HAPPY LITTLE PILLS
Written by Kennedy Erin
SYNOPSIS:
Genre: Drama
A teenage girl struggles with the idea of self-medicating to escape the stress, loneliness, and emotional pain of her everyday life.
CAST LIST:
RACHEL – Alicia Payne
QUINTA – Katelyn Varadi
NARRATOR – Julian Ford
Get to know the winning writer:
What is your screenplay about?
“Happy Little Pills” is about a teenage girl who struggles with the idea of self-medicating to escape the stress, loneliness, and emotional pain of her everyday life.
What genres does your 1pg. short fall under?
“Happy Little Pills” would fall under the Drama genre.
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
“Happy Little Pills” focuses on the character’s emotions, and seeing a character decide not to self-medicate even with all of her emotional pain can be an inspiration to many teens who are struggling with the same problem.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Conquering (the) self.
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
I watched Cloud Atlas (an almost 3-hour movie) three times in a row (the same day) when I first saw it.
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I spent about 2-hours writing this specific 1-page screenplay.
How many stories have you written?
I have written 2 short films, 1 feature-length film, an array of short stories, and a self-published fictional novel
What motivated you to write this screenplay?
This contest for the LA Feedback Festival challenged me to write an intriguing story in 1-page or less. It was a difficult task, but I appreciated the chance to demonstrate my skills in condensing a long plot into a short time frame.
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
It was difficult finding the initial idea for a screenplay that would be compelling in less than 1-page. The challenge lay in what theme to address in my script. Once I thought of the theme of self-medication, the rest of the writing became easier.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I am passionate about conceptualizing, performing in, and editing YouTube videos, as well as building a community on the platform where people who are socially awkward or who have social anxiety can feel safe socializing on the internet.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
It may sound cliche, but write what you know. I find I have the hardest time completing a story when it begins with a plot or theme I know nothing about. Why write something that you have to research if you can write something that flows from you?
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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Los Angeles feedback film festival 