Essie\'s LA adventure

Description

Some strike banners are being packed away. The setting is Los Angeles - imagine blazing sunshine which moves forward to a sunset evening – the Golden hour time. Footage plays of Fran Drescher showing the successes of the strike actions and announcements. It’s the aftermath of the Hollywood strikes, its a back to work party. People cluster in couples talking about how times are still tough, when the next strike happens not if. Xex is the Production Company hosting the party, and Division head Xerxes is there hosting - having an enjoyable time shaking hands and networking. He wants to show a no hard feelings policy. We find Essie at this party, she’s an actress - trying to make her mark and is pretty new to Hollywood. Her brother Mo works in the camera department at Xex, we find him in a group with a Producer Hal.Hal talks with colleagues at the party and makes rude remarks about camera personnel - Mo who is in this conversation takes exception to this and says that the camera team are essential people and should be respected - Hal refuses to take the rebuke and this also galvanises his resolve to blacklist anyone who protested against the previous contract terms. Back with Xerxes, he is loving the party - he’s never lost his determination and excitement about the business - even through tough and cynical times. However Hal corners him and tells him that some of the people at the party are going to go out again to the unions soon – and that Xex as a company should start thinking about looking at non – union staff to get them through. Xerxes has ordered a new series – and he might potentially cast Essie in the lead – he really liked her tape and thinks she could be a star for the company. Another strike would dampen his enthusiasm – Xerxes in a moment of weakness agrees with Hal’s suggestion. Mo overhears and tells Essie.Essie finds Xerxes by the pool - he asks her what she thinks of the party - She tells him that she is happy to know that Xex cares for workers. She tells him she always wanted to move to LA - her great grandparents were in vaudeville and came out to California in the 20s. She has come home. Xerxes who is touched by her sentiments but he tells her Xex will suffer if there are any more strikes like they have been through. She agrees … ‘ but if people can afford to live they will work hard for you.\' it is their dream to come here – it is definitely mine.’ Essie’s passion for LA reminds him of what he believes in. He realises then finds Hal to advise there has been a change of plan.

Biblical Connection

The application take inspiration from the book of Esther - where the overarching theme is to speak truth to power. In this film we follow the journey of Essie - she’s new in the entertainment industry and she is trying to enter it at a unique time - post Me too - post strikes action. The challenge that mirrors the original story is that Essie’s struggle is set within the nexus between doing the right thing by calling out the wrong thing in an environment that finds honesty an alien concept. The Entertainment industry is a unique setting for this dilemma. The industry operates on preferment, networking and at times pure luck. It is the world of make believe. Driven individuals seek their fortune and have stars in their eyes. These big dreams are an opportunity. There are those who will do anything for their career and there are those that will exploit them for their own desires. Essie’s Hollywood adventure is based on the book of Esther which is a powerful reminder that even in the face of great adversity or potential social ostracism, one person\'s courage and faith can make a difference.