SCREENPLAY - DRAFT #2

 *TITLE*

By Olivia Thomas

 

OPEN ON - 

INT. ART GALLERY – DAY

 

Wide shot. 

Mounted on a white wall is a collage of black and white pictures that showcase the power of female relationships and the importance of self-discovery.

The gallery is sunlit. It is daytime – suggesting a sense of warmth and intimacy. 

Series of close ups of the photography, emulating the human eye.

 

The camera dolly’s out. We can make out a female figure (our protagonist – AVA), observing the images. 

 

CUT TO - A CU of Ava’s face – she is deep in thought. Behind her a male figure walks into frame (SONNY). He stops behind her and mimicks her facial expression. 

 

Over the shoulder shot – from the point of view of the male figure. Ava turns around and gives him a small smile.

(Shaky camera – act of voyeurism)

 

Camera is placed in profile (we are observing her like a piece of art). The man walks forward, he is now standing beside Ava. 

 

SONNY

‘They’re beautiful, aren’t they?’

 

AVA smiles.

 

SONNY

‘Sonny. It’s nice to meet you.’ (He holds his hand out for her to shake)

 

AVA

(takes his hand). ‘Ava.’

 

CUT TO BLACK – OPENING TITLES. 

 

CUT TO –

EXT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY

 

AVA and SONNY sit outside of a café in a park. They’re discussing arts, their passions and their dreams – we see a connection growing between them. However, subtle red flags should make us wary of SONNY’S character.

 

SONNY and AVA are sitting across from each other.

 

SONNY

‘… and I’ve always liked abstract art… the way it evokes emotions without relying on realism is…

 

AVA

‘… mesmerising?’

 

SONNY

‘That’s the word.’

 

AVA laughs softly.

 

WAITRESS, a young woman in her early twenties approaches the table. 

 

WAITRESS

‘Can I get you guys any drinks?’

 

SONNY looks at the waitress. The camera pans up from his POV, lingering slightly. 

 

The WAITRESS shifts uncomfortably, she looks at AVA.

 

AVA

‘Just a latte please.’

 

SONNY

(condescendingly ‘Coffee. Black.’

 

WAITRESS

‘That’s all?

Silence 

‘…Thanks.’

 

AVA

‘Thanks.’

 

The WAITRESS walks away, SONNY’s eyes follow her. We watch her walk from the POV of SONNY. Shaky camera.

 

Shot from POV of AVA – she is watching Sonny.

 

Wide shot - framing is now oppositional – intended to create tension between SONNY and AVA.

 

CUT TO – 

INT. AVA’S HOUSE – NIGHTTIME

 

WIDE SHOT - Camera acting in a voyeuristic way - observing AVA from the other side of the room (POV of SONNY). Shaky camera. She’s in her sitting room, painting. 

 

Camera moves in on AVA – CU.

 

AVA

(smiling and laughing softly) ‘stop looking at me.’

 

SONNY

‘You look nice… Come over here.’

 

AVA laughs softly and shakes her head.

 

MID SHOT – AVA working on her painting. Illuminated by a desk lamp.

 

SONNY approaches - tall and imposing leans over her – we can see him through his shadow.

 

High angle shot - his demeanour is tense. His expression is hostile.

 

AVA

‘What?’ (low angle shot).

 

Pause.

 

‘Sonny, are you okay.’

 

SONNY

‘I told you to come over here.’ 

 

He knocks the pot of paint water onto her work.

 

Ava

(Fearful). ‘What are you doing?’

 

Sonny grabs her. Tears well in Ava’s eyes.

 

‘Stop it.’ (Helplessly) ‘Please.’

 

Fade to black

 

CUT TO –

INT. AVA’S BEDROOM.

 

POV of AVA. She is sitting in front of a mirror. The camera is blurry and jolts slightly. We can make out AVA’s silhouette. Shot is desaturated.

 

VOICEOVER (we are in the head of AVA): 

 

SONNY

‘Don’t wear that.’

 

AVA

(Quietly) ‘Please, stop.’

 

SONNY

‘Why are you being so childish?’

 

‘You’re embarrassing me.’

 

AVA

(Louder) ‘Stop.’

 

SONNY

‘I don’t care how you feel.’

 

‘You’re manipulative, Ava.’

 

AVA

(Weakly) ‘Why are you doing this to me?’

 

The blur fades. AVA looks broken - she is wearing baggy clothes and looks mentally and physically exhausted. She has a bruise on her forehead. She stares into the mirror, longingly. The colouring has completely changed, it is now grey, and the room is lit dimly. There is no more colour in her life. 

 

Long shot of the room – we see that all the canvases in her room have no paint on them. She has had her passion taken away from her. 

 

The door opens.  It slams shut.

 

Sonny stands behind her in the mirror. 

 

SONNY

‘You look like shit.’

 

Tears well in Ava’s eyes. She gives him a sad look.

 

SONNY

‘Well, don’t just sit there…’

 

AVA says nothing, she looks down.

 

SONNY

(Mutters under his breath). ‘Women.’

 

SONNY leaves. The door slams shut.

 

Camera is positioned as if it is the mirror. We watch as AVA’s facial expression changes. She takes a deep breath in and picks up a paintbrush.

 

She paints on to the mirror. The brush stroke is red. Expressionistic power. Music stars. 

 

—————

 

MONTAGE. – gentle guitar melody playing – we stay in her sitting room throughout the whole montage – as it progresses, the room gets more colourful and lighter.

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’S SITTING ROOM. DAY.

She unveils her canvases and begins to clean up the room. She throws away pictures or property of SONNY.

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’s SITTING ROOM. DAY.

She is painting.

CU – call incoming from SONNY – she presses decline.

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’s SITTING ROOM. NIGHT

AVA and her friends are chatting and enjoying a glass of wine.

CU – call incoming from SONNY – she presses decline. She deletes his contact.

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’S SITTING ROOM. DAY.

She is painting. Painting installation is starting to be put together. There are sketches on the walls. There is lots of colour back in her life.

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’S SITTING ROOM. DUSK.  

She is practising yoga.

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’S SITTING ROOM. DAY.

She is painting (at this point, the walls are covered in artwork.)

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’S SITTING ROOM. DAY.

Laughter with her FRIEND. They are having lunch and gossiping.

 

CUT TO - INT. AVA’S SITTING ROOM. NIGHT.

She takes a step back from what she has been working on. Camera is in WIDE SHOT – she takes a deep breath.

 

FADE TO -

INT. ART GALLERY – DAY.

 

We are back in the art gallery. This time the art piece AVA has been working on throughout the previous montage is hung up before her.

The installation represents the effects of toxic masculinity and possessive relationships. 

 

She stands, looking at it, with her FRIEND. The lighting is bright and proud.

 

FRIEND

‘I am so proud of you, Av.’

 

MALE VOICE

(at the same time). ‘Av…’

 

AVA turns around, recognising the voice.

 

SHOT-REVERSE-SHOT – SONNY and AVA looking at one another, 

 

CUT TO – BLACK.

 

CLOSING TITLES.