Okay, before I post my two-page outline, lemme get a couple things out of the way. First, this movie is obviously inspired by another one. Besides the fact that the source of inspiration is a great movie, I also just figured this would be a great way to keep costs to a minimum, what with almost everything taking place in one location, with a very small cast.
Secondly, if you'd like to comment on this, I should let you know that I'm using the methods of Blake Snyder (Save the Cat!). If you're unfamiliar with his work, this page gives a great breakdown of how each of these beats are supposed to function: http://timstout.wordpress.com/story-structure/blake-snyders-beat-sheet/
Thirdly, I'm aware that a lot of people are not fond of Snyder's methods (or the many people who came before him that preach basically the same structure). That's fine, but this thread is not the place to discuss that.
That being said, I welcome all comments and thoughts, positive or negative. Thanks!
Shuttered
Opening Image: Extra-wide shot of Megan peering out her front door, from behind Venetian blinds.
Setup: Megan, mid-20s, lives in solitude, suffering from both OCD and extreme agoraphobia. Her psychiatrist makes weekly house-calls. Her mom visits weekly but usually just annoys Megan. Her only friend, Judith, a relic from her pre-agoraphobia days, is mostly unavailable, and often blows her off. Mom points out that friend of the family, Johnny Anderson has moved back into the neighborhood, and suggests that Megan befriend him. Megan balks, because Johnny has obviously developed some kind of personality disorder, spending every minute of every day dressed as, and assuming the identity of, a robot.
Theme Stated: Friendship is a behavior, not a social status that you can simply bestow upon someone.
Catalyst: After making a perfunctory visit to Megan, Judith accidentally leaves her phone behind. Megan picks it up and accidentally sees a text Judith had sent someone else, making it seem like she never really wanted to visit Megan and was doing it as an obligation. Judith returns for her phone and Megan erupts in anger. The two part ways, Megan bursts into tears. Moments later, Johnny arrives at Megan's door, introducing himself as B100. B100 noticed that Megan only gets her mail once per week, when Megan's mom brings it to her (mailbox is located on street, not on porch). B100 noticed that there was a package, and didn't want to risk it being stolen in-between now and Megan's next visit from her mom. Megan is gracious and thankful, but that is the end of their interaction.
Debate: As B100 walks away, Megan watches him through the blinds. Speaking to herself, Megan whispers, "Oh, this is stupid", before...
Break into Two: Megan opens the door and hollers at B100. She asks if he'd be willing to bring her mail to her again, tomorrow. B100 excitedly hurries back and affirms that he'd be happy to. They say goodbye, again, before Megan asks him if he plays chess (in a later conversation with Mom, we learn that she knew he played chess, because she and Johnny used to play it as children). B100 responds very positively to the implied invitation, and they agree to play chess the next day.
B Story: During Mom's weekly visit, she's surprised to see that there's no mail. This of course leads Megan to tell Mom about her interactions with B100. Though Megan and B100 are still kind of awkward with each other, Mom is proud of her for taking initiative. On a related note, Mom tries to dissuade Megan of her loyalty to Judith, and this irritates Megan to no end.
Promise of the Premise: Though initially tentative, Megan and B100 warm up to each other, and begin to really enjoy each other's company, with visits becoming longer and more frequent. When they aren't with each other, they communicate via texts and phone calls (B100 has seamlessly incorporated a stealth smart phone into his robot suit). One of their favorite activities is to spy on their neighbors (they deem themselves sheriff and deputy of the neighborhood watch). Mostly, they crack jokes at the expense of their neighbors, but grow increasingly more suspicious of the activities of one particular neighbor.
Midpoint: Super-Happy-Funtime Musical Montage! Megan and B100 do lots of fun stuff, including raising the stakes in their favorite spy-game, using B100 as their mobile eyes and ears.
Bad Guys Close In: Judith tries to make up for her past misgivings by arranging a small surprise-party, bringing their circle of friends from college. Initially freaked-out, Megan ends up having a good time seeing her old friends, but is (unintentionally) made to feel embarrassed about her friendship with a guy who dresses like a robot. During the party, Megan misses a number of communications B100 was trying to send her, flaking out on plans she had made with him.
All is Lost: B100 continues to bring the mail, and they still play chess, but Megan has become stand-off-ish, often choosing to peer on her neighbors by herself. One day, B100 mentions that he's not sure if he should bring Megan her mail, and that maybe he should just escort her to the mailbox. With much prodding, B100 reveals that he worries he's being a codependent. Megan immediately flips her wig, pointing out the fact that he spends all day dressed as a robot and she accepts it, so if anything, she's the one being codependent. B100 points out that she's using the word wrong, and that just makes her more angry. She says many mean, hurtful things, and B100 leaves.
Dark Night of the Soul: Megan lives in solitude again, and shows signs of contemplating suicide.
Break into Three: Mom gives Megan a pep-talk, reminding her that between her two friends, only one really behaved like one. Megan agrees, and mom prods her that she, too, needs to behave like one. After Mom leaves, Megan calls B100, under the pretense that she is sheriff of neighborhood watch, commanding her deputy to return so that they may continue their investigations. B100 bounds to her door faster than she could imagine, and they resume surveillance of their shady neighbor.
Finale: Unable to get the necessary evidence through observation, they decide that B100 should infiltrate the shady neighbor's house, while he's away. Things of course go wrong, and Megan is forced to finally leave the confines of her house, in order to save her friend. During the obligatory physical confrontation, B100 loses his helmet, exposing the face of Johnny Anderson. After all the commotion has died down, and the bad guy apprehended, Megan retrieves B100's helmet, placing it back on his head, assuring him that she's his friend, no matter what. In the aftermath, with police, Mom, and Megan's psychiatrist, it is implied that Megan's very generous psychiatrist will begin treating Johnny/B100 as well.
Final Image: B100 holds Megan's hands, offering encouragement, as she bravely walks towards the mailbox.
Secondly, if you'd like to comment on this, I should let you know that I'm using the methods of Blake Snyder (Save the Cat!). If you're unfamiliar with his work, this page gives a great breakdown of how each of these beats are supposed to function: http://timstout.wordpress.com/story-structure/blake-snyders-beat-sheet/
Thirdly, I'm aware that a lot of people are not fond of Snyder's methods (or the many people who came before him that preach basically the same structure). That's fine, but this thread is not the place to discuss that.
That being said, I welcome all comments and thoughts, positive or negative. Thanks!
Shuttered
Opening Image: Extra-wide shot of Megan peering out her front door, from behind Venetian blinds.
Setup: Megan, mid-20s, lives in solitude, suffering from both OCD and extreme agoraphobia. Her psychiatrist makes weekly house-calls. Her mom visits weekly but usually just annoys Megan. Her only friend, Judith, a relic from her pre-agoraphobia days, is mostly unavailable, and often blows her off. Mom points out that friend of the family, Johnny Anderson has moved back into the neighborhood, and suggests that Megan befriend him. Megan balks, because Johnny has obviously developed some kind of personality disorder, spending every minute of every day dressed as, and assuming the identity of, a robot.
Theme Stated: Friendship is a behavior, not a social status that you can simply bestow upon someone.
Catalyst: After making a perfunctory visit to Megan, Judith accidentally leaves her phone behind. Megan picks it up and accidentally sees a text Judith had sent someone else, making it seem like she never really wanted to visit Megan and was doing it as an obligation. Judith returns for her phone and Megan erupts in anger. The two part ways, Megan bursts into tears. Moments later, Johnny arrives at Megan's door, introducing himself as B100. B100 noticed that Megan only gets her mail once per week, when Megan's mom brings it to her (mailbox is located on street, not on porch). B100 noticed that there was a package, and didn't want to risk it being stolen in-between now and Megan's next visit from her mom. Megan is gracious and thankful, but that is the end of their interaction.
Debate: As B100 walks away, Megan watches him through the blinds. Speaking to herself, Megan whispers, "Oh, this is stupid", before...
Break into Two: Megan opens the door and hollers at B100. She asks if he'd be willing to bring her mail to her again, tomorrow. B100 excitedly hurries back and affirms that he'd be happy to. They say goodbye, again, before Megan asks him if he plays chess (in a later conversation with Mom, we learn that she knew he played chess, because she and Johnny used to play it as children). B100 responds very positively to the implied invitation, and they agree to play chess the next day.
B Story: During Mom's weekly visit, she's surprised to see that there's no mail. This of course leads Megan to tell Mom about her interactions with B100. Though Megan and B100 are still kind of awkward with each other, Mom is proud of her for taking initiative. On a related note, Mom tries to dissuade Megan of her loyalty to Judith, and this irritates Megan to no end.
Promise of the Premise: Though initially tentative, Megan and B100 warm up to each other, and begin to really enjoy each other's company, with visits becoming longer and more frequent. When they aren't with each other, they communicate via texts and phone calls (B100 has seamlessly incorporated a stealth smart phone into his robot suit). One of their favorite activities is to spy on their neighbors (they deem themselves sheriff and deputy of the neighborhood watch). Mostly, they crack jokes at the expense of their neighbors, but grow increasingly more suspicious of the activities of one particular neighbor.
Midpoint: Super-Happy-Funtime Musical Montage! Megan and B100 do lots of fun stuff, including raising the stakes in their favorite spy-game, using B100 as their mobile eyes and ears.
Bad Guys Close In: Judith tries to make up for her past misgivings by arranging a small surprise-party, bringing their circle of friends from college. Initially freaked-out, Megan ends up having a good time seeing her old friends, but is (unintentionally) made to feel embarrassed about her friendship with a guy who dresses like a robot. During the party, Megan misses a number of communications B100 was trying to send her, flaking out on plans she had made with him.
All is Lost: B100 continues to bring the mail, and they still play chess, but Megan has become stand-off-ish, often choosing to peer on her neighbors by herself. One day, B100 mentions that he's not sure if he should bring Megan her mail, and that maybe he should just escort her to the mailbox. With much prodding, B100 reveals that he worries he's being a codependent. Megan immediately flips her wig, pointing out the fact that he spends all day dressed as a robot and she accepts it, so if anything, she's the one being codependent. B100 points out that she's using the word wrong, and that just makes her more angry. She says many mean, hurtful things, and B100 leaves.
Dark Night of the Soul: Megan lives in solitude again, and shows signs of contemplating suicide.
Break into Three: Mom gives Megan a pep-talk, reminding her that between her two friends, only one really behaved like one. Megan agrees, and mom prods her that she, too, needs to behave like one. After Mom leaves, Megan calls B100, under the pretense that she is sheriff of neighborhood watch, commanding her deputy to return so that they may continue their investigations. B100 bounds to her door faster than she could imagine, and they resume surveillance of their shady neighbor.
Finale: Unable to get the necessary evidence through observation, they decide that B100 should infiltrate the shady neighbor's house, while he's away. Things of course go wrong, and Megan is forced to finally leave the confines of her house, in order to save her friend. During the obligatory physical confrontation, B100 loses his helmet, exposing the face of Johnny Anderson. After all the commotion has died down, and the bad guy apprehended, Megan retrieves B100's helmet, placing it back on his head, assuring him that she's his friend, no matter what. In the aftermath, with police, Mom, and Megan's psychiatrist, it is implied that Megan's very generous psychiatrist will begin treating Johnny/B100 as well.
Final Image: B100 holds Megan's hands, offering encouragement, as she bravely walks towards the mailbox.
