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Screenplay

INT. SMALL DARK ROOM 

Nelson is a 27 year old man with dark hair and a dazed expression. Though he has a heavily bruised face, he doesn't appear to be the type to be involved in any sort of conflict. Quiet and shaking, he seems almost cowardly, like he isn't capable of anything that a top class business man wouldn't be caught doing.

Donovan is a man appearing to be 35-40 years of age. Holding his nonchalant attitude, he seems calm though through his heavy breathing, we can tell otherwise. 

Marcel is a jittering man at the age of 33 who seems to be too excited at the situation at hand. He resumes his composure by moving his hands frequently and touching at his face.

Nelson awakes, apparently wounded, handcuffed to a chair by his wrist. A table is seated in front of him while two individuals, Donovan and Marcel, stand in front of it. Not knowing how we got there, Nelson starts to panic upon realizing his predicament. 

NELSON

What...what is this? Where am I?(he hesitates upon realizing a familiar face) Donovan? Donovan..what are you doing?!

Nelson begins to rattle the cuffs as his eyes dart from man to man.Donovan stands there with a solemn look then slowly turns to his partner. Donovan then steps closer and stares down Nelson. Fearful, Nelson begins to grunt and make noise. 

At this moment Marcel takes quick, violent steps forward and puts a gun to Nelson's head. Nelson draws in his breath and lets out a small whimper. 

DONOVAN

 No more games Nelson. There's no need to hide or pretend...I think you and I both know that much. 

Nelson looks confused, and starts to speak.

NELSON

What is this? ....Answer my question Donov-

DONOVAN

No, here's a better question. You know about _____. The _________, am I right? I'm right. So tell me, what's the point of making this harder than what it needs to be? You tell me why you did it and it's finished, then you're done. Simple as that.

NELSON

(While shaking his head) I don't...you tell me! (hiding his fear behind a small chuckle) What are you doing this for man?  

Nelson's face goes blank as a flashback invades his mind and takes control of the situation.

AT THE FRONT GATES OF A HOUSING COMPLEX IN AN UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD

From Nelson's point of view, we see the scene play out. Nelson slowly looks around and fiddles with his shirt. A passing car startles him as he comes back to reality and looks on guard. He looks across the way and spots another unknown figure.Just then, another car pulls through the gate and stops. Nelson looks through the window and gives a weak smile to the driver and nods. As the car passes, his expression turns grim as he stares as the car pulls away. Nelson looks back to the unknown figure, then back to the car. He steps in the gate as the flashback suddenly ends by a booming sound.

INT. SMALL ROOM

Nelson's memory is cut short as he hears loud shouting and banging on the table.

DONOVAN

       LISTEN TO ME! 

Donovan is now face to face with Nelson as Marcel stands jittering in the background.

DONOVAN

Why them? You were too much of a coward to come for me, huh?! 

NELSON

I. Told. You. I don't know what you're talking about.

Midway through Nelson's sentence, Donovan walks quickly to another table, grabs a collection of photos, and walks back calmly to Nelson. He looks at the pictures in pain and disgust then slams them on the table in front of Nelson. Donovan grabs Nelson by the front of his hair and forces his face to look closely at the pictures. Nelson screams and jolts back into the chair almost knocking it over. Tears start running down his face. 

MARCEL

(laughing) So you remember now? Or are you blocking it out...too much pain to bear?

NELSON

(in a whimper) Why would I remember any of this?

MARCEL

Why? (to Donovan) He asks why... because no one else is responsible...except you.

DONOVAN

You did this Nelson. and my only question now is why?

NELSON

Why? I-I didn't. I could never do something like this to you...even worse, to your family?

DONOVAN

Don't lie to me. I thought I could put trust in you with something important.I tried to help you. But when things get bad for you one time, you turn, and being the person you are, you only look out for yourself. 

NELSON

I DIDN'T!

Donovan grabs Nelson's head again and bangs it onto the table. He raises him and looks directy at him.

DONVAN

Remember now?!

This triggers another flashback. 

INT. DONOVAN'S HOME

Nelson stands alone in a room looking dazed. He walks through and leaves through the back. He stops by the door and fiddles with his shirt again, realizing it's covered in blood. 

INT. SMALL ROOM

Nelson is now broken mentally, still is disbelief at what he has done but, his memories tell a different story. 

NELSON

Why is this happening? 

DONOVAN

You..it's all you. Down and out, the only way to go was against your own. Tell me, how much did they give you? I hope it was worth it! 

Donovan moves in for a hit but stops as Nelson explodes. 

NELSON

(yelling) NO! I wouldn't do this to you, to your wife, your kids! No matter how much I got myself into...

DONOVAN

(in a mockingly way) But you did and that what makes you what you are.

Nelson accepts his defeat. He sits there in a catatonic state. Marcel and Donovan look to one another and slowly go toward Nelson. They undo his cuffs slowly and pull him up. While dragging him to his fate, Nelson has one last statement to make. He jerks violently away from the two men and grabs Marcel's gun. Nelson's hands shake as he points it towards Donovan who slowly reaches for his own gun. Nelson then shows a grim smile, the same smile he wore on the day he committed his sin. The smile slowly dissolves and his mouth can be seen muttering. 

NELSON

It's not over, I'm sorry.

Nelson turns the gun on himself, and fires. 

Act Breakdowns

-3 characters + 4 dead people whose faces will not be shown

-Character #1 Nelson

     Male, Caucasian, 25-30

-Character #2 Donovan

     Male, Caucasian, 30-40

-Character #3 Marcel

     Male, Caucasian, 30-40

Act 1

     The film starts out showing a man waking up, apparently wounded, seated in a chair. As he looks around he sets his gaze on two individuals. Not knowing where he is, how he got there, or the individuals standing there, he realizes he is handcuffed to the armrests. He looks to the man on the right (Donovan) and asks the obvious question of where he is. The man just stares with a solemn look then slowly looks to his partner. The other man (Marcel) steps closer and stares him directly in the eyes. Nelson looks rapidly around the room now and rattles his cuffs and finally starts to yell. Donovan swiftly steps towards him and pulls out a gun to place it towards his head. This stops Nelson mid yell as he sucks in his breath and lets out a small whimper. Marcel looks at him and asks, “Do you know who I am?” Confused because he has no clue as to what is going on, he hesitates and as he is about to speak again Marcel interrupts. “Better question, why?” Nelson quietly mutters no, no which quickly become tears. At that moment, a random memory pops into his head: from his point of view we see him outside and a car pulls into a house. He looks to the other side and a shadowed figure signals him to move forward, which he does. The memory cuts off from there as it is interrupted with a loud, “LISTEN TO ME!” Marcel continues with his previous question. Nelson then yells, “I DON’T KNOW! I DON’T KNOW! PLEASE!” Marcel walks away rapidly towards a file cabinet while Donovan watches him intently. He comes back with pictures, throws them on the table, and grabs Nelson by the hair to forcibly make him look at the table. Nelson’s eyes widened as he screams and jerks back into his seat almost tipping it over. He begins to shake as tears run down his face faster than ever. Marcel screams, “Do you remember now?! You see it?! You!” Donovan looks and calmly says, “I see you remember now…what you’ve done…” “R-remember? What are you—? Me? I couldn’t… I-I would never….”

Act 2

      Marcel grabs Nelson again and bangs his head on the table. He raises him and again stares directly into his eyes. This triggers another flashback: From Nelson’s perspective, we see him now leaving the home of Donovan, with a shirt slightly covered in blood. He snaps back into reality. Nelson then asks, “What is this?” broken mentally and painfully in tears. The only answer given is “you…you did this…” Nelson screams, “NO! I could never! I’m just a ______, I have a family, I would know how it feels.” He continues describing how he is a normal man. Donovan chuckles in a grim way and replies, “my friend, you’re confused. Don’t try to block it out now. Don’t try to make yourself out to be someone better than what you are.”

     Nelson continues to scream, repeating the same things about his seemingly normal existence as Donovan talks over him, first silently and calm, then progresses to loud and overpowering shouts, reminding him of his sins. A final flashback comes as Marcel’s last cruel words trigger it: a montage of scenes that show him standing over the corpses. He finally comes to a realization though he mutters the words, “I couldn’t have…” In a mockingly sympathetic way, Donovan gets in Nelson’s face and whispers, “but you did…and that’s what makes you what you are.” He goes back as Nelson is left devastated.

Act 3

     Nelson shakes, cries, and whimpers when suddenly he stops. He takes a few quick breaths in, and then drifts into a catatonic state. The two guys look at each other and nod, assuming this to be the best confession they would get. Donovan and Marcel slowly walk towards him, undo the cuffs, and drag him towards an exit. This is when Nelson snaps back into reality with a grim smile on his face, fights off the two, and grabs Donovan’s gun. He holds it towards them both before he tries to run out the exit, only to realize it’s locked. He turns and looks the two in the face, who are startled yet on the defensive trying to find a way to get him. Nelson’s mouth is seen muttering the words “sorry.” Marcel slowly reaches to his gun. Again with a wicked smile, Nelson feels the same feeling he had while killing the other people (shown through flashback with same smile). His smile fades and he realizes he is a monster. He says “Forgive me,” turns the gun on himself, and fires. 

Film Goal and Character Outline

I want this film to be more entertaining.  Although, it can enlighten as a theme of the story is admitting your sins, accepting them, and taking responsibility for your actions although regret is evident.

Questions to answer:

How is your character introduced in the story?

Is there a backstory and how will it be told?

What are your characters wants and needs?

How do your character needs and wants change throughout the story?

How does the character’s change influence the plot?

Does you character influence other characters?

What are your character’s strengths and weaknesses?

-Character: Nelson

    

Nelson is first shown tied to a chair in scene one. Although he has a backstory, bits are missing but are seen through random memories throughout the film. Confused about the situation at hand, he first wants to know why his friend is holding him captive and doesn’t understand the point of their actions. As the story progresses, he begins to realize his actions and though he originally attempted to block them out, Nelson comes to terms with what he has done. Nelson has no influence on other characters besides the fact that he killed Donovan’s family, setting in motion the events that play out in the story. Nelson has ability to block memories that are too painful to remember, which helps him live with his sins in everyday life without feeling regret. However, he does have conflict in that he had ties with Donovan in the past and even considered him as a friend. When he goes down on his luck, he can be easily persuaded into doing things, which also makes him selfish in that he would put himself before any other.

-Character: Donovan

Donovan is first introduced when he is seen standing besides Marcel. He doesn’t have much backstory however, we learn that Nelson apparently killed his family after he lost luck and accepted a hit that would take them out. Donovan wants Nelson to explain himself, as he is somewhat hurt that his friend, who he once thought of as a brother, could betray him for his own benefit. In the beginning of the film, Donovan tries to keep his composure but as he continues to think of the crime that took place, he gets angrier and angrier. Eventually, he loses his calm and goes full out rage.  As he loses his cool, the plot becomes more serious than it was in the beginning. Donovan influences Nelson to finally admit to his crime and to be honest with himself. Since Donovan is a “business man,” he has to maintain a professional attitude towards the situation. His weakness is that he has feelings for Nelson, making his conflict and the betrayal that much harder to deal with; he would never think his friend could commit such horrors to him.

-Character: Marcel

Marcel is first seen standing beside Donovan, acting as somewhat of an assistant though they are probably closer than just partners as well. He is given no backstory in the film. Marcel has a sadistic feel to him, which makes him want to see something violent happen to Nelson and he doesn’t want to wait for it either. He doesn’t change much from beginning to end. Marcel sort of influences Donovan to quit wasting time and take care of the problem. So, in a way he is provoking Donovan to be as brutal with Nelson as possible. His strength is to not feel any compassion toward Nelson, making the situation easier to deal with. However, he is sadistic, which makes him not care about anyone, not even Donovan’s dead family. He is also jittery, making it hard to maintain his calm and making him the exact opposite from Donovan.

Cinema Pitch

     There is a thin line between reality and fantasy, sometimes created by the differing views of what we see for ourselves and what others persuade us to see. Through my film, I want to show these opposing views through the eyes of a character that seems to have no past or future. He basically begins as a blank canvas and can either be easily controlled into believing what others warp his mind to see and what he chooses to remember about himself. Another outside force tries to persuade him into believing their story while he has an internal conflict, trying to decide whether to believe himself or the horrors he is accused of. These visions will be played back through flashbacks. Some scenes will alter from what is his actual memory and what the others want him to remember, whether it's facts or lies. Eventually, these two visions collide, causing corruption within the individual’s mind, which leads him to commit sins that may either be completely different from his character, or the essence that makes him who he is. I hope that the viewers will feel sympathy for the character but also have doubt, debating in their minds whether he is right or wrong, or some unholy mixture of the two. The scenes in the film would possess a grim and mysterious feel similar to that of a detective film. The target audience will be those individuals who don’t need information to be spelled out precisely to them but can use their own sense of judgment to make out the entirety of the character and plot of the story.