Taking The Fall – Screenplay (Excerpt)
Several years ago, I entered this script in a couple screenplay competitions, and was deeply honored when it won one of these and placed in another. I also wrote several companion pieces to it, including the short story, “Of Julie and Better Men,” which became the Prologue of a novelette that is the screenplay’s prequel, and all the lyrics to the (10 song) soundtrack (plus a few songs for the novelette — which, in both cases are integral to the stories, and performed by the male lead). I also later wrote the additional short story mentioned below. (Gee, not obsessive at all, am I?!?)
What It’s About:
Four years after his girlfriend’s suicide, rock star Joshua Gray insists his music is his only love. But when he meets the one woman to stop his past from destroying his future, things starts to change – until fallout from his fame abruptly threatens to destroy them both.
Below is a sample scene from the screenplay – which, incidentally, includes the character Father Pete, whose backstory is detailed in the short story, “Acceptance.” (my apologies that proper formatting hasn’t translated particularly well to this page, resulting in some far from proper adjustments!)
Also, it should be noted the screenplay is set in 1997 – the year Princess Diana was (quite literally) driven to her death by badgering media, rocker Michael Hutchence died at his own hands, and the joy of Christmas was countered by the release of a film about the ill-fated Titanic. While none of these events are a part of Taking the Fall’s script, it’s only reasonable to think they would weigh upon the mindset of a main character already dealing with such issues. In addition, this (pre tech-in-every-pocket) year also provides credibility for the low-tech use of the female lead.
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EXT. STREET OUTSIDE BALDUCCI’S MARKET – DAY
It’s Saturday morning and there are quite a few people on the street, but the pace is a bit less harried than on weekdays. Sam and Patty walk toward Balducci’s market and enter.
INT. BALDUCCI’S – DAY
The market is crowded. Sam and Patty inch their way to the pastry counter.
SAM (the female lead, Samantha, age 33)
I’m between cheesecake and cannolis.
What about you, Patty?
PATTY (Samantha”s sister-in-law)
Definitely chocolate mousse cake.
Cannolis do look pretty good today,
though.
SAM
(to Server)
We’d like a slice of cheesecake, a
slice of chocolate mousse cake, and
2 cannolis, please.
They watch as the girl puts their selections in a box.
PATTY
Mmmm.
SAM
(taking the box)
Thanks.
They make their way to the checkout line.
EXT. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK – DAY
Sam and Patty are seated on the ground by the arch, delving into their goodies. Patty notices Father Pete walk by.
PATTY
Pete! Hey!
Father Pete looks around him, sees them. He smiles and approaches.
FATHER PETE (priest, age 41, of the parish Sam and Patty attend. Sam also volunteers at its soup kitchen)
What’s goin’ on?
SAM
(offering him a cannoli)
Breakfast — have some.
FATHER PETE
Wow — that looks healthy.
(taking it)
Thanks.
He takes a seat by them.
PATTY
Guess who Sam had dinner with again
last night.
SAM
(to Father Pete)
So. Have you ever had any success
counseling people with obsessions?
I have this sister-in-law who…
Patty gives Sam a playful shove.
SAM
Oh yeah — and she has these outbursts
of violence, too.
PATTY
(ignoring her)
He asked her over to his place
this time.
FATHER PETE
So I take it you like this guy.
SAM
Yeah. I do.
FATHER PETE
Why do I sense a “but” coming?
PATTY
She’s probably thinking too much
again. These intellectual types —
they can think their way out of
fun every time.
SAM
No. I think he’s great. I really
do… “but” he’s got a lot of —
stuff — going on inside. I mean…
FATHER PETE
You mean his band’s not called
Ghosts in Gray for nothing.
SAM
Exactly. And that’s not just a
metaphor. His last girlfriend
committed suicide. He feels
responsible.
PATTY
Is he?
SAM
Geez, Patty. You make it sound
so simple.
PATTY
Well. She was obviously unhappy.
If they weren’t getting along…
I was married. I know how rotten
men can be. No offense, Pete.
SAM
But you didn’t kill yourself over it.
FATHER PETE
I’ve got to go with Sam on this one.
There’s nothing simple about suicide.
I’ve done a lot of work with families
who’ve lost somebody that way. It
can really mess people up. So much
anger — and guilt. It’s tough —
for everybody.
SAM
I just — want to do something for
him. I don’t know…
FATHER PETE
Does he talk about it? Being open
is a start.
SAM
He’s written about it.
PATTY
Does that mean you’re right about
that ”Farewell Ophelia” song?
SAM
Yeah. I asked him about the whole
thing last night, actually. And he
talked about it — very openly
in fact. But I got the impression
even he doesn’t understand how muc
it’s still affecting him.
FATHER PETE
Has he had any other relationships
since it happened?
SAM
Not from what I gather. And I think
he’s re-evaluating that now because
he’s looking for redemption in a way.
I think he’s tried to deal with it
through his music — and I’m sure
that helped… but —
FATHER PETE
But now it’s time for “physician,
heal thyself.”
SAM
I think so. Yes. I mean, he’s talked
about it, he’s sung about it, but I
don’t believe he’s ever really come
to terms with it.
FATHER PETE
Well, he couldn’t have picked a better
person to help him do that. And if I
can do anything, if you want me to
try to talk to him — whatever,
just let me know.
SAM
Thanks. You know I will.
FATHER PETE
(glancing at his watch)
I’m supposed to be meeting some
people near here in a few minutes.
I’d better go.
SAM
Okay. See you, Pete.
FATHER PETE
Thanks for “breakfast”.
PATTY
Bye, Pete.
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