Friday, February 25, 2022

Planning Blog: Script- A Blockbuster in the Making

     Welcome back! In today's blog, we've outlined the script for our film opening below to ensure that we have a clear idea of sound cues, the places where we would like to insert editing, the dialogue, and the shots used within our film so that we are able to film more efficiently and not have to worry about coming up with ideas on the spot. With that being said, I hope that our script gives you a detailed and entertaining insight into our upcoming opening. Enjoy! 

Script:

1  EXT. HOUSE - DAY

An establishing wide shot is used to show that the RONNIE's house has dead and sickly-looking grass in its yard, and the weather outside seems to be overcast and gloomy. A dissolve is used to cut to the next scene.

2  INT. KITCHEN - DAY

A long, full-body shot is used to show as RONNIE walks over to and sits down at the dining table. CANNED FRUITS are scattered about the room. A cut then occurs to a medium close-up shot of the dining table upon which a BOWL OF MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS sits to the right of RONNIE and a PLATE with an APPLE lies next to RONNIE'S LAPTOP on the left.  The diegetic sound of television is heard playing in the background. RONNIE is shown wearing casual clothing and sitting in a CHAIR in the middle of the table using his laptop to write an article on Word. RONNIE grabs the APPLE from the PLATE and takes a bite out of it.   

                        RONNIE

                      (disgust)

    Eugh! What's with these nasty fake apples? 

                   (beat)

    Mom, where'd you get these from?

Silence.

RONNIE throws APPLE into the garbage can. A point of view shot is used within the trashcan which shows a blurred-out ELECTRICAL BILL. Once the APPLE falls in, it will "hit" the camera and cut to the next shot. A shot-reverse-shot is used during the first three lines of the following exchange. It begins with a medium close-up shot framing pointing from behind RONNIE's LAPTOP facing him and switches to an over-the-shoulder shot behind RONNIE facing towards the rest of the kitchen. After that, the camera settles on a close-up medium shot framing facing from behind the LAPTOP towards RONNIE.

                         MOM

                   (distant)

Are you ready?

                        RONNIE

                    (irritated)

Ready for what?

                         MOM 

We need to spend some time with your uncle.

                        RONNIE

                (inconsiderate)

Who cares? He's going to die soon anyway!

                        MOM

                     (angry)

Don't say things like that. 

                   (beat)

RONNIE hits the table with his hand in frustration.                       

                       RONNIE

                    (defeated)

Man!

                        MOM

Go get your jacket; we're leaving right now! 

An over-the-shoulder shot is used to show the title of the film on the LAPTOP's screen and RONNIE as he shuts his LAPTOP, grabs it, and leaves the dining table.

3 INT. STAIRS - DAY

A close-up, stationary shot is used to show RONNIE's feet as he walks up the stairs towards his room. The non-diegetic sound of suspenseful music plays in the background and continues to play up until the end of Scene 7.

4 INT. HOUSE - DAY

A medium shot angling from the back towards the left-side of RONNIE's profile is used to show him against a blurred background as he stands in front of his bedroom doorway holding his LAPTOP.

                        RONNIE

                      (annoyed)

Man, it sucks living here!

RONNIE then angrily opens and shuts his bedroom door, where the camera tracks to the right and focuses for a moment on the NAME SIGN on his door. At the same time, the diegetic sound of his bedroom door slamming shut is heard.

5 INT. BEDROOM - DAY

A wide shot is used to show that RONNIE's bedroom is messy, with various articles of clothing littered around the room. There are a few posters up and a guitar leaning against the nightstand. The bed is lined with satin grey sheets. A high-angle, tracking shot is used to show as RONNIE walks into the room, drops his LAPTOP on the bed, and walks towards his closet, where he grabs the door handle. 

6 INT. CLOSET - DAY

An action match-cut showing RONNIE from a low angle as he walks into the closet and tries to turn on the light switch.

                         RONNIE

                       (mutters)

When is dad going to fix this dang light? 

The same low-angle shot is used to show RONNIE as he looks around the closet in search of his RED JACKET.

                                RONNIE (CONT'D)

                       (yells)

Mom! Where is my red jacket?

                         MOM

All the way in the back!

RONNIE moves further into the closet over the camera which is still using a low-angle shot. The camera then cuts to a medium-long shot outside of the closet door where the LIGHTS flicker five times.

7 INT. BEDROOM - DAY

RONNIE then emerges from the closet holding the jacket. The camera then cuts to a point-of-view shot as RONNIE walks into the center of his room. RONNIE stops abruptly and the camera begins to pan and tilt around the room, still using a point-of-view shot. The bedroom is now clean, and lacking a guitar and LAPTOP. Moreover, one of the posters around the room is different and the bed is now covered in white sheets.

                       RONNIE

What the-?

The camera then cuts to RONNIE using a medium-long shot as he opens his bedroom door from the inside and looks out. RONNIE notices that things look different outside of his room as well.

                       RONNIE(CONT'D)

                       (yells)

Mom!

                         MOM 

What RICKY?

RONNIE leans out the door and looks to find that the NAME SIGN has changed to RICKY's name.

                       RONNIE

What in the world is going on?

The camera cuts back to RONNIE in the room using medium-shot framing. RONNIE thinks about his situation for a moment before a tracking shot is used to follow him back to the outside of the closet. The camera stops outside of the closet as RONNIE walks all the way to the back and shuts the door. The LIGHTS flicker three times. The non-diegetic music quickens. RONNIE exits the closet, still holding his jacket, and using another point-of-view shot, he sees that his room has returned back to its usual state, including his LAPTOP being on his bed. The non-diegetic music softens. The camera then cuts to a medium shot with RONNIE still in his bedroom.

                       RONNIE

              (uncertainly)

Mom?

Silence.

A medium shot is used once more alongside a tracking shot as RONNIE walks towards his bedroom door. 

8 INT. HALLWAY - DAY

The camera then cuts to a hallway as he walks towards the living room and the camera is facing him.

                      RONNIE(CONT'D)

                  (unease)

Mom?

The camera zooms in and settles on a medium-close-up shot of RONNIE.

Silence.

9 INT. LIVING ROOM- DAY

RONNIE walks quickly into the living room where the camera is still facing him and where he sees something behind the camera. 

                     RONNIE(CONT'D)

                  (extreme panic)

Mom

                                                       FADE OUT

THE END

Closing Remarks:

Overall, I'd say that this script is certainly a great basis for the creation of our opening and that it will certainly be helpful once we get into the hands-on portion of our production process. Hence why I do believe that our opening is sure to be "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke).



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