This is the first post to update on my independent Multimedia Project, my original short film: "S". The story explores the importance of symbols in modern society, and their impact on us as people. It is the story of a man struggling with his own identity when he lives comparing himself to the standards and expectations of one of the most iconic symbols of all time.
I have always had an admiration for Superman, not only as a character, but as an idea. He represents selflessness, altruism, and generosity, ideals that I find sorely lacking in the world. For years, Superman as a character has been ridiculed, either for not being "relatable" enough, or because the idea of a man who does good with no concern for his oen benefit is not "realistic". I, personally, find that his integrity and desire to always better himself are relatable and admirable traits, and heroism is far from an unrealistic aspiration. We can all be heroes if we give ourselves a chance.
The remaining six weeks of the project will be dedicated to filming and editing, with Spring Break utilized for scouting locations. I have estimated that the editing process will take about two weeks, with the first week resulting in a rough cut open for critique and the final cut being finished one week later. Still, I am aware of the potential setbacks that can arise during the filmmaking process, and have designated the final week of the project a "flex week" to grant myself some room in the event of a roadblock, either in filming or editing.
Below is the screenplay, accompanied by storyboards that map out the film as it will eventually look through the lens of a camera.
S.
by Jack Cairncross
“It's not about where you were born. Or what powers you have. Or what you wear on your chest. It's about what you do... it's about action." -Superman
CLARK- The protagonist of the story. This is a pseudonym, since his name is never spoken.
HOMELESS MAN- Pretty straightforward, really.
MUGGER- Not much that needs explaining in this one, either.
VICTIM- See above.
(EXT. City Street- Afternoon. Clark strolls along the sidewalk, hands in his pockets. He’s wearing a Superman t-shirt under his jacket.)
(Clark pauses and turns to look at his reflection in a nearby window. He opens his jacket and stands in a classic Superman pose, then laughs, shakes his head, and keeps walking.)
(INT. Subway Station. Clark enters the station and immediately finds a homeless man sitting against the wall.)
HOMELESS MAN:
‘Scuse me. Could ya spare somethin’ for an honest man down on his luck?
CLARK:
Uh, sorry, I... I don’t have anything.
HOMELESS MAN:
No need to apologize, I understand. Up, up and away, right? (Laughter)
CLARK:
(Nervous laughter)
HOMELESS MAN:
Take care, now.
CLARK:
Y-Yeah, you, too.
(Clark pulls the edges of his jacket together, partially covering the Superman emblem as he passes the homeless man and keeps walking.)
(He sits on a bench, waiting. He seems to be the only one there. For a few moments he simply sits, fidgeting and passing the time until his train comes.)
(He hears someone approaching and turns to the origin point of the echoing footsteps.)
(A man with glasses comes running through the station, constantly looking behind him. We see why as another, larger man comes chasing him and catches him by the collar of his shirt.)
MUGGER:
I’m not done with you yet!
(He forces his victim against the wall and begins digging through his pockets.)
VICTIM:
No! Help! Somebody, help!
(The mugger grabs his victim’s head and presses it into the wall.)
MUGGER:
SHUT UP!
(Clark sits up straight, staring intently at the attack.)
(The mugger takes out his victim’s wallet and looks through it, disappointed.)
MUGGER:
Man, is this all you got?
VICTIM:
I’m sorry, I-I-I-
MUGGER:
I told you to shut up!
(He forces his victim to the ground.)
(Clark looks down at his shirt, at the symbol on his chest, and stands up.)
(The mugger begins kicking his victim.)
VICTIM:
NO! STOP, PLEASE!
(Clark walks toward the mugger. He stops a few feet away. His fist clenches tight. He’s ready. He’s about to do it. Honestly, he’s going to do it, right aboooouuut...)
(He turns around walks away, as surprised and disappointed with himself as he is afraid. He keeps walking, and we’re left watching the mugger beat his helpless, pleading victim.)
(INT. Public Bathroom. Clark leans over the sink, staring resentfully at his reflection. For a long moment, he simply studies his own image in disgust. His eyes wander down. He holds his jacket open. The reflection of the bold red “S” on his chest seems to upset him even more.)
(He holds the edges of the shirt and stretches the emblem, staring down at it. Whether he believes that he is not up to the standards of the symbol or that the symbol itself is dead, it is not clear. All that we know is that he can no longer stand the idea of being seen in it.)
(INT. Subway Station. Clark emerges from the bathroom, zipping up his jacket and tossing the bundled-up shirt in the trash. He walks off, leaving the station.)
(A shambling figure wanders into the frame. It’s the homeless man from earlier. He begins digging through the trash and pulls out the shirt. He looks at his current shirt, tattered and full of holes, then looks back at the brand new shirt in his hand.)
(EXT. City Street- Night. Clark rounds the corner and steps straight into the crosswalk. His eyes are on the ground the whole time. He’s preoccupied. He doesn’t think to look before he crosses.)
(A bright light hits him, blinding him. He freezes in place, paralyzed with fear as the light speeds toward him.)
(A blur shoots into frame and tackles Clark out of the way.)
HOMELESS MAN:
LOOK OUT!
(Clark is understandably shaken by the events, but he manages to calm down and look up at the man who saved his life. It’s the homeless man, the one from the station. Clark looks down and realizes that under his coats, he’s wearing the Superman shirt.)
HOMELESS MAN:
You alright, pal?
CLARK:
I’m fine. I’m okay.
HOMELESS MAN:
Good.
(The homeless man offers Clark a hand up.)
CLARK:
You... you could’ve been killed.
HOMELESS MAN:
Same could be said for you.
CLARK:
But why would you do that?
HOMELESS MAN:
World’s dangerous, man. Each other’s all we got. Folks gotta look out for one another, ya know?
CLARK:
Yeah. Thank you... so much.
HOMELESS MAN:
Think nothin’ of it. You’d do the same thing if it was me. Take care, now.
(The homeless man gives Clark a pat on the shoulder and walks off. Clark is left standing there, confused and inspired at the same time.)
CLARK:
Will do.
THE END
