1

First, you must set the scene. Stage directions,
camera angles, lighting, what have you. Be explicit.
The less said leaves too much to chance.

This is a life we're talking about. Presentation
is everything. Cake without frosting, dig?
Think theatre in the round, or something

just as intrusive. Lot's of flashbacks, every
point of view, all the time. A kaleidoscope
of images, sounds, smells (ahh, if we but could)

-- the whole sensual pallette (stay with me)
should be . . . well, you get the picture. Execution
is the key. And no going Hollywood either.

2

Character driven? Of course, but plot lines
are still necessary. What drove him to drink,
drove her to adultery, left the children

pscychologically damaged. Et cetera.
Hero or anti-hero, protagonist/antagonist --
no one buys that stuff anymore. Keep it

an ensemble cast. Though the focus is on
only you, the many each have a tale
to be told. Stupid or otherwise, comedy

or tragedy. Lots of slapstick during childhood.
Nail through the foot, parents duking it out,
burst appendix, and so forth. Make 'em laugh

till it hurts, then cry, then switch back.
Quick cuts. Music helps. Remember, lots
of footage is a plus. We all need editing.

3

People like things neat, so keep the surreal
effects limited to dreams. Or sex acts.
(Save those for the special edition, director's cut).

And waves, it should have that wave-like effect
on your audience. Up then down. Rollercoaster
or row boat gently rocking, (sad or happy,

it makes little difference). Trust me.
Wrap it all up in the third act. We're Americans
aren't we? And whatever you do, no angels,

visions of the afterlife, hope for the future
with the boy next door, or gold hearted whore.
Keep it bleak. It always seems more profound

that way. The death scene? I leave that
to your imagination. Something pithy. Don't bore
us with details. Cremation is recommended.

It's cleaner, that's why.


� 2004 by Tara Birch