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ASSISTANT: Of course! I'll be here waiting for you to provide the script. Once you're ready, please share it with me, and I'll review it, offer feedback, and provide suggestions for improvement. USER: Original story by
Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich & Adrian Molina
Screenplay by
Adrian Molina & Matthew Aldrich
1.
EXT. MARIGOLD PATH - DUSK
A path of marigold petals leads up to an altar lovingly
arranged in a humble cemetery. An old woman lights a candle
as the smoke of burning copal wood dances lyrically upward...
CARD: DISNEY PRESENTS
CARD: A PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS FILM
The smoke lifts up toward lines of papel picado �- cut paper
banners -- that sway gently in the breeze.
PAPEL PICADO CARD: "COCO"
MIGUEL (V.O.)
Sometimes I think I'm cursed...
'cause of something that happened
before I was even born.
A story begins to play out on the papel picado.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
See, a long time ago there was this
family.
The images on the papel picado come to life to illustrate a
father, a mother, and a little girl. The family is happy.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
The pap�, he was a musician.
The pap� plays guitar while the mother dances with her
daughter.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
He and his family would sing, and
dance, and count their blessings...
(beat)
But he also had a dream... to play
for the world.
(beat)
And one day he left with his
guitar... and never returned.
The man walks down a road, guitar slung on his back. In
another vignette his daughter stands in the doorway, watching
her pap� leave. Two feet step up next to her. It is her
mam�, hardened.
She shuts the door.
2.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
And the mam�...? She didn't have
time to cry over that walkaway
musician!
(beat)
After banishing all music from her
life...
The woman gets rid of all of her husband's instruments and
records.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
She found a way to provide for her
daughter...
(beat)
She rolled up her sleeves and she
learned to make shoes.
(beat)
She could have made candy!
Amongst the papel picado, a stick swings at a strung up
pi�ata which bursts with candy...
MIGUEL (V.O.)
Or fireworks!
Fireworks go off in the background...
MIGUEL (V.O.)
Or sparkly underwear for wrestlers!
Sparkly underwear and a luchador mask hang on a line amongst
other linens...
MIGUEL (V.O.)
But no... she chose shoes...
On the papel picado, the little girl becomes a young woman.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
Then she taught her daughter to
make shoes. And later, she taught
her son-in-law.
She introduces a suitor to the family business.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
Then her grandkids got roped in.
As her family grew, so did the
business.
In the next vignette, a bunch of goofy grandchildren join in
the shoemaking. The shoe shop is full of family!
3.
MIGUEL (V.O.)
Music had torn her family apart,
but shoes held them all together.
(beat)
You see, that woman was my great-
great grandmother, Mam� Imelda.
TILT DOWN from the papel picado to the
ASSISTANT: Feedback:
Overall, the script has a strong opening that sets the stage for the story. The use of visual imagery, such as the marigold path and papel picado, helps create a vivid and engaging atmosphere. The voiceover narration by Miguel is also effective in introducing the main conflict and characters.
However, there are a few areas where the script could be improved:
-
Formatting: The script could benefit from proper formatting. It is important to use industry-standard screenplay format, including scene headings, action lines, and character names in capital letters. This will make the script easier to read and understand.
-
Clarity: Some parts of the script could be clearer. For example, when Miguel says, "Sometimes I think I'm cursed... 'cause of something that happened before I was even born," it would be helpful to provide more context or explanation of what he means by being cursed.
-
Dialogue: While the script is primarily narrated by Miguel, there is potential to include more dialogue to enhance character development and interaction. This could bring the story to life and make it more engaging for the audience.
-
Scene Descriptions: The script could benefit from more detailed and evocative scene descriptions. By providing vivid descriptions of the visuals, sounds, and emotions, the script can create a more immersive experience for the reader and eventually the audience.
-
Pacing: Consider the pacing of the script. While it is important to introduce the main conflict and characters, it is also crucial to maintain a steady rhythm and flow. Avoid spending too much time on exposition and ensure that the story progresses at an engaging pace.
Overall, this script has a strong foundation and potential. With some polishing and attention to detail, it can become a compelling and visually stunning piece.