I was given the assignment once to write a TV script, for 10-12 year old kids and the topic was “The merits of keeping physically fit for children.” Given that I haven’t watched TV for over a decade, I didn’t have a clue as to how to proceed. What the trends are, what may appeal to kids, sequencing of a script, how to get a message across without sounding preachy… Nor do I know much about exercise. So here goes, my first effort at writing a script ever. By the end of it, I could actually visualize myself watching this in an animated version, in any language. I quite liked the ending after all the gyan that Billi gives.
APPU & BILLI.
Scene 1 shows a little boy sleeping on a bed.
(Excited high pitched voice) Wake up! Wake up! It’s time for a walk.
Appu opened his eyes, rubs them and looked sleepily around his room, a rather messy room at that. Appu is a plump, lazy 10 year old and Billi is his dog, a brown mongrel with a melting eyes and a tail that wouldn’t stop wagging.
Appu: Who’s that? Who spoke (He looks around and could not see anyone except Billi, his dog, near his bed).
Billi (Appu’s dog speaking in a high “dog voice”): It’s me, Billi, your dog speaking. What an awful name you’ve chosen for me. Don’t you know cats and dogs have been enemies for ages?
Appu (thinking aloud in a surprised voice): I’ve had Billi since I was a pup, but this is the first time he’s spoken to me and demanding a walk too. I must be dreaming.
Billi (in an impatient tone): Well! What made you give me a cat’s name?
Appu: (slowly getting used to this crazy situation and answers in a lazy voice): umm... I was too lazy to think of a proper, appropriate “doggie” name for you.
Billi: That’s the problem with you. You’ve always been too lazy for words. It’s time to change all that.
Appu: But I like being lazy. I like sleeping and simply lying still. What is wrong with that?
Billi: Shame on you! A young child like you! Nothing wrong with sleeping and eating well, but one must also exercise to keep fit.
Appu (in a horrified tone): EXERCISE? ME? I have never done it and I am not sure I want to start now.
Billi: Like I said, it’s time to change all that. Go on! Get dressed and let’s go to the park opposite your house and I’ll show you how to have a good time.
Appu (in a reluctant tone): Okay.
(Appu gets dressed, grumbling all the way, moving sluggishly with Billi romping around him and encouraging him to hurry up. )
Scene 2 – Park Scene.
They walk out of the house and reach the park.
Billi: Now let’s both run from one end of the park to another.
Appu (sarcastically): Whatever you say, my lord!
(Appu and Billi start to run. The cool, green grass beneath their feet, the wind blowing in their faces. They stop when they reach the end of the park).
Billi: How do you feel now?
Appu (panting): My heart is beating so fast.
Billi: Good! You got the blood pumping. Regular activity and exercise make for a healthier heart. A healthy heart is a strong heart that works efficiently and is able to easily supply the body with blood. (This piece of information is accompanied by animated visuals with Billi’s voice in the background).
Appu: I could do with that. I get tired so easily.
(Appu and Billi run around the park again, more slowly this time. Appu take off his shoes to feel the grass beneath his feet and runs bare feet).
Appu: Looks like I can do this better as it goes along.
Billi: Endurance or stamina refers to a person’s ability to continue doing a strenuous activity for extended periods of time, meaning a person with good stamina can bike, jog, play or run for a long time without getting tired easily. This comes from regular physical activity. The body also gets a boost from exercise that helps it to fight colds and diseases. (This is explained with animated visuals supporting the sentences in Billi’s voice).
Billi: Now. Let’s both roll over on the grass and then you can try and catch me.
(Appu and Billi do roll over and over on the grass. Then they both play “run and tag”. This continues for a while with peppy music in the background.)
Appu (laughing): This is so much fun! I never knew I could enjoy myself so much.
(Appu’s skin is no longer dull. It is glowing. He is able to breathe easy and no longer moving slowly and sluggishly).
Billi: Do you know, Individuals who are physically active on a regular basis don’t get sick as much as those who are inactive? Physical activity not only builds muscles, it builds stronger bones too, which in turn goes hand in hand with healthy joints. As the body builds muscles, it tends to lose fat which results in a leaner, healthier body. (Again, all this is accompanied by visuals in Billi’s voice in the background).
Appu: I definitely feel good. I am no longer sleepy like as if there is a fog in my brain.
Billi: Exercise also benefits the mind. When a person is physically active, the body releases what is called endorphins – a substance in the body that act as the body’s natural pain reliever. When endorphins are released, a person may experience a rush of happiness. Many people enjoy this feeling and look forward to it the natural high they get from keeping physically active (Billi’s voice explaining all this with animated visuals).
Appu: You are right Billi. I should make this a part of my daily routine. Now can we go home? I feel I need to rest.
Billi: While physical activity and exercise can make people feel more alert, they also allow people to feel calmer and sleep better.
Scene 3 – Back in Appu’s house.
(Appu and Billi walk with a bounce in their step back to home. Appu is tired but is feeling good and as soon as he sees his bed, takes off his shoes, changes into comfy home clothes and flops on the bed. He falls asleep in minutes. Sometime later, he wakes up and yawns.)
Appu: Was that all a dream? He looks around. He can see his muddy shoes and the shirt he wore to the park has grass and mud stains on it.
Billi who is sleeping near Appu’s bed stirs and looks at Appu.
Appu: Thank you Billi for making the whole exercise experience very enjoyable. I feel great and I promise to exercise everyday, now that I know about its benefits.
Billi: Woof!
