- Type
- Short Film
Rocket in My Pocket
A Puerto Rican teenage lesbian finds an unexpected bond with an elderly German rocket engineer, as she struggles to overcome judgment and isolation.
IVELISSE ARELLANO, a Puerto Rican teenager, is exploring her identity as a lesbian, playing around with her girlfriend on the sly. On a fire escape, she is finally outed by her brother PABLO. Scared, they dart into the window of --
ELMAR GOLDSCHMIDT, a German rocket engineer, deep in his eighties. The two girls evade Pablo by scrambling through Elmar's apartment, leaving chaos in their wake. Ivelisse's scared girlfriend abandons her, leaving Ivelisse to face her judgmental family alone.
Later, when Ivelisse sees Elmar with a model rocket on the roof, she grows curious about his hobby. Sensing her interest, Elmar invites Ivelisse to build a new model rocket with him.
Elmar overhears vicious arguments between Ivelisse and her father, but keeps his distance. Over time, Elmar and Ivelisse open up to each other, discussing intimate secrets and scars from the past - including the death of his wife at a young age.
When Ivelisse's father hits her in the face, she takes shelter with Elmar, and when she tries to kill herself, he takes her in.
They finish their rocket, and Elmar's proud reaction to the achievement reminds him of the pride and happiness he shared with his wife decades ago. Ivelisse then gives him a gift that restores some of what he'd lost.
ELMAR GOLDSCHMIDT, a German rocket engineer, deep in his eighties. The two girls evade Pablo by scrambling through Elmar's apartment, leaving chaos in their wake. Ivelisse's scared girlfriend abandons her, leaving Ivelisse to face her judgmental family alone.
Later, when Ivelisse sees Elmar with a model rocket on the roof, she grows curious about his hobby. Sensing her interest, Elmar invites Ivelisse to build a new model rocket with him.
Elmar overhears vicious arguments between Ivelisse and her father, but keeps his distance. Over time, Elmar and Ivelisse open up to each other, discussing intimate secrets and scars from the past - including the death of his wife at a young age.
When Ivelisse's father hits her in the face, she takes shelter with Elmar, and when she tries to kill herself, he takes her in.
They finish their rocket, and Elmar's proud reaction to the achievement reminds him of the pride and happiness he shared with his wife decades ago. Ivelisse then gives him a gift that restores some of what he'd lost.
Comments (17)
Myron Ward Funny. The comparison of Lesbian teenagers and spacemen. Hmmm
October 31, 2009Dimitri LaBarge Thanks to everyone who rated my script and gave me great feedback. Good luck to all!
May 21, 2009Dimitri LaBarge Thanks! I consider that high praise...
May 19, 2009Tony Castles Ah, love this! This pitch reminds me of The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra and The Sinister Urge.
May 19, 2009Dimitri LaBarge Hi Elisha,
May 15, 2009Neither one of the lead characters are tied deeply into the pitch, except in a roundabout way. I wanted to use the pitch to give a lighthearted introduction to the general theme of isolation. There are so many complex character issues going on in the script that I asked myself, "What is this film really about?" and I chose to illustrate that theme in two minutes.
Anyway, I really appreciate your thoughtful comment and concern, and hope I did justice to that in the script itself. But with the pitch film, I felt like I had to pick one unique angle and commit to it.
Thank you so much!
Dimitri LaBarge Hi Elisha,
May 15, 2009Neither one of the lead characters are tied deeply into the pitch, except in a roundabout way. I wanted to use the pitch to give a lighthearted introduction to the general theme of isolation. There are so many complex character issues going on in the script that I asked myself, "What is this film really about?" and I chose to illustrate that theme in two minutes.
Anyway, I really appreciate your thoughtful comment and concern, and hope I did justice to that in the script itself. But with the pitch film, I felt like I had to pick one unique angle and commit to it.
Thank yoiu so much!
Elisha Miranda Interesting concept. But where is the Puerto Rican lesbian? I feel like she should be more integrated into the pitch. Speaking from experience there is such invisibility for Latina LGBTQ and we're hungry to see something cutting edge and more representative.
May 15, 2009Dimitri LaBarge Thanks to everyone who voted on my pitch, even those of you who apparently gave me one star two minutes after joining Massify. :)
May 14, 2009Reed Clement A clever pitch video indeed.
May 14, 2009Alex Major Awesome pitch!! Worth watching more than once...
May 13, 2009