A radio script writing, part of the Intro to Media course at Centennial College.
I was required to do a short radio script, introducing and engaging the audience on a topic that they might not have known about, and make it interesting. I chose to do it on the film adaptation of West Side Story by Stephen Spielberg in 2021.
RADIO SCRIPT
INTRO:
It is now time for our “Movie of the week” corner!
Here is Hang, ready to take you to another exciting journey with cinematic stories!
HANG:
Music – check! Fancy dance moves – check! Visual – check!
The image of Anita’s yellow dress twirling around as if it has a life of its own, is stuck in my head!
You know which movie I’m talking about.
The modern day “Romeo and Juliet”, West Side Story.
MUSIC: AMERICA (from ‘Puerto Rico’)
If you are not familiar with the name, here are some background facts.
The multi Academy Awards-winning production took its first Broadway stage in 1957.
It has had multiple revivals and adaptations, which includes the 2021 film adaptation, directed by Stephen Spielberg.
The story surrounds the rivalry of two teenage street gang with different ethnic background, the Jets and the Sharks, fighting for dominance of the neighborhood.
Which then leads to the tragic love of two youngsters, Tony and Maria who just happened to meet at one of the gangs’ quarrel.
Sad ending? Sure. But we got some iconic musical numbers out of it!
“America”, “Something’s Coming”, “Cool”, “Tonight”, “A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love”.
All were brilliantly composed and directed.
MUSIC: COOL (from the top)
Now for musicals enthusiasts, perhaps you might want to know some more of the behind the scene stuff.
Well I’m here for you.
Before hitting the stage, West Side Story almost moved across town and was originally called East Side Story.
In the 1961 musical film adaptation, some familiar names were consider for the lead roles like Elvis Presley and Audrey Hepburn.
Can you imagine if they took the offer?
The two rivalry gangs in the musical were actually asked to keep their tension even in real life, so those fights might not be fiction after all!
MUSIC: I FEEL PRETTY (from the top)
Okay, ready for some numbers?
27 pairs of pants, 100 pounds of makeup and over 200 pairs of shoes were used.
Those shoes were just from the number “Cool” alone!
Jerome Robbins, the choreographer, really did not go easy on them!
After the success of the musical film, over 30,000 video auditions were submitted for the 2021 remake. 50 of them marked their feature film debut!
Icon Rita Moreno, who played Anita, also appears in Spielberg’s version alongside with some of her old cast mates from the 1961 film.
It’s kind of like an exciting Easter egg for the West Side Story enjoyers, isn’t it!
EXTRO:
West Side Story is still such a classic.
If you’ve already seen it, then this is a sign for you to go watch it again.
If you’re new, then make sure to add it to your “must-watch” list right now.
Hang will be back with us next Tuesday with another amazing title.
