Changes to the script!

I'm not satisfied with the beginning and end of the screenplay so these sections will be revised very soon.

I've been busy over the last day completing the [film] Production Management course I received a Scholarship for. It resumed for a final 2 lessons after about a 3 week hiatus.

On Thursday I brought the screen play along with the hypothetical budget and schedule I'd created. The script was read out in class by five females, so that's four playing the characters and one as the narrator. It was quite an amusing experience and its a pitty I didn't have something to record audio with.

Nonetheless I received some very useful feedback and some of which I'll take into consideration when revising the screenplay.

Possible changes to the cast

Today we didn't some more screen tests, this time with Guy.

First I tested him in is intended role which he seemed a bit unsure of. He seemed to develop a fondness for the Mr. Trollins character so I allow him to do an audition to which he provided a better performance. Since its more likely that Guy will play Mr. Trollins the roll of Gigh will need to be recast.

Bec recommends a fellow by the name of Neil, here's what he looks like...



I think Neil looks more suited to the role of Gigh which I'll probably rename to Gui (pronounced "gee") to minimize confusion wih the actual Guy.

Be expecting captures of those screen tests very soon...

Screen/Auditions Test Script

On Saturday I did some location tests and an audition for Panache using version 1.02 of the screenplay. This version still requires a lot of work and unfortunately when its copy & pasted from Word it loses some of its formatting.

Video captures of the footage is coming soon.

EXT. Yet To Be Determined ESTABLISHING SHOT – DUSK

EXT. ALLEYWAY – DUSK

MR. TROLLINS lurks in the shadows of the alley. He leans impatiently against a wall with his arms crossed, tapping his foot in annoyance and muttering obscenities under his breath.

He spots Gigh approaching and steps out of the shadows. GIGH comes to a halt and looks up startled.

GIGH

Mr Trollins!

MR. TROLLINS

I’ve been waiting for you boy! Do you have my money?

GIGH

No sir, I do not.

MR TROLLINS

(Furious)

This is the third you’ve failed to make payment.

GIGH

I know sir, but I got married recently.

MR TROLLINS

There are no excuses! Everybody knows what happens to clients who fail to pay me.

GIGH

I know sir, but if you’ll just give me a few more days…

MR TROLLINS

(Furious)

A few more days? I shall tolerate this insolence no longer! Clients who don’t repay must suffer the consequences!

GIGH

Please sir, Panache will be coming this way soon and…

MR TROLLINS

(Interrupts)

All the better if she sees!

Mr. Trollins lunges at GIGH shooting bolts of lightning from his hands. GIGH attempts to counter the attack with his own lightning but is overpowered and his body is enveloped with MR. TROLLINS lightning.

GIGH falls to the ground convulsing as the energy passes through his body. With a menacing facial expression MR. TROLLINGS continues to zap GIGH until wispy smoke wafts off his body.

PANACHE

(Frantic)

Gigh! What are you doing?

MR TROLLINS

(Manically)

Your husband has failed to repay me so he’s getting what he deserves.

PANACHE

(Frantic)

STOP!!! Stop hurting him.

MR TROLLINS ignores PANACHE and attacks GIGH with greater intensity. PANACHE attempts to get closer but MR. TROLLINS knocks her over a bolt of lightning then returns his full attention to GIGH. GIGH erupts into flames and within seconds is no more than a pile of ash and bones.

MR. TROLLINS withdraws his attach and laughs evilly. PANACHE buckles over in front of GIGHS remains with tears welling in her eyes.

MR. TROLLINS

Let it be known what happens to those who dare to avoid repayments!

MR. TROLLINGS storms off leaving a sobbing PANACHE to sift GIGH’s ashes between her fingers.

FADE OUT.

EXT. NIGHT SKY – EARLY NIGHT

The full moon begins to rise in the sky.

EXT. ABUELO’s ABODE - NIGHT

Establishing shot of Abuelo’s abode.

INT. ABUELO’s ABODE – NIGHT

ABUELO is reading a parchment when PANACHE bursts into the room.

PANACHE

(Distressed)

Abuelo, Gigh is dead! I need help!

ABUELO

Dead? How?

PANACHE

He failed to pay Trollings…

ABUELO

Did that scoundrel electrocute?

PANACHE nods. ABUELO begins foraging through the junk behind him and produces the shoot new tree which he passes to PANACHE.

ABUELO

Plant this shoot in the soil before the stone. Sprinkle Gigh’s ashes at its base and water them with a tear.

PANACHE

But what does this do?

ABUELO

You must hurry as this ritual must be preformed under the full moon.

ABUELO ushers the confused PANACHE to the door before she can respond.

PANACHE

How will this bring GIGH back?

ABUELO

You must have faith.

PANACHE leaves into the darkness.

FADE TO.

EXT. NIGHT SKY – NIGHT

The moon rises to its highest point in the sky.

EXT. ALLEY WAY – NIGHT

PANACHE kneels before GIGH’s remains. She scraps some of the ashes into a pouch, places it in her pocket and leaves.

EXT. VALLEY – NIGHT

A saddened PANACHE makes her way into the valley, carefully traversing down a slope with the shoot in both hands. Upon reaching the luscious valley floor the giant stone emerges from the darkness.

When she is metres away she pauses briefly and she brushes the tail of her jacket aside to reveal a trowel. She removes it and kneels to the ground. After digging a small hole she places the shoot inside of it and covers the hole over. She pats the soil down around the shoot with both hands then stands.

PANACHE retrieves the pouch from her pocket and begins sprinkling the ashes over the shoot. She leans forward, grimaces and sheds a single tear which trails over her cheek and drips onto the staff.

Suddenly the shoot begins to grow. Two more shoots emerge from the top of the original shoot and begin growing outwards in a “Y” formation. The original shoot becomes a shrub and the new shoots rapidly become branches which sprout leaves and sub-branches of their own.

The foliage continues to grow and beneath it traces of GIGH can be seen. The leaves fall away and the reincarnated GIGH opens his eyes and looks up. The overjoyed PANACHE hurries over and wraps her arms around him.

GIGH

(Dazed and confused)

Where am I?

PANACHE

Mr. Trollings executed you for failing to make your repayment!

GIGH

That bastard! Someone must put a stop to this. He can’t keep killing people.

PANACHE

I agree and I know how we can teach him a lesson…

The two walk arm in arm out of the valley.

FADE TO.

Inspirit Screenplay Version A

Here is the first idea I was playing with. I wrote a screenplay for the ritual sequence but it appears this is going to be abandoned in favour of a better idea.

EXT. CREST OF HILL – DUSK

GIGH’s silhouette strides against the dusk sky. It strikes a strong contrast with the magnificent shades of pink and blue produced by the setting sun. In his right hand he carries a staff, holding it horizontally like a tribal warrior embarking on a hunt. As he progresses from the left to the right of the frame sinister dark clouds roll in and smother the lambent backdrop.

EXT. VALLEY - NIGHT

GIGH proceeds down in to the valley under the now fully darkened sky. The megalith slowly emerges in the darkness ahead. GIGH stops just metres in front of it. He pauses briefly then with both hands he raises the staff above his head and drives into the ground. It slides into the earth with ease and remains free standing.

GIGH takes a step back. With his right arm outstretched he focuses really hard as he reaches towards the megalith. He remains in position as though he is trying to maintain the tension of an invisible rope. Nothing happens.

He sighs in frustration then looks up to see the sky is still suffocated with clouds. His face indicates he’s had a sudden realisation. He walks over to the megalith and places both hands upon its surface. It feels warm and relaxing so he lingers momentarily to absorb its warmth.

He tears himself away from the megalith resulting in glowing on its surface. They glow brightly for an instant then fade slowly. Stepping back from the megalith GIGH stretches both arms in front of him. He begins motioning as though he is attempting to open a difficult pair of curtains. His first attempt is awkward causing the clouds to stir slightly. Making a second and more confident attempt he pulls the clouds apart like Moses parting the sea. Moonlight floods down as the cloud dissipate.

Under the light of the full moon GIGH once again attempts to summon power from the megalith. Again he stretches his right arm towards the megalith clenching his hand as though holding a balloon. Poising he concentrates deeply, grimacing slightly under the strain.

Suddenly a shoot emerges from the staff, then another and another. The shoots rapidly become branches and begin sprouting leaves and sub-branches of their own. GIGH continues to focus as the staff erupts into a symphony of pullulating foliage.

After the foliage attains the size of a healthy shrub GIGH becomes engulfed by a wave of self-consciousness breaking his concentration. He lowers his hand and looks to the ground for a moment somewhat confused. As he looks up he discovers the megalith has vanished, the sky is clouded and the staff is lying in the grass without any foliage.

GIGH reacts by looking around frantically. He looks back to where the megalith was situated and notices a small stone in its place. He moves closer and squats down to pick it up between his thumb and index finger. Upon closer inspection he discovers the stone is a miniature version of the megalith.

GIGH looks over his shoulder in the direction of the staff then stands up. He walks towards the staff and collects it as he walks out of the frame.