The Writing Blog

The Last Post

Georgi — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:05:07 +0000

So, it’s the end of this journey… It’s been a great one, I really enjoyed it. The presentation went well (I hope), and I’m proud of my work… really. I’ve finished everything, handed in my script today. It felt great to see the finished product in my hands. After all the sweat and tears, it’s done… done, done, and DONE. I won’t be posting the final script on the blog until I got it copyrighted. If you’re interested in reading it, please contact me. A BIG THANK YOU to those, namely Amie and Mr. Bryan, who have stood by me, listening to my ideas, and giving me feedback. THANK YOU SO MUCH, I wouldn’t have done it without you. Oh, and also, thanks to all those crazy shows I’m obsessed with for without them, I wouldn’t be where I am and “Sunny Side Up” wouldn’t exist-House, The Big Bang Theory, CSI:NY, True Blood, and the rest of my faves RULE!!!

A shout-out to Amie’s show, “The Venderboltz”- I enjoyed reading your script, thanks for the laughs

That’s a wrap people, thanks for visiting

First Draft 1-15

Georgi — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:28:36 +0000

So after all the sweat and tears, here it is, my very first draft of pages 1-15 of the pilot episode. Please be kind

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

ENJOY

Extended Treatment

Georgi — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:45:55 +0000

It was almost mid-day; the clock struck at 11, just right before breakfast ended. The air was fairly hot and humid, not exactly the cheerful vibe you would expect in a Sunday morning. Playing softly in the background was Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman”. There were only a few customers in Sunny Side Up-a family consisting of middle-aged parents and two daughters at the age of 13 and 15 sitting in one of the booths and a 60 year-old African American man drinking coffee at the end of the counter. The staffs were not different. Alex Weiller was mopping the floor, listening to his iPod, blasting heavy, punk rock music into his ears. Norman Myers was flipping through all the local newspapers, searching for sudoku puzzles to kill time. Lola Marinotta was checking her nails, mumbling random lyrics to herself. The bell chimed as the new customer walks in. Unlike the rest of the scene, he was happy-big, fat, and happy. He merrily walked up to the counter, sincere smile in exchange with peculiar glances. He sat on the stool and greeted a man sitting behind the counter, his face hidden behind the papers. The front page of the newspaper was all about Andy Lewis and Pizzazz receiving 3 Michelin Stars for the third consecutive year; Lewis and Pizzazz was New York’s pride. Robert Kitsch snickered and made a comment about Lewis. Obviously, the customer was a nuisance and didn’t really care about what Kitsch said. The fat man just wouldn’t shut up and kept asking about the day’s Specials. Kitsch’s patience still has the hold of him as he lowered the papers and disappeared into the kitchen. Kitsch returned with traditional American breakfast, two sunny side up eggs and bacons. The man dug in and devoured like there is no tomorrow. While appreciating the simple, yet deliciously fulfilling meal, the fat man could not help but notice something familiar about Kitsch. He kept on asking and Kitsch kept ignoring. Finally, it hit him. He stopped eating. He remembered Kitsch from the papers a few months back. “The Roach in the Closet” was the name the press had given Kitsch for cockroaches and hygienic reasons. The fat man continued to probe and push Kitsch’s buttons. In the meantime, Lola got called to take the family’s second round of order-desserts. As she jotted down the order, a familiar song was played on the radio. It was Lola’s only hit. She took a moment to absorb it in. A smile spread across her face. She asked the daughters of the family if they have heard of the song or know who she is. Blank stares and confusion was their reply. Alex was close enough to hear and mock Lola’s musical taste and talent. Norman was refilling the old man’s fifth coffee and continue to fascinate him with his coffee research he looked up on the internet, how coffee could actually lower risks of heart attack, cancer, and diabetes. Lola returned with waffles and pancakes. Before she could walk away any further, the father choked on the waffles. Alex was first to assist Lola, but before Norman could come to the rescue, the old man was having a heart attack. All the while, Kitsch was trying to find a way to make the fat man shut up, people suffering seemed to be the answer. The staffs now have their own problems to deal with. Lola tried to remained calm and in her “pop princess” character/exterior while instructing Alex to perform the Heimlich maneuver. This, of course, came as a shock to many. Just as things couldn’t get worse, the DJ, now on air after Lola’s hit, was questioning, analyzing, and mocking Lola’s disappearance and failure in the pop scene. Norman was contemplating and in shock of the 60-year old man. He was confused, a little panicked of what went wrong. He is also hesitant of whether or not to perform CPR. Norman knew the procedure in and out, but doing it was a different story. He rechecked the pulse then decided to wait as long as possible before brain damage to do anything, hoping that Alex may be able to help him out. The staffs yelled over to Kitsch to call the ambulance. Kitsch rolled his eyes. The fat man found his voice and asked whether or not Kitsch was going to do anything. Kitsch returned the fat man a look. What mattered to Kitsch was, despite everything, they need to pay for their meals. If not, then it will be taken from the staffs’ paychecks. The ambulance arrived. Kitsch looked at the whole chaos from behind the counter. The fat man was very attentive to the paramedics, maybe overly generous. The customers left and paid. Norman took the courtesy of going through the old man’s pockets and wallet and paid for the coffee. He, too couldn’t afford having his paycheck cut. After the whole incident, the staffs gathered before departing their own ways. They were somewhat united, but still colleagues and acquaintances. Kitsch turn off the lights and locked the place up. It was another interesting day and a new journey they all must embark on.

Treatment

Georgi — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:25:29 +0000

It was almost mid-day, just right before breakfast ended. The air was fairly hot and humid, not exactly the cheerful vibe you would expect in a Sunday morning, fairly quiet with only soft, retro music playing in the background. There were only a few customers in Sunny Side Up-a family sitting in one of the booths and an old man drinking coffee at the end of the counter. The staffs were not different. Alex Weiller was mopping the floor, listening to his iPod, blasting heavy, punk rock music into his ears. Norman Myers was flipping through all the local newspapers, searching for sudoku puzzles to kill time. Lola Marinotta was checking her nails, mumbling random lyrics to herself. The bell chimed as the new customer walks in. Unlike the rest of the scene, he was happy-big, fat, and happy. He merrily walked up to the counter, sincere smile in exchange with peculiar glances. He sat on the stool and greeted a man sitting behind the counter, his face hidden behind the papers. Obviously, the customer was a nuisance. Robert Kitsch’s patience still has the hold of him as he lowered the papers and disappeared into the kitchen. Kitsch returned with traditional American breakfast, two sunny side up eggs and bacons. The man dug in and devoured like there is no tomorrow. While appreciating the simple, yet deliciously fulfilling meal, the fat man could not help but notice something familiar about Kitsch. He kept on asking and Kitsch kept ignoring. Finally, it hit him. He stopped eating. He remembered Kitsch from the papers a few months back. “The Roach in the Closet” was the name the press had given Kitsch for cockroaches and hygienic reasons. The fat man continued to probe and push Kitsch’s buttons. In the meantime, Lola got called to take the family’s second round of order-desserts. As she jotted down the order, a familiar song was played on the radio. It was Lola’s only hit. She took a moment to absorb it in. A smile spread across her face. She asked the daughters of the family if they have heard of the song or know who she is. Blank stares and confusion was their reply. Alex was close enough to hear and mock Lola’s musical taste and talent. Norman was refilling the old man’s fifth coffee and continue to fascinate him with his coffee research he looked up on the internet. Lola returned with waffles and pancakes. Before she could walk away any further, the father choked on the waffles. Alex was first to assist Lola, but before Norman could come to the rescue, the old man was having a heart attack. All the while, Kitsch was trying to find a way to make the fat man shut up, people suffering seemed to be the answer. The staffs yelled over to Kitsch to call the ambulance. What mattered to Kitsch was, despite everything, they need to pay for their meals. If not, then it will be taken from the staffs’ paychecks. The ambulance arrived, everyone left and paid. The staffs gathered before departing their own ways. Kitsch turn off the lights and locked the place up. It was another interesting day.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Possible Show Development

A lot of the minor conflicts and actions of this season would be customers, friends and family of the characters, food critique, etc., sort of like the patients in House, revealing more about the characters. The main storyline would be Kitsch trying to find out who was responsible for the cockroach incident (yes, this means that Andy is unlikely to return in Season 2) and the opportunity to move Sunny Side Up into the city.

Episode 2-4 will still be similar to the Pilot episode, introduction to the characters, customers may include: Alex’s friends or guys who are more emo than him, Lola’s agent/producer or fangirls who tracked her down or just someone who recognized her, Norman’s parents or nerds who just won a science competition. We will also see diner dishes with a twist, courtesy of Kitsch’s talent and experience in culinary arts.

Episode 5 will be Andy’s first appearance. This is the mocking episode. We will still have our weird customers, but this time will also serve as Andy’s target group, discount to go to Pizzazz. This episode will also reveal much about Kitsch’s past.

Episode 6-9: characters will deal with their own issues related to the previous episodes. Alex trying to find his identity and fixing things with his dad. Lola knows she wanted to be appreciated and her fans understand why she where she is now, but deep down, she’s embarrassed that bothered her mind and her decision of having her hopes up. Norman is “trying to grow up”, dealing with his self-esteem and parents. Kitsch finding pieces of the cockroach puzzle. This include Kitsch screaming like a girl upon arriving at the cockroach farm to investigate and the Sous-Chef that saw him, now drunk and jobless. Sunny Side Up is picking up good feedback and attention.

Episode 10: Things start to unveil itself, we see Andy again trying to convince Kitsch to stop snooping around. Kitsch and the gang stood up for themselves. This is like the climax of Kitsch’s story in this season. We see cops and press all over.

Episode 11: Andy’s arrest. Press and media all over, Kitsch got his reputation back. Other characters made peace with their internal conflicts and continue to move on accepting who they are at the present.

Episode 12: Andy’s dad offered Pizzazz to Kitsch for the sake of his son’s embarrassment. Kitsch turned it down at first. Throughout the whole season, the characters got to know each other at a certain level and really connect, finding ways to tolerate each other. Characters wanted to move at a new direction. Kitsch was thinking about everything after his staffs left, it was raining hard. The ceiling was dripping, then suddenly dropped. The place was old. Kitsch picked up the phone and called Andy’s dad saying that he’ll take the place. Season Finale.

Details, Tid-Bits, and My Obsession

Georgi — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:42:55 +0000

This is more like a “Did-You-Know?” or some little minor details on the characters that I didn’t mention in the previous posts.

Robert Kitsch’s profession/attitude was also influenced by Chef Gordon Ramsay and his shows including Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, and The F Word. I used to be a big fan of Hell’s Kitchen, I still watch it if it’s on, but I don’t go following and downloading it religiously like I do with House and the rest.

Alex Weiller’s emo scene/style was also the product of finding a character that will represent the horror genre that I like and recently the TV show, “True Blood”.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I think I may be somewhat obsessed with this project If it wasn’t for writing up all the documents, it wouldn’t feel like work. I am actually enjoying putting pieces together, seeing the possibilities of this becoming an actual TV show and how much I would enjoy watching it and, lol, producing it. I can’t believe I am doing things more than what’s expected or graded. What kind of things? Well, coming up with a (promo) poster for the show (on home page) and now, pardon my “mad” photoshop skills, a promo picture. I know I won’t get extra points for doing it, but I wanted to (even with the heavy workload from other courses), and it was fun. The interesting thing from this was coming up with more details for the character to develop in future, and in a way it was like character work expressed through art form. I’m giving this project all I’ve got

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

Andy Lewis

Georgi — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:28:38 +0000

A “Special Guest Star Role” in the show, both a minor and major character. Current owner of Pizzazz, the one responsible for turning Robert’s Kitsch life around.

Personality

Andy Lewis is a laid back, fun, outgoing guy. He has a certain charm/charisma to him. He has a good sense of humor, and is generally seen as a nice guy. Little did the others know that evil could easily brew in him, all from jealousy, laziness, and opportunity. Lewis is an opportunist, but that was a fact only a few knew. He could hide his dark side in a smile so well one would question if it exists.

Background

Andy Lewis had a similar upbringing to Robert Kitsch with the exception of his parents being big chefs. Lewis didn’t have to strive hard to get to where he is, Daddy’s reputation seemed to take care of everything and Daddy didn’t really mind lending his shadow to his son. Lewis and Kitsch met in college. Lewis knew right away there was something special. An opportunist as he is, he could tolerate Kitsch’s crap like only a few, if there are any, can. After opening Pizzazz, Lewis knew it will become his, and his alone. Using everyone’s dissatisfaction/hatred against Kitsch, he came up with a plan, pulled a few strings, and voila he publicly fired Kitsch without having a single soul that was suspicious of him, not even Kitsch himself.

Influences and Inspirations

Andy Lewis is like a a last-minute character, not exactly with a solid reference. The idea of having Lewis, in addition to adding more obstacles to Kitsch, came from Maxwell Sheffield’s (The Nanny) reference to Andrew Loyld Webber being his ultimate rival. Lewis might not be the major antagonist, but he sure played an important role of kicking Kitsch in the butt. I modeled his appearance after Brendan Fraser, that harmless, laid back, nice guy look.

Norman Myers

Georgi — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:19:55 +0000

The unfortunate genius working as Sunny Side Up’s waiter.

Personality

Norman has a fair sense of humor, at least he thinks so. He is, of course, one of those condescending nerds who are inconsiderate and rude. But don’t categorized him as being mean, sometimes he is just not aware of the social norms. He enjoys pretty much everything nerd related, both for the entertainment value and for the reflection of the society towards his kind of people. He tries to remain healthy and happy and tries his best to be nice without offending someone with his words. Though generally he is nice, occasionally his patience may be cut short if he meets someone who boast their brains or something that goes against his integrity, e.g. research ethics, etc. However, he may not learn from his mistakes.

Background

Though Norman is in his late 20s-early 30s, he still lives with his parents. Norman was an extraordinary boy in ordinary neighborhood in Brooklyn. He was the child prodigy, the genius, Mozart of the academic world. As a child, he had won various science awards and chess competitions, people had great hopes for this young man. But life didn’t turn out like the way most of the people would have wanted. His parents are very attached to him, his mother knows every bit of detail in Norman’s life. Norman’s parents were not that rich. They owned the neighborhood’s local bookstore, and Norman’s upbringing was taken care of by sponsorships and scholarships-even his doctoral degree. Life would have been easy, if it wasn’t for his big mouth. He once had a teaching job, but that didn’t last long due to the amount of complains the university received from parents, teachers, students, staffs, even janitors! The same thing happened to all the jobs he had. The only job he could get was waiting tables at Sunny Side Up. Though it was a disgrace to his academic career, there was no other choice and the house needed second income to pay off debts, mainly from the scholarship funds.

Influences and Inspiration

The quirkiness and all the nerdy behaviors are from no other, but Dr. Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. The early development of Myers comes from the idea of what it would be like if Sheldon was a complete failure and not able to do what he is good at. Sure, geniuses are a needle in a haystack, but hey, it’s not like there is going be only one fish in the sea. However, Sheldon’s looks is not what I really have in mind. I kind of want the classic, black-rimmed glasses look but less weird and more cool. Who would best describe that? Rivers Cuomo, Weezer’s frontman.

Alex Weiller

Georgi — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:49:21 +0000

Alex is the emo boy, the teen rebel janitor of Sunny Side Up.

Personality

Alex is a quiet guy, always listening to his iPod. He would fit in most definitions of being an “emo”-emotional, introverted, angry teen who listens to punk rock records, dressed in skinny jeans, blacks and reds, and has a unique hairstyle. Despite being associated with emo and teen, he is well beyond his years. Under the eyeliner, occasionally make up, lies a mature man who is up to any challenge in his way. Alex is also witty and sometimes sarcastic.

Background

Alex grew up in a neighborhood in Manhattan, wealthy, but not rich. His dad is a lawyer and his mom is an English teacher. Everything was confined by rules in the Weiller’s household. Perhaps that was the reason Alex was interested in the whole “emo scene”. He didn’t really fit in, only a few good friends and that was it. However, he wasn’t a problematic kid, gets fairly good grades, maybe a few detentions, but nothing serious. Alex loves music, but that didn’t work. Some people are just not musically talented, no matter how hard they tried. He saved a few hundred bucks to by an Epiphone SG guitar, only to have his dreams of becoming a punk rock star crushed and friends made fun of. His parents think that this whole “emo” is just a phase and will soon passed. He is somewhat in the process of finding his identity. But because he is stubborn, he is not going to give up. By the time he was 18, after graduating high school, he moved out after a big fight with his dad-Alex wanted to go to an art school, while his dad wanted him to go to a law school. His mom was in the middle of the two. His mom helps him pay rent and the only job he could get to help him pay for college is being a full-time janitor.

Influences and Inspirations

My inspiration for this character comes from the Youtube star, Shane Dawson and My Chemical Romance’s frontman, Gerard Way. I’m a big fan of both of them and I’m an avid fan of rock, punk rock music. Alex’s looks are more of Shane Dawson, but the quiet, shy personality with hidden maturity is definitely Gerard Way.

Lola Marinotta

Georgi — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:07:57 +0000

Lola is the only main girl in the show, possible love interest of Kitsch, some sort of sexual tension between them. Works as a waitress at Sunny Side Up.

Personality

Lola is a fun girl in her early twenties. She may seemed naive like another dumb blond, but she is more than that. However, her sophistication rarely shows as she is obsessed with fame, use chat acronyms (lol, omg, brb, ttyl, etc.) when speaking, and composing the next pop hit. She is outgoing, loony and in-your-face from time to time. She is confident in who she is and the person that she could be.

Background

Lola grew up in Queens, New York with a normal childhood and a passion for singing. She has won numerous singing contests and beauty pageants growing up. One day she was discovered by an agency, while working part-time as a waitress in a family restaurant. It was as if someone had won a million dollars, she then went on to signing with a record label, dropping out of college. She only had one hit song. Her fame was short-lived. In only a year, she had became a “Has-Been” and back to being a “nobody”. No record label would give her another shot. It was as if the singing gig was only a dream and now she has to face reality.

Influences and Inspirations

My inspirations for this character are Lady Gaga and my attitude towards “Pop music”. Lady Gaga is pretty much the only “pop” I listen to besides late 80s and early 90s pop/easy listening. I have nothing against Britney Spears and the rest, just that, as Dr. Gerald Moshammer, Music App teacher will put it, too conventional and commercial. So this character for me is based on my admiration of Lady Gaga and my take on making a parody out of pop stars. A lot of what makes Lola comes from Gaga, the blond look, the confident, the sophistication. Their style of fashion, though very different, are both unique, modified to their personalities-Lola is a little bit more conservative to get the “conventional pop star” look. The name Lola came from trying to find something that sounds good with the word Lady, just in case I want to make fun of Lady Gaga, and her last name came from Lady Gaga’s real last name, Germanotta. Yes, Lola is of Italian descent like Gaga.

Robert Kitsch

Georgi — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:49:17 +0000

Robert Kitsch is the MAIN GUY

Personality

Kitsch is kind of like Dr. Gregory House from House M.D. He is a miserable, egoistic, arrogant, know-it-all jerk. He kept to himself and barely socialized with others, mainly the staffs of Sunny Side Up. He is cynical and condescending. Because of his bad manners, there was never an opportunity for anyone to be interested in helping him. Harming him, however, is a different story.

Background

Robert Kitsch, more commonly known as Kitsch alone, came from quite a wealthy family in Upper East Side, New York. Growing up as a rich kid, Kitsch had an opportunity to explore various international cuisines, and occasionally home-made food. That was where his passion for food came from. He didn’t really know his parents. His dad was a CEO of an investment company, advising New York’s finest businessmen in the New York Stock Exchange and his mom was an internationally acclaimed author of a cook-book. His dad was never there and his mom was always on some kind of book tour. His parents decided to go on their second Honeymoon to rekindle their romance, boarding on a cruise to Europe. Unfortunately, the ship wrecked in a terrible storm and both of them were killed; their bodies, however, were never found. Kitsch was 18. The news of the deaths came right after he was accepted to one of the world’s best culinary school. Since he had no interest in stepping in his parent’s shoes, he sold all the shares in his dad’s firm and all the licenses to his mom’s books, inheriting only the house and the money. It was time for Kitsch to move on, time for him to become the world’s renowned chef. Kitsch met Andy Lewis in college. They weren’t exactly “best buds”, Kitsch just saw the opportunity of opening a restaurant. That was what they did upon graduating, opening an Italian-French fusion restaurant, “Pizzazz” in Times Square.

Pizzazz

A 3-Michelin-Star owned by Chefs Robert Kitsch and Andy Lewis. It was “the place” to go to. You can’t just randomly walk in, customers can take up to a month reserving seats.

The Fall

Kitsch was framed. He wasn’t aware that someone had turned his place into a cockroach-infested nightmare. There were eggs everywhere. A handful of them hatched under his shoes while he was in the kitchen. Cockroaches and restaurants are a big “No-No”. Unfortunately, one of the Sous-Chefs saw the creepy crawly things sticking their heads out of the shoes, and that triggered a big inspection, on both Pizzazz and Kitsch. Lewis publicly fired Kitsch, blaming him for ruining Pizzazz’s reputation, before bringing Pizzazz up to its original status. Kitsch, on the other hand, was publicly humiliated, the press named him “The Roach in the Closet”, and lost everything in his life-the money, the fame, the big fancy house since, he could no longer live with what had happened (developed mild PTSD of cockroaches). With the last bit of money he got, he bought himself a decent, mediocre apartment and a diner in the outskirts of New York.

Sunny Side Up

The only thing that remained with Kitsch was his passion for cooking. Sunny Side Up was Kitsch’s exit. Since he could not invest much in hiring, the staffs, Lola Marinotta, Alex Weiller, and Norman Myers, weren’t any better from him…not that he would care. He needed waiters and janitors. Diner food was below his league, he could single-handedly handle the kitchen even when the diner is full.

Inspirations and Influences

My biggest inspiration for Kitsch is House. House is one of my all-time favorite shows. From personality to some part of the looks, Gregory House was on my mind. However, House is a little too old for the role of Kitsch, and that’s where Jason Bateman comes into the picture. Imagine scruffy, grumpy mid-thirties (though Bateman is 41) Bateman in the clothes and attitude of House in this picture:

The name Kitsch came from trying to find a good, short and catchy, name that has something to do with food. So, it started with simply Kitchen, then became Kitsch. Kitsch in way could fit right into the show, definition of cheap, mass-produced art; therefore, cheap culinary, find it everywhere food.