Project 1 - Script (First Draft)

This is my first draft of my Script using the title 'Outcast'

Outcast

Welcome to the Jungle

By

Kieran Butcher

1.  Int. St Ives Comprehensive School - Day

Music – ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ – Guns N Roses

St Ives School

Cut to

2.  Int. St Ives Comprehensive School Corridor - Day

The camera then goes down the corridor as if looking through a student’s eye whilst walking into people, etc. The MUSIC STOPS when you see through their eyes they take their HEADPHONES out. It stops on a person stood in the middle holding paper and looking rather worried and lost, clutching a PIECE OF PAPER (TIME TABLE). The frame freezes (everyone hurrying around him but he’s frozen.)

Diegetic sounds of shouting and talking as people catch up from the summer.

Nathan (Narrative Voice Over)

     So, this is me. Scared, as always. Stupid tuft on the side, never can get it to stay down. (PATTING DOWN HIS HAIR).Anyway this was my first day at St Ives School, or as I now refers to it, The Jungle. This is what I thought would be a great new start, how wrong could I be.

A girl trips up and bumps into NATHAN and brushes her FRESHLY PAINTED PICTURE and RED PAINT IS TRANSFERED ONTO NATHANS JACKET

NATHAN then proceeds to try and wipe the paint off to which he hears LAUGHTER around him as people walk past. He gives up and tries to find his first lesson. He notices KATE (blonde “bomb shell”) he proceeds to ask her where class is but she walks away with her friends and sniggers at him as she passes

NATHAN (Narrative Voice Over)

And that was when I met him. My mentor, my guide and most importantly my first friend in years

Leaning against a wall with HEADPHONES blasting AVENGED SEVENFOLD stands CONOR. He takes out his headphones (MUSIC STOPS).

CONOR

OI! Van Gogh! Come here

NATHAN

Umm, me? Oh right, some girl walked into me honest. Any chance you can tell me where the Art Rooms are?

CONOR

That will have been Jordie, great at art but a very clumsy girl. Umm let’s see, you’ve got Mrs Beer you’re in my class.

CONOR laughs to himself

CONOR

Van Gough, I think that’s even funnier as you took art.

They walk through crowded corridor with POSTERS and CROWDED NOTICE BOARDS.

CONOR

So, Van Gough, what brings you to St Ives?

NATHAN

Umm, Mum and Dad got a divorce so Mum moved away with work and here I am, I’m Nathan by the way

CONOR

Aww well that’s sad. I’m Conor. I saw you going over to Kate, trust me mate, don’t even waste your time. You’re not used to that whole social ladder of a comprehensive school are you?

NATHAN (Narrative Voice Over)

He was right, before the split I was in a private boarding school. Each class consisted of about 10 people and that was it.

Nathan

Yeah was in a boarding school. So what’s wrong with her?

Cut To

3.  Int. Stair Well of A Block St Ives Comprehensive School - Day

They begin to climb a flight of stairs

CONOR

Physically? Nothing, some would argue she’s perfect, physically. Mentally well same, except her head’s so far up her own arse.

Cut to

4.  Int. Art Corridor, St Ives Comprehensive School - Day

They arrive at the classroom to which CONOR just enters, NATHAN hesitates but enters and follows Conor to the back.

Cut to

5.  Int. Mrs Beer Classroom - Day

MRS BEER, enters the room and just sits at her desk.

NATHAN

Does she teach us anything or do we just sit here?

CONOR

You are new to public schools. They don’t really teach much they just sit around and drink coffee. Why do you think I took art? It’s an easy subject.

NATHAN

Oh, thanks for heads up on Kate, anyone else I should beware of?

CONOR

You have much to learn Skywalker

CONOR smiles at the joke and the Star Wars reference to which Nathan didn’t seem to get, so he sighs and carries on.

CONOR

Never mind. Right there’s lots for you to learn, as I’m guessing in your posh little private school you didn’t have different groups. Or if you did it was I’m guessing because you couldn’t agree on tea flavourings. Right then.

CONOR pulls out a NOTEPAD and a PEN.

CONOR

So here’s your rough outline of the school

He sketches out 3 buildings, 2 fields and a big umbrella, taking up half the page

So here’s A block,(POINTS) English, History and the ICT rooms are here. That’s B block,(POINTS) you have maths, wood work, science and art here. And finally C block (POINTS) this is where you find all your stupid little subjects as well as the canteen.

On the second half of the page he starts writing out names.

CONOR

Now there are different types of people, most of which have sample in this class. So at lunch and breaks everyone has their own “Zone” or set area. So there are places to not go.

NATHAN

What do you mean?

CONOR

Right see that girl over there?

He points to a girl in the front of class CHEWING GUM and applying MAKE UP.

CONOR

That’s Hayley, she’s in the group I call the Barbie dolls. Put it this way if she fell over and scrapped her face she wouldn’t hurt her self. Instead a layer of makeup would come off. They are the “Popular” girls in the school. The Barbie’s bother in the canteen and will act all shy and nice but are the bitchiest people around.

You see him sitting next to her? (POINTS)

That’s Jack, one of the biggest dickheads you’ll meet. I swear if he could he’d marry himself he’s that self centred. He’s in the group of the “popular” boys, all roid heads, all as much of a dick as the last. They’re what I call the Gym Wankers.

He writes Gym Wankers and Barbie’s on C block

Then see the guy just in front of us

That’s Richard, as you can tell he’s a punk. Lovely, but is part of the Roller crew.

Nathan looks puzzled

He’s a druggy. He’s nearly always baked. The punks and skaters all tend to bother here, at the back of A Block. As its up a hill so no teacher can be arsed to walk up there so they smoke around the back.

NATHAN

So what about ...

Nathan stops speaking and Conor follows his line of sight, a GIRL has walked in, BLACK CURLY HAIR with RED STREAKS running through it, slow motion with light behind her making her shine. Nathans mouth is moving but no sound is coming out.

CONOR

Aww that’s Aimee.

NATHAN

What about her? What group does she fall into?

CONOR

She’s one of us

NATHAN

What do you mean one of us?

     CONOR

Well I’m guessing by how socially awkward you are and how much of a dick you look with your black skinnies and stupid t shirt you’re an outcast.

NATHAN

(looks down at his t-shirt and shrugs)

So where do we hang?

CONOR

Don’t ever let me hear you say that again. (ROLLS EYES) And here

He rights “US” on the umbrella

We bother in the Quad, under the umbrella

AIMEE sits down next to Conor

AIMEE

Hey Conor, who’s Picasso?

CONOR

Nathan and Jordie spilt paint over him.

AIMEE

Hey

NATHAN

H..

CONOR

He’s very shy.

(Voice Over) NATHAN

And it was then that I first saw her, the girl that would change so much of me. Also she’s probably my first love... well, definitely.

CONOR

You alright Nathan? You look a little spaced there.

NATHAN

Agh, what? Yeah, sorry. So is there any other groups?

CONOR

Yeah but they are the ones to beware of and to know about.

The BELL Sounds. Nathan stands up to leave

CONOR

Keep the paper. Oh and Nathan, lose the Kick Me sign on your back.

Project 1 - Script Research

Upon starting my script research I have found 2 websites to which have proved very useful, these sites contain a wide spread of scripts used in movies etc.

The sites are:

· Simply Scripts

· IMSDb

By looking through these sites I can get an idea of what it is that is expected of my script, in terms of layout and design as well as the physical content. I feel a good example for me to look at was American Pie, I have therefore examined the opening sequences and have managed to made a few notes of what we can look at.

Notes made:

·         No mention of camera angles

·         Use of capitals for characters and stage directions

·         Layout of script (centred)

·         The Font (Courier New), similar to that of a type writer

·         Stage directions are descriptive, as other departments use them to create the correct setting.

·         Use of ‘Ext.’ and ‘Int.’ to describe the location better as well as ‘Morning’ to set the scene and feel for the scene

·         Underline to emphasis the words

·         No use of quotation marks unless a character is reading something written out loud

Project 1 - Title Ideas

Through my research into scripts I think that I need to come up with a running title (It doesn't have to be my final one) and maybe even a tag line. I have therefore been brainstorming title ideas and I am going to then undertake some audience responses (I will create a questionnaire and undertake a focused group, made up of my target audience)  to which one they think is the best title.

I have decided that there are 4 sub categories that I could put the Titles into, I have decided this through pre-existing teen Films (Ones in Green):

1. Plot Related
2. Social Group Related
3. School Related
4. Character Related

Plot Related
The example that I am using here is 'American Pie', this refers to the scene in which Jim experiments with a piece of Apple Pie, the title is intriguing as you won't understand it until you have watched the Film.

• New Kid - I feel that this title is good and relevant as in school that is what a new student is called for weeks, or until a new student arrives. Although I think that this relevant I don't think it is suitable for the age of the characters (15/16) to be referring to as 'Kid'.
• Uprising  - I feel that as part of my plot is going to be Nathan 'Uprising' against the social status in the school. Although this title feels clever and relevant I don't think that it means 'Screams' Teen Movie
• Fitting In - I feel that this fits perfectly for a Teen Movie. I believe that it may be a little bit boring, but also it is most certainly a potential Title
• Welcome to the Jungle - I think that the title maybe miss leading for a Teen Movie. I think that it certainly relates to school (as a lot of people refer to their school as a jungle). Despite it not being a suitable title I think that It would make a really good Tag line.

Social Group Related
The example that I am using is 'Revenge of the Nerds', this refers clearly to the social groups 'Nerds'. This title clearly 'Screams' a Teen Movie, it therefore fits into the codes and conventions. This clearly relates to my own idea and I therefore thinks this maybe a good sub categories.

·  Outcasts - This title is simple but also effective, I believe that this is a strong contender for the actual title. It relates to the social group in which the film is focused, it therefore is clear that the film is a Teen Movie.

·  Awkward - I like this title although it is also currently in use for a TV Show and |I therefore am being put off using it. This can also fall under the Character Related category

·  Loner - Although this title is defiantly relevant I think that it is a bit harsh and I therefore think that I am going to avoid using this one if possible

School Related

The example that I am going to represent this category is 'Sky High', this is the name of the school in which the characters attend. I like the idea of using the schools name, provided that it is a good school name otherwise, it would be very boring, e.g. 'St Albans High School' would be very boring and wouldn't entice people into watch it.

·   Growing Up - This is a clever title as everyone is meant to 'Grow Up' whilst in school and  year 11 is a year in which you certainly do. Despite this I think that it may get confused with 'Grown Ups' I think that I shall, therefore put this at a maybe and see how my audience respond to it.

·   First Term - This relates a lot to Nathan as it is his First term in the school. This title is clever but I think it will also limit the plot as I could only include 1 term.

·   High School Never Ends - This title is funny and will therefore relate to a Teen Movie, but I think the title hints more towards someone just leaving 'High School', this means that it doesn't really relate to my story so far, it also couldn’t be used as a tagline for the same reason.

Character Related

'Juno' is my example for this, 'Juno' is the Protagonists name. I think that this makes for a simple, yet effective title. In a way people will feel like they already know the protagonist before watching the film.

·   Nathan - This title is a bit boring an I don't think that it is as effective as 'Juno'. I therefore think that I won't use this title as there are stronger titles.

Project 1 - Plot and Opening Sequence Ideas

So now that I have completed an extensive bit of research into pre-existing Teen films, I feel it is now time for me to start to put 'Pen to Paper' (So to speak) and gather all of my ideas.

Focus - Protagonist
So I feel that a lot of the best Teen Films tend to focus on either a close group of friends (American Pie) or a new person to a school (E.g. Mean Girls). I feel that the latter option is the one in which I could embrace the best as I have recently just joined a new school for sixth form and can therefore relate to it more, so would a lot of Teens (The Target Audience) .

Location
As stated in a previous post, I wish to set this in a British School, therefore I was thinking that a reason for Nathan (Protagonist) being new to the school, would be that his parents have just had a divorce and has therefore been taken out of private education and thrown into a Public School.

Opening Scene Idea
Through the primary research that I have undertaken I can clearly see that the majority of opening scenes in Teen films they tend to be located in the school. It normally starts with a first day of school where all the corridors are crowded with students catching up with their friends. I have the image of the camera coming down from the School sign (like in American Pie) and then going through the corridors as if looking through a student’s eyes. I felt this would be a good time to introduce a couple of the key characters as well as help display some of the social groups. For example:

• Outcasts - I feel that here I could display Nathan as awkward and alone, I was thinking I could have him standing in the middle of the corridor whilst everyone else is pushing past.

• Roller Crew - Could be stood outside the school having one last cigarette before school starts

• Barbie Dolls - These can be shown at their lockers, all giggling and catching up with each other. I also think that Nathan could try to approach one to ask where his lesson is. I think that maybe he should approach the 'Ring Leader' of the Barbie dolls

• Gym 'Wankers' - I could show this social group by having them picking on younger/weaker students and also trying to impress some Barbie Dolls

I think then another scene could be Nathan meeting Conor, I have 2 ideas how I would like this to happen:

1. Nathan could walk straight into Conor and it could be there that they meet. And then maybe through Nathan's behaviour/body language and clothing, Conor could take pity on him and take him under his wing
2. Nathan could walk into his first lesson and take the only empty seat, which so happens to be next to Conor

I think that I am going to have a go at writing the opening scene and see which one I prefer or maybe I could do a 'Mash up' of both ideas.

I think that the next step for me is to do some research into script writing and then attempting my own.  

Project 1 - Futher Character Development

I have decided that I am going to create a script for the opening scene. I feel that within this scene that I am going to introduce all the different social groups that I intend to include (See Previous Post) I have therefore decided that I am going to have to create/design a single character to kind of 'sum up' that group. These people I have based upon people I knew from when I was in Comprehensive school and have exaggerated a lot of aspects about them with typical stereotypes. This process has led to the following characters:


Barbie Dolls: Hayley

• Face Plastered in Make up
• Fake and Plastic
• Two-faced. Sweet and innocent to your face and then back stabbing, psychotic girls otherwise
• Devious and Sly
• Bleached blonde hair
• Unintelligent

Gym 'Wankers': Jack

• High Muscle proportion
• Tight t-shirts (To show off his 'amazing' body)
• Self centred
• Big Headed
• Unintelligent
• Popularity is more important than education

Roller Crew: Richard

• A Punk
• Mohawk
• Tight fitting clothing
• Leather
• Piercings
• Angry
• Tattoos

Outcasts: Conor (Protagonists Best Friend)

• Strong and Independent
• Born Leader
• A lot of hatred for others
• Intelligent
• Qwerky
• Sarcastic
• Nerdy/Geeky

Outcasts: Aimee (Love Interest)

• Funny
• Cute
• 'Alternative'
• Helpful
• Intelligent
• Shy
• Middle Social Anxiety

Outcast: Nathan (Protagonist)

• Socially awkward
• Slow (when it comes to jokes)
• Naïve
• 'Well Pampered'
• Like 'A Fish out of Water' in his new school 

Project 1 - Character Development

As stated in my previous post, I have tried to stereotype all the social groups that are present within a comprehensive and create some characters to represent the group.

The following are the list of groups:

• Barbie Dolls- These are your Popular girls. These girls are normally fake and plastic, hence the name Barbie. They tend to be at the top of the popularity list, but they are also normally bottom of the academics list.

• Gym 'Wankers'  - These are the Jocks, the popular and sporting boys. I feel that these are the boys who are too busy working on their biceps than on their education.  I felt that the term 'Jock' was too American and therefore I used the Urban Dictionary and came across the term 'Gym Wankers' and felt it would be more of an appropriate title.

• Roller Crew - These are your Smokers, Skaters and Druggies, I felt that the title was creative and punny, whilst also being appropriate for a Teen film. These are normally a wind mix of people, e.g. Hippy, Punks, etc.

• Outcasts - These are your socially awkward people, but are also normally the nicest people that you will ever meet. These are normally the group in which you find the protagonist and their friends (Although not always)

Side Note
I have currently been looking at a wide range of Teen Films to aid me in research for this project. One film that  have gain inspiration from is 'Mean Girls'. There is a scene in which a map of the canteen is drawn and all the social groups are named, I like this idea very much I feel that it has an almost comical aspect about it, yet I can strongly relate to it and my current school.

Project 1 - Ideas so Far

I have been watching a lot of Teen films recently to try and get some ideas for what it is that I want to produce myself.

Setting
I feel that I will set mine within a School, as this is clear in the majority of Teen films out there at the moment. I feel that I may try to mix it up a little and not set it in a High school (American) but instead take a 'British' approach and set it in a comprehensive school or maybe a sixth form. I have decided to do this for a variety of different reasons:

• I wish to stand out from the majority of Teen Films out there, and set a standard (so to speak) for the British in this genre, but at the same time I want to stick within the genre codes and conventions
• I want to make it so that British teenagers can relate to it more by the fact that they are in a similar situation
• I feel an advantage to me creating this idea in a school is that I am currently experiencing sixth form life and I, therefore, will be able to base characters on people around me (except exaggerate certain aspects) as well as stories and fantasies that I have heard/experienced myself

Characters
Social groups are always apparent within schools, so I hope that I will be able to show the vast majority of them and convey the correct 'Food chain' of popularity. I aim to include your classic stereotypes, such as Nerds, Punks, Jocks, etc.

As stated above I aim to base a lot of the characters on people that I have met throughout my social life. The main characters I aim to base upon my friends as well as myself, along with adding hints of characters codes and conventions from current Teen Films.

I haven't fully thought out all the characters, but I think firstly I need to think of all the social groups that I wish to include and then try to develop a character to represent that group using social stereotypes, and my own knowledge.

Plot
Still working on that. I aim to complete (on the weekend) a brain storm into possible ideas for what could happen, I am going to try and be as original as possible and not be 'same old' like some films are these days, where they just recycle the same story over and over.