The Void

SCRIPTFIRST.COM

'The Void'

VOTED NUMBER THREE SCRIPT ON FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA'S AMERICAN ZOETROPE FILM SCHOOL

Overall: 7.50
Character: 7.00
Plot: 7.33
Dialogue: 6.83
Originality: 7.83
Quality of Writing: 7.17
Cinematic Quality: 7.50

LOGLINE
Conrad changes from being a bullied low-life data input clerk to a star when he discovers a magic camera, and a void.

SYNOPSIS
Conrad, 40, works as a low-life data input clerk at The New York Teller, the most popular tabloid magazine on the East Coast of the US. He's bullied by everyone, and is one of life's losers. In the canteen he's always the last to get food; in the smoker's room he's constantly put down; and in the toilets people stare at his shortcomings. Life is terrible for Conrad. He has no girlfriend, his flat falls apart and he has the rudest neighbours in the world... But everything is about to change.

Late one evening a Mexican neighbour gives him a bag to take care of. Conrad is anxious at first, but when the neighbour is shot and killed by the FBI, he has no choice but to keep it. It's not long before the FBI interview him, but Conrad is such a no mark loser that they don't follow up their investigation on him. When the agents have left, Conrad opens up the bag and finds an address written on toilet paper, and an old dusty camera. He fiddles with it and by accident takes a picture of a plant in the corner of the room.

The next day, Conrad suffers the usual routine. He's bullied at work, laughed at in the toilets and everything goes wrong. Depressed and with nothing to lose, Conrad visits the address written on the toilet paper, and finds a hidden basement. It's pitch black. He steps inside and finds himself in a blank white void. The only thing that is visible is a canvas with a picture of his plant on it, and an eraser on the floor. He picks up the eraser and rubs out the plant. Back at his flat, the plant has magically disappeared. Conrad thinks he's cracking up, but during the next few days he takes photos of all those who bullied him. One by one they get rubbed out of existence.

He rubs out cars, buildings, his noisy neighbours… gradually everything disappears. He even rubs out his boss, so that he can take his position at work. Finally, Conrad's life is enriched. It's not long before the FBI agents and Mr Patsy, a mysterious figure, realise what's going on… The FBI visit and question Conrad. Despite everything, Conrad is still a terrible liar. The agents quickly realise what has happened, and they find the camera. In the ensuing scuffle, a photograph is taken...

Conrad wrestles the camera off them, takes their picture and runs away. The FBI are in close pursuit. Conrad runs to the basement and sees the image on the canvass. For some reason the image is blurred, but there isn't time… the agents are outside. Conrad rubs out the image. Suddenly, everything is a void - blank white and silent. He looks around into the nothing, and realises the terrible truth… He's rubbed himself out by mistake, and he's not alone. Everyone he has wiped out is left in The Void with him… for all eternity.

ZOETROPE REVIEWS
'The Void' was a pleasure to read. Its characterisations were strong, and consistent through dialogue. Its visual elements were purposeful. The writing quality was of a high standard. (B.A.)

This is one of the most imaginative stories I've read here in the Film School… This has a good Twilight Zone feel. (M.J.P.)

I laughed out loud many times… Your "loser character" reminded me of Woody Allen and Rodney Dangerfield. The camera and its magic are a nice trick; and the 'total void' in the basement is very good cinematically. The plot is good and solid. The dialog very good. Story was very funny… (T.C.)

'The Void' has a good main character, Conrad, the classic loser trying to get by. The idea of the 'magic device', this time an ancient camera that can take photos which leads to a alternate void is a good one. (K.O.T.)

A really neat idea, unusual and exciting. It sets the film up well and transported me to a completely different place. I really liked the ending. Conrad is set up as a wholly believable character, and I felt so much sympathy for him. All in all a unique story with a very clever twist, and perhaps my favorite of all the tales. (A.L.G.)

You left me curious, which is very good! (J.M.A.)

Conrad in 'The Void' has a great set-up into his life. I cared for this guy and wanted to see just what would happen. (K.O.T.)

For scripts or full treatments contact pdevonald@hotmail.com or davidallencollins25@yahoo.co.uk

CLICK HERE FOR MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DAVID WORK