NYCL Writers' Group Forum Are You Ready for the Elvis Ch..

Courtesy of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into Music, I found a handy new writing exercise for y'all.

"THE ELVIS MOVIE GENERATOR"

From 1956-1969 Elvis made many movies. He had about 2 films a year! They were very low budget and had titles such as Roustabout, Girls! Girls! Girls! and Harum Scarum. The films usually contained many Elvis songs, a pretty girl, a chase scene, and a fight. Now we can all share in the fun and create our own Elvis movie plot.

1) PICK A NAME FOR ELVIS'S CHARACTER

Something masculine, preferably one syllable

Real examples: Clint, Vince, Chad, Rick, Jess, Deke, Josh

Or playful and boyish names usually ending in "y"

Real examples: Jimmy, Johnny, Toby, Danny, Rusty, Lucky

2) PICK A PROFESSION FOR ELVIS'S CHARACTER

He always has a job that involves lifting, throwing, and/or sweating. Extra points if dangerous or mildly threatening.

Real examples: boxer, helicopter pilot, gambler, rodeo cowboy, lifeguard, crop duster, waterskiing instructor, tour guide, soldier, racecar driver, pro bono doctor, Navy frogman, handyman

Or something more, well, "Elivis."

Real examples: rock 'n' roll singer, traveling singer, nightclub singer, coffeehouse singer, jazz singer, riverboat singer

3) PICK A FUN LOVING AND WHIMSICAL TITLE

A good should contain one or more of the following: "Girls," "Love," "Rock," a city or state, an article of women's clothing, nonsense word, two words that rhyme, or an exclamation mark.

Some examples made up by "Uncle John's":

So Many Girls So Little Time, What a Night!, That Darn Girl, Gals-a-Poppin, Wackity Schmackity, Howdy Denver, Drive Faster!, What a Feller to Do?, Too Many Bikinis, Say Hey, Once Upon a Time in the Islands, Aloha Mexico

4) CREATE A PLOT BY FILLING IN THE BLANKS

In (title of movie), Elvis plays (character's name), a (character's profession) who needs to raise $5,000 by the end of the week to (get into the big race, stay out of jail, buy his airplane back, fix his motorcycle, etc. Whatever suits your movie) Will he do it in time? And will he win the heart of (Judy, Valerie, Cathy, Lily, etc.) in the process?

Here are some "Uncle John's" came up with:

In Stockholm Stockings, Elvis plays Dash, a lobster fisherman who needs to raise $5,000 by the end of the week to buy back his father's scuba business. Will he do it in time? And will he win the heart of Betty, the waitress in the local pie shop, in the process?

In Racin', Elvis plays Johnny, a motorcycle racer who needs to raise $5,000 by the end of the week to get enough money for the race entry fee. Will he do it in time? And will he win the heart of Sheree, the sheriff's daughter, in the process?

In Turnpike, Elvis plays Lance, a singing truck driver who needs to raise $5,000 by the end of the week to buy a pony for the kids at the orphanage. Will he do it in time? And will he win the heart of Margie, the lady doctor who works in the orphanage, in the process?

AND HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE'S MINE!

1) Jack

2) hitman

3) Guns and Bras

4) In Guns and Bras, Elvis plays Jack, a hitman who needs to raise $5,000 by the end of the week in order to get into college. Will he do it in time? And will he win the heart of Julia, the girl's he's been hired to kill, in the process?

Have fun,

Andy Ruffett

1) Guss

2) CAPTAIN

3) White Peaches on Beaches

4) In White Peaches on Beaches, Elvis plays Guss, a CAPTAIN who needs to raise $5,000 by the end of the week in order to buy a new ship. Will he do it in time? And will he win the heart of Byakuren, the girl who Saved his (Our) Soul(s), in the process?