(#12) - valedictorian screenplay (day 1 and 2)

day 1

As a wise man once said: "You can't make a short film if you don't have a screenplay, stupid!"

That's what Luis and I told ourselves this week. Our critical path map gave us only three days to finish our script—I was convinced that we could finish our first draft in two days. We created accounts on celtx, a website that formats a screenplay as you write it. I began by writing the description of the house that the first challenge takes place in:

"“Valedictorian”

Scene 1

The scene opens in a normal house. Nothing is particularly eye-catching about the decoration. It is evident that this house is lived in, but for what purpose is unclear. It is unusually bright in the room: light takes up most of the space. The walls are not a specific color, nor should they be a specific color.

Four teenagers, easily identified by their postures and clothing, consume the main/living room.

A dapper young man in nice, business casual attire is talking to a girl ready to go for a run."

Next, I wanted to establish the characters through their pairs for the challenges. I knew I wanted Isa and Bryce to be together, however the other characters I was unsure about. 

"ISA

Hey, what's the hint again?

BRYCE

(From his memory) "I silence in numerous ways, Using my red radio waves."

ISA

Whoa! How'd you memorize it that fast?

BRYCE

Why should I tell you?

ISA

Because, we are working together on this challenge whether we like it or not. C'mon, how'd you do it?

BRYCE

I really can't have anyone knowing skills that took me years to practice. I—

ISA

(Annoyed) Seriously? Forget it."

Exchanges like this between the other characters followed. 

Luis and I worked on the script simultaneously on the shared celtx file and on a phone call. I never would've thought I'd write for some characters and Luis for others, but innately I cannot write rants or pop culture related lines. I wrote for characters like Bryce and Andrew while Luis had fun thinking of one-liners for Courtney and Riley. I initially thought the opposite would be the case, but that's how the cookie crumbled.'

It was during this scriptwriting process when Luis and I realized there was one more character to cast. There were no questions who it should be; we had a one-second conversation just to make sure we were on the same page. Without further ado:

The Announcer: Luis Andres Lageyre Rivas

The man himself, the second half of Valedictorian, Luis would be voicing the ominous voice of the announcer. His numerous years of voice acting will certainly come in handy. Additionally, he makes a good impression of the monorail conductor telling passengers to "avoid the closing doors" and "next stop, Hollywood Studios." There is no one we'd want more to be this part (also Luis AND I get to feature in our media project! How fun!).

Back to the script. We completed the first scene in just four pages, starting with the above scene with Bryce and Isa, followed by Miranda and Charlie, then Andrew and Riley finding Garrett eliminating himself underwater, and Courtney and Z's entrance. To conclude the scene, we deduced that Riley and Courtney would be the best two candidates to eliminate as Z was to be used as comedic relief in the next scene and Charlie would be used to establish Miranda's kind nature towards her peers. 

All in all, Luis and I were confident in this first scene and how all of the characters were introduced. Bryce was a prick, Miranda was observational, Riley wanted to do the TikTok renegade, Courtney got mad at Z for stepping on her designer shoes, and Garrett turned green (this was the effect I had envisioned, but Luis nor I knew how we'd physically eliminate any of the characters besides a unique audio cue)!

day 2

Luis and I, the following evening, wrote the next three scenes. The second scene was simple; using a vivid description, we established the park environment of the second challenge:

"An obstacle course is seen nearby. Nothing fancy. It appears like an assortment of challenges a student would play on their "field day".

ISA

Now, this is my type of challenge.

Announcer (V.O.)

The physical challenge begins now.

"Race Starting" gaming sound effect plays over what sounds like a P.A. system. The characters begin to run on the last beep, leaving the starting line far behind quickly.
The characters are shown running and completing the obstacle course.
Z appears to be extremely clueless as to what was going on. He's just spacing off.

BRYCE

How are you doing this so fast?

ISA

I really can't have anyone knowing skills that took me years to practice.

BRYCE (Clearly annoyed keeps pushing forward)

Shot counter shot of the participants in the challenge and Z chilling out in the starting line (with reggae music accompanying his shots) is shown."

This may be subject to change due to time constraints. We wanted this scene to be fast and quick, so having only a few moments of dialogue was imperative to save time and get to the elimination of Z and Charlie quickly.

Scene 3 on the beach was easy for Luis and me because our outline (from posting #6) was clear in regards to what actions occurred in this scene. It was easy to guide the scene in the proper direction:

"ISA

We can't eliminate someone.

BRYCE

Is that not what it says?

ISA

Yeah but...we can't just kick someone out.

BRYCE

Seriously? This isn't a hard decision. We kick off Andrew.

Miranda

What?

Andrew

Excuse me?

BRYCE

I mean the Valedictorian is the kid with the highest GPA right? If we get rid of the guy who has the best grades then someone else can hold the title."

"ANDREW

Isabella! What happened?

MIRANDA

(Realizing) It was a morality test... She pressed the button. She pressed the button because of you...(looks over at Bryce)

BRYCE

She pressed the button, not me. That's why she's out.

Andrew

YOU!

ANDREW and MIRANDA begin to walk towards BRYCE who starts to back up. They all begin to speed up. Finally, BRYCE finds himself at the edge of the water."

Miranda during this scene acts as a silent mediator as she is the peaceful one, and Andrew, as the one that cares a lot about his academic standing, is the aggressor. Bryce is finally getting payback for his wrongdoings.

The next scene is the plot twist where we reveal where the eliminated students had been sent to. 

"A stok highschool logo is seen. as this text disappears from the screen, Bryce's eyes replace them.

Bryce removes the mask from his head, frustrated. ANDREW & MIRANDA cheated the virtual simulation, just like he had in his election. He slams the mask down on a nearby desk. As he exits the room, he turns down the school hallway and into another room.

CHARLIE

Bryce?!

Bryce stands at the front of a classroom filled with desks. Before him sits all of the eliminated students. ISA, CHARLIE, Z, RILEY, COURTNEY, and GARRETT are in shock."

The following scene has the characters question Bryce, only for the conversation to turn to Garrett, asking him about being eliminated by the water.

"GARRETT

(Trying to be casual) What's up?

ISA

The water. Bryce got eliminated cause of the water glitch too.

COURTNEY

Oh, poor thing. That's just sad.

GARRETT

What? No, I did that on purpose.

At the same time:

ISA

(Surprised) What?!

COURTNEY

Stupid.

RILEY

Whoa. You heard it here first.

Z

Dude what?

Charlie

Actually?

BRYCE

(After the others) Why?

GARRETT

I have more important things to worry about.

BRYCE

What's more important than being the Valedictorian?

GARRETT

Literary anything.

BRYCE

Did you hear me? Valedictorian.

RILEY

You're like a musician right?! Can I like make a TikTok to one of your songs?

GARRETT

I'm not answering that. (He puts his headphones back in)."

This is the only dialogue we have with Garrett; this is important to show how he doesn't dwell on the competition, instead, he looks forward to working towards his performance.
The rest of the script brings the film to a close as the eliminated students have a discussion about the significance (or lack thereof) of holding the title of Valedictorian.


Luis and I plan on meeting with a mentor to revise the script: our first read-through was NINE MINUTES LONG.... not good. We look forward to finishing the script so we can begin filming this weekend!!

Till next time, Have a great day,