"Star Eyes" Written by Sara Inoa. Performed by Sara and her daughter, Ellie. This song plays at the end of the film. Play while you look!
I was a year out from graduating college when I began to write, "Puddles." I was twenty five and Ellie was five. My ambitions were scattered, I was applying to editing jobs, auditioning for acting roles, submitting short stories, starting to date after breaking up with Ellie's father, but there was a through line: I was being rejected on all fronts. I took a job cashiering at a local liquor store and feeling self-conscious about what I had accomplished. On a night I was feeling particularly tired, Ellie encouraged me to jump in puddles past bedtime and it ended up being exactly what I needed.
When I went outside I was grumpy and wanted the outing to be as short as possible. By the time we got back in I was drenched head to toe, full of watermelon, and feeling hopeful that no matter what I would be okay, because I had such a special daughter, myself, and my art.
The art for "Puddles" is still coming together. I want to strike a balance between the careful observation I practice in my illustrations and my love for cartoons. Additionally, I want the world to moved in and out of a childlike warped whimsy. I'm excited to see where my imagination take me.
Script Excerpt
EXT. MAGICAL MINUTES - sidewalk on the way back.
The lights go off in the market and the town is quiet. There is no one in sight. LUNA looks out into the road. POV of LUNA looking at the road. She is suddenly excited. STAR EYES plays. The scene takes place while the song plays into the credits.
LUNA
Let’s walk in the middle of the road.
SOL
How come?
SOL joins LUNA in the middle of the road. The night is glistening. It’s still raining lightly.
LUNA
Right now, I love the feeling of not being quite where I’m supposed to be...it makes me feel like we can do anything because I’m here with you and in the middle of the road! and you know what I do next.
SOL
What?
LUNA
I say: (yelling) I’M HERE!!!! I’M AN ARTIST!!!
SOL
(laughing)
You’re loud, mama
LUNA
You do it too, you yell something!!!
SOL
I LOVE WATERMELON!!!
LUNA
(laughing)
I LOVE SOL
SOL
STOP CRYING!!!
The rain suddenly stops!
LUNA
Sol! You did magic!
SOL
Magic?
LUNA
You’re magic!
SOL
I’m magic?
LUNA
You’re magic.
SOL
I’m magic.
They chant a few times, then LUNA begins to say, “I’m magic” too. They laugh and spin, holding hands and dance. Tears start coming out of Luna’s eyes.
SOL
What’s wrong?
LUNA
Nothing's wrong. I just think our view is so pretty from here.
They look down the road. They’re a few blocks away from their home. The sight is pure magic. The earth is still damp and reflecting the street lights. The stars are out.
SOL
(yawning)
Can you carry me?
LUNA
tired?
SOL
mhm.
Lifting Sol up.
LUNA
Oohh! You’re getting big!
SOL
I know.
INT. BEDTIME - home
SOL is asleep. LUNA reaches the house with SOL sleeping on her back. LUNA changes SOL and puts Sol down in their bed. A passing car makes a yellow window shape sweep across the room. LUNA changes and lays down next to her. The room is cozy. There is a lot of mess and art on the walls.
THE END
