Lane Sarasohn - Sample Writings

WHITE OAK TEEN PROGRAM

Written for "Not Necessarily the News"
(Moffitt-Lee Productions, HBO)

(COMMERCIAL PARODY)

UP ON: SLOW ZOOM IN TO SULLEN, ANGRY TEEN-AGED BOY IN BLACK SABBATH T-SHIRT AND TORN JEANS SLOUCHED IN A CHAIR. THE MOOD IS DARK, DEPRESSING.

ANNOUNCER VO
Is your teen defiant, depressed, dependent on
drugs or alcohol? Is your teen coming in late,
falling behind, in trouble with the law, or failing
in school? At White Oak we can help.
DISSOLVE TO: THE SAME TEEN AND MALE COUNSELOR SITTING ON A BENCH ON THE PARK-LIKE GROUNDS OF WHITE OAK. IT'S A WIDE SHOT AND WE CAN JUST BARELY HEAR WHAT THE COUNSELOR IS SAYING TO THE TEEN.
COUNSELOR
There's nothing wrong with you, Todd -- it's
your parents who are nuts. Have you ever
heard the term "control freak"?
DISSOLVE TO: WIDE SHOT OF TEEN AND COUNSELOR WALKING ACROSS ROLLING LAWN, MANSION-LIKE BUILDING IN BG.
ANNOUNCER VO
Our trained counselors know how to reach
troubled teens. They know how to get
through and get results.
AGAIN, WE JUST BARELY OVERHEAR WHAT THE COUNSELOR IS SAYING TO THE TEEN AS THEY WALK.
COUNSELOR
Why listen to them? Their life's a total mess,
yet they pick on you!
DISSOLVE TO: TEEN AND COUNSELOR STANDING BY A POND. THEIR CONVERSATION HAS BECOME VERY EARNEST.
ANNOUNCER VO
White Oak -- a resident psychiatric care
facility where troubled teens can reach a new
understanding in a controlled and
non-threatening environment.
AGAIN, WE OVERHEAR THE COUNSELOR'S ADVICE TO THE TEEN.
COUNSELOR
Smile. Lie. Kiss their asses. If your folks can
afford to send you here, they must be loaded
DISSOLVE TO: CU OF COUNSELOR WITH ARM AROUND TEEN'S SHOULDER AS THEY WALK.

MATTE: The WHITE OAK Teen Program
                            Morristown, N.J.

ANNOUNCER VO
The White Oak teen Program, where
understanding makes a difference.
ADD TO MATTE: "Where understanding makes a difference."
AND AGAIN, WE CAN JUST BARELY OVERHEAR WHAT THE COUNSELOR IS SAYING AS HE LIGHTS THE TEEN'S CIGARETTE.
COUNSELOR
Get what you can. In a few years, you're out
of there and screw 'em.
OUT.