Script Idea

My Cambridge portfolio project is a two-minute movie intro that I am assembling in the form of a thriller.The primary objective is to create the level of tension within the background environment and gradually make people feel uncomfortable and insecure. The plot revolves around two friends as they listen to music at home when an emergency broadcast comes in and throws a spanner in their usual night out.


It is inspired by The Purge, particularly the emergency announcements and the entire mood of being inside and safe, although the danger somehow invades. I liked the way ordinary homes turn into haunted grounds and how suspense can creep across by using sound and no sound in addition to the expectation rather than big action shots. I felt like I wanted to create my own original plan without imitating any plot.

I want to make this opening as a hook to get the audience hooked as I want to begin with something that is slow and comes into a suspense. The presence of sound effects, lighting changes, and minimal dialogue contribute to the creation of tension and leaves people without opened questions. The following is the dialogue of my two-minute opening film that executes these ideas and techniques.


Title: Stay Inside:
INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING: The room’s dim but cozy. In the background, the television is humming. JAY and MARCUS are on the couch eating snacks relaxed and making jokes.


JAY: (laughing) We’ve been inside all day.


MARCUS:That is what a good weekend is all about.


The television switches to a dead air.


SFX: Loud crackling noise.


Both look up.


TV BROADCAST (V.O.)This is a way of emergency broadcasting. Every person is encouraged to stay within their houses. Close all the doors and windows.


The room is remarkably less noisy.


JAY: What was that?


MARCUS: Probably just a test.


The television show gets re-aired, but in a more distorted way.


TV BROADCAST (V.O.) Do not leave your home. Stay inside.


Marcus turns the volume up.


JAY: That didn’t sound normal.


They exchange uneasy looks.


INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS: Marcus wanders towards the front door slowly.


SFX: There is a low metallic sound of something going on outside.


He stops.


MARCUS: Did you hear that?


There is another sound, the rattling of a doorknob.


INT. LIVING ROOM / FRONT DOOR : Jay stands up.


JAY: Someone’s out there.


The rattling grows louder.


SFX: There is an abrupt THUD on the door.


Both step back.


MARCUS: None of them are supposed to be out.


Silence.


Then-


BANG.


The lights flicker.


Jay locks the deadbolt.


CLICK.


EXTREME CLOSE‑UP – DOOR HANDLE


The handle rotates gradually on the outside.


INT. LIVING ROOM: There is a faint repetition of the emergency broadcast over the TV.


TV BROADCAST (V.O.) Remain inside. This is for your safety.


There is a last, bang on the door.


Jay and Marcus stare, frozen.


CUT TO BLACK.


All in all, this script indicates my intention to achieve the suspense by the use of the atmosphere, rather than action. The fact that I leave the opening at the cliffhanger is an attempt to make the audience anxious and eager to know what is going to happen next.This idea will allow me to explore sound design, camera shots and pacing, which are also important in my Cambridge portfolio project.