Project: What is a Scene?

In order to begin making the above story events into scenes, I have chosen to start with what will be the very opening scenes of my screenplay.  I envisage this scene being overlaid with the opening credits of the film.

This scene is somewhat more complex as it will involve no dialogue and two locations being cut together to give the impression of the two events occurring simultaneously.  

SCHOOL HALL/COTTAGE LOUNGE: Morning: Sally/Sally’s Parents/Geoffrey Soillen

Sally plays piano to a hall of school children whilst two figures are interspersed calmly preparing to hang themselves in their lounge – a crucifix is seen on the cottage wall.  As the piano piece comes to a crescendo Sally notices two empty ‘reserved’ seats in the front row.  The two unknown characters hang themselves as the TV behind them announces the election of the new Prime Minister Geoffrey Soillen.

After completing the above scene, I was eager to continue developing my story.  Below are a few more scenes which I had begun developing.

SCHOOL FOYER: Morning: Sally, Mrs Bluebecker & Ms Salcombe

Sally talks to her former piano teacher and the Headmaster of the school.  Here we ascertain that Sally was home-schooled and she asks to use the landline, as she doesn’t own a mobile phone to call her dutiful parents who should have been at the concert.

HIGH STREET/MUSIC SHOP: Morning: Sally, A group of young teenage girls

Sally enters the music shop on the way to the bus stop, only to find the shop unmanned.  As she browses through the music a group of three teenage girls enter the shop with music blaring from their phones.  The group mock Sally’s clothes and musical taste, causing Sally to quietly leave.  The girls show a strange reaction as Sally leaves, intently staring at her whilst remaining silent. 

BUS: Morning: Sally, A group of young teenagers wearing hoods

As the bus arrives in the pouring rain, Sally boards and shows the driver her bus pass. The driver shows no reaction to Sally’s presence and Sally sits down amongst the passengers.  Sally’s attention is diverted from reading a book by the strange sounds of all of the passengers tapping in a identical rhythm.  Scared, Sally exits the bus.  All the passengers turn to stare at her as the bus pulls away. 

SALLY’S HOME: Morning: Sally, her parents.

Sally returns home to find her parents hanging in the lounge.  Completely distraught, Sally cuts down her parents and lies with their bodies on the floor, unable to accept what has happened.  After the initial shock, Sally tried to call the police and ambulance but receives a strange thumping tone from the telephone.

OUTSIDE SALLY’S HOME: Morning: Sally

Sally tries to hail down a driver, but all of the cars on the road ignore her.  Three cars pass by with two older people sobbing as they are driving. One young driver stares at her intently as he passes.  Giving up on the driver, Sally runs to the police station.