City Stories: “Empire State of Mind” Movie
Make a Movie
Main Characters
- Zara
- Dave
- Justin
- Xenia
- Narrator
This story would be a movie. This movie would be set in New York City. This movie would utilize the city for a love story. The film would be based off of a scene from Gossip Girl as well as elements of The Great Gatsby. The movie is going to open with Zara struggling to work and pay off her bills. She has financial responsibility with regards to her family, so she works very hard. She was born and raised in the Bronx. Zara has been told by her mom that with enough work, she can be anything she wants to be. She currently attends New York University as well as works two jobs. No one’s believes her, but this is very much true at the expense of Zara’s social life. She can go to the university due to the HEOP program. Zara goes from NYU to study at Washington Square Park for a little bit. Her current best friend is Justin (also hidden ex-lover). However, she feels as though she may be giving up on him because of her lack of time. When Zara is working at her movie theater job, a guy comes up to her and pays for his ticket. He then tips her $1,000.00. She is shocked and asks for his occupation. He tells her not to worry. He is an American guy who travels worldwide and currently resides in the United Kingdom. His name is Dave. Throughout the movie, Dave and Zara get closer as she enjoys her time with him. Xenia and Zara are also best friends. This is until one night at a party at Pier 59, Dave and Xenia kiss. Zara feels betrayed since she had feelings for Justin for about five years now. Over the span of the movie (which is about one year), Justin has been asking Zara to move with him to London. Zara has always wanted to, but she could not afford it. Ultimately, the day that Justin offers his apology, Dave purposely makes Zara choose him or Justin as he says “follow this map, follow your heart.” Dave has sent Zara a three-step puzzle. A conflicted Zara chooses to trust her gut and ignore Justin. Dave has supported her more than Justin and Xenia. The clues go as follows:
- Go to the Carousel in Central Park to find a puzzle, piece it together and follow the answer.
- (The answer is the red stairs at Times Square) Then, find the chest at the top of the stairs the next answer is there.
- (Last one is the Empire State building) Dave is at the top waiting with an engagement ring, plan ticket, and flowers.
Zara is a hopeless romantic and cries of joy. Dave helped her emotionally and financially, but this was all too much. She accepted his engagement. Then, Dave reveals that he is a wealthy business owner of the wealthiest Hollywood company. He appreciates Zara for loving him and not his money. Zara moves to London and becomes a big-name actress on her own. She eventually marries Dave. A few years down the line, Xenia is married to a Californian man and moves there. Justin is the only one left in the city as he looks at Zara’s success on news sites while sitting in her old favorite spot in Washington Square Park.
Reflection: This was a pretty lengthy storyline for a well thought out movie. The inspiration for Zara is Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby took too long to get back to Daisy resulting in her going to Tom. The top of the Empire State meeting occurred between Blair and Chuck in Gossip Girl. My favorite genres are romance and comedy, so I planned out a movie with those. Also, Gossip Girl is my favorite show, and the Great Gatsby, as cliché as it is, is one of my favorite novels. My story flowed from those two points of inspiration into something completely new. I used the medium of a movie, because it best encompasses many other mediums. Also, it can be made into a play. The movie would include symbolize and music to depicted certain scenes and moods. I would want the music to start out with a little bit of diminished chords to replicate Zara’s struggle. When she goes to the park, it is more upbeat as it shows her passion for studying and work. When Dave comes into her life it would be the happiest and most delicate melodies. Also, the scenery would be important. I would brighten some scenes more than others, but just enough to be noticeable and not too harsh. I would also manipulate the weather with dark skies or have certain props like dirty trash in the sidewalks compared to the red carpets Zara later experiences. Zara’s life did not change due to a man. She knew her worth, he was just her partner. The story may seem like just a love story, but I want the viewers to interpret for themselves, and to get something deeper. I would want to notice how Justin ended up stuck on Zara as she became someone strong, independent, and important. These mediums enhance my story, because they have prevalent emotional actions and comparisons to reactions. It’s like when people hear sad songs in movies it signifies something bad like a death. Both the Great Gatsby and Gossip Girl are set in New York. It was easy to relate these pieces to my story and setting. However, the riddle thing was a unique aspect. I chose the carousel in Central Park because it reminds me of so many happy times. I have seen so many happy children and adults around there on warmer days. I also had many good memories with my high school friends in that region of the park. The red stairs have been a trait for me and best friend. Although we are native New Yorkers, we love sitting on those stairs once a week as we catch up about college. The final part is the Empire State Building which has a stunning view and an air of romanticism. All of these places are fairly clean happy places for me in New York.
