
FADE IN:
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Inside a car, PETER listens to the radio.
PETER (V.O.)
Today, April 23 is the World Book and Copyright Day?
The date coincides with the
births and deaths of
prominent writers such as
Shakespeare?
FLASHBACK
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY 1971
About 10 TEENAGERS students including Peter (17). With a book "Julius Caesar" in hand, a male TEACHER (20s) teaches.
TEACHER
(Casually)
Can anyone tell during
which period was Shakespeare's lifetime?
As heads go down, Peter raises his hand.
PETER
(Confidently)
He was born in 1564 and
died in 1616.
The teacher smiles impressively.
TEACHER
It's good to remember
the relevant literary
period we're studying.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.)
But I didn't know on
what date he was born
and the date he died.
INT. STUDY - DAY
Peter researches with his mobile device.
PETER (V.O.)
He died on April 23, 1616,
at the age of 52...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I only began writing my own
stuff upon retirement. For
several months, I wrote,
edited and saved many
drafts in my computer.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
My challenge was how to
publish and distribute them?
Costs aside, I wanted to
modify and update them.
It seemed that the process
wouldn't end.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Even if I gave them away
free, who would spend the
time to read them? My
themes range from the
philosophical to the
professional.
FLASHBACK
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - DAY (2015)
Poolside. Peter (61) reads a book under a sun umbrella.
PETER (V.O.)
It's a fantasy that I can
now experience. But I
find poolside reading
straining the eyes, and
if I get inspiration to
to be creative, tools
such as a computer
are not available.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
A creative idea without
expressing it in a medium
would create no copyright.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Having struggled to finish
reading one book by the
poolside, I've decided
I would only go swimming
in pools or at beaches.
Peter begins to work on his computer.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
To motivate myself to
continue writing and
adding possible practical
value, I focused on writing a feature screenplay -
a script for a 120-minute
movie. I entered into
screenplay competitions
so that my work would
be read and reviewed.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Paid to get some feedback
was good, but that was it.
For me to direct and
produce the movie, would
be even more costly and
risky.
Peter looks out of the window.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I then turned to social
social media platforms
to publish my short
films and music videos.
And since I learned how
to create my own
websites, I can manage
my literary, dramatic
and artistic works, sound
recordings and films ie
my copyright repertoire
in a systematic fashion.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S SELF-PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTION EXPERIENCE
A/ Working on his computer, Peter makes use of AI to design his websites.
B/ Peter writes textual drafts inserting feature photos.
C/ Peter uploads music videos to social media platforms.
D/ Peter publishes and distributes his works over the internet on a daily basis.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I meant to share some
observations in life in
short pieces. It's entirely
up to the public to view
them or not. As the
author, I've already
enjoyed the creative
process and secured
my copyright.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Even Shakespeare wasn't
revered during his life-time.
I wasn't born on April 23,
and I don't want to associate
myself to the date just for
the sake of it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I chose to write in English
as it has been the international
language. Incidentally,
I've found out that April
23 is also UN's English
Language Day!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Is today for some a most
special day of the year?
If so, I've been making my
days special every day!
FADE OUT. The End