Narrative 2 – Leila Boisvert

During our Narrative 2 unit, we applied similar skills we learned in our Junior year narrative unit to this one. We were able to use our creativity in a variety of ways to create work that we were interested in. During English, we worked on several things including a Lyrical Essay. In Film, we produced a screenplay and shot our own narrative film. In Digital Media, we were able to learn a lot about different interfaces and create many different works. I am extremely thankful for this unit because I learned so much about myself as a creator. I also gained a lot of skills and learned more about a variety of things.

English

The main thing we focused on in this unit was our Lyrical Essay. We were able to use our creativity and explore what we wanted our essay to be about. At first, it was a bit hard because the essay was introduced as very general. However, it allowed each writer to dive into a topic they are passionate about and include their own personal writing style.

Lyrical Essay:

Taken Over

You get a text from your friends at 11am. It’s a Saturday. You have just spent the whole week stressing over tests and homework, on top of being diagnosed with anxiety. However, it’s finally time for you to go out and have fun with your friends. It’s 80 degrees outside.

They say, “I know this really cool place that we can go to to swim.” You ask what it is. A pool, a river? You wonder if it’s dangerous. If it’s in the middle of nowhere. If it’s hard to get to. They say it’s a surprise. You shake it off, even though you don’t like surprises. They say they are bringing some other friends too.

You are super excited to get out. You are ready to relax and let loose after all of the anxiety from the week.

Your friends come and pick you up, and they begin driving farther and farther into the woods. The trees are enormous, with the wind bristling through the tight road. There is little space to move on the sides of the car, so

one

slight

accidental

turn of the wheel,

and the car will fall through

the endless

of the cliff.

The intrusive thoughts mingle in your head, getting louder and louder as if they were screaming it. You shake it off, and reason with those thoughts in your head.

You think, the person that is driving has had their license for a while now. You will not fall off the cliff. Stop worrying. Have fun.

You take a deep breath, and feel slightly better. You smile at your friends, and dance to the Taylor Swift music blasting in the car.

Finally, you get to the destination. You continue laughing with your friends, as more arrive in other cars. All you see ahead of you is trees. Where could we be swimming? You ask your friend, and they smile. Your stomach drops a little.

Your friends begin walking towards the trees, into the forest. You follow warily. You keep asking for reassurance from your friends that what you are doing is safe, and that you won’t get hurt. You check your cell phone. No cell service. Your stomach drops even more. You start sweating.

After walking fifteen minutes, your friends say that we finally arrived. You look ahead. There is a bright, glistening lake in front of you. It looks beautiful, and warm, and perfect for the summer day. You ask your friends how to get down to the lake.

Stairs?

A path?

Do we have to drive there?

They laugh. One girl throws off her clothes, standing in her bright pink bathing suit. She screams, and jumps off into the cliff into the water.

fifteen

foot

Drop,

with your arms and legs sprawled everywhere

screaming on the top of your lungs,

until you slam your adrenaline-filled body into the extremely deep water.

You get nauseous.

Your heart starts to race.

You get a little dizzy.

Stop, this is just anxiety.

Just.

Anxiety.

You think of what your therapist said the week before. Take some deep breaths. You. Will. Be. Ok. No, you think, it’s too hard. I can’t do this myself, I need to go home.

You ask your friends if there’s another way down. They shake their heads. You get angry, because you wanted to know before what they were doing. The anxiety triumphs the anger.

Your mind begins to play out all the possible scenarios and outcomes.

You can jump, with the possibility of:

hitting the front of the cliff because you didn’t jump far enough

hitting the water and it’s so cold that you freeze and drown

jump and end up being okay

Or, you can completely eliminate all of those possibilities and stay in the comfort of your own mind. You decide to do that.

You look at all your friends, splashing each other and doing flips off the cliff. You get sad. If only you were like them, without a care in the world. You wish you had the ability to stop thinking, and just do anything.

Your friends call out to you, giving a sympathetic smile. They look disappointed, and you begin to feel guilty. For not being fun. For worrying. For not letting go.

Anxiety

has

taken

over

your

mind.

Annotated Bibliography

“Introduction to Situational Anxiety Disorder.” Calm Clinic – Information about Anxiety, stress and Panic, www.calmclinic.com/anxiety-types/situational-anxiety-disorder.

Newman, Sarah. “Maybe Your Comfort Zone Isn’t What You Think It Is.” World of Psychology,

8 July 2018, psychcentral.com/blog/maybe-your-comfort-zone-isnt-what-you-think-it-is/.

Stein, Michael, et al. “Thoughts Are Just Thoughts: How to Stop Worshiping Your Anxious Mind.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/thoughts-are-just-thoughts.

Intention Statement
“Taking Over” is a lyrical essay about the way someone processes and goes through a situation with an anxious mind. I chose to write this lyrical essay because it is something I have gone through in the past, and I think it was a perfect example to display how the mind thinks and acts when it is in an anxious state. Throughout the essay, I used a lot of rhetorical questions to represent how much the mind is craving reassurance while in an uncomfortable situation. It causes one to constantly ask if they will be okay, or whatever would make them feel better in the situation. Even after that reassurance, one can still be unsatisfied with the answers which causes them to become more anxious. When the lines change from regular to spaced down, the speakers attitude towards the situation changes from trying to reason to oneself to freaking out. Ultimately, I used this pattern of the lines to show how the mind sporadically thinks when in an anxious state. My research sources were particularly helpful in learning more about how having anxiety can hold one back from many situations. It taught me more about how it causes you to take less risks, because you would want to stay comfortable and not get out of your comfort zone. I have experienced this before, but I wanted to learn about the technical ways the mind works that causes this to happen. During my peer review, my readers enjoyed how my essay was in a story-telling format, but suggested that I made it more lyrical. The most helpful feedback that I received focused on diving deep into the emotions I was feeling and displaying that in the story. Originally, I was going to have more of a research aspect on the topic and tell it differently. However, because this topic was somewhat personal to me, I wanted to tell the story from an actual situation I have been in. I believed that would make it much more genuine and it would be easier for me to describe how my mind was working during that uncomfortable situation. I also thought that it would make it more relatable to readers.

Digital Media

Photoshop Painting:

During this unit, we learned how to paint in Photoshop using our computers. We got to be as creative as we wanted with this, and it was a really fun project. I painted this as my final project.

Artist Statement:

I really enjoyed this project. Before, I had always wanted to paint using Photoshop or other programs but I never knew how. When we first started this project, I was a little intimidated because I am certainly not a good artist. Drawing has never been a skill of mine. However, I found it so fun just to paint on a tablet/computer rather than real paper. It gave me the freedom to come up with things that I may not have come up with before. This project allowed me to be creative and challenged me to come up with my own painting ideas. It also taught me to never give up. Even though I was scared to paint something due to my lack of drawing skills, I decided to just go for it and create whatever my mind could come up with. Instead of erasing everything and restarting, I just kept trying to create something that I liked. For a future project like this, I want to go really into detail into my painting. I want it to look real, and something beautiful.

Surreal Composition:

During this project, we were asked to create something that looked surreal. It could look abnormal, experimental, and just have a lot of different elements to it. I wanted mine to include many things that do not neccesarily relate to one another. Here is my finished project:

Photoshop VR 360 Gallery:

For this unit, we learned how to use virtual reality in Photoshop. Using this skill, we ended up creating a gallery of 4 photos, and made it so you could see it virtually. Here was the final product:

Photoshop Before/After Comparison

For this project, we learned how to edit our photos in a way that enables them to show a before/after version of them. We did this by learning a specific way of coding to get the final product.

Landscape Photo

Portrait Photo

Multi-Layer Art Project:

For this project, we had the option of creating different kinds of multi-layer art projects. I decided to do the Ring Art option. In this project, we first had to draw rough sketches of what we wanted our final art to look like. Here are my rough sketches:

After that, I worked in Illustrator creating my designs on the computer. This is what my final design looked like:

I valued so much from this unit in Digital Media. I learned many things about certain interfaces, such as Photoshop, Indesign, and more. I also was able to use my creativity to produce what I wanted to. I loved the narrative unit!

Film

In this unit, it was time to complete our large narrative film. We started from the beginning, creating stripboards, writing screenplays and more. We eventually started shooting our film and editing our final version.

First draft screenplay:

SCRIPT TITLE

Written by

Name of First Writer

Based on, If Any

Address

Phone Number

EXT. SCHOOLYARD – LUNCH

Bell RINGS. Students are walking out of classrooms.

ELODIE, 17, a senior in high school. Average height, with brunette long hair. Very intelligent and good at solving clues. A great detective. Reserved and introverted.

JENNA, 17, a senior in high school. Short, and has blonde hair. Social butterfly.

Elodie and Jenna walk to a lunch table and set their bags down. They both enter laughing.

JENNA

I seriously cannot believe that you

dropped your frog. It wasn’t even

that gross

ELODIE

(interrupts)

Are you kidding?! I almost fainted!

How do they expect us to dissect

frogs when they smell like that?

JENNA

I’m used to it. I’m pretty sure my

partner smelled worse than the frog

Elodie gasps, and slaps Jenna on the arm.

ELODIE

(interrupts)

-Jenna!

JENNA

Its true!

They both laugh.

ABBY, 17, a senior in high school. Sweet, and doesn’t talk much

Abby walks past the table and waves to Jenna. Keeps walking away.

HANNAH, 17, a senior in high school. Tall. Doesn’t have many friends. Has a creepy look in her eyes. Obsessive.

Hannah sneaks behind Elodie and hugs her from behind. It scares Elodie

ELODIE

Oh my gosh, you scared me!

Hannah doesn’t let go of the hug.

HANNAH

Girl, I have missed you! Remember

how much we used to hang out? Until

you got so busy?

Elodie laughs uncomfortably.

ELODIE

Yeah, I’ve missed you!

Awkward silence. Hannah shoots a glare at Jenna.

HANNAH

Well, I’ve got to go. Bye Elodie!

Hannah ignores Jenna’s presence and walks away. Jenna lowers her voice.

JENNA

Dude, have you noticed how weird

she acts around you? It’s like

she’s, obsessed with you or

something.

ELODIE

What? No, I think she was just

being nice!

Jenna laughs out loud.

JENNA

Nice?? That glare she gave me was

so intense it could’ve killed me!

Bell RINGS. They get their stuff and leave.

EXT. AFTER SCHOOL – DAY

Elodie walks out of the school building. Someone drops a crumpled piece of paper in front of her accidentally. It’s Hannah. Elodie picks it up. Opens it. There is a drawing of Elodie, with a poem about her next to it. Her eyes widen.

ELODIE (V.O.)

What the…

She looks around her, and sees Hannah get into her car.

ELODIE

Hannah!

Hannah doesn’t hear her. Elodie runs to her car and gets in.

INT. ELODIE’S CAR – DAY

Elodie calls Jenna to tell her about the drawing. She doesn’t answer. Elodie sees Hannah drive out of the parking lot. She slowly follows her.

EXT. HARDWARE STORE – DAY

Hannah parks her car and enters the store. Elodie is a couple of spaces away from her. She rummages through her car. Puts on a hoodie and sunglasses. Takes a deep breath. Gets out the car and enters the store.

INT. HARDWARE STORE – DAY

There aren’t many people in the store. Elodie hides behind a shelf, watching Hannah. Hannah grabs rope. Duct tape. Goes to the register. Elodie looks confused.

ELODIE

(under breath)

Why would she need rope and duct

tape….

EXT. HARDWARE STORE- DAY

Hannah drives away. Elodie jumps in her car and follows her.

INT. SUPERMARKET – DAY

The supermarket is busy. Elodie walks slowly behind Hannah. Hannah looks behind her shoulder in Elodie’s direction. Elodie gets a random guy’s attention. Puts her finger on her mouth to be quiet.

ELODIE

Shhhhh!!!!

She holds him in front of her.

RANDOM GUY

What the hell are you doing?

Hannah turns back around and keeps walking. Elodie gives him an awkward smile. Keeps following Hannah.

Hannah grabs a pan and a slab of meat. Elodie is watching from the corner.

ELODIE

Come on, Elodie. She’s literally

just buying ingredients for dinner.

You’re overreacting.

Elodie leaves the store.

INT. ELODIE’S CAR

Elodie drives home. Notice’s that she is passing by Hannah’s house. Shakes her head, and swerves into Hannah’s driveway.

ADD A WAY THAT WE KNOW SHE IS GOING TO HANNAHS HOUSE

EXT. HANNAH’S HOUSE

The driveway is empty besides Elodie’s car. The house looks dark, like no one is home. House looks creepy.

Elodie walks up to the front door. Tries to turn the knob. Hannah swings open the door at the same time.

HANNAH

Elodie, what are you doing here?!

Elodie is shocked. Stumbling over her words.

ELODIE

I, uh, well, uh, hi, uh

HANNAH

Umm, are you okay?

Elodie pulls herself together. Tries to come up with a reason for acting weird.

ELODIE

Yeah, sorry. I jogged here so I’m a

bit out of breath.

HANNAH

Elodie, your car is in my driveway.

You drove here.

Elodie nervously laughs.

ELODIE

Pfft, DUH. I was kidding, silly!

They both awkwardly laugh.

ELODIE (CONT’D)

Anyway, I was in the neighborhood

and decided to say hi.

HANNAH

I am SO glad! Just like the old

days! Why don’t you come in for

dinner? I can invite your little

friend, Jenna, over too.

ELODIE (V.O.)

No no no no

ELODIE

Sure! That would be great!

Elodie reluctantly walks in.

INT. HANNAH’S HOUSE

Hannah’s house is big, but empty. Very dark.

HANNAH

So, what did you do after school?

Hannah grabs a knife and walks closer to Elodie. Sharpens it. Elodie’s eyes widen.

ELODIE

Well, uh, not much. Homework.

Mhm.

HANNAH

Hannah keeps walking closer to her. Holding the huge knife. ELODIE

Hey, what are ya doing with that

knif

Hannah makes a stabbing motion, as if she was about to stab Elodie. Elodie screams on the top of her lungs. Drops to the ground scared. Hannah bursts out laughing.

HANNAH

Oh my gosh Elodie, you should have

seen your face! What did you think

I was gonna do, kill ya?!

Hannah keeps laughing. Elodie stands up, shaking. Joins in with awkward laughter.

ELODIE

Can I use your bathroom?

HANNAH

Yeah, it is up the stairs to the

right. Don’t take too long!

Hannah giggles. Elodie walks up the stairs, and begins walking to the bathroom. Passes by Hannah’s room. Looks back toward the stairs, to the side, and goes into her room.

INT. HANNAH’S ROOM

Elodie closes the door quietly. Looks around the room for clues. Looks under the bed. Sees a diary on her bedside table. Grabs it. Opens it.

She goes through the pages. On each page, there is a new drawing of Elodie. Each drawing has a poem about Elodie.

Elodie drops the diary. Gasps. Screams without making any noise. Starts shaking.

She looks down at the diary to an open page. It looks different than the others. She picks it up. On the page is a drawing of Jenna. X’s on her eyes. She looks dead. Red marker substituted for blood. Next to the drawing it says “GET RID OF HER.”

Elodie begins freaking out more. She sees Hannah’s computer open on her desk. She opens it. There is a tab open that says “how to get rid of a body.”

Elodie grabs her phone, calls Jenna. No one picks up. She calls the police. They answer. Her voice is trembling.

ELODIE

P-please, help, please. The address

is 443 Sunri

Elodie hears a noise behind her.

911

Hello?? Hello??

Elodie turns around. Sees Hannah for a split second. Hannah hits her on the head with the pan from the supermarket. Elodie blacks out.

INT. UNKNOWN ROOM IN HANNAH’S HOUSE – EVENING

Room is bare, empty. Dark.

Elodie slowly opens her eyes. Groans. Looks down, noticed her hands tied behind her with rope. Duct tape on her mouth.

Elodie looks up and sees Jenna on the other side of the room. Hands tied up. Mouth covered with duct tape. Hannah is standing over her with weapons on her right side. Jenna is trying to scream.

Hannah notices that Elodie is awake.

HANNAH

Well well well… look who’s awake!

Hannah walks over to Elodie and rips the tape off her mouth. Elodie winces.

HANNAH (CONT’D)

Care to explain why you were

snooping around in my room?

Elodie is exasperated.

ELODIE

Care to explain why we are tied

up!? What have we ever done to

you??

Hannah laughs evilly.

HANNAH

Didn’t you ever, I don’t know, miss

me Elodie?

ELODIE

What do you mean?

Hannah mimics her.

HANNAH

“What do you mean?” This idiot,

Jenna, decided she could just steal

you away from me after tenth grade

ELODIE

(interrupts)

Steal me away from you? Are you

insane? Oh wait, you are, because

you KNOCKED US OUT AND TIED US UP!

Let us go!

Hannah gets angry.

HANNAH

I cared, for you, Elodie. Jenna

never loved you the way I did! If I

can’t have you, neither of us can!

Hannah walks over to her weapons. Picks up a knife.

HANNAH (CONT’D)

Well hello, Jenna. Would you like

to pick out which one I use?

She notions over to the weapons. Jenna shakes her head, trying to scream. Hannah walks closer to her.

ELODIE

Stop! You’re right!

Hannah turns back around.

HANNAH

What?

ELODIE

You’re right! I never should have

left you. Jenna was such a bad

friend, I was going to drop her

anyway. I always knew that you were

the best for me.

Hannah scoffs.

HANNAH

You’re just saying that.

ELODIE

No. I’m serious. Remember when we

saved that bee together, in ninth

grade? And got ice cream

afterwards?

HANNAH

Of course I remember that. I think

about that moment every day.

ELODIE

Me too. Untie me and I’ll help you

kill Jenna. Then, we can be happy

together forever.

Elodie keeps strong eye contact with Hannah. Hannah thinks. Begins smiling. She giggles and unties Elodie.

They grab hands, and begin walking toward Jenna. Jenna’s eyes widen, and she squirms in her chair. Hannah leans down to grab a weapon. Elodie pushes her into the closet next to them. Slams the door. Runs over to Jenna and unties her. Police SIRENS are heard from outside the house. Jenna and Elodie run out of the room.

EXT. SCHOOLYARD – DAY

Jenna and Elodie walk together.

ELODIE

I still can’t believe that

happened!

JENNA

I can! I predicted her psychotic

behavior. I can literally see into

the future

ELODIE

(interrupts)

Oh, cut it out.

They both laugh and sit down at their lunch table. Abby walks over to them, says hi to Jenna. Abby glares at Elodie, and walks away. As Abby is walking away, a paper falls out of her bag. Jenna picks it up. They both look at it. It is a drawing of Jenna, with hearts all around it. They look at each other.

JENNA AND ELODIE

OH, SHi

Cut to black. The end.

Lined Script:

AlexV_LeilaB-Breakdown_Lined_Script-1-2 Download

Dialogue Scenes:

Final Film:

Will be uploaded once completed!

I value so much from this unit. I learned so much more about specific camera knowledge, and a lot more about lighting. I also improved at using interfaces such as Adobe Premiere and After Effects. This unit taught me a lot about the processes of film and how to cast/create schedules/line scripts. I am so thankful for everything I learned!