Sunday, January 25, 2015

2PC 2JY: Adapting prose into script

Prose

Write about a time when someone whom you least expected helped you

I was never friendly with Tom. Even though we were classmates, we never saw eye to eye. We hung out with different groups of friends and we sat far away from each other. During recess, we also stayed clear of the each other.

One day, when I was passing by the park on my way home, I saw a stranger loitering around. He was a suspicious looking and so I became wary of him. Suddenly he ran up to me and flashed a knife in my face. The man told me to keep silent or he would stab me. There was no one else around as this was a corner of the park. I was so scared that he would hurt me.

Then, a stone hit the man. It was Tom! He threw another stone at the man and shouted at him to keep away from me. The man was furious and attacked Tom. Tom was not afraid and he continued throwing stones at the man while shouting for help.


Next, some policemen came running towards us. The man dropped his knife and started running away with the policemen hot on his heels. I was so scared that I cried. Tom walked over to me and asked me if I was alright. I said yes and thanked him profusely. He then offered to walk home with me. This encounter with Tom has been etched in my memory ever since and I regret having been unfriendly with him all this time. We became the best of friends after that and we still are until this day.


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Script for one scene


FADE IN

EXT. LOCATION #OUTSIDE THE PARK- DAY

John is walked home from school. He needs to pass through the park on his way home. Dark thunderclouds hover him and cold wind sends chills down his spine. All he hears is the low howling in his ears and the rustling of leaves. The park in front of him is deserted. 

JOHN
[Says to himself while savagely crushing leaves under his feet] “I’ve had enough of him!”

EXT. LOCATION #PARK- DAY

A man, who is wearing a pair of sunglasses, a black polo T-shirt and a pair of worn jeans, steps suddenly into John’s path.

JOHN
[Startled. Mumbles.] “Sorry…”

MAN
[Gives John a mighty shove to the side of the pavement]

JOHN
[Falls heavily into the grass]

JOHN
[Curses and swears as he gets up]

MAN
[Brandishes a gleaming knife] “Not so fast!”

JOHN
[Stops getting up immediately and falls to knees.]

MAN
[Voice steady and cool] “You will not empty your pockets before I stab you in your face.” [Waves knife in front of John]

JOHN
[Trembling, he reaches for his wallet and lets it drop to the floor.]
[Squeaking, tears flow down his cheeks] “Please don’t kill me.”

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Refer to your own essay. Think of what you wish to show about your characters and think of how to show it in a scene. Write out the script for this scene. 

Think of how you can describe through action, appearance and speech. 

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