5-10 Minute First Draft Script - 'REGRET'.

This is our current script for the 5-10 minute film. We're meeting with the main actors later today to discuss their dialogue and whether they are comfortable saying the more explicit dialogue or if they have any suggestion to improve their dialogue. As a production team we're happy with the script. The narrative of the film is and sequence of different shots in a non-linear order is shown as accurately as possible. This will aid the production and the time efficiency of shooting the film. We will be able to follow the script as a guide along side the storyboard. This will allow us to remember each shot which needs to be filmed for each scene.


5-10 Minute Script - 'Regret'


       

Incase you can't view the script in the slideshow format above, It is shown in basic text below...



SCENE 1. INT. NIGHT. RECORDING STUDIO.

          Harry is recording his first ever song in a recording
          studio.

          As the evening progresses, Harry attempts to get in touch
          with his brother Ryan, as Ryan promised to spend the evening
          with Harry to support him and give him a lift home
          afterwards. Harry tries to get in touch with Ryan via phone
          calls, but for a long time there is no answer.

                              CUTS TO: INT. NIGHT. RYAN'S OFFICE.

          Ryan's phone is ringing and it is clear that it is Harry.
          Ryan cancels the calls and continues typing on his computer.
          After sometime, Ryan finally answers Harry call and says.

                    RYAN: I'm swamped with work Harry,
                    I'm not gonna' be able to make it!

                           CUTS TO: INT. NIGHT. RECORDING STUDIO.

                    HARRY: Pfft. Well are you still
                    gonna' take me home later on at
                    8(pm) as you promised? It's a long
                    walk home with my guitar, it's
                    heavy, it weighs me down, and it's
                    late, that's why I asked you.
                    RYAN: I'll be there, I promise.

          SCENE 2. EXT. NIGHT. OUTSIDE RECORDING STUDIO.
          Wide Angle Long Shot:

          The time is 8pm and Harry is outside the recording studio on
          a dark winter evening waiting for Ryan to pick him up on the
          main street.

                              CUTS TO: INT. NIGHT. RYAN'S OFFICE.

          It is also 8pm and Ryan is solidly typing on a computer
          intensely working  to a deadline, the clock clearly shows
          that the time is 8pm.

                   CUTS TO: EXT. NIGHT. OUTSIDE RECORDING STUDIO.

          Its 8:15pm Harry looks at his watch then angrily walks off
          down the road with his guitar on his back… On his way home
          he gets a call of Ryan.

                    RYAN: Harry?
                    HARRY: What?
                    RYAN: I lost track of time I've
                    been busy with work but I'm on my
                    way to pick you up in the car.
                    HARRY: I'm fucking walking home
                    Ryan, don't bother. You always do
                    this, make bull shit promises you
                    can't keep. You're not interested
                    in anything I do, you're the
                    wankest brother ever!

          Harry hangs up the phone…

                               CUTS TO: INT. NIGHT RYAN'S OFFICE.

                    RYAN: Hello? Harry? Harry?

          Ryan realises Harry has hung up the phone; he quickly closes
          down his computer and gets his things together in a rush
          before leaving for his car to go home.

          SCENE 3. INT. DAY. KITCHEN 3-WAY CONVERSATION.

          wide angle shot:

          Harry, Ryan and their Mother Fiona are in the Kitchen around
          8am. Harry is playing guitar in the corner of the kitchen in
          his school uniform, whilst Ryan is dressed for work and sat
          on the edge of the Kitchen table, eating cereal from a bowl
          and talking to their Mother; who is lent on the kitchen side
          across from Ryan with a cup of tea in her hand.

          Ryan's bragging to their Mother about how well he is doing
          at work. As Ryan brags more and the conversation continues,
          Harry increasingly plays louder and louder until their
          Mother says,

                    MOTHER: Harry turn that down!
                    (Pause) God, I wish you were more
                    like your brother; more bothered
                    about a career rather than that
                    useless thing you spend all your
                    time on!

          Fiona points at Harry's guitar.

          Then Harry angrily says...

                    HARRY: I'll never be like him!

          Harry storms out of the kitchen, Ryan and their mother stare
          in the direction Harry left the room.

          SCENE 4. EXT. NIGHT. HARRY'S WALK HOME.

          Cinematic Shots of Harry walking home from the recording
          studio, in the cold winter's night.

          SCENE 5. INT. DAY. FOOTBALL STADIUM SCENE.

          Harry is wearing his red football scarf watching a football
          game. There is an empty seat next to Harry which is where
          Ryan is supposed to be sat. Everyone is stood on their feet
          and enjoying themselves, whilst, Harry is clearly not
          engaged with the football. He's looking around waiting for
          Ryan, Harry is expecting him to turn up. It is clear that
          Harry can't enjoy the match until Ryan arrives because he is
          worrying whether he's going to show up or not.

          Harry texts Ryan which reads...

                    RYAN: Where are you bro?

          SCENE 6: EXT. NIGHT. RYAN'S CAR JOURNEY HOME.

          Ryan is quickly traveling home from work in attempt to pick
          up Harry on his way home from the recording studio. Ryan
          hears Harry's voice as if it is his memory:
                    HARRY (VOICE-OVER): You're never
                    there for me... bullshit
                    promises... You're only bothered
                    about yourself.

          Ryan starts sweating and looks petrified. It is at this
          point when he realises how he mistreats his brother and
          prioritises work and everything over Harry and that he's
          never there for him.

                             CUTS TO: INT. DAY. FOOTBALL STADIUM.

          Harry's sat in the same seat in the stadium staring to the
          floor with his head down looking devastated because his
          brother still hasn't turned up.

                        CUTS TO: EXT. NIGHT. RYAN'S JOURNEY HOME.
          CLOSE UP shot:

          Ryan driving home. He looks very worried, nervous, guilty
          and regretful.

          SCENE 7: EXT. NIGHT. THE TUNNEL.

          Harry approaches a tunnel. He begins to walk through the
          tunnel and is followed by two older males who look
          suspicious. Harry doesn't notice the males and stops half
          way through the tunnel, leans on the side of the wall and
          rings Ryan.

                    HARRY: (Deep breath) What is he
                    doing?

                    CUTS TO: EXT. NIGHT. RYAN'S CAR JOURNEY HOME.

          close up shot of ryan's phone:

          Ryan's phone is recieving a call from Harry. Ryan doesn't
          answer because his phone is on silent and he is driving.

                                 CUTS TO: EXT. NIGHT. THE TUNNEL.

          Two older males move in on Harry. One of the male muggers
          waits at the entrance of the tunnel as a look out. The other
          mugger sneaks up behind Harry and steals Harry's guitar and
          pushes him to the floor. He hits his head on the floor and
          is left unconscious. The mugger kicks Harry whilst he is on
          the floor in a stamping motion. However, Harry is already
          dead from the fall. Harry dies whilst holding his phone with
          a text sent from Ryan which reads...

                    RYAN'S TEXT: I'm sorry Harry, I
                    love you!

                             CUTS TO: INT. DAY. FOOTBALL STADIUM.

          Harry looks around for Ryan a last time. He notices he's not
          there so he stands up from his seat, removes the football
          scarf from around his neck, throws it on the floor. He
          shuffles along the aisle and leaves the ground.

                    CUTS TO: EXT. NIGHT. RYAN'S CAR JOURNEY HOME.

          CLOSE UP SHOT:

          Ryan's face driving home looking star struck. Almost like he
          knows something has happened and it is his fault.

          SCENE 8: INT. DAY. RYAN AFTER HARRY'S DEATH.

          Footage of Ryan waking up, going downstairs to the kitchen
          to find Harry not there. He sits down at the kitchen table
          and eats a bowl of cereal, just like he did everyone other
          morning before. However, this time his brother is nowhere to
          be seen. Ryan looks towards the place where Harry was sat
          and the place where his guitar and amplifier was.

          SCENE 9: EXT. DAY. RYAN FOLLOWS A DEAD HARRY.

          Ryan spots Harry in town through a busy crowd. He follows
          the image of Harry to the Tunnel of his murder, where Ryan
          can’t handle the realisation of Harry's death and crashes
          hard. He clearly goes through a mental crisis.

          SCENE 10: INT. DAT. HARRY'S ROOM.

          Ryan walks into Harry's room and is sat on his bed
          screaming, holding Harry's football scarf. It is this scene
          where the spectator will grasp Ryan's regret.

       

       

                                  THE END.

5-10 Minute Treatment - 'REGRET'

Emotion

- Regret.

Main Characters

Ryan - 23 Years of age. (Harry's older brother).

Harry - 16 Years of age. (Ryan's younger brother).

Ancillary Characters

Fiona - 40-50 Years of age. (Ryan's and Harry's Mother).

Two Male Robbers - 18-20 Years of age.

Locations

- Recording Studio/Band Practice Rooms.

- Office (Ryan's place of work).

- Ryan's and Harry's Home (Kitchen, Harry's Bedroom, Ryan's Bedroom, Living room).

- Football Stadium. (Bramall Lane, Sheffield United), (Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday) or (Oakwell, Barnsley).

Synopsis

The film is about Ryan's and Harry's dysfunctional brotherly relationship. Harry feels neglected from his family. His only true passion is to play his guitar and his love for song-writing, but Ryan and their Mother frown upon Harry's talent as wasted time which could be better spent focusing towards his studies and a reputable career like his brother Ryan. Ryan spends all of his time working where he prioritises endless hours in the office after work rather than spending assured time with Harry. Ryan endlessly breaks promises and forgets about plans he's arranged with Harry. Harry has finally earned the resources to record his first song at a recording studio. Ryan promises to support Harry by being there and to give him a lift home afterwards. However, Ryan forgets and leaves Harry abandoned outside the recording studio after Harry has finished the recording and everyone has gone home. After yearningly waiting outside for Ryan to show up, a devastated Harry decides to walk home through the city, with his guitar, late at night. But it is the events which occur towards Harry on this walk home which will make Ryan regret all the times he neglected his little brother, ignored his talent and prioritised hours of meaningless work over the irreplaceable time which could have been spent with Harry.

Brief Outline

The film will essentially be constructed from two storylines and structured using a non-linear narrative. The first and main storyline will be of one main event which takes place from the beginning and throughout the duration of the film. This main storyline causes a catastrophic feel of regret on Ryan's behalf. The second storyline will gradually reveal dramatic events within the story disclosing a stronger sense of Ryan's regret as the film's duration continues. These events will be shown as flashbacks; in the sense of external analepses. These flashbacks will invoke events occurring prior to the start of the main narrative, giving more detail about Ryan's and Harry's relationship and essentially showing events which will make Ryan's regret towards the end of the film seem more significant to the audience.

The two storylines will merge together in Scene 7. It is Scene 8, 9 and 10 which is when Ryan's realises Harry's death and his emotion of regret seeps through clearly overpowering his life.   

The main narrative will consist of (Scene 1: Recording Studio / Ryan's Office, Scene 2: Outside Recording Studio, Scene 4: Harry's Walk Home, Scene 6: Ryan's Car Journey Home, Scene 7: The Tunnel).

The second narrative will consist of (Scene 3: Kitchen 3-Way Conversation, Scene 5: Football Stadium Scene).   

 The two narratives merged together will consist of (Scene 8: Ryan waking up/Kitchen, Scene 9: Following Dead Harry to The Tunnel, Scene 10: Dead Harry's Bedroom).

Throughout the film they're also numerous 'cuts to' shots which involve different scenes and the dramatic events from both storylines. This is accurately stated in the following Step by Step Outline. This states the Film's chronological sequence of scenes and shots; in a more precise description of the film's structure.    

Visual Aesthetic

The main look of this piece will be focused on Harry’s loneliness and unhappiness
Versus Ryan’s lack of empathy and the family situation where Ryan is the black sheep.
The lock off shots in the recording studio will portray Harry’s isolation but also ambition with music. On the other hand Ryan is in his office overwhelmed with work and disregard towards his bother (static MS shots)
A low key shot of Ryan walking home in the street/tunnel with his guitar combining long and close up shots of his face and figure again highlighting his loneliness (maybe some tracking shots). The pace will become more dynamic when we arrive at the tunnel where the tracking shot is taking place right before Harry gets mugged.
The main family scene has three characters in it. It will be in a TV Drama style where we mostly get medium close ups of the two brothers and their mother along with a master shot to set up the interior of the house - kitchen/living room.
Visually the retrospective shots i.e. memories and flashbacks will convey regret and sorrow through a realism i.e. static long shots which make the spectator feel like they are a spectator inside the film.

Audio Aesthetic

Firstly, each take on shoot will be recorded using a Zoom and an external microphone so that in the editing procedure audio can be synchronised with the easily before any as atmospheric and foley tracks are added. I will also record an atmospheric track for each scene, to use so to avoid any disjointed silences. It is important to strengthen the mood and ambience of the piece with these additional tracks by keeping atmospheric tracks relatively light to listen to when Ryan is going through phases of regret to add a sadder tone. If music is used alongside, it should also sound very sombre. If present, lyrics of any music should try to reflect loss, or regret. Eerie and echo-like audio tracks may also be effective in enhancing a ‘dream’ state or ‘ghostly’ ambience to the film, enforcing the fact that Ryan’s brother is not around anymore at the present time. Audio will be kept to a relatively low and soft level, unless there are tracks that are directly linked to what is happening on screen. For example, when we see Ryan inside the football stadium the sounds of the crowd will become very prominent all of a sudden. This will all contrast to the audio during moments of violence, namely when Harry is killed in the film. Audio for this must be hard-hitting to replicate the state of shock Ryan will be feeling following this event. Higher tempo music would be used leading up to the event to create more tension and drama. To finish off the sound design, I will be using reverb to correct the sound according to room sizes and such, and editing any level/EQ to compliment other tracks.

Style, Mood and Tone

As a group we want our intended audience to be over 18, creating a gritty British drama, showing swearing and violence and the buildup of the death of the younger brother Harry. The use of mise-en-scene, cinematography, post production, audio, the locations we chose and also the lighting makes up the style of our film. The locations we have used are key to create the style and tone of our piece, for example, the Tunnel scene, it sets up the tone of the scene already, creating an eerie atmosphere, almost making the audience know that something bad might happen; we want to film this scene at night, therefore there will be minor lighting, apart from the few lights inside the tunnel which will also create a sinister tone.

The mood of our film has a big effect on our audience. It moves their emotions and feeling throughout the film. We want our audience to be engaged throughout our film, setting a pace so that we have our audience's attention, hiding the production much as possible through editing, and making sure we show the best performances in our film by the actor. In our film, the audience may be able to relate to characters and emotions the emotions that are being portrayed in our piece, and begin to feel sympathy both of the two main characters in different ways. We see the relationship between both of the two brothers, seeing how Ryan does not appreciate his brother, or doesn't show it, and this is upsetting and yet quite frustrating to watch, especially for character Harry. As we see the story unravel throughout our film, the audience sees the buildup of our key emotion ‘regret’ which is built up throughout, and is strongly highlighted at the end of our film.

Inspiration

We've had many influences for the development of our short film within the 2 minute piece which will follow parallel the to 10 minute piece. Some examples of current films that we took Inspiration from that we took ideas and concepts was the work of Shane Meadows, mainly his 2004 cult hit "Dead Man's Shoes". As a group all liked the way in which the film was trying something different to traditional British cinema, and we wanted to try and replicate this within our own production as it has similar themes (to sections storylines) that we want to portray In our own film. The darker undertones used through "Dead man's Shoes" with the combination of British Cinematic elements is something we want to try and utilise to make our film both visually interested and home grown. Our aim is to try at create and a emotional piece of work which engages the audience and hopefully gets them to have empathy with the characters on many levels and hopefully we will achieve this.

Step-By-Step Film Outline - 'REGRET'

Step By Step Outline:

Scene 1) Recording Studio:

Harry is recording his first song in a recording studio and as anyone would be, he is really happy with it. He is eager to show Ryan because he wants his brother to be proud of him after finally accomplishing something. However, Ryan is too busy with work. As the evening of song recording is coming to an end Harry constantly tries to ring Ryan so that he can come a share the last part of the day supporting Harry, but Ryan ignores Harry's calls and carries on with his office work. Ryan finally answers Harry's call and explains to Harry… "I'm swamped with work, I can't make it this time". Harry says, "are you still going to take me home at 8pm as you promised? It's a long walk home with my guitar weighing me down." Ryan says, "Yes I'll be there!"

Scene 2) Outside Recording Studio:

The time is 8pm and Harry is outside the recording studio on a dark winter evening waiting for Ryan to pick him up on the main street. (Wide Angle Long Shot) - Underneath a street light if possible.

Cuts to:

(Ryan's Office) It is also 8pm and Ryan is solidly typing on a computer intensely working  to a deadline, the clock clearly shows that the time is 8pm.

Cuts to:

(Outside Recording Studio) Its 8:15pm Harry looks at his watch then angrily walks off down the road with his guitar on his back… On his way home he gets a call of Ryan. He explains, "I'm sorry, I've been busy with work but I'm on my way to pick you up in the car". Harry says, "I'm fucking walking home Ryan, don't bother. You always do this, make bull shit promises you can't keep. You're not interested in anything I do, Wankest brother ever!". Harry hangs up the phone…

Cuts to:

(Ryan's Office) Ryan says "Hello? Harry? Harry?" Ryan realises Harry has hung up the phone; he quickly closes down his computer and gets his things together in a rush before leaving for his car to go home.

Scene 3) Kitchen 3-way Conversation:

Harry, Ryan and their Mother Fiona are in the Kitchen around 8am before their daily duties. Harry is playing guitar in the corner of the kitchen in his school uniform, whilst Ryan is dressed for work and sat on the edge of the Kitchen table, eating cereal from a bowl and talking to their Mother; who is leant on the kitchen side across from Ryan with a cup of tea in her hand. Ryan's bragging to their Mother about how well he is doing at work. As Ryan brags more and the conversation continues, Harry increasingly plays louder and louder until their Mother says, "Harry turn that down!" God, I wish you were more like your brother; more bothered about a career rather than that useless thing you spend all your time on!" (Fiona points at Harry's guitar). Harry angrily says, "I'll never be like him!" (Harry storms out of the kitchen, Ryan and their mother stare in the direction Harry left the room).

Cuts to:

Scene 4) Harry's Walk Home:

Shots of Harry walking home from the recording studio, in the cold winter's night.

Cuts to:

Scene 5) Football Stadium Scene:

Harry is watching a football game. There is an empty seat next to Harry which is where Ryan is supposed to be sat. (Everyone is stood around Harry is looking around for Ryan, as if he is expecting him. It is clear that Harry can't enjoy the match until Ryan arrives because he is worrying whether he's going to show up or not.

Cuts to:

Scene 6) Ryan's Car Journey Home:

Ryan is quickly travelling home from work in attempt to pick up Harry on his way home from the recording studio. Ryan hears Harry's voice as if it is his memory: (Voice Over) - Harry's voice, "You're never there for me", "bullshit promises", "only bothered about yourself". (Ryan sweating, looking petrified, realising how he mistreats his brother and that he's never there for him).

Cuts to:

(Football Stadium Scene) Harry sat in the seat in the stadium staring to the floor with his head down looking devastated because his brother hasn't turned up.

Cuts to:

(Ryan's Journey Home) Close up shot - Ryan driving home.

Cuts to:

Scene 7) The Tunnel:

Harry approaches a tunnel. He walks into it and is followed by two older males. Harry tries to ring Ryan but he doesn't answer because his phone is on silent and he is driving.

Cuts to:

(Ryan's Journey home) Ryan's in the car and his phone is receiving a call from Harry.

Cuts to:

(The Tunnel) Two older males steal Harry's guitar and push him to the floor. He hits his head on the floor and is left unconscious. Harry dies, whilst holding his phone with a text sent from Ryan which read, "I'm sorry Harry, I love you!" The audience are left to wonder whether Harry saw the text or whether it came through when he was already dead.

Cuts to:

(Football Stadium) Harry looks around for Ryan a last time. He notices he's not there so he stands up from his seat, removes the football scarf from around his neck, throws it on the floor and walks shuffles along the aisle appearing to leave the ground.

Scene 8) Ryan after Harry's Death:

Footage of Ryan waking up, going downstairs to the kitchen to find Harry not there.

Cuts to:

Scene 9) Ryan following a Dead Harry

Ryan spots Harry in town through a busy crowd. He follows the image of Harry to the Tunnel of his murder, where Ryan can’t handle the realisation of Harry's death and goes through a crisis.

Cuts to:

Scene 10) Harry's room

Ryan walks into Harry's room and is sat on his bed screaming, holding Harry's football scarf. It is this scene where the spectator will grasp Ryan's regret.

THE END.

Finished Film 2-Minute Character Study - 'REGRET'

REGRET - 2 Minute Character Study from SHU Film & Media Production on Vimeo.

This is our final 2-Minute Character Study exercise. The storyline and the emotion of 'regret' used in this film will be used to create our 5-10 minute film.