Script Side


     INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY

     Vans -- a pair of them -- tap a rhythm beneath a table during
     the discourse of a planning meeting.   

     The culprit -- 

     MARK MASTERSON, a teenage punk with a tolerance for stupidity
     as short as he is tall. 

     Shoots of his shaggy hair flare out from beneath the jeep cap
     he coolly wears regardless to the summer heat.    

     He's nonchalant, seemingly uninvolved in the discussion
     around him.  

     Seated around the rest of the table are several students.
     Some Seniors; most Juniors. 

     Lincoln is there -- James at the head.   

     Both have been articulating plans for the movie.

                         JAMES
               . . . This will take money, plenty
               of it, so unless any of you
               happen to have the winning lotto
               ticket, we're going to have to get
               creative. Any Ideas?

     Nothing.

     Searching faces, James notices Lincoln observing Mark
     eagerly. 

     He gets curious.

                         JAMES (CONT'D)
               Mark, we haven't heard form you
               yet. What do you think?

     All eyes shift to Mark. 

                         MARK
               You're an idiot.

     Scattered snorts.

                         JAMES
               I'm an idiot?

                         MARK
               You're all idiots.

                         JAMES
               . . . Okay?

                         MARK
               You're talking about making a full
               length feature film.

                         JAMES
               Is that what I said? I wasn't sure
               you were listening.

                         MARK
               Oh yeah, we all heard about your
               movie. The one with no money, a
               crew that has no experience to
               speak of, and somehow it's going to
               get entered into film festivals and
               play in the theaters. How could I
               miss it? Oh, and the best part is
               you're going to do it all shooting
               on that.    

     He points to a small digital camcorder set on a tripod in the
     corner of the room.

                         JAMES
               It has worked fine on the videos
               we've shot before.

                         MARK
               But none you've charged admission
               to. Dude, you project on a theater
               screen what you shoot with that --
               it will be so pixilated your face
               will look like a kaleidoscope show.  

     A few around the table, including Lincoln, laugh as Mark
     delivers the punch line. 

     James doesn't even smile.

                         MARK (CONT'D)
                   (realizing James is
                    serious)
               You actually believe you can do
               this?

                         JAMES
               I believe people are like
               characters in a story. Give them
               the right motivation and they can
               do anything.

                         MARK
                   (scoffing)
               Right, and how many seats will that
               sentiment fill? 

                         JAMES
               Hey, you gave us your resume. So
               why are you here, man?

      Once again, all eyes shift to Mark.

                         MARK
               Honestly, I want the chance to make
               a freakin' film. I mean, we live in
               Utah. No one's ever going to let us
               make a movie. And because you need
               me.    

                         LINCOLN
               Yeah, we do.

     James shoots Licoln a crusty.

                         JAMES
               Fair enough. Why do we need you
               Mark?

     Mark glances from James to the camcorder, then back to James.

                         MARK
                   (grinning)
               I can get you a camera.

                                                      CUT TO:

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