Reflective Analysis

The script I have written has been successful as I met a lot of my aims and context, which has resulted in finishing the script in the time I wanted to at a good standard.  I wrote the script alone so all of this is my own script and ideas so I had no input on what I was going to write.  My aim was to create a start to a film noir style film that can be continued to follow the story I have started. 

I feel I have met this with what is included in the script as it includes themes and issues used in film noir type of films.  These common issues include gangs, theft and violence.  I have included all of these in the script with the use of guns being used a lot even though in the script they are not used until the end.  But by mentioning that the gangs have them and hold them shows they intend to use them.  And guns are a main weapon to show violence and a main feature in film noir films.  I also included seeing the neon lights in the streets outside bars, this is a common convention of film noir.  This backs up the genre of my film as neon lights are big in this genre as well as violence, guns, gangs and drugs.  A big issue within the storyline is gang warfare, as I have used two rival gangs and created conflict between them which allows the story to continue.

Gang members are common characters in this genre, which is why I have used two rival gangs to create conflict between them.  Conflict is a big feature and this is what leads to the violence so without this violence would be difficult to interpret.   The use of theft shows a common theme of corruptness and having no boundaries by taking something that is not their own.  I intended to use all of these in the script as these all link in with the film noir genre.  Without these it could not be a film noir style film as these are the main issues within the genre.  

When burying the stolen goods i took inspiration from Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont with the story line written by Stephen King, when rocks are used to be able to locate where the items are buried.  By making a pile using small rocks this allows the goods to be found when i previously watched Shawshank Redemption this gave me the idea.

When using dialogue i added the way it was said to create an atmosphere so that there was some passion in what was being said.  For example i used anger, sarcasm and shouting which allowed the characters feelings to be shown.  This is important in the script as without it, feelings would not be able to shown and is why the dialogue is important.  Anger shows when  a character is not happy and this is used when The boss is not happy with what Carlo has done.  And by showing he said it angrily allows the audience to feel his feelings with the way he said it.  I feel i used this well as it is a really powerful method to show characters feelings and without using dialogue there is no other way of showing feelings within a story in a script.


 I changed some of my storyline over the course as I had different ideas which I felt would be better than my original idea.  I kept most things the same like the theft and being on the run as I had an idea and storyline but changed it to create a better storyline by introducing violence into the script.  This would be my biggest weakness by not taking more time to create a storyline that i think is good.  By changing it, this allowed me to use violence in the film as before there was no way of me including this.  An example of this would be the ending as I did not originally plan for a shoot-out in the end.  Originally it was just going to be Carlo still on the run, looking over the city.  I changed this to create more of a noir style with the guns and violence.  The more I wrote the more ideas I had which forced me to change a lot but still keep the same plot.   If I had of put more time into planning the script I would not have had to change as much as I ended up writing it straight off the top of my head in some places, still with the previous basic idea but I advanced from that.  By adding violence this also allowed the film to meet the target audience more as I aimed it for between 18-30 who are interested in the genre.  I feel the film fits well in this bracket and is appealing to this age for the target audience.  Due to the violence and based on other films in this genre it couldn't be any less than 18 due to the use of violence and theft.  This is why i decided to add violence and use of violence to the story. 

Throughout making this script i have learnt that an outline or storyboard is extremely helpful by having an idea before hand.  Even tho i had an outline more detail could of been added in order to have a really strong script.  I now know that this is essential and if i had to do it again i would take more time and detail to creating a story line.  Without one i would of had to think of ideas off the top of my head so this would be what i would improve.  I feel the script was successful as i was able to identify features and issues of the genre and include them into the film.  From this i was able to learn that i can write about genre's and create a story which i did not realise i could do well in which i could carry on with.

Script

1.  INT. MANSION – NIGHT.

   The blue, beaten back door swings back slamming, before reopening as the lock has been snapped.  The bright light from the living room can be seen from outside with the dark figure scavenging through the set of drawers.  As the owner and companions walk in making a noise, causing an outburst of emergency as the figure grabs the stolen goods before urgently making an exit through the open back door.

2.  EXT & INT. ABANDONED BARN – NIGHT.

   Breathing heavily, the figure finds cover inside an abandoned barn not far from the house.  Checking the items he has stolen, making sure there in tact before placing them back into his bag.  Working out how to get to the getaway car.  After mistakenly running the wrong way increasing the chance of being caught.  The bright light from the moon gives off enough light to show that people can be seen, through a small gap in the door, walking towards the barn.  Knowing being caught is not an option he makes a run for it, through an extremely tight squeeze around the back on the barn making sure he is not seen, and does not stop running towards the dark forest.     

3.  EXT. FOREST – NIGHT.

   Without stopping the darkened figure explodes into the forest, barging through the branches and bushes.  Panting heavily whilst constantly looking behind, reaching for his pistol for protection, carrying on walking through the forest.

4.  INT. GETAWAY CAR ON AN EMPTY QUIET ROAD – NIGHT.

   Three Italian mob members waiting outside the car, dressed smartly in black suits long coats, one wearing a black hat and the other two smoking Cuban cigars with jet-black hair.  With the head of the mob waiting inside the car, wearing a black suit and black tie, checking his bulky golden pocket watch. 

MOB BOSS

(Murmuring to himself angrily)

Where is he!

    

5. INT. MANSION – NIGHT.

   A large group gather round a large circular table back at the broken in Mansion.  Knowing who it was that broke in.

   They begin to set out revenge with the head, Leonardo also known as fingers giving out orders. 

FINGERS

(Angrily instructing the group)

   They took money, guns and jewellery and we know who they are, they must pay.  Get your guns!

   Fingers then slams his hands on the table before viciously standing up, pushing his chair backwards, then walking out of the room.  Leaving everyone around the table in an awkward silence.

6. EXT. TOP OF A HILL EDGE OF FOREST – NIGHT.

   The dark figure walks along the top of the hill sluggishly as his legs are tired.  He sits down on a rock and starts to drag a stick along the ground. Realising the ground is soft, easy to dig a hole.  He looks around before beginning to dig up a hole like a dog.  Wiping sweat from his head he looks over towards the bag and pauses for a few seconds before reaching for it and placing it into the hole.  Looking around again then refilling the hole back in.  He then stands up and pulls his white shirt over his face to clean it then becoming very dirty. Then begins to gather a group of small rocks creating a pile over where he has buried the bag.  He stares at the pile and then walks towards the edge of the hill where bright lights are seen at the bottom of the hill on the long quiet road.

7. EXT. CAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL – NIGHT.

   Casually looking around the three men turn towards the hill where a dark figure can be seen walking down.  The three men reach for there guns and quickly begin to walk towards the figure.  The light from the car allows the figure to see the three men approaching him with guns and urgently reacts.

FIGURE

(Shouting)

It’s me! It’s me, Carlo!

   The three men put down there guns and turn around back towards the car.  One man taps on the window, to the boss

MEMBER

(Annoyed)

He’s back

BOSS

(Begins to laugh)

   The three men then get back into the car and wait for Carlo to get in.

8. INT. INSIDE THE CAR – NIGHT.

   Carlo opens the door to an awkward silence sits down, slumps his head back, heavily breaths out and closes the door.  No one says anything for about 20 seconds, just a bit fidgety and a few coughs.

BOSS

(Sarcastically)

So, Carlo.  Why is your face so dirty?  What have you been doing?

CARLO

It didn’t go to plan boss

BOSS

(Loudly)

Could I see the goods?

CARLO

(Anxiously)

I don’t have them

BOSS

(Angrily)

WHAT!

   The driver then pulls off putting his headlights on full beam brightening up the dark empty road.

9. INT. BOSSES HOUSE – NIGHT.

   The car drives through the brightly lit streets full of late night bars with people standing outside and neon lights booming from windows.  The car then pulls up onto a driveway.  Carlo and the boss both walk through the door together.

BOSS

(Confused)

Wait so you buried them in the forest?

CARLO

(Pauses)

Yes

   The boss then slumps into his chair then stands back up before slumping back down, two men stand behind his chair with the other one standing by the front door.  The boss uses eye contact and head movement to tell Carlo to sit opposite him on the table.  Carlo then slowly sits down and waits for the boss to say something.  The boss stands up again, pours a glass of liquor, and puts his hands on the table and stares at Carlo.

BOSS

(Gritting his teeth)

You’re going to go and find them.  Now!

   The boss stays sitting around the table as the four men begin to leave.  One of the men open the door and the four of them including Carlo walk out towards the car, leaving the boss.  As the door closes the boss stays sitting calmly for 20 seconds.  Before releasing his anger by shouting, tipping his chair then throwing his glass against the wall where it smashes and leaves a wet stain on the wall.  The four men can hear him shouting from inside the car as the all act as if they haven’t heard him before driving off.  They pull out of the drive and turn left, on the right over the other side of the road a car with three men is waiting.  They wait until Carlo and the others make a turn then they begin to follow discreetly.

10. INT. INSIDE THE CAR – NIGHT.

   Carlo sitting in the back seat looks behind and notices lights from a car behind whilst on the road near the hill.  Before the road was empty making Carlo curious about the car behind them especially at this time.  The car is a few paces behind them but the road is long and straight so there is nowhere for them to go.

11. INT. BOSS’S HOUSE – NIGHT.

   The boss is sitting around the table quietly in his big chair.  More relaxed than before, just starring at the wall, still sense anger within him.

12. EXT. BOTTOM OF THE HILL – NIGHT.

   The car pulls over, just on the side of the road with one half of the car on the road and the other on the gravel at the side.  Carlo gets out first and looks up towards the hill then turns back and looks at the three men in the car.  They then get out the car too and walk round standing next to Carlo, the three men all hold the guns in there jackets.  The lights still left on the car, as it is pitch black.  Carlo then looks behind to see if the car is still behind them but cannot see the lights as he slowly walks back down the road where the car should be coming from.  But sees nothing.  Turns back and walk back towards the car and gets ready to walk up the hill.

13. EXT. FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD – NIGHT.

   The car that was following is shown pulled up on the side of the road with its lights off and the men inside are now walking off the road in the direction of Carlo.  They cannot be seen because of the dark and they’ve allowed themselves time as Carlo now believes the car that was behind them was not following them.  The three men walk the outskirt of the forest around towards Where Carlo’s car is.  The light from the car helps guide them.  All have pistols and can be seen holding them as they walk.  As they keep getting nearer one of them trips over a low hanging branch causing a sudden outburst of noise as the three then freeze where they are in case of being seen.

14. EXT. BACK TO CARLO- NIGHT.

   

   Carlo and the fellow three men look over to where the noise was and all stay still and quiet starring towards that area.  After 30 seconds Carlo begins to walk over to the hill. 

DRIVER

Come on now, just go and get it.

   Without thinking he starts to walk up the hill, after being urged to, he is unequipped without a gun and thinks nothing more of it.  He uses some trees to help pull him up the hill as some parts have loose ground making his feet slip.  When Carlo reaches the top and disappears into the forest, without him knowing, the three members he was with follow him up the hill.  Leaving the car at the side of the road with the lights still on.

15. EXT. MIDWAY UP THE HILL – NIGHT.

   The three members from the other gang are midway up the hill about 50 meters away from Carlo.  They are also slipping due to the lose service but manage to scramble to the top without making too much noise.  They then begin to walk to the left leading them to where Carlo is.  From here they then quietly walk taking cover behind trees once they first see Carlo, who is walking towards the pile of rock.  They then begin to approach Carlo, who is moving the rocks away from the hole where the goods are buried.  They then slowly pull out their pistols whilst slowly walking towards him.

16. EXT. IN THE FOREST – NIGHT.

   Carlo then begins to quickly shovel the dirt away from the hole using his hands finally seeing the top of the bag, which he pulls out from the remaining dirt.  Suddenly an extremely close gunshot goes of as Carlo urgently dives across the ground.  Before turning around to look who is there.  As he turns round he sees three of the rival gang standing off with his three men, who have just emerged through the trees.  It then quickly turns into a stand off whilst Carlo is still lying on the ground.  One gunshot goes off again before more follow as all are now shooting towards one and other.

ONE OF CARLO’S MEN

(Shouting)

Run Carlo!

   Carlo then begins to run, with the stolen goods, further into the forest away from the gunfire keeps looking behind him an almost stumbling as he sees bodies falling and shots still being fired.