Scene I. College Graduate
INT. A NEW APARTMENT – MORNING
OUR MAIN CHARACTER, ZACHARY CARTER, HAS JUST GRADUATED
COLLEGE. HE IS A MALE , ABOUT 25 YEARS OLD. HE HAS BEEN
SUCCESSFUL IN HIS LIFE SO FAR, AND BELIEVES THAT HIS SUCCESS
WILL CONTINUE NATURALLY. HE DISPLAYS ARROGANCE, BUT, LIKE
MANY PEOPLE, IT IS ONLY PLAIN WHEN HE TALKS (NOTE, THIS STORY
CONTAINS MINIMAL DIALOGUE, SO ZACH WILL SHOW HIS ARROGANCE
THROUGH HIS GESTURES, EXPRESSIONS, AND EMOTIONS).
Zach is in his adequately, yet dimly lit
room. the morning sun shines in through
the window. We do not see him yet, but we
see
(MEDIUM WIDE SHOT) AN ENTIRE DRESSER FULL, AND HALF A WALL,
OF AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
(BOOM CATCH NOISE ON WALL)(THE CAMERA DOLLYS CAMERA RIGHT)
THROUGH THESE UNTIL A PAIR OF HANDS ENTER THE FRAME WITH A
PICTURE FRAME CONTAINING A COLLEGE DIPLOMA. IT IS CAREFULLY
PLACED ON THE WALL AND THE HANDS TAKE GREAT CARE TO ENSURE
THAT IT IS STRAIGHT.
(CAMERA NOW CONTINUES ITS PAN WITH MORE ROTATION) UNTIL WE
SEE ZACH’S OVERLY CONTENTED FACE(STOP ON MEDIUM FACE SHOT).
(OFF SET BOOM CAPTURE ALARM)(WIDE SHOT ROOM AND ZACH) ZACH
IS WEARING HIS PAJAMAS INDICATING THAT HE JUST WOKE UP JUST
THEN, AN ALARM GOES OFF AND ZACH PULLS OUT HIS PHONE TO SEE
WHY.
(OVR SHLDR VIEW PHONE) THE PHONE SHOWS THAT HE HAS AN
INTERVIEW IN AN HOUR. ZACH HAS PLENTY OF TIME AND GETS READY.
(BOOM TO PICK UP ADJUSTING TIE)(OVR SHLDR) ZACH EXPRESSES
HIS CONTENT IN THE MIRROR BY ADJUSTING HIS TIE AND GIVING
HIMSELF A WINK-AND-GUN
FADE OUT:
Scene II. The Interview
INT. PROFESSIONAL OFFICE WAITING ROOM – DAY
(LOW ANGLE WS) ZACH IS WAITING OUTSIDE THE OFFICE OF THE
BOSS OF A BIG COMPANY.
By the way the office looks and how Zach
is dressed, we can tell that he is seeking
a high paying job.
(TRACK TO MS, CRANE UP) ZACH STANDS, BUTTONS HIS SUIT JACKET,
COMPOSES HIMSELF FURTHER, PUTS ON AN OVERCONFIDENT SMILE AND
GOES INTO THE OFFICE. (EXITS SHOT)
CUT TO:
INT. PROFESSIONAL OFFICE MAIN OFFICE – DAY
(BOOM TO CAPTURE DOOR SHUTTING)(SHOT OFF THE BOSSES LEFT
SIDE) ZACH ENTERS THE OFFICE CAVALIERLY, PLACES HIS RESUME
IN A MANILLA FOLDER (CAPTURE RESUME DROPPED ON DESK) ON THE
BOSSES DESK AND SITS IN THE CHAIR.
He kicks his feet up on the desk thinking
that it is a foregone conclusion that he
has the job.
(POV ZACH PAN FROM FEET TO BOSS) THE BOSS HAS A
SOLEMN/SUPRISED/DISGUSTED LOOK ON HIS FACE AFTER SUCH
DISRESPECT.
(CUT BACK PRECIOUS SHOT) ZACH CLEARLY DOESN’T SEE THAT
WAY.(CUT BACK PREVIOUS SHOT)
The boss, looking for a justification for
such confidence, looks at the paper he has
been handed.
(OVR SHLDR) AT THE TOP IT SAYS “RESUME” BUT NAUGHT BUT HALF
THE PAGE IS FILLED.
(POV ZACH ON BOSS) THE BOSS LOOKS UP AT (POV BOSS) A WIDE
SMILING ZACH.
(POV ZACH ON BOSS) HE PUTS THE PAPER DOWN, CLASPS HIS HANDS
ON HIS DESK. (BOOM FOR PAPER AND HAND CLASP)
CUT TO:
INT. PROFESSIONAL OFFICE WAITING ROOM – DAY
Zach was rejected from the Job
(WIDE SHOT)(CAPTURE FOOTSTEPS) ZACH SLOWLY WALKS OUT OF THE
OFFICE LOOKING VERY UPSET.
He is sad, but it is manifesting itself in
anger.
(OVR SHLDR TO PAPER) HE LOOKS AT HIS RESUME THAT IS, AT THIS
POINT FILLED WITH INFORMATION.
Indicates that Zach sees more in his
accomplishments that are really there.
(CLOSE UP) HE DESERVED THAT JOB, DIDN’T HE?
(MEDIUM SHOT)(BOOM PAPER TEARING UP) HE TEARS UP THE PAPER
IN ANGER. HE HAS ALL THE CREDENTIALS, BUT IT IS THE BOSSES
FAULT FOR NOT SEEING IT.
Scene III. A Caring Girlfriend
INT. A NEW APARTMENT: HALL AND KITCHEN – AFTERNOON
(MS) (CAPTURE DOOR OPEN AND CLOSE) ZACH ENTERS FRONT DOOR
SLOWLY AND SULLENLY.
(FOLLOWING SHOT) (CAPTURE KITCHEN SIZZLING) ZACH CONTINUES
IN THE APARTMENT TO FIND HIS GIRLFRIEND IN THE KITCHEN MAKING
SOMETHING FOR THEM TO EAT.
Girlfriend is wearing basic blouse and skirt.
(CU) GIRLFRIEND WELCOMES HIM HOME AND IS EAGER TO HEAR THE
NEWS.
(TWO SHOT) SHE MOVES TO CONSOLE HIM BUT SHE SEES HE IS UPSET
AND FIGURES THAT HE DIDN’T GET THE JOB.
(FOLLOW PAN) HE BRUSHES HER OFF AND STORMS OFF TO HIS ROOM
(WS) (CAPTURE BODY SLAM SOUND) ZACH GOES INTO HIS ROOM AND
BODY-SLAMS DOWN ON HIS BED.
(MS) GIRLFRIEND COMES TO THE DOOR AND LOOKS IN ON ZACH. SHE
CONSIDERS HER NEXT MOVE. SHE ENTERS THE ROOM.
(CU-RACKING FOCUS) (BOOM PLACEMENT AND PATTING SOUNDS) SHE
GENTLY PLACES A BIBLE AND A NOTE IN FRONT OF ZACH’S SIDE-
TURNED FACE. SHE PATS HIM ON THE HEAD AND LEAVES (BOOM CAPTURE
DOOR CLOSING). ZACH TAKES A DEEP BREATH.
(MS) (CAPTURE BED AND PAPAER SOUNDS) ZACH SITS UP. HE GRABS
THE PIECE OF PAPER TO READ IT.
(OVR SHLDR) THE NOTE READS “YOUR SOLUTION”
(SAME MS AS BEFORE) HE THEN CONSIDERS OPENING THE BIBLE,
(BCU) BIBLE LAYING ON BED
arrogantly decides that he is fine without
it and will be able to do just fine on his
own.
FADE TO:
Scene IV: Habitual Failure
(CU) (CAPTURE TIE SOUNDS) ZACH IS IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR,
ONCE AGAIN, STRAIGHTENING HIS TIE FOR ANOTHER INTERVIEW.
He still has that arrogant confidence like
before.
CUT TO:
(CU) (CAPTURE DISROBING SOUND) JUST AS HE WAS SUITING UP TO
GO TO ANOTHER INTERVIEW, HE IS NOW BACK IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR
LOOSENING HIS TIE AND IS HIGHLY FRUSTRATED AGAIN.
CUT TO:
(CU) (CAPTURE DRESSING SOUND) AGAIN, ZACH IS SUITING UP FOR
ANOTHER JOB INTERVIEW.
He is less confident than before. He has
difficulty forming a smile, even.
CUT TO:
(CU) (CAPTURE DISROBING SOUND) ZACH IS, YET AGAIN, PULLING
OFF HIS TIE IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR.
He cannot seem to find the difference
between healthy confidence and arrogance.
But to him, the problem isn’t as simple as
that. He doesn’t even know where to start
to define the problem.
CUT TO:
Scene V: The Shift in Perspective
(WS) ZACH GOES INTO HIS ROOM AND SHUTS THE DOOR.
(CU) (CAPTURE BREATHING SOUNDS) ZACH PINCHES HIS NOSE,
SCRATCHES HIS HEAD, AND EYES IN EXASPERATION AND FRUSTRATION.
AFTER A BEAT, HE LOOKS TOWARDS THE AWARDS WALL.
(TWO SHOT) OLD HABIT CREEPS BACK AS HE GOES TO VIEW ALL HIS
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES ON THE WALL FOR SOME CONSOLATION. HE
ADMIRES THEM.
(CU) HE THEN REMEMBERS WHY HE IS UPSET. HE HAS ALL THESE
ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT CANT SEEM TO GET A DECENT JOB.
(RETURN TO PREV TOW SHOT) HE TURNS FROM THE ITEMS THAT ARE
CAUSING SUCH CONSTERNATION.
(CU) HE RUBS HIS WEARY EYES WHILE TURNING AROUND. UPON OPENING
THEM, ((BEAT))
(BCU ON BIBLE ON BED) HE SEES THE BIBLE HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD
GIVEN HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BED. ((BEAT))
(RETURN PREV CU) WILLING TO GIVE IT AT LEAST A TRY AT THIS
POINT,
(TRUCK WS FOLLOW ONTO BED) (CAPTURE BED SOUNDS) HE CRAWLS
ONTO HIS BED, SETS UP A FEW PILLOWS AGAINST THE HEAD,
(CU FACE) ((BEAT))
(OVR SHLDR EMPHASIS ON PAGE) (CAPTURE BOOK SOUNDS) AND FLIPS
OPEN THE BIBLE TO THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS BOOK-MARKED. IT IS
THE BOOK OF PROVERBS.
(CU FACE) HE BEGINS TO READ. HE LOOKS UP FROM THE BIBLE FOR
A MOMENT TO VIEW HIS AWARDS AND THE LIKE.
(POV WS AWARD WALL) ((BEAT))
(CU FACE) HE LOOKS VERY INTRIGUED AS HE CONTINUES. ((BEAT))
(POV WS AWARD WALL) HE LOOKS UP AGAIN TO FIND NOTHING BUT A
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, A COLLEGE DEGREE, AND A BLUE RIBBON OF
SOME KIND.
(CU FACE) HE IS ASTOUNDED.
Indicates that Zach had an inflated view
of his accomplishments that was alluded to
in scene II, but is now confirmed. Not
only is it indicated clearly to the viewer,
but Zach sees it now as well.
(CU FACE) (CAPTURE BIBLE SOUNDS) HE CLOSES THE BIBLE, CLOSES
HIS EYES, AND LOOKS DOW IN SHAME OF HIMSELF
FADE TO:
Scene VI: The Bottom Looking Up
(CU) ZACH, WEARING MUCH MORE CONSERVATIVE BUSINESS ATTIRE,
IS AT ANOTHER INTERVIEW. HIS DEMEANOR IS CHEERFUL. HIS
MOVEMENTS ARE CONSERVATIVE AND MORE INVOLVED.
(TWO WIDE SHOT) HE IS SITTING IN A CHAIR OPPOSITE A BOSS-MAN
IN A MUCH LESS IMPRESSIVE OFFICE THAN BEFORE.
(OVER SHLDR TO BOSS) THE INTERVIEWER LOOKS OVER HIS
APPLICATION, GIVES ZACH THE ONCE OVER; HE STANDS, OUTSTRECHES
HIS HAND, PROMPTING ZACH TO STAND (CAM PEDESTALS TO REMAIN
OVER ZACH’S SHOULDER), AND THEY SHAKE. (RETAIN SHOT, BUT CAM
ADJUST TO ACTION) THE INTERVIEWER GOES OVER TO THE CORNER,
WHERE SITS A MOP AND BUCKET. HE GRABS THEM, A PAIR OF
COVERALLS, AND HANDS THEM TO
(CU ON ZACH) A CHEERFUL AND GRATEFUL ZACH.
Zach has now changed his heart and given
himself an hinest evaluation. in humility,
he has decided to take a janitorial job
given what he has honestly accomplished in
his life. Which his new attitude now permits
him to see is not much
Scene VII:
(XWS)ZACH IS HAPPILY AT WORK, MOPPING THE FLOOR OF THE OFFICE
LOBBY.
(MS) HE IS CLEARLY CHEERFUL IN HIS WORK AS HE WHISTLES A
TUNE. IN THE BACKGROUND, WE HEAR INDISCERNIBLE SHOUTING.
(MAINTAIN MS, PAN TOWARDS ACTION) ZACH LOOKS UP FROM THE
FLOOR DISCRETELY TO SEE
(WS, POV ZACH) ONE MAN SHOUTING AT ANOTHER AS THEY COME
TOWARDS THE LOBBY FROM THE HALLWAY.
While it is not necessary for the viewer to know the
particulars, the man is yelling that he is tired of the other
man’s sloppy work and lousy attitude.
AS THEY REACH THE LOBBY, THE MAN WHO IS OBVIOUSLY NOT IN
CHARGE YELLS BACK AT THE BOSS WHILE POKING HIM WITH A FOLDER.
THE BOSS GRABS THE FOLDER AND TOSSES IT IN THE AIR. ALMOST
ENRAGED, THE BOSS MAKES A WIDE GESTURE FOR THE SUBORDINATE
TO GET OUT. THE SUBORDINATE THROWS HIS HANDS IN THE AIR
(MS ON ZACH, MAN CROSSES IN FRONT) AND STORMS PAST ZACH.
((BEAT)) ZACH LOOKS CURIOUSLY BACK TOWARDS THE BOSS.
(MS) BOSS PINCHES THE TOP OF HIS NOSE IN AN EFFORT TO CALM
HIMSELF DOWN.
(WS) HE LOOKS AT THE MESS OF PAPERS ON THE FLOOR AS A RESULT
OF THE SITUATION.
(TWO SHOT) HE POINTS AT ZACH, AND THEN THE FLOOR INDICATING
THAT HE WANTS HIM TO CLEAN IT UP.
(REVERSE TWO SHOT; “180 RULE”) ZACH IS JOYOUS AT THE
OPPORTUNITY AND JUMPS OVER TO DO SO SPEEDILY AND READILY
WITH A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE.
(RE-REVERSE TWO SHOT) THE BOSS IS STRUCK AT THIS, BUT BEGINS
TO WALK AWAY TOWARDS THE DOOR ANYWAY.
(REVERSE SHOT: RACKING FOCUS) BOSS IS WALKING AWAY ((BEAT))
HE TURNS TO RE-CONSIDER THE IMPRESSIVE ATTITUDE OF THE JANITOR
HE JUST SAW. ZACH IS READING THE PAPERS FROM THE FOLDER.
(WS TWO SHOT: ZACH SIDE) THE BOSS APPROACHES ZACH
INQUISITIVELY. ZACH LOOKS UP, SEES THE BOSS, AND TAKES THE
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN OBSERVATION CONCERNING THE DOCUMENTS.
(MS 2S) ((BEAT)) THE CONSIDERS THE SITUATION FOR A MOMENT,
GRABS THE MOP FROM ZACHS HAND,
(WS) TOSSES IT DOWN, AND PUTS HIS HAND ON ZACH’S SHOULDER,
BIDDING HE WALK WITH HIM TO A NEW CARRER.
FADE OUT:
ROLL CREDITS:
:end
avtech4jesus 