Lists of ideas
Lists of ideas
“I start my writing process with lists of ideas which stay with me till the end. They are a kind of inventory of my wishes, of all those moments, instances, concepts and ideas I want to shoot. Initially they might be chaotic and unconnected but as I go along, I tidy them up and they make narrative sense. When a written scene doesn’t prompt me to filming it, I go back to the lists and go through them until such time when I find an idea that allows me to improve a scene, make it more visual or add some details.”
The working documents for the film include lists of…
[at this stage the characters are still mentioned by their real names: Carla, Salvador, Paca (the parents)]
- - Games
- - Carla and the rough times/mourning
- - Carla’s dark side
- - Show Carla’s distrust
- - Dangers girls together
- - Stories for dialogue
- - Summer
- - Education
- -Carla giving her new parents a hard time (conflict)
- -Salvador – Paca relationship
- -Add Salvador – Paca fight
- -Adults’ mourning
- -Scenes parents alone
- -Context
- -Other
- -Repeats
- -Mama’s feedback
Notes to enhance summery feeling
Lists to enhance summery feeling.
SUMMER
- - Underline heat and mugginess
- - Add a summer storm
- - Uncomfortable, humid climate
- - Long naps
- - Boredom
- - Bees, ants, flies, mosquitoes.
- - Despondence. Lack of energy.
- - Fans! (as in ventilators)
Notes for CONVERSATIONS – BRAINSTORMING

“This is a list of ideas about everyday conversations which the characters, both children and adults, could maintain. Some have been included in the film. Like all my lists it grew as I went on writing the script which is when I become aware of all that surrounds me. I observe the small gestures of my family, people in general out there, in the streets, I listen to conversations, in one word, I search. It’s a fine time because I feel and live life with more attention.”
Some sentences and ideas along the film, i.e.: “This daughter of mine was always a bit of an unknown quantity”, Eat lots of fruit from Bom Bom Chip band, “you’ve got to drink milk”, gossip at the butcher’s, eat flies (spiders here) while you sleep.