A few questions ...

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

Hey guys,

So, I've been working on a post-film fic, and I have a few questions that I can't seem to figure out on my own. So maybe some of you can shed some light on this:

1. Time line: during which months does the film take place? At first, I thought it was summer because, living in Canada, when I see sun and hot weather and people swimming in the ocean I think, hey, must be summer! But then I realized that this story takes place in southern California. Oh yeah. According to the CalArts website, the deadline for admission for Fall 2009 is January 5th. But Zach is applying for a scholarship, and you usually have to apply earlier for those, I'm thinking November. So, is the film maybe taking place during the fall? That would also explain why Gabe was back from Santa Barbara at the start of the film--he was home for the summer, and is heading back for the fall semester. That would also mean that the movie ends sometime around maybe February (at the earliest, since Zach has already heard back from CalArts by then). It would also mean that the three of them move to Valencia quite some time before Zach actually starts at school. So, does this make sense to people? Or does someone have a different interpretation of things?

2. Location: having never been to California, I'm not all that familiar with the location of things, so I've been fiddling with Google Maps to try to figure stuff out. While San Pedro is very close to the ocean, Valencia is kind of far. Like, a forty-minute drive from the closest beach. Or am I mistaken? I guess that the distance from the ocean would be part of the explanation for why Shaun doesn't "paddle out there", but I always imagined the three of them spending a lot of time at the beach together. And it would be really hard for Zach to not be able to surf all the time. Forty minutes isn't too bad, but Zach wouldn't be able to hop over to the beach to surf whenever he felt like it. But again, maybe someone else has a different interpretation of things? Maybe Shaun doesn't live right in Valencia? I just assumed he did, because he says he lives "right near CalArts."

Thoughts?

Comments

[inthekeyofd.livejournal.com]

The definitely moved right after Zach heard, Shaun was already supposed to be in his apartment anyway, I'm thinking maybe a week after they got back together he did.

Usually the deadline for financial aid could be around April 30th, so that's why he was late, and sometimes schools have late admissions, the thing I was thinking about was that maybe he was applying for the winter semester..but still, I'd have to say he probably got in late, and the timeline is either late fall or late spring..so he's got at least 4 months to wait to start classes. They had a few continuity problems anyway, I'm not sure anyone really was stressing the real timeline (dates, months, seasons) in it though, so that can make it tougher to figure out.

Shaun probably doesn't paddle out there because it's crowded, the same as the Bu or Malibu, down near San Pedro it's probably a lot quieter and he can think and clear his head.

but then again, in the commentary during that part about living right near Cal Arts they were joking saying, "well, not really that close"

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess if the filmmakers themselves weren't consistent with their time line, I don't need to worry too much about being exact! I wanted to be as close as possible to what we know from the film, but if it's a bit up in the air, I can figure out my own time line. I think that as long as I'm consistent, it'll make sense.

I guess I could figure out where I want Shaun and Zach to live too, since the film is very unspecific about it. Shaun could have been exaggerating about how close he lives to CalArts in order to entice Zach into living with him.

Thanks so much for your help! Glad to know I'm not the only one who found things a little inconsistent.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

1. I never really thought about the deadline for admissions but now that you bring it up, I think that it did take place during the fall or late summer. Early admission is usually in October/November. I don't really think that they thought much about this.

2. You're not mistaken at all. Valencia is not at all close to the beach. I'm from LA and I posed the same question the minute after I finished the movie. Even if you're from downtown LA or around the area, you're nowhere near an ocean. You're always at least 30-45 minutes away. You can look at my past thread here (http://community.livejournal.com/shelter_diner/25250.html) to get some opinions of the location. But I think that the general consensus is that maybe they live around CalArts but they really gotta drive to see that beach.

I've also never seen a beach like THAT in San Pedro with the beautiful rocks and everything. I went to school over there. It looks more like it's up, up, up the coastline.

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

1. You've confirmed what I was thinking as well. I think that if their relationship starts around the fall, things more or less fall into place in a logical way.

2. Wow, good to know I'm not completely lost on this one! I guess it makes sense if they only do the beach every few weekends since it's so far. That's a little disappointing, but it'll work out. As you've pointed out, the film wasn't all that consistent in making locations authentic, so I guess I could play around with it a little too!

Thanks so much for your help!

[boonesfarmgirl.livejournal.com]

Supposedly the movie takes place over the summer. Jeanne does call Zach "just a summer fuck". There is no way to be accepted in summer and start in fall so maybe he will start in spring? Not a big deal to me though.

Driving in LA. Like I said in the last chat I am sure driving for 45 minutes to go to the beach is nothing. Not something to do every day but maybe on the weekends. Who knows they will be busy going to school, watching Cody, and making whoopi to go surfing that much.

Chelle

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

Jeanne does call Zach "just a summer fuck".

OH YEAH! I forgot about that. So it's official: Jonah Markowitz made no effort whatsoever to have a consistent, realistic time line. But that's OK, I forgive him, and will continue to watch his film repeatedly! I've readjusted the time line in my fic about four times now, so I think I've just got to decide when I want it and stick with that. LOL, this is way more confusing than it needs to be!

Yeah, 35-45 minutes to the beach isn't that big of a deal, especially for a day trip. Just further than Zach is used to.

Thanks!

[ironedpolyester.livejournal.com]

I have nothing to contribute except:

At first, I thought it was summer because, living in Canada, when I see sun and hot weather and people swimming in the ocean I think, hey, must be summer!

That is so me! As a fellow Canadian I have come to expect snow from sometimes as early as the last week of September/first week of October all the way until the end of May...

[ironedpolyester.livejournal.com]

Actually, I meant the end of April. although it has snowed here in May. Silly weather.

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

LOL! Yes, it can get kind of crazy. Whereabouts are you? I'm originally from Montreal, currently in Toronto.

I adore your money icon! ;)