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Assignment 1:
Objective: Write a Christmas story set in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, inspired by “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and incorporating elements from King Obstinate’s song “How Will Santa Get Here?”
Setting: St. Croix, highlighting its tropical beauty and cultural atmosphere.
Characters: Introduce characters like Miguel, Maria, Old Man Johnson, and Pedro the donkey.
Plot: Include the question of how Santa will arrive in St. Croix without his reindeer, drawing from the humorous lyrics of King Obstinate’s song.
Lyric Incorporation: Integrate elements from “How Will Santa Get Here?” such as Promise from mama- promise from papa that come Christmas there’d be many gift from Santa. Ho ho ho, ho ho ho. How will Santa get here? There is no reindeer in my countryHe have to borrow me neighbor donkey Ho ho ho, ho ho ho, How will Santa Get Here? Ho ho ho, ho ho ho, How will Santa Get Here? The yard has no snow-the house has no chimney so how will Santa really get to me? If his house is so far- far from St. John how’s he going to get across all that water? Me mama wouldn’t lie-me papa wouldn’t lie as you close your eyes Santa comin by A big big bag of goodies-down for the West Indies Still I have a question- what’s his transportation? There is no reindeer in my country
Theme: Infuse the story with the spirit of Christmas, emphasizing kindness, generosity, and the magic of the holiday season, reflecting USVI St. Croix customs and traditions.
Length: Suitable for a children’s book, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Assignment 2:
Objective: Create a Crucian rendition of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, using the US Virgin Islands as inspiration.
Narrative Style: Employ rhyme and rhythm reminiscent of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” for a whimsical narrative.
Incorporation: Include customs, holiday traditions, etc., ensuring adherence USVI and St. Croix traditions and keeping the vibe of Twas the Night before Christmas
Assignment 3:
Objective: Write a Cruzan Christmas Carol A retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” set in St. Croix, USVI, incorporating Crucian culture. Please utilize the full script to make your script of pages the sme amount of deatil depth and insight and nmber of pages Narrative: Retell “A Christmas Carol” with character name changes and location adjustments to fit the St. Croix setting, incorporating Crucian elements.
Assignment 4:
Objective: Using the full script via url Craft a story titled “A Crucian Christmas” akin to “Christmas Vacation,” showcasing a Crucian’s celebration of Christmas. (URL to help dont use this to make the story is ust for inspiration to capture the vibe National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Script: Quotes & Characters (studiobinder.com))
Narrative: Follow the tale of a young man returning home for the holidays after college, immersing himself in Crucian Christmas festivities, and ultimately finding himself amidst the excitement and stress of the season.
Elements: Include traditions, culture, foods, and events like the Crucian Christmas Festival and the food fair, ensuring the story appeals to , teens, young collge students and adults alike
Assignment 5: Redevelopment of Playwright 1733
Objective: Enhance the historical drama “Rebellion on St. John” with a focus on improving language usage, character development, and dramatic storytelling, drawing inspiration from FX’s “SHOGUN” series.
Language Usage: Ensure a proper use of English while incorporating small mixes of slave Afro-Caribbean dialects to add authenticity and depth to the characters’ voices.
Character Development: Provide in-depth background bios for each character, delving into their motivations, conflicts, and arcs to create a more engaging and multi-dimensional narrative.
Dramatization of 1733 St. John Rebellion: Infuse the story with heightened drama, capturing the tension, emotions, and historical significance of the 1733 St. John Rebellion in the Danish West Indies.
Historical Accuracy: Maintain historical accuracy while dramatizing events, paying close attention to the social, cultural, and political context of the time period.
Editing: Edit the draft to refine dialogue, sequences, and storytelling techniques, ensuring that each character’s story comes full circle and contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative.
Dialogue and Conversations: Improve dialogue and conversations between characters to deepen relationships, advance the plot, and enhance the overall theatrical experience.
Storytelling: Elevate the storytelling aspect of the play, utilizing narrative devices, dramatic tension, and thematic exploration to captivate the audience and evoke a sense of historical immersion.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT 6: CRAFTING AN IN-DEPTH 8-ACT SCREENPLAY *NOTE LANGUAGE NEEDS TO BE REVISED AND SOUND 99%AMERICAN WITH A 1%MIX OF CARRIBEAN SLANG AND DIALECT
Objective: Edit and enhance the entire screenplay for “Island,” creating an in-depth 8-act script. Extract all the details from the provided file and infuse the script with profound emotional depth, passion, and insight. The goal is to convey the raw reality of how gun violence impacts not only the victims but also their friends and community. The script should be adaptable for either a short film or a one-hour feature, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.Tone and Style: The dialogue should utilize a Caribbean down-island dialect and include phrases indigenous to St. Croix, capturing the grit, pain, passion, and emotions surrounding gun violence in the US Virgin Islands. The narrative should evoke the same insightful and passionate tone as the following film:Breakfast Club
Shottas (2002)
Thirteen Reasons Why
Good Will Hunting
The Wire
Final Act Courtroom Scene Inspiration:
The inspiration for the courtroom scene with Michael comes from Henry Hill’s rant in the courtroom scene from “Goodfellas.” This can serve as a template for Michael’s passionate address about the impact of gun violence.Goodfellas Court Scene
Final Act Concept:
For Act the act that will erap everything up , the focus is on the transformative journey of the characters following Jamal’s murder trial. The key elements include:Courtroom Scene:The group of friends attends the trial of Jamal’s killer.
The killer is found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. The Killer is ambiguous unknow he represents the many Murders in the USVI who are never caught they are ambiguous
The friends reconcile and strengthen their bond, agreeing to never forget Jamal’s impact on their lives.
Detailed Character Bios:Incorporate comprehensive character bios that document the aftermath of the events, providing readers with a clear reference to the evolving narrative.(attched in the draft
Emotional Courtroom Monologue:Inspired by the impactful courtroom scenes in “Goodfellas,” envision Michael delivering a passionate monologue.
He addresses the courtroom, shedding light on the profound impact of gun violence on friends, family, and loved ones.
Capture the resonating silence following his speech, emphasizing the weight of his words.
Beach Reflection Scene:Transition to a serene beach setting, symbolizing the calm after the storm.
Michael reflects on the repercussions of the events, unraveling the destinies of each character.
The sounds of crashing waves serve as a poignant backdrop, underscoring the emotional turbulence of the revelations.
Twist and Climax:Introduce a twist where Michael decides to write a college essay about his experience, aiming to apply to UVI, Harvard, or another Ivy League school.
Infuse the narrative with suspense, building anticipation like the charged silence before a gunshot.
The climax unfolds with a gunshot, synchronizing with the resonating waves, creating a dramatic crescendo.
Michael walks the shore, encapsulating his newfound purpose, with the crashing waves echoing the journey’s intensity.
Script Length:For a 30-minute short film: The script might be around 30 to 40 pages.
For a 120-minute movie: The script might be around 120 to 160 pages.
Full Circle Narrative: Ensure the story comes full circle, exploring each avenue thoroughly and attaching all the necessary details. The narrative should be tightly woven, with each subplot and character arc contributing to the overall message and impact of the story.Language and Style: The script should be written in 99% professional English with 1% Caribbean Crucian dialect/slang. This balance will provide authenticity while maintaining readability for a broader audience.Deliverables:An 8-act screenplay imbued with profound emotional depth, passion, and insight.
Adaptable for a short film or a one-hour feature.
Clear beginning, middle, and end.
Dialogue in a Caribbean down-island dialect with phrases indigenous to St. Croix.
Detailed character bios for Act 3.
Emotional courtroom monologue inspired by “Goodfellas.”
Beach reflection scene with a powerful twist and dramatic climax.
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Breakfast Club
Shottas (2002)
Thirteen Reasons Why
Good Will Hunting
The Wire
Goodfellas Court Scene