Sketched Storyboard

The Graduate

The Graduate is a prime example of a coming-of-age movie, which some consider to be the defining film of the coming- of-age genre.  The narrative exposes the post-college years of a 21 year old (Dustin Hoffman) who is uncertain about his unforeseeable future. This is the conventional narrative formula for a coming-of-age film; a youth who is pondering their transformation into adulthood.  Using the screenshot templates, I will depict the opening scene shot-by-shot. 

Template for Shot Screens

This is a template that gives an example of how I will format the single shots that I take, from 1 to 25. I have included, or attempted to, replicated size of the 16:9 aspect ratio that would be used for each shot. This size is essential as this is the standardised screen size for a television that would be showing this hypothetical film. This template also includes a box for each stylistic feature that will need to be considered for my film. These are the boxes at the top of the template listed: cinematography, editing, sound and mise-en-scene. In these boxes, it will be vital to use relevant information to give addition and dimension to the still of a shot, giving it a true 'realistic' film style.  

Contextual/Intertextual References

This is the single Drugs by the New Wave American band Talking Heads. This single is significant to my chosen scene as it is Charlie's first experiance of drugs. The song's lyrics depict the events of an experiance with drugs, ultimetly leading to Byrne to sing the lyrics: "charged up, electricity". This is relevant to the chosen sequence as it is Charlie's first experience of drugs and the possible effects that they will have on him. The essential sound of this song has elements of funk/psychedelic rock, also relevant to drugs, yet more specifically acid. Using a song from such an iconic and avant-garde 80s group adds to the retrospective aspect of my thematics for the film, as discussed previously.

I intend to use J.R.R Tolkein as an inspirational figure to Charlie. He is a world famous British novelist, renowned for his Lord of the Rings series. Tolkien is considered the 'father' of fantasy fiction, initially using his creative innovation and literary mind to create novels for his children. I choose to reference Tolkien's creativity in this specific scene, due to Charlie also known for his fantasy creativity, yet is diagnosed with a condition (FPP). This reference suggests Charlie has a knowledge of literature.

There will also be subtle reference to the myth of Icarus, as discussed in previous posts. The wax candle that is blown out in Charlie's frustration is significant as this is the scene when Charlie initially takes drugs and in the Icarus myth the wax that holds together the wings is melted by the sun (the print on the acid tab). Furthermore Charlie will be wearing a necklace with a feather on, signifying his protagonist stance in the narrative.

Shotlist Adapted from Screenplay

Here are the handwritten 25 shots that I intend on using for my digital photographic storyboard as an extract of my film. As this photo may raise slight ambiguities or may be unable to read, here are the shots:

1) Est. (establishing) shot - outside house
2) Mid-shot - CHARLIE slams laptop
3) Shot behind DION at door frame - over the shoulder
4) Reverse shot - CHARLIE - over the shoulder
5) Reverse shot - DION - over the shoulder "inspiration"
6) BACK to - CHARLIE
7) Cut to - Close up - CHARLIE
8) Scrambles through box
9) JUMPCUT - scramble through box
10) CHARLIE discovers TABS - over the shoulder
11) Long shot - CHARLIE runs to DOOR FRAME -> close up "did you...?"
12) TABS - close up
13) JUMPCUT to TOUNGE - close up/extreme close up
14) CHARLIE at desk - medium close up
15) Picks up notepad + pen - close up
16) CHARLIE slams the house door as he exits - longshot
17) SIDE ON Tracking shot down the street - CHARLIE
18) JUMPCUT - FRONT ON tracking down the street
19) Est. (establishing) shot decrepid building - CHARLIE appears walking towards it
20) CHARLIE - walks through a doorway - longshot
21) CHARLIE - begins to sit down - medium close up/midshot OR Longshot
22) CHARLIE - sat down -> CANTED ANGLE to flopping down and laying down - medium close up
CUT TO BLACK
23) Same FRAMING to previous shot - CHARLIE laying down in bed to open his eyes - medium close up
24) CHARLIE - flicks through notepad - over the shoulder
25) CHARLIE - smiles then laughs - LOW ANGLE - midshot
FADE TO BLACK

At the bottom of my hand written page is the picture of a small sun on a square. This was a spontanious drawing that I drew whilst writing up the shot sequence. The sun relates to ICARUS tale, which eventually results in his downfall, thus was to adapt this idea into my own narrative. After finishing my sequence, the sun drawing acted as a rememberence to search of the image of an acid tab with the picture of the sun on. After using Google Images, I found this one, with the link to the address I found it on (www.smashedblocked.blogspot.com)

My Screenplay for Sequence

- INT. – DAEDALUS FAMILY HOME – Day

We are in the protagonist’s (CHARLIE’S) bedroom.

The walls are BLUE. The CURTAINS are closed despite being daytime and are blocking the light. The only real light comes from a CANDLE sat next to CHARLIE.

CHARLIE is sat at his desk on his laptop, yet not typing or interacting with the laptop what so ever: plainly staring at the blank screen. The sound of TALKING HEADS – DRUGS is heard lightly coming from his speakers.

HE wears casual clothing, yet with a prominently, vivid coloured feathers on a necklace.

CHARLIE

Fuck!

He SLAMS the laptop screen in frustration, causing the CANDLE to extinguish and the sound of TALKING HEADS to end.

DION appears in the door way, standing learning in with one shoulder resting on the door frame. DION is also wearing leisurely clothing, with a look of inkling worn on his face.

DION

What’s up Charl? Why’s it so dark in here too? I hear Talking Heads?

CHARLIE

This short fiction competition, I’ve got no chance at this rate: my mind is blank, despite being like Tolkien with a mind wondering aimlessly. I like the dark. It usually helps me think but obviously not today.

DION

Well, it sounds like you need inspiration. Check that box there; I may have left you a little surprise cos I suspected you needed a little push.

DION winks at CHARLIE, then leaving the door frame to go elsewhere.

CHARLIE scrambles through a wicker box he keeps under his desk and finds a STRIP of what looks like POSTAL STAMPS. CHARLIE frowns upon discovering these, then opens his eyes wide and runs to the door frame, yet not breaching the confinements of his bed room.

CHARLIE

Dee you left me acid?!

There is no response from the landing. CHARLIE looks in wonder at these small tabs. CHARLIE returns to his desk and rips a piece off this strip and puts it on his tongue.

After a few seconds, CHARLIE grabs his NOTEPAD and PEN and runs downstairs out the door.

- EXT. – STREETS – Day

The sound of TALKING HEADS is again heard as NON DIEGETIC SOUND. The camera TRACKS Charlie who is walking down the street at a rapid pace, with his NOTEPAD and PEN held in his hand.

EXT. – DERELICT STRUCTURE – Day

CHARLIE arrives at an old building of some sort with no walls and the inside exposed. He looks for a place to sit as the colours become SATURATED and VIVID; the drug is kicking in.

CHARLIE sits in the corner of a room in this construction and looks at his pad for a few seconds before he slumps to a side.

The TALKING HEADS track once again abruptly stops.

CUT TO BLACK

- INTL. - DAEDALUS FAMILY HOME – night

We are once again in CHARLIE’s room as he is lying in bed and slowly raises himself up. Next to him lays the same NOTEPAD and PEN. HE frantically moves, sitting on the edge of the bed and flicks through his NOTEPAD; He has written numerous pages.

CHARLIE SMILES which gradually turns into a LAUGH of satisfaction.

FADE TO BLACK

Screenplay Examples

Screenplay for Jackie Brown (Quentin Tarantino,1997) Opening Credits:

OPENING CREDITS

INT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY

We hear the rhythm of funky seventies SOUL MUSIC.

Then SHE steps into FRAME.

She is JACKIE BROWN, a stewardess dressed in her CABO AIR uniform.  (A
little shuttle airline that flies from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas.
Approximate flight time: forty five minutes)

Jackie stands still as a people-mover slowly inches her through the
airport.  The CREDITS APPEAR and DISAPPEAR in front of her.

Jackie Brown is a very attractive black woman in her mid forties, though
she looks like sheís in her midthirties.

The people-mover reaches the end of the line, she steps off.

She breezes through Customs and we follow her with a STEDICAM as she
strides through the airport.. She gets to her gate disappears inside the
plane for a moment comes back out sans flight bag picks up the
microphone.

JACKIE
(into mike)
Flight 710 Cabo San Lucas, now boarding Gate 12, first class
only.

With a smile on her face, she collects passengers' boarding passes as
they board the plane.

FADE TO BLACK



Screenplay for American Psycho (Mary Harron, 2000) 'Bar Scene':

INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

Bateman saunters toward the bar as "Pump Up the Volume"
plays in the background.

BATEMAN (to BARGIRL) Two Stoli on the rocks.

He hands her two drink tickets.

BARGIRL
It's after eleven. Those aren't good anymore. It's
a cash bar. That'll be twenty-five dollars.

Bateman pulls out an expensive-looking wallet and hands her
a $50.

She turns her back and searches the cash register for
change.

BATEMAN You are a fucking ugly bitch I want to stab to
death and then play around with your blood.

The music muffles his voice. She turns around. He is
smiling at her. She gives him his change impassively.