The Proper Way to Use a USB Thumb Drive
(an excerpt from the original screenplay The Incorrigible Chats written by Greg Kerr)
Pre-Production, Casting
Short Film
Comedy, social satire
The Incorrigible Chats is the story of one woman’s struggle against an irrational world. It is a philosophical journey taken by an intelligent, confident, and very sexual young woman, who is seeking her own identity as well as searching for tolerance and understanding. The script, while mostly a comedy, delves into the controversial subjects of fundamental Christianity (compared to other religions), population control, sexual freedom, and political protest.
The script and the writer’s vision place the style somewhere in the realm of screenplays written by Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) and Woody Allen (Annie Hall, Play It Again Sam). The setting/time back and forth nature of the movie gives it a definite Annie Hall feel, although the sharp cuts and quick dialogue give it a more modern edge.
Mature themes, sexual innuendo
Cathy Dawson (aka Chats, aka Catherine)
She is a better than average looking woman approximately 24 years of age, although her confidence and personality make her highly charismatic and desirable. She is fashionable, but not in a traditional sense. She lives in Portland, Oregon and goes to school at a local university. She is a double major in Communication and Computer Science.
Cathy is exceptionally bright, but not well focused (her Myers-Briggs personality profile would place her as a light E, a strong N, an even T-F, and a strong P) and she has a light case of attention deficit disorder. She is also on academic probation as we later learn. She is often found in the company of her best friend, Paula. Paula is an average looking person who is routinely in Cathy’s shadow. Although Paula is definitely not the dominant person in the relationship, Cathy would be quite lost (and is quite lost) without Paula’s stability.
Cathy’s relationship with her family has been strained for some time. Her parents are fundamental Christians and Cathy long ago rejected that philosophy. Her sister is also a fundamental Christian and has chosen a life as a wife and mother. Cathy’s grandmother died (or disappeared as we later find out) before she was born, but her uncle provided Cathy with her grandmother’s belongings, which included, among other things, her grandmother’s journal, the writings of Bertrand Russell, other philosophy books, an old microscope and other scientific equipment, and original copies of Peanuts books from the 1950s and 1960s (there are a number of references to Charlie Brown in the script).
From the moment she began to delve into her grandmother’s belongings, she embraced her grandmother’s philosophy, Rationalism.
Derek
He is between 20 and 25 years old. He is a computer science major and one of the better looking computer geeks in the program. He's new to this class, and he's new to Cathy, and she gets instantly intrigued by him. He's almost bowled over by her... enthusiasm.
Derek ultimately becomes one of the love interests of Cathy in the longer screenplay, The Incorrigible Chats.
Cathy Dawson is definitely one of my favorite characters and she's been whiling away the years on the shelf. I've updated her for this script and, given the right actress, you never know where Cathy might go...
- Greg
Casting will be done in conjunction with CokerCasting and the audition date will be determined shortly.
This is a SAG Indie project. SAG Membership is preferred for the actors, but is not required.
The paid roles for this short film project are Cathy Dawson (lead), Derek (lead) and Nimitz (support). 18 to 22 unpaid background performers will be required, all male, and all between the ages of 20 and 35.
The goals of this short film project are:
- as a reel piece for the lead and support actors (and it will be shot and edited to favor each of them for their own reels)
-
as a marketing piece for the director's new film production company
- as
a launching pad to create a feature film that this scene was taken from.
- as a promotional scene for a feature length film.
Rehearsal Date/Time: TBD
Shooting Date/Time: TBD
Location: North Portland (address TBA)
Pay Rate (rehearsal): $100 for each lead actor for one rehearsal day.
Pay Rate (performance): $100 for each lead actor, $50 for the support actor. Will likely only be one shooting day required.
The lead actress who is chosen to play Cathy Dawson will have one or more of the following attributes:
The following personality traits are very important for this character:
The actor who is chosen to play Derek, will have one or more of the following attributes:
This actor must be willing to let the lead actress shine by providing effective support and by letting her take the lead.
For the audition, you do not have to have this memorized. You will be able to read from the script -- a printed copy of the script will be provided to you at the time of the audition.
At the time of the audition, you should have read the script at least once completely through.
This script is copyrighted by Greg Kerr who retains all legal rights to it. Do not copy, print or pass the script to anyone else by any means.
By downloading the script, opening the document, or clicking on this link, you agree to the requirements listed above.
Click here to download or open the script
If you need more information, please use the form below to contact Greg Kerr. Include a link to your resume or Web site or include other information about your experience or qualifications in the message.
You'll have to fill in the name and e-mail fields. Also, please provide as detailed a message as you'd like. Your e-mail address will only be used for the purpose of this recruitment and will not be kept.
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Greg Kerr © 2003-2010