FIRST PLACE - 5 Hour Career by Tom Olson

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:

EXT. CLUB—NIGHT

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.