Scriptwriting Practice 101

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. PIERCE STEVENS' BEDROOM - DAY

The room is Victorian style with high ceilings and wooden shutters on the windows. The bedroom is a converted dining room. There is an old bar mirror perched  on the mantelpiece above the table with 'Guinness Extra Stout' printed on it. Reflected in the mirror is a spherical paper lampshade. Despite being daytime the room is lacking natural light and so the light is on. Below the mantelpiece in front of a disused fireplace a man sits at a table that has a laptop and papers strewn across it. His name is PIERCE STEVENS. PIERCE has a mobile phone held to the side of his head.

PIERCE

(listens)

 Yea, I'd definitely be interested.

There's on knock on the main house door. PIERCE turns his head towards the bedroom door and then back to the laptop.

PIERCE (CONT'D)

                 Sorry, Fred can I call you back?

                 Someones at the door.

(listens)

                 Okay I'll talk to you then.

PIERCE hangs up and rises from his seat and opens the bedroom door before exiting into a hallway. He passes a coat stand and bicycles that are in the hallway. Upon reaching the door he peers through keyhole. There is someone at the door, but off to one side so there is no clear view of who it is. PIERCE twists the latch on the door and opens it about a small amount. He keeps his left foot tight against the door on the inside.

PIERCE

                 Hi, can I help you?

An elderly WOMAN comes into view. She has a bundle of leaflets in her hand and a badge on her jacket.

WOMAN
(enthusiastically)

                 Hello, I'm canvassing on behalf of

                 Chris Andrews.

EXT. PIERCE STEVENS' FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS

Camera is now behind WOMAN and looking at PIERCE through the partially open door which he gradually opens more. PIERCE'S expression is between annoyance and anger.

WOMAN (CONT'D)

                 Chris has done a lot of work in the

                 area and he'll continue to do so if

                 he's reelected.

INT. PIERCE STEVENS' HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Camera is back behind PIERCE'S back. The WOMAN hands him a flyer which he takes. He looks at the flyer which has a picture of a middle-aged man at the top and text below. Still looking at the flyer.

PIERCE

                 Look there's no chance I'm going to -

PIERCE looks up at the WOMAN.

WOMAN

(interrupts)

                 Anyway there's more information on

                 the website. He's a really great 

                 candidate, but sure I would say that

                 I'm his mother.

The WOMAN smiles. 

WOMAN (CONT'D)

                 Thanks for your time.

The WOMAN walks away from the doorstep.

PIERCE

(quietly)

                 Eh, yea, don't mention it.

PIERCE closes the door and begins to walk back towards the bedroom. 

PIERCE

                 Why is it always their bloody mothers?

PIERCE crumples up the flyer and throws it at a waste paper bin. The flyer misses the bin and begins to unfurl on the carpet, once again revealing the face of the candidate.

END ACT ONE