Ingrained Thinking — A script adaptation of an original narrative piece exploring the influence of traditional culture on individual thought patterns. (See detailed project below).
Project Title: Ingrained Thinking – Narrative & Script Adaptation Context: An original short piece exploring the psychological impact of traditional culture on individual thinking.
Overview: This project explores the internal mechanics of how traditional cultural values can "ingrain" certain thought patterns. Originally written as a short narrative, it was later adapted into a formal script to visualize the subtext and dialogue inherent in these cultural tensions.
Objective: To demonstrate the conflict between traditional superstitions and modern survival. The script uses the format of a dramatic scene to highlight the invisible influence of tradition—specifically the belief that visiting a hospital during Chinese New Year brings "bad luck," contrasted against the mechanical failure of a life-saving medical device.
Narrative Analysis: The central irony of the story lies in the "Pacemaker" vs. "Tradition." Ying believes that the hospital is bad luck, yet her life is saved by a mechanical battery that relies on the physical activity she refused to perform. This work demonstrates my ability to handle sensitive cultural themes and structure them into a professional script format.
FADE IN:
INT. RESTAURANT - EVENING
It's Chinese New Year. YING (75) finishes eating dinner with her daughter SU (50).
SU
Do you need a walker, Ma?
YING
No. It's Chinese New Year. I can still walk.
SU
But you are having pain in your legs.
Ying feels her heart murmur. She touches her chest and takes a deep breath. She struggles to get up, her legs wobbling, her hands pushing the chair's armrest. She huffs and puffs, getting up.
SU
We need to take you to the hospital.
YING
No. It's bad luck to go to hospital during Chinese New Year.
Ying plops back to her chair. Her vision is blurry.
SU
Ma. You are ill and need to see a doctor. Please, Ma.
Ying presses against left chest, then with a flick of her other hand. Her face suddenly turns pale. Her eyes shut.
SU (CONT'D)
(Shaking her mother)
Ma? Are you OK?
Sue grabs her phone and dials 911.
FADE OUT:
INT. French Hospital - EVENING
Ying lies in bed, her eyes downcast, her lips pursed. Su stands beside her mother's bed quietly. A DOCTOR (50) steps in.
DOCTOR
Your mom is lucky. Her pacemaker runs out of battery.
SU
How long does it last?
DOCTOR
Usually every ten years-if your mom exercises daily to maintain her battery's life.
Su tells her mom in Chinese. Ying bats her eyes beyond the window at a piece of red paper floating in the air. Her lips still pursed, her teary eyes shut.
FADE OUT.
THE END