This is the beginning of a gangster period piece set in the 1930s.
It shows some use of camera direction in a script (which, by the way, is
not a good habit for screenwriters). I'm always tempted to describe
exactly how I see each shot, but this is generally considered as trespassing
on the Director's and DP's (Director of Photography's) turf. There may be a
film director out there somewhere who welcomes camera shot suggestions in a
writer's spec script, but that would be the exception, not the rule. Usually
they just want “the words, the words, the words.”
To view (left-click) or download (right-click)
this screenplay excerpt in Microsoft Word™ format,
click here. The Word version is recommended for
printing.
"The Deal" by Lloyd Kremer
EXT. HENRY'S HOUSE - POOLSIDE - DAY
WIDE SHOT, CRANE SHOT 20 FT, pool in foreground, mansion in background.
HENRY, in a bathing suit, is reclining in a wooden lounge chair, reading the WALL STREET JOURNAL. A MARTINI is on an UMBRELLA TABLE beside him.
CARL, dressed in a business suit, enters through a pool gate at the opposite end of the pool, then closes it behind him. He methodically walks the entire length of the pool area toward HENRY.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS ON POOL PATIO
SUPER: Los Angeles, 1938
CARL stops in front of HENRY who does not respond for a couple of beats, then...
HENRY
(without looking up from newspaper)
So -- you finally deigned to make an appearance. How'd it go with Johnson?
CARL
He won't go for it -- turned our best offer down flat.
HENRY
(serious, looks intently at Carl)
That's very regrettable. Perhaps making him an offer is insufficient. Where is he vulnerable?
CARL
Do we really want to play those games again?
HENRY becomes impatient, abruptly throws the NEWSPAPER onto the table.
HENRY
I want that deal, Carl, and I want it on my terms. Make it happen!
INT. JOHNSON'S OFFICE - DAY
JOHNSON is seated at his desk, while his VICE-PRESIDENT stands in front of it.
JOHNSON
What do you think I did? I told his flunky where to shove it!
VICE-PRESIDENT
Do you think they'll accept that, sir?
JOHNSON
What choice do they have? All the legal cards are in our hand.
VICE-PRESIDENT
(pause) Not all of Henry's friends are lawyers, sir, if you know what I mean.