I realise I haven't actually put up anything about Conversationing, the short film we got Southern Exposure funding to make earlier this year.
A taster link is here:
http://vimeo.com/16221983
And as a bit more of a taster- this is the first 2 pages (apologies for the slightly wonky formatting):
1
EXT. PARK-DAY
JACK, 25, is on a park bench. It’s sunny but still a little cold to be out for lunch. He hunches over as he eats his crisps and regrets thinking a breath of fresh air was what he needed.
JILL, 27 with sharp eyes and a distinctive haircut, comes over and sits on the other side of the bench. Jack budges over to give her space. She smiles a thank-you and pulls out a packet of cigarettes.
They sit there in silence but stoically avoiding making eye contact, staring out into the space in front of them.
Suddenly Jill turns to Jack.
JILL
I’m no good at talking to strangers.
Jack is completely bemused by this comment but eventually replies.I’m no good at talking to strangers.
JACK
Me neither.
Jill nods. This was what she expected.
JILL
I just don’t know how to start.
I just don’t know how to start.
Jack doesn’t say anything. Then he turns to her.
JACK
Would you like a crisp?
Would you like a crisp?
JILL
No thanks. Would you like a cigarette?
JACK
No, thank-you.
JILL
You don’t smoke?
JILL
I ask because there’s some weird rule whereby,
even though someone’s offered you something,
if you don’t know them, you feel rude taking it.
I ask because there’s some weird rule whereby,
even though someone’s offered you something,
if you don’t know them, you feel rude taking it.
Jack thinks about this and then offers her a crisp again. She smiles but mouths ‘NO THANK-YOU’.
JILL
Do you need to be alone right
now?
JACK
I’m sorry?
JILL
Are you enjoying a bit of time to
yourself? Not having to interact.
JACK
I don’t mind it.
JILL
But, if a friend walked around
the corner right now, would you
want to talk to them?
Jack thinks about this.Do you need to be alone right
now?
JACK
I’m sorry?
JILL
Are you enjoying a bit of time to
yourself? Not having to interact.
JACK
I don’t mind it.
JILL
But, if a friend walked around
the corner right now, would you
want to talk to them?
JACK
Yes.
JILL
Because right now, you’d be happy
to have a good conversation?
Jack nods.
JILL
The frustrating thing is that I know there’s
something we could have a really good
conversation about. Some way we could spend
the next five minutes which would be so
much better then just awkwardly ignoring
each other. But we’re just going to stare in
silence because we don’t know what that
thing we have in common is?
Jack eats a crisp as slowly as he can as the silence descends again. Then Jack turns to Jill for the first time.Yes.
JILL
Because right now, you’d be happy
to have a good conversation?
Jack nods.
The frustrating thing is that I know there’s
something we could have a really good
conversation about. Some way we could spend
the next five minutes which would be so
much better then just awkwardly ignoring
each other. But we’re just going to stare in
silence because we don’t know what that
thing we have in common is?
JACK
I’m going to a gig this evening.
JILL
A music gig?
I’m going to a gig this evening.
JILL
A music gig?
Jack nods.
JILL
I never really go to music gigs.
If you'd like to read the script or see the film (13 mins) get in touch and I'll send you a copy/link.
I never really go to music gigs.
If you'd like to read the script or see the film (13 mins) get in touch and I'll send you a copy/link.
