Literacy Matters Script

Author's Note: Here's the basic script for the infomercial on selling literacy. The people in my group please review this and check back for changes.

Scene 1:

Dark room- flashlight turns on and action:

Narrator: It’s been years and centuries that our world has been communicating through these. Hold books and then toss lightly to side But why? Is there a true reason.... The Twilight Zone Knows...

Insert Interview

Scene 2:

Open into baby’s room watching playing with toys- fade out

Open into preschoolers room playing Game Boy- fade out

Open into 3rd grader’s room playing on computer- fade out

Scene 3:

Center screen- teen in living room texting/ playing games on phone

Mother: call from another room Honey! Come do your reading homework!

Boy: BUT MMMMOOMMMM!!!!

Mother: No buts! Let’s go!

Boy: sigh  I wish there was no such thing as reading! I HATE IT!!!!

Genie: comes in crashing through closet tripping and with clothes on head DID YOU JUST MAKE A WISH!

Boy: AHHHH!!!! WHO ARE YOU!!! AHHHHH MOOOOOMMMMM HEELLLLPPPP!!!! THERE’S A CREEP IN MY ROOM!!!!!

Mother: Stop making excuses come do your homework!

Genie: Be quiet! Did you make a wish?

Boy: HEYYY wait a second? Are you a a  a a a a GENIE!!!! Cool bro! Hey can I have a mountain of ice cream? wait no a bald sheep that eats frogs... NO wait a dinosaur that burps it’s ABCs!!!

Genie: You want me to leave little boy?! SHUT YOUR TRAP!

Boy: Yeesh, sorry

Genie: So you wanted no more reading in this world?

Boy: Yes, that’s right.

Genie: Are you sure?

Boy: 100%

Genie: Hmmmm... let’s first take a look at the world without reading at a glance.

Sparkle out

Scene 4:

Flash open to war, loud sound effects, fights, old technology usage scenes and stop at Nazi book burning scene from Indiana Jones

Boy: WOW! Where are we?

Genie: We are in your world without reading...

Boy: This is pretty cool!

Genie: Cool?! Are you crazy boy? Did you see what they were using as modern technology?!

Boy: Whatchya mean?

Genie: Forget not having books you would have no computers, or games that  are electric, you would not even have most plumbing systems in your home- think of it no TOILET!

Boy: Ewww!

Genie: Yup- still think reading is all that bad?

Boy: Wait what does this have to do with READING though?

Genie: Take a look at this...

Insert interview

Boy: Ohh I get it! But since reading is so important we have to stop them from burning books!

Genie: Hmmm I guess you are right... is that a wish?

Boy:  Smile Yeah it is.

Genie: Okay then. I call upon the powers on me and make these Nazi book-burners into book-lovers! Okay here we go little boy.

FLASH!!! Figure materializes

Boy: Is that???!!!

Genie: Uhhhh yeah I think so...

Character: STOP! Don’t burn books read them!

Nazis keep burning

Character: STOP!

They stop and listen

Character: Books... they are a gateway to knowledge and knowledge is power. If you want true power rather than burning these books- read them. People who read have higher income and better jobs. They also have a better chance having a family. Trust me- I should know- I use reading everyday. Insert reason how reading is used (depending on character) Don’t believe me? Listen to this.

Insert Interview

Character: center screen See... now you try...

Scene 5:

Focus fuzzy screen onto picture of reading soldiers

Disintegrate out of screen

Scene 6:

Boy: Ughhh my head hurts boy sits up holding head

Mother: WILL YOU COME AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK NOW?!!!???

Boy: I’m coming! Runs into hallways when doorbell rings- opens door

Girl: Hi, I’m here to promote you to read, why don’t you come to our camp this weekend for a preview?

Boy 2: Wow, don’t be so abrupt. Sorry, she’s kinda lost it.

Girl:  make face  EXCUSE YOU!

Boy 2: Whatever. We are promoting kids to read and we want to invite you a reading camp hosted by the Town Center this weekend. All people that attend are eligible to win their own free personalized Nook! Here’s a flyer. Talk to your parents about it.

Boy: Have I seen you somewhere before?

Girl: Ummm no, I don’t think so. Well hope to see you soon though!

Boy: Umm okay, I think I’ll be attending. Thanks, bye now.

Door closes and we are outside now

Boy 2 and Girl: fist pound

Girl: snaps fingers and poof flash into black

Enter in slogan: Literacy MATTERS! READ!