Petra Michelle

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About Petra Michelle
I attended Douglass College, Rutgers University, and majored in Pre-Med. When my youngest sister was born and held her for the first time, I immediately knew I wanted to be a Pediatrician. Well, the sciences and I didn't agree, and had no idea that it would be the arts I'd fall in love with later in life.
After college, I climbed Manhattan's corporate ladder where I'd developed and honed my business acumen and writing skills, ultimately used in my two businesses, a childrenswear store and an employment agency.
However, during my recovery after an automobile accident, writing became not only cathartic but a passion. Although I have written in all genres since 1995, my passion for film since a very young age drew me to screenwriting. After many hours spent in creative writing and screenwriting at The New School in Manhattan, I became agented in 2005.
It was soon thereafter my mother had a heart attack and I became a full-time caregiver, too. My mother developed Alzheimer's and passed in January 2013 while my 86-year-old father remains with us, always in the moment, due to vascular dementia.
If you'd care to discuss anything relative to writing or caregiving, please start a conversation below. I'd be more than happy to assist in any way I can. Petra Michelle
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Blog postFADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM. APARTMENT - NIGHT
MIKE frantically fingers the contents of his wallet.
MIKE
Where is that business card?
He holds his wallet upside down, watching the waterfall of its contents cascade to his unmade bed.
MIKE
It was blue.
For the next half hour he inspects each item, discarding the unnecessary. Still, no blue business card. Despondent, he falls onto his bed; the loss of the card summi6 years ago Read more -
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Blog post(January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008)
FADE IN:
EXT. CLOUD. HEAVEN - DAY
GOD and a male ANGEL are relaxing and sharing a bowl of popcorn; enjoying film images on a row of small clouds before them.
GOD
This is my favorite part.
INSERT IMAGE: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are on their horses jumping off the cliff into a river.
ANGEL
My favorite too.
(reads the cloud guide)
Looks like t6 years ago Read more -
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Blog postfrom my e-book "Whose Role Is It Anyway?"
FADE IN:
EXT. MACY'S DEPARTMENT STORE. MANHATTAN - DAY
On a brisk December day, hurrying holiday SHOPPERS rush in and out of Macy's. Near its entrance stands a MAN CALLING OUT to anyone who will listen.
MAN
A pocket full of miracles! Get your miracle here!
PASSERSBY look upon him queerly as he continues to chant.
MAN
A pocket full of miracles! Get your miracle he6 years ago Read more -
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Blog postFADE IN:
FREDERICK LOREN, and his wife, ANNABELLE, have invited several GUESTS to spend the night in their old mansion situated atop a hill.
EXT. OLD MANSION - NIGHT
Each guest arrives at the desolate mansion in a limousine provided by Mr. Loren and are attended to by his BUTLER.
INT. FOYER. MANSION - NIGHT
BUTLER
Good evening, Sir. Mr. Loren will be with you shortly.
FRANKENSTEIN passes him, GRUNTING.
6 years ago Read more -
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Blog postFADE IN:
INT. LOG CABIN. PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS - THANKSGIVING DAY
A FAMILY of six are gathered around the dining table adorned with the cornucopia of Thanksgiving dinner.
Anticipant as the grandfather clock CHIMES three o'clock,
MOTHER
He'll be here.
FATHER
He's late, Dorah.
DORAH
We won't start without him, Luther.
LUTHER
(firmly)
He'd be the first to understand.
7 years ago Read more -
Blog postFADE IN:
INT. MILLINERY SHOP. EARLY 1900's PARIS - DAY
In the workroom of her shop, COCO CHANEL painstakingly creates an evening gown by hand; each stitch a labor of love. Her ASSISTANT appears.
ASSISTANT
A very important patron is here to see you.
Coco abandons the gown to tend to this mysterious patron. As she approaches a lovely NOBLEWOMAN,
COCO
Ah, Madam Godiva. Bonjour. How may I assist you?
LADY GODIV7 years ago Read more -
Blog postFADE IN:
EXT. FOOT OF HILL - DAY
JACK and JILL climbed up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown...
Lying on the grass, distorted images of trees beneath the sky come into view as Jack slowly opens his eyes.
JILL
Jack, can you hear me?
Gingerly touching his bruised head, Jack sits up.
JACK
What happened?
JILL
You broke your crown again.
JACK
My7 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Marge - six way tie:
Petra Michelle, Meryl Streep, Judi Dench,
Jennifer Aniston, Annette Bening, Other
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. MODEST HOME.1970's QUEENS, NEW YORK - DAY
A mature COUPLE are washing and putting the breakfast dishes away.
HUSBAND
Baseball season's finally here.
As he walks into the living room to turn on the television7 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Mike - Paul Rudd (100%)
Danielle - Five way tie:
Elizabeth Olsen, Scarlett Johannson, Rachel McAdams,
Eliza Gonzalez, Evan Rachel Wood
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM. APARTMENT - NIGHT
MIKE frantically fingers the contents of his wallet.
MIKE
Where is that business card?
He holds his wallet u7 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Luther -- Harrison Ford 37%
Dorah -- Sissy Spacek 50%
Daughter -- Katherine Heigl 50%
Massasoit -- Tie: Russell Means, Daniel Day Lewis 37%
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. LOG CABIN. PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS - THANKSGIVING DAY
A FAMILY of six are gathered around the dining table adorned with the cornucopia of Thanksgiving dinner.
Antici10 years ago Read more -
Blog postFADE IN:
INT. CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS. SANTA MARIA - DAY
In his quarters, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS furiously makes notes after studying compass readings and maps. His PILOT, Sancho, enters.
SANCHO
You are needed on deck, Capitain.
COLUMBUS
What is it?
SANCHO
A ship is on the horizon.
EXT. DECK. SANTA MARIA - DAY
Studying the ship's black hull and sails,
COLUMBUS
It's Sparrow.10 years ago Read more -
Blog postFADE IN:
EXT. MACY'S DEPARTMENT STORE. MANHATTAN - DAY
On a brisk December day, hurrying holiday SHOPPERS rush in and out of Macy's. Near its entrance stands a MAN CALLING OUT to anyone who will listen.
MAN
A pocket full of miracles! Get your miracle here!
PASSERSBY look upon him queerly as he continues to chant.
MAN
A pocket full of miracles! Get your miracle here!
Adjusting his iPod, a TEENAGER stops in c11 years ago Read more -
Blog postFADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM. APARTMENT - NIGHT
MIKE frantically fingers the contents of his wallet.
MIKE
Where is that business card?
He holds his wallet upside down, watching the waterfall of its contents cascade to his unmade bed.
MIKE
It was blue.
For the next half hour he inspects each item, discarding the unnecessary. Still, no blue business card. Despondent, he falls onto his bed; the loss of the card summi12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Robert DeNiro as Albie (50%)
Tie between Myrna Loy & Meryl Streep as Mary (33%)
Tie between Kate Hudson & Emily Blunt as Christine (33%)
Matthew McConaughey as Rob (33%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. HOME OFFICE - DAY
A MIDDLE-AGED MAN is on the telephone gleaning a sheet of paper.
MAN
(irate)
Hold on just a second.
He gathers up another shee12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
JAKE EASTMAN -- Harrison Ford (40%)
ANNE -- Sigourney Weaver (60%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
MONTAGE:
Fed by sewage dumping into the ocean off the east coast of the United States, THE ACLINIC NETWORK of ducts and mini-islands expands towards the Statue of Liberty, Atlantic City, and Disney World.
Simultaneously, sewage dumping off the coasts of Europe and Asia causes the Aclinic Network to expand towa12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Leading Man/Tap Dancer - Gene Kelly (42%)
Partner - Ginger Rogers (42%)
Director - Vincente Minelli (40%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. 1930's HOLLYWOOD STUDIO - DAY
With an Orchestra at the ready, the LEADING MAN/TAP DANCER embraces a WOMAN casting for the role of his leading lady.
DIRECTOR
Action.
As the couple tap and glide in perfect harmony, a mischievous gleam in the wo12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Marge - Betty White (66%)
Ralph - Carroll O'Connor (66%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. MODEST HOME.1970's QUEENS, NEW YORK - DAY
A mature COUPLE are washing and putting the breakfast dishes away.
HUSBAND
Baseball season's finally here.
As he walks into the living room to turn on the television,
WIFE
(excitedly)
Why don't we go?
HUSBAND
No12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Girl - Dakota Fanning (33%)
Young Woman/Bride/Mother - Kate Winslet (50%)
Grandmother - Helen Mirren (50%)
Young Man/Groom - Jude Law (100%) A FIRST! :))
Grandfather/Senior - Liam Neeson (50%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
EXT. COUNTRY HOME - DAY
On a balmy Spring day, a young GIRL walks up the stairs of her home with her MOTHER while savoring a peach. She studies its glistening pit, then smiles.
12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Young Patrick - Jonathan Rhys Meyers (66%)
St. Patrick - Liam Neeson (75%)
St. Germain - Richard Harris (100%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. KILPATRICK ESTATE. EARLY 5th CENTURY SCOTLAND - NIGHT
IRISH MARAUDERS reek havoc on the Kilpatrick Estate, abducting young Patrick.
ST. PATRICK (VOICEOVER)
I was sixteen when taken prisoner and brought
to Ireland. There, I was sold as a slave t12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Zeus - Donald Sutherland (83%)
Hera - Judy Dench (40%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
EXT. ORNATE FOUNTAIN. MT. OLYMPUS - DAY
ZEUS stands facing the fountain; his wife, HERA, sitting on its edge. Zeus waves his hand over the fountain. Images of the Vancouver Olympic Games appear in the water.
ZEUS
Just in time.
HERA
Skiing?
ZEUS
The first downhill run.
(exa12 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
SCARLETT - Vivien Leigh (50%)
MAMMY - Tie between Hattie McDaniel and Queen Latifah (50%)
JULIE - Jennifer Aniston (60%)
ASHLEY - Leslie Howard (50%)
RHETT - Clark Gable (66%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
INT. MANSION. POST-CIVIL WAR ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DAY
SCARLETT escorts her new SUITOR to the front door of her mansion.
SUITOR
Don't leave me on tender hooks, Scarlett.
13 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
Jack - Johnny Depp (80%)
Jill - Kate Winslet (80%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
EXT. FOOT OF HILL - DAY
JACK and JILL climbed up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown...
Lying on the grass, distorted images of trees beneath the sky come into view as Jack slowly regains consciousness.
JILL
Jack, can you hear me?
Gingerly touching his bruised13 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd the winners are:
NICK - Toni Randall (40%)
AL - Jack Klugman (40%)
Thank you for voting!
FADE IN:
EXT. RUNNERS' PATH. CENTRAL PARK - DAY
Two MEN are jogging together in Central Park on a freezing January morning.
AL
I should have my head examined for letting
you talk me into running this morning.
NICK
And break last year's resolution? You lost
how many pounds? Five? I lost at least ten.13 years ago Read more -
Blog postINT. LIVING ROOM. HOME - CHRISTMAS EVE
Sitting on a recliner in a sparsely decorated living room, a MAN is on the telephone.
MAN
Okay, mom, see you and Josh tomorrow. Night.
After hanging up, he rests his head on the back of the recliner and shuts his eyes. A CRASH from the unlit fireplace causes him to jump. A clump of red, covered in soot, lands onto the cold, stone hearth.
MAN
Who's there?
Brushing herself off, a WOM13 years ago Read more
Titles By Petra Michelle
As a screenwriter, FORMATTING is paramount in the film industry. These mini-scripts follow the industry's standards.
SCENE HEADINGS are: EXT.-LOCALE-DAY or EXT.-LOCALE-NIGHT or INT.-LOCALE-DAY or INT.-LOCALE-NIGHT.
EXT. or INT. are abbreviations for Exterior or Interior. LOCALE is self-explanatory, and DAY or NIGHT is all that's needed; not THE NEXT DAY, EVENTIDE, DUSK, TWILIGHT, etc.
NOTE: A change in locale requires another scene heading.
DIALOGUE: Less is more. If your character can say something in six words rather than seven, omit the extra word.
NARRATIVE: When writing, "Always grab the reader by the throat, sink your thumbs into his windpipe..."
THE BEGINNING, THE MIDDLE, THE END; ACT I, ACT II, ACT III, respectively.
Every sentence, every paragraph, every scene, every screenplay has a beginning, ACT I, middle, ACT II, and end, ACT III.
In the Beginning, Act I -- Lew Hunter "the story starts at the point where nothing before is needed." It sets up the characters and story. The first page of your screenplay begins with FADE IN:, then enter two spaces followed by the first scene heading.
In the Middle, Act II -- is where the plot thickens. Unfold the complexity of characters' actions and the conflict caused by their reactions. Act II is inspiration plus perspiration, perspiration, perspiration; 60+ pages, the meat of the screenplay, the "mind-gut." Lew Hunter
In the End, Act III -- be it emotional, physical, or a combination of both is what has been written leading to "the accomplishment, the victory, the coup de grace." Lew Hunter
The Denouement: "Here's looking at you, kid." The final clarification or resolution of a plot.
FADE TO BLACK (The End)
NOTE:
Free yourself of the monkey mind, and get your ideas down immediately, then go back to edit. Editing during a first draft is a waste of valuable time. A draft is just that, a draft, which will become your first, second, third--however many it takes to get it right.
LOOKING PROFESSIONAL: Misspellings, typos, bad grammar, etc. can override a great story.
Take screenplay classes, read books on screenplays, and/or actual screenplays of your favorite films.
Register your screenplay (drafts, sections for copyright protection) with The Writers Guild of America East (Manhattan, NY) or West (Los Angeles, CA).
Look for an agent.
Good luck!