
I wrote this script one afternoon at work while listening to The Pixies. The dialog needs to be polished and the pacing needs to be improved, but I think the concept is sound. I’m a bit uncertain about the ending- on the one hand I think it’s a nice twist on the typical fairy tale ending, but on the other hand it’s not a strong punchline. The peasant girl is never named in the story but in the script she’s called Callpygia- this comes indirectly from the Pixies song “Tame”, and seemed appropriate at the time.
There’s a repeated motif of characters singing when they’re winning. This may or may not be related to “Tubthumping”, which I was not listening to while writing the script. Good song, though.
I haven’t divided everything out yet, but I expect it’ll take 6 to 8 pages.
Page One: Establishing the Conflict
The inside of the palace. The queen lounges luxuriously on a sofa; a bird sits on her right hand.
Queen: Is the prince near at last? I would have his heart, to keep him and love him for all of my days. Dear robin, could you do this for me?
Robin: I will do as you ask, dear queen.
The robin flies out the window and off through a fairy tale landscape.
The robin flies to the prince, who is walking through a meadow.
Robin: Hola, Prince.
Prince: Hola, bird. Tell me, is this the realm of (insert name of realm later)? I come bearing a message for its queen.
The robin lands on a stump near the prince to speak with him.
Robin: Indeed it is, and I come bearing a message for you from the queen herself.
Prince: How fortuitous! What message, pray tell, does she send?
Close up on the Robin’s eye, suddenly malevolent.
Robin: That I am to return to her bearing your heart.
Page Two
The robin leaps into the Prince’s mouth, forcing itself down his throat.
Prince: Mmph!!!
The Prince buckles over in agony.
Prince: Erg….
The Robin bursts out through the Prince’s chest, carrying his heart. The action in this scene should be shocking and ridiculous at the same time- I’m thinking about some of the crap Neil Gaiman has gotten away with.
Prince: Aiee!!!
The robin flies away, singing, carrying the prince’s heart. The prince slumps against a tree with a gaping wound in his chest.
Congratulations to Ladi and Justin on the birth of their son! Yay!
April 16th, 2010 at 1:46 am
Excellent title for such a work.