Directive: Process
One day at a time is a phrase that I consistently have to tell myself. Homework, projects, tests, and decisions, big or small, sometimes it’s important and necessary to take them on one day at a time. Breaking things, that are seemingly big, down into tiny bite-size pieces helps make them more manageable. Even for this project, I’m endlessly telling myself one day at a time. It’s my way of calming myself down and getting done what needs to be done. Everything will be okay as long as I take it day by day. I consider one day at a time to be a big part of my process.
This phrase inspired a short story that I’ve written as a screenplay.
INT. GARAGE – DAY
A garage filled with tools and memorabilia is soaked with the warm mid-afternoon sun. A father is polishing the red family Golf when his son DAVID walks in from the front lawn. He stops in front of his father fidgeting with his hands and looking nervous.
DAD
Are you ready for tonight?
DAVID grabs an old fold-up chair and sits on it backwards. He looks up at his dad.
DAVID
Yeah, I think so. I just really want it to go well, I like her a lot dad.
The dad places the car keys into his son’s hands and pats him on the back.
DAD
Take it one day at a time son.
FADE IN
EXT. FRONT PORCH – NIGHT
DAVID walks up to the front porch in his tuxedo. The porch light shines down on him as he rings the doorbell. His date ANNA walks out in a gorgeous shimmering dress. Her parents stand in the door way as DAVID gives a nervous smile and leads her to his dad’s Volkswagen.
CUT TO
EXT. BEACH – DUSK
Celebrating their graduation, DAVID and ANNA sit in the open hatch of the Volkswagen Golf. In the hatch we see their graduation robes and hats crumpled behind them. Close by, their friends sit in the sand in front of the roaring bonfire. We see in the distance one of their friends lighting fireworks on the beach and running away. There’s a loud bang and the fireworks explode above them. As the sparks dissolve overhead, DAVID and ANNA share a kiss.
CUT TO
EXT DRIVE WAY – DAY
DAVID walks out of the front door of his house lugging a large cardboard box filled with his belongings. A red and white pennant sticks out of the box. The Volkswagen’s hatch sits open and his parents hold each other in the drive way looking proud. As he walks down the pavement, the screen splits.
Left Side: DAVID pushes his box in the already cramped hatch and shuts it closed. He walks over to his parents and give them a hug.
Right Side: ANNA also holds a cardboard box with a blue and white pennant poking out of the top. She puts the box in the back of her car and closes the hatch. She gives a thumbs up to her parents and they begin getting in the car.
CUT TO
EXT COLLEGE CAMPUS – DAY
Surrounded by foliage and fellow students, DAVID walks with his backpack on the campus quad. Red & white flags and banners decorate the light poles and buildings. The orange leaves falling from their branches to indicate that fall is upon them.
CUT TO
INT CLASSROOM – DAY
David sits in a huge lecture hall. His professor stands at the front of the room writing on a huge whiteboard. He takes his phone out of his pocket to see a text message from ANNA.
ANNA [TEXT]
I miss you but I don’t know how to make this work.
DAVID starts to type out a response.
DAVID [TEXT]
Let’s just take it one day at a time.
CUT TO
INT DORM ROOM – NIGHT
DAVID is sitting at his desk in his dim dorm room. The glow of the computer illuminates the room. He speaks with ANNA over video chat. They laugh as they tell one another about their day.
CUT TO
EXT COLLEGE CAMPUS – DAY
David shuts his car door behind him as he steps out onto the frost covered grass. The large college buildings are covered in snow, large banners & flags hang off of them in blue and white colors. He spots ANNA across the campus. They run towards each other and crash into an embrace as they meet.
CUT TO
EXT COLLEGE CAMPUS – DAY
DAVID, looking older, walks across the stage, decorated with a large velvety curtain and the university’s seal on the podium in center stage. DAVID walks towards the dean who greets him with a handshake and his college diploma. ANNA, sitting with his parents in the crowd below, applauds loudly.
FADE TO
INT EMPTY APARTMENT – DAY
Sun rays pour from the window as DAVID and ANNA struggle with their cardboard boxes filled with their things. The front door stays ajar to reveal the red Passat sitting in the driveway. Two pennants, the red with white & the blue with white, poke out of DAVID’S box. As they set the boxes down, DAVID places his arm around ANNA. They look at each other and smile.
FADE TO
EXT GARDEN WEDDING – DAY
Standing under a floral arch, DAVID takes ANNA’S hands. DAVID is in a black suit and ANNA is in a long white dress & veil. The priest looks expectantly at the bride and groom.
DAVID
I do.
ANNA
I do.
PRIEST
I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.
DAVID and ANNA kiss. DAVID & ANNA’S parents sit front row. DAVID’S father, with a knowing look on his face, winks at his son, while ANNA’S parents hold each other looking overjoyed.
CUT TO
INT KITCHEN – DAY
ANNA is far along in her pregnancy. She sits at a stool in her kitchen reading books on parenthood. DAVID places a plate of food in front of her. ANNA looks up and smiles. DAVID stands behind her, reading over her shoulder; he places his hand on her shoulder.
FADE TO
INT HOSPITAL – DAY
ANNA lays in a hospital bed lovingly cradling her newborn daughter. DAVID sits in a chair next to the bed, placing his hand gently on his daughter’s head.
CUT TO
INT LIVING ROOM – DAY
Toys are strewn everywhere on the floor. DAVID sits on the floor of his living room as LILY, his daughter, takes her first steps. He holds out his arms and cheers as she toddles her way towards him.
FADE TO
INT CAR – DAY
LILY at five years old sits in the back seat of her dad’s Volkswagen Passat. She is playing with toys as DAVID drives the car. LILY abruptly stops playing with her toys and looks up.
LILY
Daddy, when can I drive the car?
DAVID laughs.
DAVID
Honey, lets take one day at a time. We need to get you out of that car seat first.
I really wanted to morph my phrase of one day at a time with the story of a Volkswagen driver. I made sure the Volkswagen stayed present throughout the story to show that VWs are there for you each and every day. Life is a journey and if you’re not in the present, you’re going to miss it.
The Creative Marathon 