[Larry Kennedy]

Larry Kennedy's Rom-Com Project
What I learned doing this assignment is… identifying the Rom-Com conventions and applying them to my project was more difficult than expected. Also, I am not just writing a story. This might have been obvious to everyone else, but MY JOB as a Rom-Com writer is to make the audience members fall in love again… or, at least, to experience what it might feel like to fall in love for the first time. It's not about the characters. it's about the audience's experience of the story.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:
1. Starting with whatever idea you have, fill in the blanks to create a concept.

• Two People Who Belong Together:
Mark wishes he could find love but will not cause the pain and loss his mother experienced when his father passed. Sara is a recovering sex addict who doesn’t believe in love anymore and focuses on her career instead.

• How Are They Separated:
Sixty-three years earlier, Mark’s grandfather dumps a girl after getting her pregnant, so her gypsy great-grandmother curses him and all his male progeny to die on their 30th birthday. His grandfather, his dad, and his uncle did die on their thirtieth birthdays. Aunt Julie, the family matriarch, is still alive at sixty but is worried about Mark and her own son’s fate.

Plus, if Mark and Sara are both descendants of grandpa, then they are 1st cousins (NOTE: Sara is adopted so there is no incest if they eventually get together.)

• What Forces Them together:
Mark tries to infiltrate the gypsy family to figure out a way to break the curse by getting an invite to their Christmas weekend party in Vegas and discovers Sara is part of that family.

• Issues to be Resolved:
Mark is a playboy without a future and Sara is a man-hater yearning for love. Mark must make amends to four generations of women who were hurt by his family to find the love of his life, and Sara must learn love does not equate to pain and loss.

• On Their Journey of Love:
Mark and Sara must end the war and heal the pain between the two families.

CONCEPT
A girl-crazy “player” seeks to break an old gypsy curse placed on the male members of his family but makes matters worse when he falls in love with the gypsy’s great-granddaughter.

2. Then fill in the blanks to create your conventions. Even though some of these are the same, it is worth looking at them in the context of the conventions.

• Experience of Falling In Love:
Neither Mark nor Sara have ever allowed themselves to fall in love. However, they cannot deny the instant attraction they feel for one another.

• The Journey of Love:
Mark saves Sara from being mugged in the park but is shut down hard when she refuses to go on a date with him. Later, he tries to infiltrate the gypsy family and realizes she is part of the family… and his first cousin. As they experience the charms of Vegas, the chemistry between them becomes palpable but when her family realizes he is part of the enemy family, chaos ensues until Mark can finally receive forgiveness for his grandfather’s sin and the two of them can be united when Mark realizes Sara was adopted.

• Relationship Set-up:
Sparks flew the moment Mark and Sara met in the park.

• Issues each must Resolve:
Mark needs to learn Sara is not his cousin and regain hope that he has a future with her, let alone a future beyond age 30. Sara needs to realize sex does not equate to love and love does not equate to pain and loss.

• Separation:
Not only do these families hate each other, cousins cannot marry.

• How will Comedy be Expressed:
I tell bad jokes, so these characters better find the humor themselves in their lack of connection and the disasters that both call their families.

• This reply was modified 10 months ago by  Larry Kennedy.
• This reply was modified 10 months ago by  Larry Kennedy.

[Larry Kennedy]

My name is Larry Kennedy

I have written five complete scripts and a couple half-finished scripts.

I hope this class will help develop my Rom-Com and general screenwriting skills. Oh… and generate a writing credit with the WGA.

Something interesting about me… I just retired from accounting so some of you younger folk might not appreciate this bravado, but I’m the only guy who lives in Chicago to sleep with Demi Moore. Just for the record, she was a one-eyed black cat I adopted, not the actress. 😉

I’m happy to be in class and look forward to meeting and working with all of you on our projects!

[Larry Kennedy]

Larry Kennedy
I agree to the terms of the confidentiality agreement

[Larry Kennedy]

Cripes. I spelled grid incorrectly. See? Imperfect!!!

:-/

[Larry Kennedy]

I realized I was located exactly OPPOSITE where I wanted to be on the empowerment gris… avoiding by taking no action. I seek perfection in my first draft. Heck, perfection in the first draft of my pitch!

[Larry Kennedy]

Hi, my name is Larry Kennedy. I’ve written five scripts which have filled my apartment with copious mounds of white paper when, as an Irishman, I seek more of the green… paper that is. Alas, I have not sold a script, so no green paper for me although – thankfully – the beans and pasta still keep coming! I’ve taken several courses from SU and one from UCLA. What do I want from this class? The same as always: I THINK my ideas are decent. I BELIEVE my writing is smooth and readable, and I KNOW my ideas have solid, relatable themes. Unfortunately, I write great scenarios in search of a plot journey. I’m always seeking my second act… and a Marsha-Mason-like muse. Hmm? <font face=”inherit”>Something unique, special, strange or unusual about me? Well, first off, I would NEVER admit to being strange despite the flying saucers that fly over my apartment protecting me during the night. Obviously, OBVIOUSLY, I have an unusual – and arguing bad – sense of humor. I am nothing special compared to any other human being, although I am unique in so many, many, different ways. Relating to screenwriting… I am also an actor, Improvisor, and produced/directed/edited a short film. The </font>existential<font face=”inherit”> screenwriting question, of course, is if God is a screenwriter and, if so, am I his main </font>character<font face=”inherit”> or just a bit player in a script called LIFE? By studying writing and acting I have learned there is no such thing as a bit player, just people who have more lines than I do. Bloody b^57@*ds!</font>

[Larry Kennedy]

I agree to the terms of this release form

[Larry Kennedy]

Hi Claudia,
It feels to me like you might be upset with me. I hesitate to go further, but wonder if I may say more??? The “probably meant to be helpful” is in my mind “absolutely meant to be helpful.” Further I am VERY happy to hear you have producers interested in your project… and whether this is a first draft or a second draft I THOUGHT these forums were to help each other with support AND feedback that MIGHT BE helpful to the writer. I also presupposed that anyone who posted WOULD LIKE feedback. Obviously, there was a cost TO ME of my time, energy, creativity, and thoughtfulness in making a comment to you or anyone else. I did so with love and generosity in my heart, with the hope everyone in our class gets to write a great story. I meant no harm, but I DO REGRET you feel my questions and/or intentions were misplaced. Knowing this, I will honor your wishes and not ask you any more questions to upset you. Let me close, however, with one final thought: I hope you and your script has smooth sailing into a bright, cloudless future.
Larry

[Larry Kennedy]

Hi Lynn,

Unfortunately, I do not know the Hallmark 9 structure. However, I don't think that is an issue here in any event. In SLEEPLESS they never meet, but we the audience can SEE they would be good together. In WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, we DO NOT SEE a connection between the handsome stranger and the Bullock character… and in the end they do not end up together. However, in THE OTHER ZOEY they do meet, there is some disapproval on both sides, but the audience sees THEY WOULD BE GOOD TOGETHER. Since they will not actually meet at the beginning of your story, you’ll need to write early into the script their INDIVIDUAL STORIES – even though they don’t like each other – so the audience knows at the BEGINNING of the story they are meant to be together (after a lot of trial and tribulation.)

I like your story and I think you have a solid foundation. This is my only bump in the story so far… And I think you have the chops to know what you need and how to achieve it. 🙂 Plus… I might just be a know-it-all talking through his butt who cannot see a good story even if it wins the Oscar. So, there's that… 🙂 Grain of salt, my friend. Grain of salt.
Larry

• This reply was modified 10 months ago by  Larry Kennedy.

[Larry Kennedy]

Ahh… the gaps in my logic have been filled! One more question… does she need a gopher cuz I would be available to live in London too. 🙂

[Larry Kennedy]

Hi Lynn,
Just so you know, I’m not age adverse for a character nor a misogynistic old fart (at least not today.) If you don’t make partner within ten years of becoming a lawyer, you probably won’t ever become a partner… but maybe I’m wrong about this factoid. I have known to be wrong before… Sigh. Many, many, many times before (in fact, does this sentence actually even have a noun and a verb???).
Larry

[Larry Kennedy]

Solid story with interesting love triangle.
I hope you will not take this as judgement or feedback, but… two meet-cutes? You are such a romantic!

[Larry Kennedy]

Ahh! A variation on Romeo and Juliet!!! You CANNOT do better than this, my friend. Question… what makes them attracted to each other? Heartless and weak won’t cut it. Beauty is good, similar families shows commonalities, but are there any characteristics that each exhibit that would be attractive and/or needed in each other’s lives?
Look forward to reading your script.
Larry

[Larry Kennedy]

Interesting premise. Question… Usually for lawyers, dream jobs involve becoming partner… but she would be 43 at her 25th reunion, so I might consider the 15th year reunion??? If she is in charge, wouldn’t they have met when she coordinated the 5th and 10th year reunions? Why are they striking up a connection now? Maybe a divorce??? Maybe he went to jail for his dad when the latter cheated on the company’s taxes? Did he just move back to town (although you said he was imbedded in the community?)
Larry

[Larry Kennedy]

Hi, I think the idea of a germaphobe and a hoarder falling in love is hilarious. However, I noted your “why they belong together” actually says why they SHOULDN”T be together. What attracts them to each other? What do they each offer that the other needs? Later you say she is a control freak. Is he a spontaneous seat-of-the-pants guy? She needs his help with dad. THAT must drive her CRAZY as a control freak! More importantly, if she is a germaphobe, does she need to become more of a hoarder or more of a risk-taker? It does not appear he is a risk-taker. He obviously needs to be more authentic and come out of the closet as a messy guy, but how does she change him or how does he need to change himself? Hording is the result. What is the cause? How does he really need to change to end up with the girl?

Should be a funny story. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your script. 🙂

Larry

[Larry Kennedy]

Are you writing about me? LOL
I recently contacted a woman on Facebook that I was attracted to and “kinda” knew for a couple months from Freshman year in college. We have now been in contact constantly for four months and I am flying to California in August to meet her (unfortunately this class was delayed so I’ll miss the last Saturday video… The price of love.) A romance in the making! I look forward to seeing what you do with this story. I HOPE it has a happy ending for my sake!

In your story, you have several reasons why they are separated. In my humble opinion, based on what you wrote, the most important reason is they are afraid to love again. Fear or grief are VERY important emotions, but I wonder if they are character flaws per se unless you show dramatically (and comedically) how they are destroying the individual. So, I have a question for you. Why are they individually afraid to love?

Is she having fun having flings with nameless men and afraid to give that up to risk love again? Is he embarrassed by his paunchy appearance or lack of dating skills? Or something else? Are these excuses simply not to engage? Do they have secrets that by the end of the second act come out? Are they Oscar and Felix? Has she adopted forty cats and has he knocked up a Vegas showgirl? Just questions to consider as I wait to be completely charmed and delighted by the full script. 🙂
Larry

[Larry Kennedy]

Strait-laced cop and goth murder suspect? This will be a fun ride!

[Larry Kennedy]

Tricky story for such turbulent times. However, great concept and, if handled correctly, might help bring the lovers together… I mean the country together. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

[Larry Kennedy]

I live in the world of metaphor and imagination…. not a bad place to be! 🙂

[Larry Kennedy]

At 64, I worry I’m too old for the industry… but you… YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION from here on out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!