THE SKINNY:

Based on the picaresque novel, Lazarillo de Tormes, Larry is the story of a wayward boy making his way across Florida during the Depression in search of food and shelter.  He follows his hunger through debris and drifters into the arms of various masters, who each possess different qualities of abusiveness, disguised as tough love and in some cases as kindness.  Larry's rogue nature guides him safely through most of his dark comic adventures until, he runs into the unfamiliar foe of mediocrity, clothed in white purity.  This new beguiling adversary leads him to a false sense of stability.

Larry is the American dream.   One who pulls himself up by his own boot straps. He has no one to support or guide him in his trials, only his wit and hunger sustain him.  But, Larry's wiles wilt against the rage and violence of subjective values.

WHY THIS STORY?

I came across the novel ten years ago and found a horrifying humor that I could not forget.  Years later, I realized that the scathing comedy of Lazarillo would prove a fine subject for adaptation.  The episodic nature provided a human structure to view the individual inside of the dominant societal institutions, or better put:  it may be easier to adapt in the short run, but in the long haul these compromises will bite us in the ass.  I broached this idea to Peter Teraberry, and we came up with the script.

THE AESTHETIC OF THE FILM:

Larry will be shot in black and white.  

We plan to create many of the sets in a low-rent warehouse and to creatively utilize Miami and its surrounding areas to create the 1930s depression landscape.  The above film was shot solely in Miami using the mentioned method.  The budget for this short was $3000.00

WHO, WHEN, AND WHERE:

This feature narrative film will be shot in Florida, winter 2012. It is a typical South Florida story that has been seldom told. It gives a voice to the voiceless underdog while utilizing a local talent and crew.

We are strong believers that wonderful and honest work spawn from local filmmaking.  

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?

-Travel expenses for cast and crew

-Warehouse rental and set design

-Period wardrobe and props through diligent thrift shopping

-Craft services

-Specialized camera equipment (**most camera, lighting, and grip equipment have already been donated)

-Name actor for project recognition

THE CREW:

JOHN RASMUSSEN (DIRECTOR)

Hails from Nebraska and teaches Motion Picture Production at University of Miami and Miami International University.  Here are some examples of his film work:  

https://vimeo.com/user3893461

DILIANA ALEXANDER (PRODUCER)

A South Florida transplant via Canada via Bulgaria, she has made a name for herself in the local film community.  Diliana spearheads monthly film screenings for both narrative and experimental films:  I am Not Going to Move to L.A., and Let's Experiment.  She is also a filmmaker

PETER TERABERRY (SCREENWRITER AND COMPOSER)

Brooklyn based, Iowa bred, and associated with film production in South Florida for three years, Peter, is an accomplished painter, musician, blogger, and screenwriter.  

AUDIO:

Our screenwriter, Peter Teraberry, will also serve as the film's composer.  Here is one of his songs, "Salty Dog," from his Brooklyn based band THE TENTACLES.  It is representative of what you would hear in the movie.

OUR HISTORIAN:

Dr. C.R. Rasmussen, noted historian at Marshall College, lectures on the importance of "the Larry" in American history. How 'the other' is an illusion, and how this illusion is destroying our great nation.

AFTER LIFE:

We will submit to the following film festivals:  Miami International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival.

SAMPLE SCENE:

**Larry's experience as a political staffer on the RUFUS B. Bowser's campaign run for city dogcatcher**

INT. CRUMMY APARTMENT - MORNING

LARRY is asleep on the floor. RUFUS opens the door and guides an elderly woman over to couch. He helps her sit with much care. Rufus notices that the lady's attention is focused upon Larry.

RUFUS

Oh, don't mind him. He's just a staffer. They work for peanuts. Dedicated to the cause.

Rufus beams a hideous smile.

RUFUS (loudly)

Would you like a cup of tea, Mrs. Finch?

OLD CAT LADY

That sounds delightful.

RUFUS

Up and at 'em boy. Tea.

Larry rubs his eyes and gets up.

Rufus (cups hand to Mouth) 

Just boil some water. She won't know the difference.

Larry exits.

RUFUS (Deliberately)

Welcome, to campaign headquarters! It is humble I admit but as I always say the dog house today... the White House tomorrow.

OLD CAT LADY

Oh, ho, ho, that is charming. I admire your determination. You are not a liberal are you?

RUFUS

No! No! No! I am not affiliated with any political party. I cannot be bought or sold.

OLD CAT LADY

Isn't that wonderful!

RUFUS

Ma'am, I am running for dogcatcher. But that is just the beginning. Have you ever read the works of Jules Verne?

OLD CAT LADY

Why, no, I haven't.

RUFUS

Well, If you had you would recognize the scientific magnitude of his work.

Rufus takes the ladies hand.

RUFUS (CONTINUED)

On the surface his works may seem to be pure conjecture. In his novel, The Moon Voyage, he writes of an extraordinary journey to the surface of the moon.

Points to the sky. They both look up.

RUFUS (CONTINUED)

I believe it is the duty of the government to fund such missions. I believe the future of this country is in space.

OLD CAT LADY

Outer space? But you do hate dogs?

RUFUS

Of course! Of course! Listen you're gonna be the first granny on the moon.

OLD CAT LADY

I don't know.

RUFUS

Why not? If you put your mind to it, you can do it!

The old lady giggles. Larry starts to enter with a tray with a tea cup. Rufus signals him to go back. Larry quickly retreats.

RUFUS

To get there, we're going to have to make sacrifices.

OLD CAT LADY

Oh.

RUFUS

How much are you willing to sacrifice, Mrs. Finch.

OLD CAT LADY

I don't know, five...

Rufus raises his eyebrows.

Twenty...

Rufus shakes his head.

40 and not a penny more.

Rufus looks stern for a moment longer. Then realizes he's pushing it. The lady draws out the money from her purse.

RUFUS

Thank you! Thank you!

Rufus snatches the money and lifts up the woman a by her arm. The woman looks shocked.

OLD CAT LADY

I was going to give this money to the cat shelter but you seem to hate dogs so much. I thought it might do more good giving the money to you.

RUFUS

Your money will be well spent.

Rufus helps the woman to the door against her will and pushes her out. Larry enters the room. Rufus slams the door.

RUFUS

That's how it's done, boy! I want you to clean up headquarters. I got some campaignin' to do!