Untitled ‘Memory Drama’ Project

From Buscemi’s Peaches

Story Synopsis• Middle-aged actor Ethan Wise has one last chance to save his career from

an untimely and unfortunate end, after the loss of his sister in a car accident, from which he was also involved in. • After recovering from the accident, Ethan was informed that he had short

term-memory loss. This began to take significant affect, causing him to only recall fragmented images of his sister whom he can only visualize as a much younger version of herself. Confidence in his musical career has begun to wane and he is still in grief over the passing of his sister. • However, he is receiving support from a psychotherapist to try and

overcome this and is slowly on the way to recovery. But can he recover in time to save his performance?

Structure, Style and Inspiration • The present of the story will be set at the stage/theatre, with Ethan about to go on and perform. With growing unease and

pressure mounting, we flashback to moments when he is home and having therapy sessions. By cross cutting between these past scenes, the audience will learn about his deceased sister and hopefully emphasize with him as we see him struggle to regain his mental and emotional stability through the therapy.

• Once enough is explained, we jump back to the present with Ethan heading onto the stage, however we cut away before we see him deliver his lines, so as to keep it a mystery as to whether or not he has truly recovered.

• Influences have come from the multi-narrative stranded film Memento, in which Leonard suffers from extreme short term memory loss. The short film A Long Walk also provided some inspiration in the structuring of the narrative.

• Stylistically, we are intrigued by attempting to echo something similar to that of Birdman, specifically the use of long, seemingly one shot takes and wide angles.

Characters: Ethan Wise

• Ethan Wise is a middle aged man, around late thirties to early forties.• He is a professional actor, mainly performing on

stage/theatre, and has earned fair critical acclaim and a loyal fan following. • Ethan is haunted by the death of his sister from a

freak car accident of which he was not responsible for but still harbours guilt. • His biggest fears are losing a grip on his career and

not being able to overcome the death of his sister.

Characters: Jean Wise • Jean Wise is the deceased younger sister of

Ethan Wise, who was tragically killed in a car accident. • Jean was a very colourful character, often

adopting a bold fashion sense and spritely demeanour. • Recent relationship issues meant that she was

staying over with her brother when the accident happened, which is perhaps another reason why he harbours such guilt; she was in his care.

Characters: Dr. Yates

• Dr. Yates is the professional that supports Ethan in trying to recover from his trauma, on both mental and emotional levels. • Through a series of therapy sessions and

exercises, Yates will try to guide Ethan back into a healthy state.• Patience and empathy are Yates key qualities.

Locations: Theatre Stage• This is the set for which the present action

will take place, in which Ethan will wait to go out and perform potentially his last performance.• The spotlights will be on and glaring down

onto the stage.• This will help to elevate Ethan’s anxiety and

we can show this from his point of view.• This also allows us to get away with not

having tonnes of extras to form an audience.

Location: Home• Ethan lives out his domestic life here at

home.• He is constantly reminded of his sister

by photos and items of her belongings and also by his hallucinations of her around the house.• He attempts to mediate and calm

himself when at home but finds it is all too much.

Location: Therapy Room• Ethan sees Yates in an effort to try to

improve his memory loss and to try and steer himself back onto his career.• Yates uses exercises and puzzles to try

to help Ethan and sometimes recommends that Ethan practices the lines of his parts with him.• Progressively, Ethan begins to get better

with the therapy.