Teresita Explained

Transcript

1. ACT 1 EPILOGUE A younger Inay and Teresita are sitting under the mango tree, Inay is telling Teresita about the story of the princess of the pukingans. INTRO Pan in on Teresita sitting under the big mango tree, she is sleeping soundly in the shade. When the camera finishes panning and we see Tesita up close, she is called by her mother off screen, she wakes up and leaves her spot the camera panning back out as the title card appears. THE HOOK Inay asked Tesita to go get the new chicks from Aling Octavea’s Sari-Sari store. She goes off to the store, while waiting for the chicks, she overhears the local tita’s talking about another disappearance. They describe a beautiful voice, and a terrifying monster. About how the son of a friend of a cousin had gone missing. Just as she was getting engrossed in the conversation she was given the chicks and told to go home. THE INCITING EVENT On her way home she ran along with the chicks in toe, being careful not to jostle them. One of the chicks managed to jump out and ran off into the foliage. As teresita chased after the chick she found herself faced with a large stump that slowly revealed itself to look vaguely like a woman. She fell back screaming, more chicks falling out of the box as she scrambled and ran away. She ran all the way home. THE KEY EVENT When she reaches Inay with only a third of the chicks that they needed, Inay is disheartened by the fact that the lack of chicks will mean a lack of sales down the line. She tries to comfort Teresita as she also fears the stories of the monster in the woods, but tesita feels disheartened that she could not be brave enough and she lost them so much. Resolute, She decides to go back into the woods and look for the missing chicks, or at least those that hadn’t been eaten by the monster. THE FIRST PLOT She catches sight of a chick near the path, and follows it trying to catch it. She grows anxious as she feels herself winding down a similar path once more. She finally catches the chick, when she looks up and she is face to face with the creature, but this time she stands her ground. Asking not to be eaten. When all of a sudden the creature presents her with the chicks. They fall from her hand and gather together in her palm. Teresita cautiously rises and takes them. She walks backwards slowly, and as she is about to break sight she thanks the creature and runs off. ACT 2 THE FIRST PINCH POINT When they go to church that Sunday the homily speaks of the creature. The priest gives a very long sermon about how it is akin to the devil, and how anyone who entertains it is also akin to the devil. Teresita sits in the pew sitting in fear and discomfort as it drastically contrasts from the
2. creature she met. With kind eyes and soft hands. Capable of carefully holding the chicks with no harm befalling them. She is visibly conflicted, but she doesn’t really understand why. Inay can see the furrow in her brows, but Tesita assures her that nothing is wrong. THE MIDPOINT The next day Tesita ventures down to the spring to clear her head. She loved running by the lake at its base. She thinks about the sermon, and the chisme, and the creature's soft hands. Wanting to get away she jumps into the lake to cool her head. When she opens her eyes she is met with four very similar glowing eyes. She screams, inhaling a bit of water. She quickly closes her mouth and tries to swim back to the surface but she doesn't feel like she will make it all the way. Just then, a hand appears from below her and lifts her back up to the surface. She coughs and chokes. As the creature looks at her. Tesita looks up at the creature and thanks it, then meekly asks to be put down. The creature places her on the shore, and smiles at her. Tesita waves and leaves, but she feels more sure that the creature is kind. Cue montage of them hanging out and teresita and the creature becoming closer and closer. The creature's eyes start looking human at certain points. THE SECOND PINCH POINT One day, while teresita is going to the spring to meet up with the creature, she bumps into maria, the local church youth leader. She is Teresitas age, and presents very modestly with very strong church values instilled in her by Father. Maria invites Tesita inside and states that they’re having a group reading and hangout in the church function room, but Tesita acts very nervous and fidgety. Tesita quickly excuses herself and runs off. Maria grows suspicious of this, and after talking with Father, she follows Tesita into the woods. When she sees that Tesita just goes off to the local spring, Maria stumbles and falls often, barely scraping by hiding herself from Tesita. She almost turns around when she sees that Tesita was just jumping in for a swim. Until she watches the creature rise up from the water and throw Tesita in the air. The two are playing in the lake, while Maria cautiously hides behind a tree. THE THIRD PLOT POINT When Tesita goes home Inay is worried after receiving a call from Father about her exposure to the creature. Inay holds her and expresses how they think Tesita is possessed and akin to the devil. Inay sets aside her faith to protect her daughter, they try to escape as Inay can see a crowd gathering near the entrance of the farm. They try to hide, but they are caught and the two are seperated. Dragging them out into the field (the big mango tree bg) ACT 3 THE CLIMAX Father holds Teresita up by her arm while Ina is restrained off to the side. He shames her in front of the crowd, and calls her an example of devil worship. He explains how Maria followed her and saw her convening with the monster. Tesita and Maria share eye contact hear (Tesita is super sad and betrayed and Maria looks really guilty after she sees what they’re doing to her)
3. THE CLIMACTIC MOMENT The creature is heard screaming. It looms, looking down from the forest canopy. The base of it moving towards the crowd. They slash at her and poke at her, until Teresitas cries are heard over their own. She had managed to break free from fathers grip during the confusion and she ran towards it. It stood defensive but weak, Teresita spreading her arms out in defense. She begs them to stop. She speaks of how the creature is soft and kind, and not capable of inflicting such harm. THE RESOLUTION While she says these affirming words the creature slowly transforms into a tearful little girl. Covered in lashes and lacerations. It softens the heart of the crowd and they drop their weapons. (Possible: some of their parents admit that their child just left, that they had faught and disowned some of their children, some admit they were just following Fathers words.)