Congrats to the winner Tom Olson for this piece. He came up with it while working in production for a full length film. It really goes to show all you can do under 1000 words. This is a fully developed short film script and tells great story in just under 1000 words.
INT. LIVINGROOM—DAY
A man sits on a couch, leaning over a coffee table, on the
far end of the coffee table we focus on an answering machine playing. The time
of day appears in the lower left hand of screen. 7:14 P.M.
ANSWERING MACHINE
Hello, this is a message
for David Wagner. This is Susan from the casting department of Northwest
Pictures. Our director liked your read and would like to offer you the part of
Newscaster #2. We’ll—
We see DAVID, Mid 20s, pretty looking, with longer hair,
sitting on the couch, doing something with his hands O.S. We hear chopping and
scrapping noises. He bends down, out of frame, and we hear the big snort of
someone doing coke. DAVID reappears, rolled up dollar bill in his hand, powder
on his nose.
DAVID
I’M AN ACTOR!
DAVID (O.S.)
—You hear that! I got
the part Josh! I F-ing NAILED that part! I’m gonna be in film!
ANSWERING MACHINE
—Now we are having a
kick off party tonight before shooting starts. As a day player, you are more
then welcome to attend, and meet the director and the rest of the cast and
crew. It starts at 9 o’clock at the Red Room. I hope to see you there.
DAVID
Come on, come on—Play
it again!
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM—EVENING
DAVID pulling out outfit after outfit from closet. A series
of shots with him dressed fancier and fancier, throwing clothes on the bed and
floor. He finally settles on a bit over the top outfit that includes a leisure
suit with a loud, big collared shit.
DAVID
I’m an actor, I’m an
actor, I’m an actor.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM
DAVID, in front of a mirror, obsessing with his hair,
eyebrows, breath, adjusting his suit. The time of day appears. It’s 8:22.
DAVID
I’m an actor, I’m an
actor, I’m an actor, I’m an actor.
He gives himself a dramatic, serious look in the mirror
DAVID
This is it. You’re an
actor. Better get ready like an actor.
CUT TO:
EXT. NIGHTCLUB/BAR—NIGHT
DAVID, jazzed and jittered, approaches the bouncer outside.
The time of day is shown. It’s 9:27
BOUNCER
Name?
DAVID
David Wagoner, I’m
with Northwest Pictures.
The BOUNCER doesn’t check the list, the name Northwest
Pictures is enough.
BOUNDER
You’re with
Northwest? Go on in and get your drink tickets.
DAVID, walking past him, is handed two drink tickets by a
coat check girl. Wide-eyed, he mumbles:
DAVID
I’m an actor.
CUT TO:
INT. PRIVATE ROOM IN BAR
A series of shots show groups of people are mingling and
chatting over the party music. Most are well dressed. There is laughter and a
sense of calm fun. The night is just starting. DAVID enters this room. Lets out
a whoop. Starts toward the bar, moving with the music. Some people give him
notice. Most don’t. The party has just started.
CUT TO:
DAVID listening in on a conversation. He fidgets and makes
listening look extreme. He interjects with comments that are forceful and off
topic. A lot of improv here. We essentially see this gag a few short times with
different people, knocking people’s drinks over, jabbing at them, but as we
progress the people become more important. He scares a woman. The time is 10:33
DAVID
It’s cool man, I know
how it goes with gold miners, I’m an actor too.
CUT TO:
The Director approaches David, who is obviously making a
scene.
DIRECTOR
Who are you young
man?
DAVID
David Wagoner, I’m
your Newsman for the film. I’ve been reading your script.
DIRECTOR
Oh, have you?
DAVID
Yeah yeah yeah, And
have I got something for you-- what if—what if, you told the story THROUGH news
casts?
The Director, recognizing someone else, starts to walk away.
DAVID
Think about it. You’d
be using the newscasts inside of another medium, like a story being told inside
a story, it’s all about perception man, the source! Hey!—
DAVID grabs the shoulder of the director, suddenly
everything stops.
DAVID, very meekly
It’s cool guys… I’m
an actor.
CUT TO:
David getting tossed out of entrance by one or two guards.
He flails to get free of them.
DAVID
If I lose my part
because of you apes, you will see me in court,
by God, you WILL see me in court. In fact, I
quit! How’s that!
The guards drop him suddenly and turn to walk away.
And for a moment DAVID just stares at the club somberly. The
time is 12:01. DAVID sits down on the gutter. His phone rings. We clip together
the following dialog, making it seem like a much longer conversation. DAVID
paces back and forth in front of the club.
DAVID
Josh? No man, you wouldn’t believe it. There’s just too
much politics in the business for me anymore? So I quit. F yeah I did. Because!
They’ve taken the joy out of what I do. I don’t know. I want to get back to the
basics. The art man, the pure art. I think I’ll do some teaching, maybe, maybe
some stage stuff, but you know, only if my hearts in it. The way the industry
is now… it’s not satisfying as an artist.
The time is 12:14.
ALT ENDING. After all this has passed.
A waiter, in his 20s, passing out drinks at the club. The
Director puts an arm on his shoulder.
DIRECTOR
What’s your name young man?
WAITER
Billy.
DIRECTOR
Well, Billy, how would you like to play an anchorman in my
next movie?
BILLY
Wow. Sure, I’d love to. Thank you.
DIRECTOR
Not a problem Billy,I’ll have my girl Susan get your
number.
We follow Billy into
the kitchen area. Just as the door swings shut behind him Billy’s eyes go wide
as saucers. (O.S.) Someone yells:
Billy, we need two more
trays at 9 and 7!
BILLY
Oh, yeah, well fuck you! I’m an actor now.
The time is 12:24.
