OSCAR NIGHT
FADE IN:EXT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Joan B. Average watches the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, while hubbie snores O.S. (off screen) in their nearby bedroom, overpowering the second television also tuned into the Oscars. A presenter announces the Best Adapted Screenplay category.
JOAN
(muttering to herself)
I hope the "Precious" writer wins.
I know that was a difficult story
to write. He had to go
where the characters live ...
and that place was not pretty.
Let him win, please God let him win.
She feels a solidarity toward this Average Joe and newcomer to this Hollywood scene. They show a clip from "Precious" when her mom was being interviewed by the social worker, (played by Mariah Carey) and says that Precious was born on a hot July day. Precious corrects her, she was born in November.
PRESENTER
And the Oscar for the Best Adapted
Screenplay goes to Geoffrey Fletcher
for "Precious" based on the novel,
"Push" by Sapphire.
Joan leaps up from the couch, squealing.
No, she's not a first cousin or a childhood friend.
She's a writer who knows the struggle
of bringing a story to life.
She watches this humble writer walk toward the podium in a daze that quickly clears when he gazes upon the future, present and yesterday's stars of feature films, fighting back grateful tears. He's an Average Joe who had a dream and his share of prayers.
You can see he's stunned as he clutches the coveted prize. He reminds her of a young Sidney Poitier. How many times did he dream of this moment while developing a compelling story arc, or making sure his foreshadowing paid off at just the right climatic moment?
Tears stream down her face as she listens to his acceptance speech. She talks to the television screen as if it was the Oscar-winning screenwriter.
JOAN
I'm so glad you won. This gives the rest of us hope. Good job!
The next presenter sashays to the podium in her designer best. Hubby wakes up.
DEREK
That's a sharp gown. Hey Joanie ... you
like that gown?
He shouts, never missing a beat.
JOAN
(wiping away tears)
Yes, honey... it's beautiful. I'd wear it.
Will you buy it for me?
DEREK
Done. I've got it on order along
with a pair of Tiffany diamond earrings
and a Cartier necklace. I can match them to
your new Porsche I'm also buying you ... just because.
She grins, heading for her laptop on her rolled top desk adjacent to the television. But her eyes can't focus away from the Academy Awards when Comedian Mo'Nique wins the Oscar as Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Precious."
(Comedian Mo'Nique gives tribute to Hattie McDaniel by wearing the same color blue gown and gardenia in her hair, when she became the first African American in 1939 to win an Oscar for her role in "Gone With the Wind.")
JOAN
Back to work, Joan.
This blog can't write itself.
She clicks into her blog software, abandons her planned Monday post and writes one dedicated to the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, which seems only fitting.
She can't help but wonder, will one of her screenplays someday interest a big name actor or actress?
Will he or she fight for its green light?
Will Ms. Oprah Winfrey carry a DVD of her movie in her purse for weeks before backing the production?
Will my screenplays break out of the screenwriting software, venture into the world and find a home in the hearts of viewers?
"Speak it as though it exists... ," my Pastor's words from this morning's church service echoe in my spirit. "Behave as though you already have what you desire. If you say, "I'm not going to get it, then you won't."
Well, that makes perfect sense. If our Academy Award nominated actors, producers, writers, directors never believed in their dreams -- would they be seated there hoping for their names to be called?
And the winner goes to ... the Average Joes and Joans who didn't give up. Congratulations, you're all winners in my book.
