This storyboard charts the character of Saleye, an unsuspecting girl, played by Sandra, who comes to earth from PLANET BOLLYWOOD- a planet where life is pre-scripted and uneventful. As she discovers how life on earth works-- that one needs money for everything, for example, and that this money has to be earned-- strange things happen around her. At crucial moments of tension her reflexes take over, she can't help but do a weird sort of dance, only to see the attitude of the person in front of her change suddenly.
She will discover that she has a superpower-- which is to dispel stereotypes in the eye of the beholder....
Saleye also intersects with the Ruwaxi character of Cynthia - the exact point of intersection will need to be finalized.
The video unfortunately is missing one section of sound (the immigration part)- also the sound on this draft is low - so the script is below.
Password: saleye
Saleye Storyboard Assign 5 from Sandra Chatterjee on Vimeo.
Feedback questions:
1) Which parts of the story do you find most compelling?
(2) Does the storyline make sense? If not, at which parts does it need clarification?
(3) Do you have suggestions for translating this into live performance?
(4) Which movement motifs that I tried to sketch at certain parts work for you, which don't?
(5) Do you have any suggestions for incorporating live feed?
(6) Do you have any ideas about clarifying the connection?
(7) Any other comments, suggestions, ideas?
Script:
Saleye- Origin Story
Not too long ago on a planet far far away, there lived a girl by the name of Saleye. She was a
quiet girl, living in her own world, while her family was a mainstream, busy, beautiful, successful
Bollywood family. Their life was picture perfect: father and mother happily married, with the
customary ups and downs to work through. They were living in a big suburban house, with too
many rooms, furnished straight out of a catalog. Saleye was an only child, and was living in her
own flat in the parents house. The relatives of the extended family were living in the surrounding
houses. They had everything they needed, and more: living in luxury and harmony, with a healthy
dose of solvable conflicts that were blown up to melodramatic episodes to spice up their lives.
The lives of their friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and colleagues were similar: predictable,
uneventful, stable, fixed.
But Saleye was growing increasingly anxious. She did not trust the outward contentment and peace. She was bored of the melodrama, of the predictability of all of their lives. She was longing for something “real”- “real” life – not sugarcoated, melodramatic luxury problems: and she was longing to be looking for it on PLANET EARTH, because she heard that that is where one could still find “real life.”
In order to reach her goal, she proceeded to go out more frequently to hang out in the vicinity of one of the big stars of the planet, who can travel the neighboring planets like planet earth for public relations: The stars contribute to the fame of the planet.
As was the purpose of hanging out with the stars, Saleye manages to sneak in with the entourage of the big star as someone to iron his undershirts. As one of his entourage she gets permission to travel to planet earth. And they are about to leave on a trip. Secretly she packs and sneaks out to the interplanetary airport...
As they arrive on planet earth, the star and his whole entourage are stopped by immigration. The star is the main focus of attention, but not because the officers are starstruck-- but because they don't recognize him and think he is a threat. They don't want to let him in.
Saleye gets nervous. She is not even supposed to be there, and now she is stuck in this situation!!! When the officer comes to her to question her, her heart is beating, her hands are shaking (but she can hide it), she feels as though sweat is running down her back. To mask it all, she decides to follow the melodramatic conventions she grew up with and is overly nice. She has a huge smile and is her most charming self, to not arouse suspicion.
As he questions her about her passport and permission to enter planet earth (even though he has her complete papers in his hand), she suddenly is taken over by reflexes. Before she realizes, her reflexes take over. She cannot control it, but finds herself looking him straight in the eyes, lifts her arms to frame her eyes and moves her neck and eyes right to left-
The officer's expression suddenly changes to open and friendly. She returns her papers and says “enjoy your stay on planet earth”! Confused about the sudden change in attitude Saleye takes her papers. Quickly she takes her belongings and swiftly proceeds into the world of planet earth.
But she remains to be confused.... what just happened? What caused his change of attitude?
Venturing out of the airport she gets confused where to go, she dances about the city, here and there until she is attracted by a store, that has familiar sounds, images, and smells--- an Indian grocery store.
As she wants to get something to eat and find out about a place to live, she finds out that she needs money for everything.
Saleye: Money- where should I get money from?
Shopkeeper: are you joking? You have to earn it!!!
Saleye: Earn money? How?
Shopkeeper: Uff, try getting a job! Here is the paper- here are the ads. I will even let you make a phone call!
So Saleye did. She found a job as a domestic help-- even with accommodation! Sooner than later she was on her way to the home of a rich immigrant family in the City of Angels. She commenced her job immediately.
On the first evening itself, the family sent her into the room of their daughter Ruwaxi.
Since she had not met her yet, she slowly quietly opens the door to Ruwaxi's room. Ruwaxi
jumped-- she had been lost in her books and studies or writing....
She turned around and stared at Saleye—thinking “who is this stranger in my room?” Ruwaxi got
shy, being looked at. (NOTE: it's to be worked out if now and here, or when they are elsewhere
together.)
Suddenly Saleye's reflexes took over again.... she started moving involuntarily... framing her eyes with her forearms, moving her eyes and neck side to side--- only to be witness to a wonder-some transformation in Ruwaxi.
What just Happened??
As they continue their journey, they will find out in due time....
TO BE CONTINUED....
