CMW 2001 (Screenwriting) - Week Two

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This week we had to write what is called a 'treatment' in the movie business - it's basically a prose account of what happens in the story. People often don't have time to read full scripts, so treatments are written to give convey the story and characters.
Our brief was to plan a sequence (the equivalent of a scene in a stage play) during which a character and/or their circumstances are changed: either they want something and get it/fail to get it; their life goal moves forwards or backwards; or their material or emotional situation changes, for better or worse.
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A luxury yacht floats serenely on the still waters of a Mediterranean harbour. The cloudless sky is lit by the full moon, and the water can be heard lapping gently against the sides of the boat.

A HANDSOME MAN stands on the deck of the yacht, sipping a dark cocktail. He looks out over the bay and smiles.
Suddenly, we see the boat explode; sending splinters high into the air. A great plume of black smoke blocks the moon from view.

Rewind in time to a week before. The handsome man leans against the bar of a very upmarket hotel in Palermo, Sicily. Although he is alone, he has an air of confidence about him. As before, he is sipping an expensive-looking cocktail. He surveys the other patrons of the bar – a varied group of wealthy, famous and influential people. He is clearly not a local, but due to the variety of people the bar, he does not stand out.

In particular, his attention rests with a couple sitting in a private booth not too far away. The WOMAN is young, beautiful and vibrant; a classic beauty. Her clothing is expensive, her make-up immaculate, and even in the low light her jewellery glitters, catching the eye. The man, one VINCENTIO MARINO, is older – old enough to be her father. He, too, is well dressed in a tailored suit. He holds himself with the practiced confidence of someone who owns the room.

As the handsome man watches, another man approaches their table. He whispers something in Vincentio’s ear, which causes his brow to wrinkle. Excusing himself from the woman, both men leave and exit through a side door.

The woman relaxes back into the seat and begins playing with her napkin. Seeing this opening, the handsome man sets down his drink and goes over. He says something witty and charming, and she looks up. She smiles. He introduces himself as TOBIAS BLACKWOOD. Through indirect questioning, he discovers she is Vincentio’s mistress. He is flirtatious with her, and she is responsive. Their conversation carries on until Vincentio returns.

Although not directly confrontational, Vincentio and Tobias spar verbally. Tobias is polite yet condescending throughout the exchange. Ultimately, Tobias makes his goodbyes and leaves, kissing the woman’s hand, and secretly slipping her a piece of paper. Vincentio watches Tobias leave, allowing the woman to read the piece of paper – which has Tobias’ room number on and a time on it.

Later that night, the woman walks across the hotel lobby. She is still wearing her dress from earlier in the evening. Her demeanour is nervous, fearful; yet she does not falter. She reaches the other side of the lobby and presses a button to call the elevator. She waits, looking around. There is a ‘ding’, and the doors open. The ELEVATOR OPERATOR smiles and asks her which floor she would like.

The woman exits the lift and makes her way to the room indicated on the slip of paper. She approaches the door and finds a note informing her the door is open, and to come on in.

Vincentio sits at his desk, looking over figures. There is a knock on the door, and the elevator operator enters. He goes over to the desk and whispers something in Vincentio’s ear. Vincentio considers this information for a moment, before telling the elevator operator to have “him” followed.

The next day, Vincentio and the woman are having lunch. They talk sporadically, Vincentio leading the conversation, with the woman providing one or two word answers. He then leads the conversation onto the subject of loyalty and betrayal. As he does so, the woman drinks from her glass. As Vincentio makes his most important point, the woman gags. She splutters a little, then falls off her chair to the floor. Vincentio wipes his mouth nonchalantly with his napkin and leaves the table.

A luxury yacht floats serenely on the still waters of a Mediterranean harbour. The cloudless sky is lit by the full moon, and the water can be heard lapping gently against the sides of the boat. Tobias stands on the deck of the yacht, sipping a dark cocktail. He looks out over the bay and smiles.