A month isn't so bad...

I really need to get back on top of this thing, but seeing as I'm having another night of not really being able to get to sleep, I thought this would be a good opportunity to update y'all on some things that I've been working on...

I'd have to say that the screenwriting workshop is by far my favorite class this semester. The professor is awesome and it's a different way to express myself aside from poems and narratives. I decided that I wanted to write a movie about something that I've been dealing with for several years now and should really have a voice of some sort. I have bipolar disorder, which makes a lot of things a lot more difficult than they should be, yet I choose to hide it because no one really wants to deal with a crazy person, right? So I thought I would write a film about a girl that seems fine and dandy on the outside, but is fighting major emotional battles on the inside that only the audience can see. It's been pretty nerve-wracking so far by just pitching the idea to the class and it's only going to get scarier from there. I'm currently working on a scene based on a series of sessions that I've had with various therapists, counselors and psychiatrists over the years, because for the most part, they all seemed the same to me. Here is what I have so far:

INT. WAITING ROOM OF DR. GOLDSTEIN-DAY

BRYNA MILLER is sitting on a cushy, beige loveseat, looking around at the generic watercolors on the wall and then at the clock at the wall. Her foot is shaking uncontrollably and tapping her fingers on her knee. She looks at the clock one more time before picking up and perusing through a dated issue of PEOPLE. After a few more minutes, the office door opens. DR. GOLDSTEIN, a middle-aged woman with salt-and-pepper hair and a sensible suit and pumps, waves Bryna in with a smile. Bryna puts down the magazine, grabs her purse and follows Dr. Goldstein into her office.

INT. DR. GOLDSTEIN’S OFFICE

Bryna sits herself on an overstuffed floral couch that would be found in any dayroom of a New England grandmother. She bounces on the cushion a few times before settling in a somewhat comfortable seating position and looks around Dr. Goldstein’s office. It has a bay window covered with sheer white curtains and a few assorted ferns spread throughout the room. Dr. Goldstein walks over to her well-worn antique oak desk to pick up a file and a notepad before seating herself directly across from Bryna in an overstuffed floral armchair that matches the couch perfectly. She clears her throat a few times before speaking.

DR. GOLDTEIN

So, Bryna, how are we feeling today?

BRYNA

Fine.

(Dr. Goldstein givers her a reproachful look.)

BRYNA

(Cont’d)

Ok. To be honest, I woke up at 4:30 this morning from a dream where Mars was crashing into the earth right on top of me. What does that tell you?

DR. GOLDSTEIN

Interesting.

(She makes a scribble in her notepad.)

DR. GOLDSTEIN

(Cont’d)

Do you have dreams like that very often?

BRYNA

(Picking at her hangnails)

I guess.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

(Prodding further)

For example?

BRYNA

Well, the other night I had one dream where my teeth were glued shut and I kept trying to speak which was followed by another dream where I was possessed by the devil.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

(Making more scribbles)

Mm-hmm.

BRYNA

So, I thought I’d teach my cats to talk.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

(More scribbles)

Mm-hmm.

BRYNA

And then I thought I’d go take a trip to the moon on the Oscar Meyer Weenie mobile.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

Mm-hmm.

BRYNA

Are you even paying attention?

DR. GOLDTEIN

(Looking at her notes)

End of the world, possession, talking cats and weenie mobile. Sound right?

BRYNA

Yeah.

(pause.)

You know I was kidding, right?

DR. GOLDSTEIN

Sarcasm is a common defense mechanism for those that are in an uncomfortable situation.

(Looks over her half-moon glasses.)

Are you feeling uncomfortable, Bryna?

BRYNA

Well, I’m stuck in a shrink’s office, yet again, revealing my deepest, darkest thoughts to a complete stranger that is only pretending to listen to me. It’s annoying and yes, it makes me feel uncomfortable.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

I see.

(Pauses and leans forward.)

You do know why you are here though, right?

BRYNA

Because I had a psychotic break and scared the shit out of my boyfriend. But I’m fine now, so can I go?

(Starts to gather her purse.)

DR. GOLDSTEIN

No. So you can set your purse down and relax. We’ve got another 40 minutes.

BRYNA

Great.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

Bryna, the real reason that you’re here is so that we can try to find a way to prevent you from having another one of your so-called “psychotic breaks,” okay?

BRYNA

Okay.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

I know you don’t like therapists very much.

(Looks at Bryna’s file)

I mean, you’ve been through at least 5 different therapists and counselors within the past 2 years and you didn’t stay with any of them for more than 2 sessions. That’s not a good sign.

BRYNA

For me, or for the psychoanalytic profession?

DR. GOLDSTEIN

I’m serious, Bryna. At this stage of your mental health, you need someone that can be an objective listener, as well as someone who can offer constant support and guidance.

BRYNA

I already have that with my mom and my best friend.

DR. GOLDSTEIN

I’m happy to hear that you have some support, Bryna, but I’m sorry to say that it’s not enough at this point.

I know that was a lot to dig through (a blog post really isn't the best format to post a screenplay) but I just wanted to share with all of you just exactly what is going on in this ol' noggin' of mine =)

Hope you enjoyed it and as always, feel free to comment!