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.
New York, New York!
Some of these images are not super weird or things that I have never seen. They are just images of items that I take for granted or that I usually do not pay attention to on a daily basis. With that being said these images were slightly organic for me as I spotted these items and was compelled to take a picture of them with a bigger message behind them.
The first image is a sunset. Everyone has seen one. The reason why I chose this was because the meaning behind it. I love sunsets. They make me feel serene. However, lately, I have not been able to enjoy my surroundings since I have been running around with responsibilities. This sunset made me think of how relaxing my summer in my uncle’s house at Virginia. The colors blending together gave me sense of peace. Why? Well, New York is so busy and everything is so urgent that it leads you to drown yourself fin work at times. I think a contrast of this is the sunset. There was studium when I took this picture since it intrigued me, but there was much more punctum as it made me think about my goals. I want to be able to live a life where I enjoy my job and also have a good amount of leisure time. Although New York is the city of dreams, it is not the most relaxing one.
The second image is a set of flowers. This was taken when I was walking from the Met Breuer. The colors of these flowers provided some punctum for me, because this was a cloudy day. It seemed as though everything on that street was void of color except for the flowers. This made me think of how New York is never completely void of color. There is always a kind gesture being done, a concert taking place, or bustling life whether the day or night. These flowers symbolized that as well as the small spaces made to help the environment aesthetically and environmentally. I personally do not acknowledge these spaces on a daily basis. I think they describe New York, and they bring an element that differs New York City with other places.
The third picture that I captured was of a yellow cab driving past a park in Chinatown. This car was going so quickly that I only caught the tail-end. I notice cabs all the time, so this did not cause punctum. However, there was studium as it also related to two previous ideas. It relates to the sunset image since it goes along with the quick New York theme. Whether it’s the cabs or the citizens, everyone always has a place to be. Funny thing is as I was taking this picture, someone pushed past me to make the light. This is the peak of irony. Also, the cabs are a staple of New York. Everyone knows these cabs. It displays how timeless New York is to its inhabitants and the tourists.
The fourth picture is of Washington Square Park. I am frequently in that area, especially since some of my friends attend New York University. I have always admired Washington Square for multiple reasons. One reason is that the arc reminds me of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It gives me a piece of the French in me, especially since I have not been there in a year going on two. A second notable aspect is that Washington Square Park has this very unique theme of having a contrast of a busy New York yet a calm group of people. There is so much happening at once with the street performers, vendors, and people running around. However, there are also people sitting on the bench simply relaxing. One of those people is usually me. I love to sit and watch such a diverse group of people enjoying a space. Often times people join in on my conversation, and I meet new friends. This park is so notable to me. It is symbolic of New York as it is a tourist destination yet it is also displays the leisure concept I have expressed in the past.
The fifth picture is of me on Long Island City. Weirdly enough it is in Queens not Long Island. This park is another example of contrast in the city. However, this park is arguably even more of a spot for leisure. I came here frequently in the summer. There is grass and there is also a river. If anyone has been here, there is also the iconic Pepsi Cola sign as well as a breathtaking view of the city. I appreciate these parks, because it adds more greenery and trees to the city scenery, but it also involves the much-needed relaxation aspect. Frequently, we tend to ignore our mental health by packing on our work. Studying for that test is more valuable than sleep, but that does not make much sense since you should not be tired on the test! These parks provide a balance that should be prevalent in our lives as well.
The sixth picture is of the building across the street from me. I appreciate my neighborhood, because I am near Central Park North. I have walked the length of the park to get home before, and it makes me slightly sad that I don’t do much of stuff like that anymore. Anyways, these buildings not only give me comfort as it reminds me of “home sweet home”, but I appreciate that they are only about five stories. This is a contrast in the city, since Manhattan is known for its skyscrapers. It is important to know where one’s heart is, and that’s home. It is my New York City home.
The seventh and final picture is that of a trash can. It makes me think of several concepts, but two of the biggest ones are balance and the environment. What I mean by balance Is that it makes me think of the debate about whether one can put trash dumping centers in wealthy neighbors or if they should keep going to the Bronx (WHICH ALREADY HAS 19!!). This portrays some of the inequality that people try to overlook in the city. People tend to burden the poor as if certain issues are their fault hen it really is not. Also, the increase of trash cans and recycling will hopefully cause people to have better habits, because our planet is really in need of that help.
IMAGE ONE
IMAGE TWO
IMAGE THREE
IMAGE FOUR
IMAGE FIVE
IMAGE SIX
IMAGE SEVEN
