Yellowtastic:The Screenplay Excerpts
It all begins with an idea.
I have always struggled with social anxiety. As a child, I experienced fears of speaking in class and making friends with others. I became known as “the quiet one” early on... Instead of dwelling on the outer social obstacles, I chose to express my voice creatively. I read fantasy novels to enter eccentric worlds. I painted on canvases to explore my imagination. I watched movies to escape from reality. When I was in high school, I became slightly more outgoing by trying new things---such as marching band---but the new experiences did not stop the inner panic attacks that occurred when I would have to interact with classmates and go into public. Eventually, that anxiousness turned into an inability to drive.
Driving is something that is so commonly conquered as a teenager. It’s a staple in American society that every sixteen-year-old wants, in order to accomplish an expected milestone. But is that a necessity of success in the world, or a stereotype that we the people have built off of societal norms? This challenging concept is exactly what led me to create my first original screenplay.
For my senior capstone project, I decided that I wanted to write a screenplay inspired by my personal struggles with anxiety. I wanted to have something that would be easily marketable in a portfolio, but more so a subject of true relatability. I have severe anxiety and am scared to get a driver’s license; however, I chose to steer that fear and alter it into a creative outlet.
I was inspired to write a protagonist that shared the difficulties with anxiety that I’ve experienced and that others could further relate to. I found that being behind a steering wheel presents so many choices that it overwhelms me to the point of sometimes crippling emotions. It was important to me share this narrative in hopes that instead of holding onto this fear, I would be able to engage a creative experience that would present an opportunity for an audience to engage with.
Plot Synopsis: Painten Filbert is a 20-year-old woman full of anxiety and stubbornness. She lives in a San Francisco with her mother Monet, grandfather Ross/Roger, and trusty cat Coca-Cola. Painten prefers to walk on the outskirts of life and constantly challenges stereotypical expectations. She listens to “old school” music instead of modern hits. She uses a Walkman and record player to do so. She dresses in overalls and spunky colors to create her own sense of fashion.
Painten discovers a method to channel her anxiousness. Working at her mother’s coffee shop, she enjoys questioning the literacy of customer’s words. She finds satisfaction in knowing she has a better vocabulary than most. It makes her feel safe in social settings. However, when a customer named Pool uses her own tricks against her, she becomes baffled.
Hiding behind her eccentricity, Painten is an insecure young adult. She wants to learn to drive and leave home to discover her sense of self. But how can she do that if she has a panic attack every time, she’s behind the wheel? She knows that in order to achieve her personal goals of ultimately leaving home she must learn how to drive a car and peacefully communicate with the world around her.
When it came down to the project itself, I decided that I did not want to present a feature-length script. I was worried that if I rushed my writing process, it wouldn't feel authentic. Instead, I presented three excerpts from my narrative that would highlight the plot.
The excerpts provided an overview of my protagonist, her relationship with the other characters, and a panic attack that she experiences.
Below, you will find: my presentation, the poster for Yellowtastic, screen grabs from the screenplay excerpts, and the filmed table read of Yellowtastic.
Some of the most helpful courses I took in college:
Experimental Film – I was immersed in an area of film that I never knew existed! It was weird, eye-opening, uncomfortable, and inspiring.
Special Effects – I learned how to turn myself into a superhero. That’s it. That’s a dealbreaker.
Narrative Screenwriting- I read some of the most exciting screenplays---like the original Star Wars script, and Spider-Man.
TV Production – I learned how to properly transition audio in different clips!