I raised some funds from the crowdfunding site indiegogo.com to shoot a trailer that I will then use to entice financiers and producers into reading the fantastic screenplay and pull out their chequebooks.
Unlike trailers for movies, this is really a promotional item for the script. So I don't have any footage to work from. In a way, it's harder than cutting a trailer for a film because you have to imagine the film and then cut a trailer from that, that you can then shoot to look like there is an entire movie that's been shot.
Which there hasn't.
It took me several drafts to write a script for the trailer, along with a few passes by the writer of the screenplay. Distilling the script into something coherent over a 2-3 minute span -- without giving away the story proved difficult, but I think it's finally been cracked.
Here is the latest draft. Comments and questions are especially welcome!
A BLANK PAGE OF A NOTEBOOK:
A pencil quickly scrawls over a page, revealing a banal, yet mysteriously appealing penmanship.
DAN (V.O.)
The rational is a realm that exists onlyamongst matters outside the heart...
INT. LAYLA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Dan, 20’s, Sri Lankan Tamil, and Layla, late 20’s, white, attractive, vigourously make out.
Layla suddenly stops, pulls herself away.
LAYLA
Dan, when is your wedding again?Dan flinches, guilt-ridden. Layla smiles sadly.
DAN (V.O.)
... lust... JUMP CUT TO:
Layla pulls on her shirt. She takes Dan’s face in her hands.
LAYLA
Dany Boy, you can do anything you
want with this life. You just have
to make up your mind.
INT. PRAYER HALL, MOSQUE - DAY
A congregation in the midst of their Friday prayer. Everyone coordinated together, following an IMAM.
Dan and his father Tahir sit next to each other on their knees. Their heads turn one way to one shoulder then to the other shoulder. Everyone at just about the same time.
Dan looks at Tahir, Tahir stands up and walks away.
DAN (V.O.)
Jealousy...
INT. NADIA’S ROOM, OMAIR HOME - DAY
Nadia, South Asian, 20’s, wearing a red sari, stands across from Dan, her eyes burning into him.
DAN
I can’t marry you, Nadia.
NADIA
Who is she?
Nadia quivers, she starts to cry into her sari material. Her voice breaks as she speaks.
NADIA (CONT’D)
What is she?
Dan looks on, a bit confused by the question.
NADIA (CONT’D)
The colour of her skin Dan. What’s
the colour of her skin?
DAN (V.O.)
-- revenge...
INT. NADIA’S ROOM, OMAIR HOME
Khalid, 50’s, handsome, sits beside Nadia, whose eyes are red from crying.
KHALID
Daniyal’s a mess of a man.
I feel for him. I feel for his
father. Family is everything.
Right, mahal?
Nadia sits on the bed. Khalid sits next to her.
NADIA
I think I want this to stop.
I don’t feel comfortable.
Khalid leans forward and puts his head down.
KHALID
I’m your father. You should always
feel comfortable and safe around me.
Nadia eyes the open door, then Khalid. She squeezes the edge of the mattress.
Nadia inches off the bed, trying to not grab his attention.
One slow movement up and then she sprints for the door.
Khalid jumps off the bed. He grabs her arm tight.
INT. HALLWAY, OMAIR HOME - CONTINUOUS
Aida, 14, watches as Khalid gently closes the door of Nadia’s room.
DAN (V.O.)
... truth...
EXT. HILLSIDE HIGH SCHOOL - NIGHT
Dan takes Aida’s shoulders, pulls her in and holds her tight.
DAN
I promise you. I won’t let him
hurt you.
Aida relents into Dan’s chest.
DAN (CONT’D)
... love ...
INT. LIVING ROOM, OMAIR HOME - NIGHT
Khalid pulls open a cabinet and unlocks a gun safe.
DAN (V.O.)
... We lose everything to jealousy,
lust and revenge.
KHALID
If he gives you any trouble, let me know.
Khalid reveals a handgun to Riaz.
EXT. AUDITORIUM, HILLSIDE HIGH SCHOOL - NIGHT
Riaz pistol whips Dan as Aida screams.
DAN (V.O.)
Leaving us with only the hope that
truth and love can bring us back.
EXT. RIAZ’ CAR - NIGHT
Traveling along a country road. Dan, bloodied, in the back seat with Aida. Riaz driving, waving gun.
DAN (V.O.)
Still. It’s all fucking irrational.
Through the windshield, ahead Khalid by the side of the road. Waiting.
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