'Incompatibility' Screenplay Version Four
This is the latest screenplay for my animated short and it is by far the most overhauled in terms of revisions.
The added and altered elements are highlighted in blue, as before. Almost half of the original screenplay has been either adjusted or omitted in response to significant changes around the Male Robot character.
This revision feels as though it is getting closer and closer to being completed, but it still needs a considerable amount of refining. I wanted to get the bulk of the new ideas together in this draft, but I am yet to streamline it and remove any superfluous content.
'Incompatibility'
(Working Title) Version 04
ACT ONE
EXT. ELECTRONICS STORE. EVENING
ESTABLISHING SHOT displaying the
ELECTRONICS STORE, in desolate street of other long forgotten sources of
consumer history.
CLOSE IN on a TELEVISION AERIAL
mounted to the roof of the store. The camera follows the cable down the side of
the building, fading through the wall to the interior of the shop, continuing
to follow the cable.
INT. ELECTRONICS STORE. EVENING
Still following the cable, the
camera PANS across the room, from right to left. A plethora of
outdated and redundant electronic equipment from throughout the 20th Century
litters the shelves, from floor to ceiling.
The camera slows to a stop, revealing that
it is connected to an old and outdated TELEVISION SET, reminiscent of classic
Bakelite television sets.
The TELEVISION SET flickers on,
displaying snippets of footage with audio that is sequenced as a means of
forming sentences. It communicates solely through brief phrases.
The camera PULLS BACK to reveal a
lonely MALE ROBOT, the last functioning model of his kind, seen viewing the
TELEVISION SET. The MALE ROBOT functions through a series of CASSETTE TAPES, used
for to provide him with functionality and instructions for executing preset
commands. These tapes are inserted into a
When there isn't a CASSETTE TAPE in
place, the MALE ROBOT is lost, without purpose or direction. He is still
sentient and able to move freely, but he is void of any desires or free will.
He simply exists to serve, waiting idle for commands.
The TELEVISION SET is the MALE ROBOT'S
only loyal companion, constantly making an effort to keep the lonely robot in
high spirits.
The TELEVISION SET flicks through
channels, in an attempt to entertain the MALE ROBOT. The MALE ROBOT only
shrugs, shakes his head and sighs with every channel change. The MALE ROBOT
simply sits at the workbench, thumbing through his collection of CASSETTE
TAPES, waiting hopelessly for an excuse to use one of them.
The TELEVISION SET, recognizing the
MALE ROBOT'S sadness, attempts to find something more uplifting for him to
watch. The TELEVISION SET flicks
through Saturday morning cartoons, stand up comedy and slapstick
movies from the 1940's, but nothing appears to cheer up the MALE ROBOT. The
MALE ROBOT turns to leave the workbench when suddenly, their attention is
drawn elsewhere.
Note on Style: If relating to
previous ideas of the electronics shop being similar in appearance to that of
an 80's singles bar, I would have the MALE ROBOT sat at a workbench resembling
a bar, with the TELEVISION SET fixed above the workbench on the wall.
A metallic rattling is heard, as the
camera CUTS to a disposal chute of sorts in the ceiling. A hatch swings open as
an object tumbles through, landing in a pile of electronic junk with a hefty
crash. As the object hits to ground, miscellaneous junk and trash is cast up,
burying the MALE ROBOT. The electronic components begin to shift as the
object below moves around.
The object rises to its feet, and it is
revealed that it is another robot. A FEMALE ROBOT, at that. The FEMALE
ROBOT is far more MODERNIZED than the MALE ROBOT, using COMPACT DISCS for DATA
STORAGE. She appears to serve a similar purpose to the MALE ROBOT,
although she is a far more advanced model.
POV of the MALE ROBOT, peering through
the electronic junk above him, as he casts his eyes upon the FEMALE ROBOT,
picking herself up and dusting herself off.
Stunned, having not
seen another robot for goodness knows how long, let alone such a beautiful one, the MALE ROBOT
hoists himself up promptly, unearthing himself from beneath yet more junk and
miscellaneous electronics. He makes an attempt to play it cool, unsure
whether the FEMALE ROBOT knows he is there or not.
The TELEVISION SET switches
channel, displaying Tex Avery's iconic 'Howling Wolf' animation, attracting the
attention of the FEMALE ROBOT. Shocked and embarrassed, the MALE ROBOT
immediately switches the TELEVISION SET off, and reverts back to playing it
cool.
The FEMALE ROBOT turns in response to
the whistle, seeing the MALE ROBOT stood across from her on the other side of
the room. The MALE ROBOT waves, somewhat shyly, greeting the FEMALE ROBOT.
Somewhat confused, the FEMALE ROBOT waves back doubtfully.
ACT TWO
INT. ELECTRONICS STORE. EVENING
The TELEVISION SET picks up on the
unease of the situation, and encourages the MALE ROBOT to approach the FEMALE
ROBOT, through means of footage of encouragement from various samples of
film and television shows.
The MALE ROBOT unfamiliar with this
new scenario, hesitates, thumbing through his collection of CASSETTE TAPES in
search of an appropriate action.
He cautiously settles on his 'Waiter'
CASSETTE TAPE. He removes it from his collection and inserts in into his TAPE
DECK. Immediately, his back straightens and his head tips upwards, as his right
arm crosses his chest and his left is outstretched in front of him. A towel
ejects from his right forearm, as if it were paper from a fax machine, as the
palm of his left hand begins to grind and dispense black pepper.
The FEMALE ROBOT tilts her head in
confusion, attempting to make sense of the MALE ROBOT'S intentions.
Noticing the FEMALE ROBOT'S confusion, the MALE ROBOT
shy's away, only to be encouraged further by the TELEVISION SET'S
jostling. He decides to make another attempt, this time selecting his
'Chef' CASSETTE TAPE. This time, the MALE ROBOT'S right hand adjusts to take
the shape of a spatula, whilst a grill pan slides out from his stomach
area. Note: This response is not final, its currently a placeholder for
something more developed.
Once again, the FEMALE ROBOT is
confused, this time backing away slightly.
The MALE ROBOT, now in somewhat of a
panic, begins to rifle through his collection. Swapping from one CASSETTE
TAPE to the other, from role to role, in the hopes of finding a role that the
FEMALE ROBOT responds positively to.
She remains confused, as the MALE
ROBOT begins to give up.
The TELEVISION SET, distressed,
switches to another channel, this time suggesting that the MALE ROBOT should make
an attempt to talk to her.
The MALE ROBOT reverts back to his
default form, and heeding the suggestion of the TELEVISION SET, takes a step
towards the FEMALE ROBOT. He attempts to generate some confidence and makes an attempt
to speak to her.
Instead of a coherent language, the MALE
ROBOT produces a series of unintelligible noises, a grinding and whirring of
mechanical components. Similar to that of a TAPE DECK.
Puzzled, the FEMALE ROBOT makes an
attempt to respond, only to create a similar collection of miscellaneous
noises, this time more digital than analogue. Dial tones, computer alerts and
other similar sounds.
Both characters repeatedly make an
attempt to communicate, the FEMALE ROBOT getting more frustrated and confused
as more and more unintelligible dialogue is exchanged. The noise gets out of
hand, resembling some sort of argument. When the volume becomes too much, the
TELEVISION SET chimes in, attempting to settle the situation.
The two ROBOTS settle down, although
their confusion remains. The TELEVISION SET starts to play something. It is an
advertisement for the MALE ROBOT, highlighting his various features,
specifically, his ability to use CASSETTE TAPES. This gives the MALE ROBOT an
idea. He gestures towards a form of TAPE DECK inset within his chest. A final
series of mechanical whirring is heard, as the MALE ROBOT writes a collection
of data to a CASSETTE TAPE.
The MALE ROBOT removes the CASSETTE
TAPE. With a timid disposition, the MALE ROBOT begins to approach the FEMALE
ROBOT once more, gesturing the CASSETTE TAPE towards her in an encouraging
manner.
Perplexed once more, the FEMALE ROBOT
shrugs, gesturing towards a collection of buttons on her chest. She presses one
of the buttons, as a TRAY begins to extrude outwards.
The FEMALE ROBOT removes a COMPACT DISC
from the TRAY, displaying it to the MALE ROBOT.
The MALE ROBOT, stunned, begins to
recognize the incompatibility between the two of them. Disheartened and
disappointed, he turns to walk away, giving up on this opportunity.
As the MALE ROBOT leaves, the TELEVISION
SET makes one last attempt to help his friend. He changes channel, showing an
advertisement for a 'Greatest Love Songs of the 80's' compilation CASSETTE
TAPE. The MALE ROBOT glances at the TELEVISION SET. The advertisement inspires
him to try one more thing.
Looking through his collection of
CASSETTE TAPES once more, he stumbles upon an irregular CASSETTE TAPE, one
which he had never noticed, let alone used before. As if it was never in his
possession at all. It is different to the others in appearance, transparent and
scrawled in marker pen and faded stickers. Curious and more or less out of
options, the MALE ROBOT hesitantly inserts the CASSETTE TAPE, at the suggestion
of the TELEVISION SET. He rewinds the CASSETTE TAPE and cautiously presses
PLAY.
ACT THREE
INT. ELECTRONICS STORE. EVENING
Music begins to emanate from
the MALE ROBOT, much to his surprise. As with the other CASSETTE TAPES, this
completely transforms his personality, but instead of shifting shape to serve a
purpose, he begins to dance. Disconnecting from his existing inhibitions and
releasing his suppressed, hidden desires of free will.
The MALE ROBOT proceeds to scrub
throughout the CASSETTE TAPE, using the snippets of lyrics on the various songs
to assemble rudimentary phrases and sentences, much like the
TELEVISION SET.
The FEMALE ROBOT begins to understand
the MALE ROBOT'S intentions, acknowledging his efforts to communicate and
begins to warm up to him.
The MALE ROBOT, ecstatic that he has
finally established some form of a connection, begins to dance along to the
music he is producing, gesturing towards the FEMALE ROBOT in an attempt to
get her to join in.
The FEMALE ROBOT, her attitude lifted,
begins to move along with him.
The FEMALE ROBOT's dancing slows to a
stop, as she begins to notice smoke pouring from the TAPE DECK of the MALE
ROBOT.
Distracted by the situation, the MALE
ROBOT is oblivious to the smoke pouring out, until the music begins to warp and
slow down to a stop.
The CASSETTE TAPE unspools, pouring from
within the TAPE DECK. In a panic, the MALE ROBOT makes an attempt to repair the
CASSETTE TAPE, but it is too late, the damage has been done.
The MALE ROBOT collapses to the
ground, frantically rummaging through his collection of CASSETTE TAPES in an
attempt to find another CASSETTE TAPE containing music, but he only finds
his preset CASSETTE TAPES.
Embarrassed and completely disheartened,
the MALE ROBOT promptly turns his back to the FEMALE ROBOT, facing the camera.
Out of nowhere, the hand of the FEMALE
ROBOT appears upon the shoulder of the MALE ROBOT.
The MALE ROBOT turns around to see the
FEMALE ROBOT holding another COMPACT DISC.
The FEMALE ROBOT inserts the COMPACT
DISC and presses PLAY. The same music from before begins to play, continuing
where the MALE ROBOT had left off.
Sensing the newly established connection
between the two of them, the ROBOTS begin to dance, having finally determined a
common language through music.
The TELEVISION SET, ecstatic that the
two ROBOTS have finally established a connection, begins to rhythmically change
channels, creating an effect similar to that of a disco.
Other relics of technology begin to
join in, with lamps flashing on and off, alarm clocks chiming, hairdryers
switching on and off and a wide variety of other bits and bobs, all interacting
in beat with the music.
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteYes - this is really beginning to cohere now isn't it? I do have a couple of further suggestions to make however. Right now, the functionality of the cassette tapes is more 'in the stage directions' of the script than available as visual info. My suggestion would be that when the TV first tries to cheer up the robot, he shows the robot a commercial of his own model - when he was popular and top of the range - the Robot's prime! This advert could include the whole functionality of the cassette tapes, as in 'The Serve-U-Bot' - He's 5 Homehelps in 1! Need a Chef? No worries, just insert your 'Cusino-Tape' into the Serve-U-Bot and....' The advert could end with some tagline that somehow sums up the Robot's void, something like 'Serve-U-Bot - He's Got No Mind of His Own' (well, not that obviously, but you know what I mean). The robot could then turn away from this advert in disgust, before opening up his tray of cassettes and we see him looking at them sadly etc - at which point the TV does the slapstick montage etc. When the Female Robot turns up, I was thinking that the TV could flick through lots of shopping channel adverts to find her infomercial; she could even be the 'Serve-U-Bot Mark 15' - "Isn't She Adorable? And so Sophisticated!"
The sequence when he tries using his functionality to communicate with her - I think you need to think about this a bit more; it sort of feels as if there should be a trio of misfires here - 3 attempts; the waiter, the cook, the cleaner or whatever, with each attempt fucking up - perhaps covering her in cleaning fluid, scaring her as his mincing blades pop out etc. It just seems like an opportunity for the bungling to escalate comically.
I really like the tv ariel beginning sequence btw.
Good stuff, Steve - push onwards - just tighten up Act 1 in terms of the visual exposition and think about the 'functionality sequence' a bit more - really commit to the 'slapstick' of this, as I think we could see his doofusness here - and her growing irritation with him.