Blind Date


Mariana had a story idea for our second project. It was a romantic comedy similar in tone to the first project. I decided not to be involved and wrote her that I was not the best writer for her story.

But she wrote back suggesting that I come up with some story ideas. I sent her three for a 20-minute movie, and she selected one. This is the story with the working title Blind Date.

Since I think documentation of the script development process can be so valuable for students, I will trace the growth of Blind Date here, just as I did with the first project.

Here is the first draft of the script.

I knew the ending was very weak, so I concentrated my rewriting on cranking it up. This became the second draft. Then I got the idea of adding a scene to bring the story full circle. This became the third draft.

Here is the third draft of the script.

I heard from my director (Mariana) finally, and she made several good suggestions that I incorporated into the next draft: that we use a name other than Kendall, which was fine with me; that Ned and Allie (now) flirt more on their first meeting, which also was fine. However, Mariana wanted a different ending that I didn't like at all -- that the revenge be that Allie robs him back. I didn't think this was big enough. So I kept my original ending, and sent her draft four.

Here is the fourth draft of the script.

The director approved, except for a practical matter: the difficulty of getting a police car. I found a way around the policemen.

Here is the fifth draft of the script.

Mariana wanted two scenes eliminated because they were too difficult for her to arrange and set up: the taxi chase and the detective's office. So I found ways to accomplish the same things in different ways. As a result, this is the sixth draft of the script.

Mariana finished shooting the script in June, 2002, and began editing and other post-production chores. When the film is finished, I hope to put it online.

NOTE: the film is available at: http://www.ibiblio.org/cdeemer/Video.htm

05/02