Here is the story/script as it stands. It was intended to have a voice over, but I am unsure if it is completely necessary - so this treatment is without the v.o. The short film now has a title, "Me Again, Again" - referring to the self reflection in the piece as well as the repetition of self evaluation that we all put ourselves through.
The story reflects several things (for myself);
- Perceptions, judgements and misconceptions of your external environment based off prejudices and imagination.
- Perception of self based off experience, self evaluation, influence of external factors such opinions of others and the capacity to adapt.
- Unwillingness to readily accept change, and the struggle that ensues.
“ME AGAIN, AGAIN”
A Short Film by Dane Kirkland.
Copyright 2010.
BLACK SPACE.
Flashes of noise and distorted images greet the audience, vague impressions of dreams (creatures, faces, peoples, places etc), flashes frequency grows, noise grows in volume concurrently – cascading into a LOUD jumble of noise and nonsensical imagery.
*SFX – ALARM SOUNDS*
EYE OPENING
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD - “ME AGAIN, AGAIN”
*SFX – ALARM SOUNDS (CONT.*
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM – MORNING
Alarm clocks displays the time (7.30AM), MC’s hand slams down on the snooze button, alarm silences. Camera explores bedroom; untidy, littered with trinkets from childhood, photos of MC with friends & family, framed poster of favourite film hangs on a wall, MC lies in bed; alone, unkempt hair, one foot hanging out of the covers, open book lying facedown near MC’s hand, post-it note on headboard reads “note to self: do something”.
*SFX – ALARM SOUNDS*
MC turns off the alarm, rolls onto his back, [CLOSE UP] – sighs, opens eyes (again).
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY – MORNING
Camera follows MC down the hallway as he walks sleepily, stretching and scratching his head, *SFX – QUIET SNATCHES OF DREAM NOISE ‘ECHO’ OCCASIONALLY*, camera slows to a halt as MC turns into a room, light turns on.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM – MORNING
CLOSEUP/FASTS CUTS – Clothes tossed on ground, shower door opens, shower tap turned on, water erupts from shower head.
TIMELAPSE – Bathroom mirror filling up with steam.
*SFX – SHOWER TURNED OFF*
CLOSEUP/FASTS CUTS – Shower door close, towel grabbed, shaving cream, razor under tap, razor stroke.
MC wipes steam from mirror, continues to shave, looks down to rinse, raises head to continue shaving and is startled to see a zipper running around his head (only) in his reflection. Mirror MC reaches up and unzips the zipper, reaches in, pulls out the brain, holds it out to MC and it melts. The image of Mirror MC flickers for split seconds at random intervals throughout the exchange, revealing glimpses of different INNER’s each time. MC looks shocked, reaches down and splashes water on his face, looks up and Mirror MC is gone. MC looks confused/quizzical.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
MC sits on a bench on the platform waiting for an incoming train, mindlessly observing the people and activities around him. Flickers/Glimpses of INNER’s continue to be revealed.
(nb. Alot of will depend upon day(s) of shooting as to what perceptions will be featured are dependant upon what is captured on the day)
*SFX – Train Horn*
MC Looks towards incoming train and instead see’s a large magical/horrifying beast (INNER) travelling along the tracks.
CLOSEUP – MC’s eye’s widen.
Train pulls up to the station, the door’s open, other people embark. FLASH – Instead of the train MC (and the audience) is presented with the sight of people walking into the ‘belly of the beast’ (Organic rather than mechanical). MC follows the rest into the train, turns to looks back at the doors, the doors slam shut. CUT TO: BLACK
*SFX – Echo*
FADE IN:
INT. TRAIN - DAY
Camera observes MC sitting on the train, looking out the window watching the world pass by – mindlessly. MC observes his own reflection. FLASH – Mirror MC w. unzipped head, MC blinks and turns to observe those in the train with him.
(nb. Alot of will depend upon day(s) of shooting as to what perceptions will be featured are dependant upon what is captured on the day. Will capture something along the lines of loud, irritating teenagers – for the purposes of the story)
MC closes eyes in frustration.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN – DAY
MC waiting at the train carriage’s doors as it slows to a stop. MC exits train.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAIN STATION (CENTRAL) – DAY
MC leaves train, walks amongst the crowd, glancing around randomly occasionally as he walks with the crowd. With his gaze more frequent flashes/ficker’s of INNER’s are revealed, MC passes through ticket machines.
CLOSEUP/FASTS CUTS – Ticket in, ticket out, gates open.
CUT TO:
BLACK SPACE.
*SFX – traffic, sirens, pedestrian crossings, people etc*
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY - DAY
FAST CUTS w. BLACK INBETWEEN
The audience is presented with distorted, jarring, rapid flashes and snippets of city life – people walking, police, traffic, sirens, the homeless, trams etc.
*SFX – noise grows louder and louder (crescendo)*
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY CENTER – DAY
*MONEY SHOT*
CLOSE UP on MC face, constantly looking around at the sea of people encircling him, constantly seeing more consistent flashes of INNER’s. MED. SHOT - The camera circles MC as his gaze travels upwards; towards the skyscrapers, which also reveal an INNER – monolithic dark structures, huge adverts etc. Camera tracks back down to MC, who looks around to see only INNER’s(FLASHES – of reality [broken reality]). MC stumbles, holds head in pain, stumbles to a wall or seat, sits down heavily holding his head, CLOSEUP – Tightly closes his eyes.
*SFX – throughout the scene MC’s breathing grows faster and louder*
CUT TO:
EXT COUNTRY – LATE AFTERNOON/SUNSET
MC eyes open. MC looks around.
FAR BEHIND SHOT – MC looking around, revealed to be in wide open country space, alone, MC sits down and watches the sunset.
*SFX – Breathing slows to normal – calms down*
Sun disappears over the horizon.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY CENTER – DAY
MC still sitting where he was, opens eyes – appearing considerably calmer, looks around at the crowd, see’s only the occasional flicker of an INNER, smiles, stands and walks with the crowd.
FADE TO:
BLACK
