Follower – a film which establishes and develops a single character.
The film shows the main character and her journey through grieving the loss of a close friend whilst trying to maintain her normal life. My main focuses in creating the film were to be able to represent the stages of grief within the time limitations of a short film format. I also wanted to create a short film that encourages an active audience by having meanings and plot points hidden within the mise-en-scene, as well as allowing the audience to come to their own conclusions regarding the ghost character.
An element that I added to the screenplay was that I wanted the ghost character to be seen somewhere in the background of almost every shot, especially towards the beginning when the character has yet to be properly revealed. I wanted it to be somewhat hard to notice for the audience at the beginning and slowly over time the figure would become more apparent in the shots as the main character becomes more and more aware of its presence. I intended for this to be a visual way to encourage an active audience and be able to show how the emotions and pain of grief are always there, even when the character is trying to avoid them.
Concept art for the shoes mentioned in the screenplay
Some of my chaotic planning for part my storyboard:
Follower: Full Screenplay
I have had to censor any profanity due to the Behance terms of service
FADE IN;
INT. BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
On a cluttered bedside table, a phone vibrates as a message pops up on the screen, dimly lighting the room. The message read;
JESS (TEXT)
Hey Els, how you feeling today?
Shortly followed by another, reading;
JESS (TEXT)
Was wondering if you were coming tonight, I understand if you don’t want to but it would be good for you to get out :)
ELLIE rolls under her duvet, reaching out to grab the phone before reading the messages. She places it down and rolled back into the safety of the duvet. After a few seconds of contemplating, Ellie sighs heavily and again rolls to the side, this time placing her feet firmly on the ground.
Lit only by the late afternoon sun creeping through the curtains, ELLIE stands in the middle of her room seemingly processing her choice. Surrounding her were small piles of laundry, papers, and books and in the corner, barely visible sat THE GHOST, blending in with the laundry in its white sheet and cut-out eye holes.
Ellie grabs her phone again and replies;
ELLIE(TEXT)
yep I’m good, and of course. I’ll see you there x
She paused before hitting send. She tosses the device onto her unmade bed, trudging towards the bathroom to get ready for the party, already regretting her decision.
MONTAGE:
INT. BATHROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
Ellie stands in the shower, washing away the sleepiness in her eyes. After a few moments motionless, she snaps back to reality and grabs shampoo ready to wash her hair.
A glimpse of the ghost was momentarily caught in the mirror.
INT. BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
Ellie rummages through the pile of clothes on the floor where the Ghost once was. After finding nothing that satisfies her, she grabs her usual trousers and white tee. She takes an oversized black jacket out of her wardrobe, not noticing the figure in a white sheet, again barely visible, standing half behind a curtain.
INT. LANDING - LATE AFTERNOON
On her way downstairs she walks past a closed door making a conscious effort to not look at the name painted upon it; 'SAMMY'. The house is eerily quiet.
INT. KITCHEN - LATE AFTERNOON
Ellie mopes around the kitchen, a few dishes were starting to pile up. She makes herself toast, yet again oblivious to The Ghost like figure, now sitting at the table, shrouded in the shadows.
END MONTAGE:
INT. HALLWAY - LATE AFTERNOON
Ellie walks past a cabinet, upon which there are plenty of photos, all containing Ellie. There is a group photo at a Halloween party containing a familiar ghostly figure, this time holding a drink in their hand. Another shows a walk in the forest with friends but most prominent, a photo of Ellie and another girl.
The other girl wears brightly coloured sneakers that contrast with Ellie's monochromatic style. Amongst the framed photos, there's a desk calendar with days crossed off (up until October 31st) and written reminders such as exams, deadlines and the one marked as 'the funeral'.
Ellie walks back past the cabinet into the kitchen this time leaving with toast in hand. She sits on the stairs, finishing her late breakfast.
Getting ready to leave she takes a pair of big black boots from the shoe rack leaving a brightly coloured pair of sneakers, the same as the ones seen in the photo previously.
Ellie, still perched on the stairs, squeezes her feet into the boots and ties the brightly coloured laces that contrast with her usual style.
She pauses before pulling herself up from the stairs and walks out the house, leaving an empty shoe rack behind her. The front door closes.
SMASH CUT:
INT. TRAIN - EVENING
The sound of a train speeding through the city fills Ellie's ears as she stands in the packed carriage. Forced to stand she holds onto a seat to maintain her balance. The empty faces surrounding her focus on their own journey. The screeching sound of the train drowns out the few conversations.
Ellie turns briefly, seeing the ghost standing behind, she spins back around praying that she was mistaken. She stands silently for the rest of the journey, choosing not to acknowledge her ghoulish stalker.
MATCH CUT:
INT. HALLOWEEN HOUSE PARTY - EVENING
Ellie stands in the centre of a bustling room. Party music plays loudly, overwhelming her. Drunk students in varying Halloween costumes surround her. Over the noise Ellie hears a familiar voice;
JESS
Hey, I'm so glad you actually came.
ELLIE
Hey.
JESS brings Ellie into a tight, one armed hug, with a drink in her hand. As Jess pulls back Ellie gives a weak smile.
JESS
The guys have been waiting to see you. You wanna go get a drink first? I'll come with you if you want.
ELLIE
Yeah sure.
Another uncertain smile creeps onto Ellie's face as Jess leads her by the hand through the crowd; everyone is too absorbed in their own world to notice the newcomer.
The kitchen presents Ellie with a table of various bottles of alcohol and mixers surrounded by an assortment of empty cups. Three girls stand at the table. As Jess approaches with Ellie in tow, they look up from their drinks.
JESS
Hey guys, this is Ellie.
Jess turns to Ellie.
JESS
Ellie, this is Yasmine, Lydia and Hannah.
The trio greet Ellie with a warm smile. Ellie tries to match their energy with a smile, but her face falls when over one of their shoulders she catches a glimpse of The Ghost standing motionless amongst the dancers in the other room.
HANNAH
(jokingly)
You alright? You look like you've just seen a ghost.
LYDIA
(laughing)
Shut uupp you idiot, that's such a sh*t joke.
Jess shoots a glare Hannah's way. Concerned, Jess turns to Ellie.
JESS
(hushed)
Are you okay, I didn't tell them what happened, sorry.
Ellie, still staring at The Ghost, pays no attention to Jess.
JESS
(loudly)
Ellie!
At this Ellie snaps out of her trance to see the three girls laughing at the innocent pun, then meets Jess' worried eyes.
ELLIE
Yeah... yeah I'm fine...
She starts to turn to walk away.
ELLIE
Just gonna to get some air.
She shoots another quick glance towards The Ghost before turning on her heels and pushing through the crowd, desperate to leave.
Jess calls after her, but Ellie ignores her as tears start to form in her eyes.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Bursting through the front door she rushes onto the street, witnessed by a few drunken party goers. Tears start to stream down her face.
Knowing The Ghost is hot on her heels, she tries to stifle her sobs as she maintains her fast pace down the street leaving the party far behind. Lit by only the cold streetlamps overhead, Ellie wraps her jacket tighter around her body.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
She starts to slow her pace as she nears the station, the figure of The Ghost seen trailing only a few meters behind. She takes in a deep breath in an attempt to steady her sobs.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
The station is empty. She hurries through the small yet empty building and reaches into her pocket for her ticket. Making her way through the barrier she looks back and sees, to her dismay, The Ghost standing behind her.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAIN STATION PLATFORM - NIGHT
Ellie stands frozen knowing that her ghostly stalker is staring at her from a few metres away. Aside from Ellie and The Ghost, the platform is deadly quiet.
The sheet of The Ghost flaps gently in the chilling breeze. It concentrates on Ellie, whose heavy sobs of grief are now replaced with silent tears.
A low rumble of a train approaching fills the air; the overhead-speakers announces its arrival. The Ghost breaks its gaze and turns towards the tracks awaiting the train's slow approach.
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
The doors open and a few passengers push past Ellie as she steps on. The carriage is quiet apart from the chimes of the closing doors. Ellie is now alone with her thoughts.
Wiping her tears Ellie moves down the carriage, keeping her head down, and sits in the nearest seat. She looks up to see The Ghost's legs flung over the armrest ahead of her, revealing their brightly coloured sneakers.
The screeching sound of the train leaving the station breaks the silence. Ellie hesitates before rising slowly from her seat. She bravely walks down the carriage until she reaches the ghost's table, where she sits opposite.
She sighs.
ELLIE
(quietly)
Why are you here?
Ellie pauses, hesitant, as the ghost stares on blankly.
ELLIE
(her voice cracking slightly)
SAMMY please... I just...
She does well to hold back her tears and compose herself.
ELLIE
I don't know how to carry on and pretend like everything is normal, without you there it’s so weird...at home, at...at f*cking parties...
(pauses)
I miss you, I really do, you make me so happy. You mean the world to me, you always will...I hope you know that, I hope I tell you that enough... maybe I don't...or I didn't...
(another pause)
I wish I had.
A small smile creeps onto Ellie's face as she pauses for thought again. A defeated chuckle escapes her lips as she wipes away the final tear.
ELLIE
I just really f*cking miss you, it's so hard to see pictures... even just being in the house without you... You'll be glad to hear I've left your room as it is... or maybe you won't, I don't know.
There is a long pause, the continuous rumble of the train more prominent. Sammy's hard stare continues as Ellie lets out a genuine chuckle.
ELLIE
Wow, I really just poured my heart out and you can't even muster a smile huh?
Her smile fades slightly and they fall into a comfortable silence. After a while Ellie sighs once more.
ELLIE
It's not easy, it's pretty damn hard actually, but I do want to move forward, past...whatever this is right now. I'll just take it one day at a time, until it gets easier I guess. Don't worry.
She pauses a final time as the train starts to slow, approaching the station.
ELLIE
I'll be okay.
EXT. TRAIN STATION PLATFORM - NIGHT
The train pulls into the station. The doors open after a few seconds allowing passengers from other carriages to disembark.
Stepping onto the platform, Ellie walks away from the train and through the doors of the station with only a quick glance over her shoulder to check the ghost isn’t following. Once satisfied she is alone, she leaves the station.
Unknown to Ellie, Sammy hops onto the platform, following far behind as the familiar sound of the train doors closing rings through the cold night air.
FADE TO BLACK.
