Director's Intent - Film 4 - Scripted One Take

1.     What is the story--the beginning, middle, and end--of this scene in three or four sentences? In other words, what happens in this scene as it starts, as it progresses, and as it ends?

Brendan confronts Kara about his missing girlfriend, Emily. Kara does not give any information, and Brendan leaves.

2.     What, specifically, must the audience understand narratively? How do you intend to communicate that information?

The audience must understand that there is a romantic relationship gone awry between Kara and Brendan, and I intend to separate them with space and surface divisions. They must also understand Kara’s power over Brendan, so I intend to place her higher on the stage.

3.     If this scene is from a longer piece, what is the narrative, emotional and thematic purpose of the scene in the larger story?

Brendan has received a mysterious phone call from his old girlfriend, Emily. He knows she has been associating with the high school drug ring, so he confronts Kara. This scene establishes Brendan’s relationship with Kara. It also shows that Kara knows more about the missing Emily than she is letting on.

4.     What emotion do you want to communicate in this scene? How do you intend to do this?  

I want to communicate disgust. The two characters, Kara and Brendan have a long and colorful history together. I will utilize surface divisions and wardrobe colors to clash the two and separate them from each other.

5.     What is the first image of the scene? What is the final image of the scene?

The first image in the scene is of Kara, petting a younger freshman boy’s head like a dog. The final image of the scene is also of Kara, alone on the stage.

6.     Why is this scene personal to me? What previous personal experience(s) does it remind me of? Why do I need to make this scene?

This is a detective story of a young loner destroying his high school drug underground. When I was in High School, I remember pulling up next to an old friend in the parking lot to see her hot boxing with another guy. It broke my heart, and I have a huge vendetta against drug use. I actually walked the cop back out to her to turn her in. While this scene does not explicitly contain drug use, the characters within are entirely affected by it.

7.     What two visual elements (line, shape, space, tone, color, rhythm, movement) will you use to help communicate the emotion of the scene? (Be sure these elements apply to the assignment as listed on Learning Suite; only choose elements that you have read about or that we have covered in class.)

My plan is to use surface divisions to separate the actors from each other to convey their relationship. I also desire to give Kara a black and white wardrobe, whereas Brendan muted grays. This will distinguish their personalities. I will likely remain in the lower third of the gray scale.

8.     What are two or three potential obstacles to creating a successful scene? How can you be prepared to overcome these? Be specific!

This scene is dialogue heavy and requires strong performances from the actors. I chose this scene to stretch myself and also give an opportunity for me to put trust in other people. I also foresee obtaining the location to be a challenge. I plan on talking with you, Jeff, about possibly shooting in the Nelke. If that is not possible I am going to ask Emma May about Provo’s Hale Centre Theater.