Short film script draft 2
INT/EXT. CAR - MORNING
In a close up shot, MOTHER inserts key into the ignition. Puts foot down onto the clutch and changes the car into first gear. Lowers the hand brake. Turns on indicator. Sound of indicator plays loudly. Indicator light outside of car is shown flashing. Puts hands on wheel and begins to turn it.
The car pulls away, makes a loud sound and drives down the road. Shots from behind of mother driving down the road.
Pedestrian is standing at the crossing and goes to cross. Mother slams hand on the steering wheel. Pedestrians face shows fear and they stumble back. POV shot from pedestrian of the car but due to the light and reflection, we cannot see Mother's face through the window. Sound of horn blasts loudly and continues for a long time. Mother mutters under breath, from back in the car.
Switches on radio and music like that from a music box begins to play. She hums along to the music.
Mother continues to drive and is heading towards the city. Skyline is shown in the distance.
FADE TO:
EXT. FLAT/BALCONY - AFTERNOON
PROTAGONIST stands at balcony with her arms on the railing, looking out at the horizon. Stands in silence for a couple of seconds. Close up of face as she takes a deep inhale.
Knuckles are white from gripping the railing tightly, suggests fear.
PROTAGONIST
I wonder if she's on her way.
Lingers, looking out at horizon
I haven't seen her in ages because she always refuses to accept my point of view. Maybe now, if she sees I've made a real friend, she will have some more faith in me.
What do you think?
(takes a deep breath but continues to look out at the landscape)
Dorothy?
(turns to look back through the door of the apartment)
Hello, Dorothy, are you even listening to me?
DOROTHY sits at a table inside the apartment. She is shown through the doorway and sits stiffly. Looks at PROTAGONIST.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
PROTAGONIST walks through door and sits at table opposite DOROTHY. There are dolls around the room behind Dorothy. There are two brioches on the table.
PROTAGONIST
I’m sorry, I’m just stressed.
Mother will be here soon and she’s
such a handful
(All shots of Dorothy's face are shown from the point of view of the Protagonist).
PROTAGONIST
You don't eat anything; you'll need the energy for meeting mother.
The two girls are sitting opposite each other at the table. PROTAGONIST takes bite of brioche. DOROTHY stares at her mechanically.
PROTAGONIST
You actually don't understand, Mother is always making things up. She sees things differently than the rest of us do.
PROTAGONIST reaches forward and touches DOROTHY's hand. There is a shot of the two opposite each other, in which our view DOROTHY is blocked by a doll in the foreground. The focus pulls from the girls to the doll.
You need to be careful. You just don't know when she will snap.
PROTAGONIST sits for a second, looking nervous
Don't worry though, she won't hurt you or anything. You're just the kind of daughter she would want, quiet and pretty. I try and try but she never accepts me... and she always makes such a big scene when she meets my new friends
Anyway, what time is it? (leaning over to look at watch on DOROTHY's arm)
CUT TO:
EXT/INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON
MOTHER applies lipstick in the mirror but only her lips can be seen. MOTHER's feet are shown stepping out of the car and walking towards the block of flats. Walks to the door and opens it. Walks across the tiled floor towards the lift.
There is a sound bridge between the sound of her feet walking and the ticking of DOROTHY's watch.
BACK TO:
INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
Close up of DOROTHY's watch ticking. PROTAGONIST sits back in shock.
PROTAGONIST
(in fear)
She should be here any moment. Quick let me brush your hair, it needs to be perfect
PROTAGONIST stands up and picks up a hairbrush and mirror next to DOROTHY who slightly smiles and dips her gaze. PROTAGONIST places mirror in DOROTHY’s hand so that it covers her face and begins to brush DOROTHY's long straight hair.
BACK TO:
INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON
MOTHER is shown from behind. Close up of her hand pressing the button on the lift repeatedly. Wide shot of her looking up as the numbers at the top of the lift decrease.
BACK TO:
INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
PROTAGONIST is still brushing DOROTHY's hair.
PROTAGONIST
wow, your hair is so much prettier than mine, I'm so jealous
PROTAGONIST stops brushing DOROTHY's hair and opens music box which starts to play broken sounding music. She takes the blush from inside and slams box lid which stops music. She begins to apply blush to DOROTHY’s cheeks.
Mother will think you're beautiful
BACK TO:
INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON
MOTHER walks into the lift and turns around. We see a full body shot of her from the front and see her face for the first time, just before the lift door closes in front of her. The music box music starts to play again.
INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
PROTAGONIST is breathing heavily, fidgeting with her hands nervously.
INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON
Close up of number above lift escalating
BACK TO:
INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
PROTAGONIST still stressed. Close ups of her. Her hand in a tight fist, breathing deeply. A shot of her and DOROTHY from behind. PROTAGONIST has head in hands. DOROTHY is the doll, but the audience are not shown enough to reveal this yet.
BACK TO:
INT. BLOCK OF FLATS - AFTERNOON
The number at the top of the lift stops. The doors open and MOTHER steps out. She is smiling. The music continues.
MOTHER walks out of the lobby and onto the balcony. Walks down the narrow balcony and presses the buzzer which sounds harshly and lasts for long, bringing the music to silence.
MOTHER opens this door which closes on us and camera CROSS FADES to other side. Mother continues to walk down balcony, coming to the door of the apartment which is open. She lingers at the door.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. FLAT/APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
We see DOROTHY through PROTAGONIST POV shot one more time. Close up of MOTHER's eyes widening in fear and she gasps. Long shot, there is a mannequin/doll sitting next to PROTAGONIST. Cuts back and forth between MOTHER and the girls, giving better shots of the doll.
PROTAGONIST
(calmly) Hello Mother
MOTHER stumbles back and leaves from the doorway, down the balcony
The doll's head slowly turns to follow her, and last shot is doll looking through the doorway.
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