Category: Works in progress

Here is the actual final script. Whilst I still used some of the dialogue from the previous full script, it had very little story and logical progression, this script forms the skeleton of the film. It was written using Adobe Story, a software I had never used before, but I wanted to experience using an actual script writer. It was often irritating and confusing to use, and you couldn’t use copy and paste which was very annoying, but it was useful to have a layout which was very easy to read, and I sent the script over to Sam as a pdf, which is below.

BTF Script

Here is the work in progress script, not far off finished. The sections in bold I asked Sam (the actor) to repeat several times with different emphasis. This is to experiment a little so I can choose my favourites when editing, and also because these phrases are ones I would like to overlap and repeat. I didn’t want to repeat the same piece of dialogue, because that would sound unnatural.

This is not the script, as it will be in the film, this is just a collection of related ’emotive’ phrases. These will be added into more of a story.

There is swearing in this version, because I didn’t know whether I wanted it in or not. It’s something I could take out later if it doesn’t fit. However, a lot of people, when overcome by anger or sadness, swear ‘naturally’. They use swearing to express themselves further, when other words fail them, and do so almost as an immediate reaction. I wanted the anger to sound authentic, and when we tried it at the start of the session, some of it sounded more natural with the swearing. Again, though, still not decided whether to keep it or not.

 

Script

(Happy)

It’s really warm outside today. I think I actually feel good/ok this morning. I’ll go and buy thing to make a curry instead of ordering in. Takeaways always make me feel crap.

 

Makes a change to feel like this.

Oh, a text from Billy. Maybe I do have people that care about me. Maybe they do care. I might invite the guys over later, haven’t seen them in a while. I thought they’d hate me after cancelling on drinks last week. It’s not so bad after all.

I should go and see that new Chris Pratt film in the cinema, it looks really good. The trailer looked interesting, and Rachel said it was brilliant. It will be good to go outside.

 

I’d almost forgotten what feeling like this/ok? Good? is like.

I wonder how Ted’s getting on with his new job. I should text/message [say both] him later to see how he got on. Maybe we could hang out sometime next week.

 

I feel good. I actually feel good. Maybe not quite happy, but good. It’s/that’s a start, right? It doesn’t all feel so bad anymore.

(Upset – & angry?)

[upset, frustrated, almost whining] No one is listening to me. They don’t understand. I can’t do this by myself. I’ll ruin everything. I can’t do this alone.

 

Why do I have to feel so broken? What is wrong with me? I don’t know what to do. I’m a mess. No one can help me. I’m doing it all wrong. I’ll screw everything up. I’ll ruin it.

 

[REPEAT and improvise certain lines like yesterday.] I’m so shit etc etc.

(Upset/depressed)

What’s the point? If I get up, I won’t be able to do anything, so why should I bother? I’m so pathetic. No one will care if I don’t get up. There’s no point. I don’t care.

 

Why do I feel like this? I don’t understand. What can I do?

 

I don’t want to eat. There’s no point. Why bother? No one will care. I don’t care.

 

I wouldn’t want to be around me, so why would anyone else? I’ll stay here. At home. Not surrounded by people who don’t understand. There’s no point. I don’t care. I don’t care anymore.

 

Even if I try to fix it, it won’t work. I can’t do anything. This is useless. I’m useless. I ruin everything.

 

Stop trying to make me feel better. It won’t work. They won’t even care.

 

(Angry)

[frustrated, but not shouting] Stop ignoring me. Help me. Why won’t you help me? I’m too weak. I can’t do this.

 

I don’t know what to do. It’s not my fault. Or it is, I don’t know. No one understands. You don’t know what it’s like.

 

What is wrong with me? What the fuck is wrong me? I’m so stupid. I feel shit. I’m shit. This isn’t normal. Why do I have to be crazy? Why can’t I be normal? Stop asking me if I’m ok. Of course I’m not ok. I don’t need any help. Go away. Leave me alone.

It’s my problem. No one can help me. No one will want to help me. I’m so pathetic. [softer] I don’t know what to do. [Repeats don’t have to be shouting] It has got nothing to do with you. It is none of business.  

 

[shouting] Leave me alone. Listen to me. Get out of my face. You will never understand. What is wrong with me? What the fuck is wrong me? Stop asking me if I’m ok. Of course I’m not ok. I don’t need any help. Go away. Piss off. Fuck off.

 

This was influenced by my own experiences with anxiety, and the OCD video on The Mighty. The script is based around small, seemingly insignificant obsessions that crop up on a daily basis for some suffering with an anxiety disorder, and recurring problems that often set off the small issues and feelings of worry and panic.

 

MAN: (choatic, overlapping) I’m tired. That wasn’t a good sleep. Was it? Did I sleep well last night? I’m going to be really tired today. What if it affects my day today? The meeting is today. Will Sharon know I’m tired? I look tired. My eyes are really heavy. She’ll know I’m tired. How many hours did I sleep? Seven, I think, or eight. No less than usual. Maybe it was less? Was it six? Or five? My clock might be wrong. I’m going to mess up the meeting. I’ll buy a new one today. I need a new clock. How long has it been wrong? Let’s see, I went to bed at 12… What if I’ve been to work late before, but no one told me? That’s why not many people speak to me. I slept until 7.30, that’s seven and a half hours. Is it? I need a new clock. I’ll go and check it. I hope it’s not broken. It’s probably broken. I’m going to mess up the meeting.

(pause)

MAN: It’s not broken. But it’s late. I’ll be late. I’m going to be late. Everyone will look at me. I’m going to mess up the meeting. Got to shave. Must shave. I’ll do it now. Got to make sure the clock is in the right place first.

(pause)

MAN: Right, lather pumps… One, two, three. Oh no, that’s too much. That’s far too much. Too much. Better wash it off and start again. I’m going to mess up the meeting. One, two, three. That’s better. It’s ok. It’s all ok. Lather up. Now with the razor… One, two, three, four, five. Rinse. One, two, three, four, five. Rinse. One, two, three, four, five. Rinse. One, two, three, four, five. Rinse. Towel. I’ve missed a bit. How could I miss it? I did everything right. I don’t understand. It always works. It always works. What am I going to do? I’ll have to start again. I’m going to mess up the meeting. Must start again.

(pause)

MAN: I’ve got my keys. Have I? I’ll just check. Yes, they’re in my pocket. Better get them out to be sure. Great, time to go. Switched the light off, door locked. Did I leave the TV on? I didn’t watch TV this morning. What if it switched itself on? I’ll check. It’s off. I’ll press some buttons to check. Definitely off. Good to go. Door is locked. Try it to be sure. Locked. I’ll just unlock it and lock it again, then I’ll know for certain. Check again. Once more. More force this time. Right, that door is locked. I can go now.

To be continued?