Reflection

***This is a second draft. I'm currently looking for a scriptwriter to help me polish it into a final draft and a producer***

The entire film (as of now) is to be filmed from end to beginning, and reversed in post. This may create a problem in the end, as such if anyone feels compelled I would love feedback into possible ways to circumvent that. As well, the entire thing will be slowed down, and the time may be variable between slow, and well... very slow. Also, the goal is to make the film look as if it has all been done in one shot.


BATHROOM

Camera on floor, macro on spilled pills and open pill bottle, motionless hand palm up beside.

Hand rises out of frame.

Camera rises slowly panning past John to focus on the mirror (his reflection is gone).

The pill bottle rises to Real John's hands on the counter as he stares at where his reflection should be in an empty mirror.

Real John takes a handful of pills, chewing them and washing them down with a glass of water (both pills and water are not reflected).

Reading the pill bottle, and fumbling with the lid, Real John contemplates with what the audience already knows has happened.

At this time, Mirror John enters the frame of the mirror, after leaving in disgust from the decision Real John made. Mirror John hits the pills and the glass of water off the sink. Real John does not realize the departure, as he's looking at the pill bottle and contemplating his death.

The medicine cabinet is slammed shut after Real John opens it up to take out the pill bottle. (Medicine cabinet is behind the mirror).

Real John's true reflection is now shown in the mirror as he stares into his eyes in deep thought and a rush of emotion.

Real John has now entered the BATHROOM.



KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM: NIGHT

Real John walks to the bathroom.

Real John stands motionless, vulnerable, and defeated in the middle of the room staring at the front door.

Real John is yelling at the front door, wildly gesturing.

Liz flees in anger out the front door, pulling Todd out by the hand.

Todd and Real John are split up by Liz.

Todd rushes Real John with a raised arm to punch, as Real John raises his arms to fight as well.

Real John shoves Todd backward, yelling and cursing all the while.

Real John and Todd are face to face, scene is tense and emotions are rising. Liz is in the background flustered, speaking to resolve, wildly gesturing.

Real John walks towards Todd.

Liz and Todd notice Real John, smiles and laughs disappear, and Real John and Liz exchange brief dialogue, tensions rising.

Real John watches from the Kitchen, shocked.

Liz and Todd enter front door, laughing, stumbling, and physically affectionate. They are visibly inebriated. Liz has keys in her hand.

Real John turns from kitchen window, where he split the blinds with his fingers to view the unseen arrival of Liz and Todd.

(this is where there is a shift in the feel of the film, and time is made to feel as if it is running forward. Real John's emotions carry through the rest of the film as if it is not in reverse, and that he has memory of his interaction with Liz and Todd. Footage however, remains in reverse. This is also the point in which it can be said Real John and Mirror John switch roles, however for the purpose of simplicity, their roles will still be labeled the same)

Real John turns from kitchen window, and walks toward the BATHROOM.



BATHROOM

Real John enters bathroom, and stares into the mirror at his true reflection.

Real John is crushed. He becomes absent and emotionless.

The mirror is skewed as John's true reflection now parts, and Mirror John grabs the pill bottle from behind the medicine cabinet.

Real John looks on at Mirror John in disgust, as Mirror John fumbles with the pills. Real John knocks the glass of water and pills from the sink and they fall to the floor.

Real John exits BATHROOM.

Mirror John has taken the pills and stares into an empty bathroom where Real John should be.

Mirror John grows weak, distant, and falls to the ground, out of frame in the mirror.

Camera slowly pans down to ground level and into macro in replica of the beginning shot, showing pills on the ground. The only thing missing from the shot in comparison to the beginning is Real John's hand.

Scene fade to credits.