GENUINE ME - SHORT FILM SCREENPLAY

SCENE 1

EXT: NATURE PARK - DAY

A large grove of trees expands before us. We are guided through and above the tall trees that stretch high above ground, like a bird in flight.

GWEN narrates her thoughts through a Voice Over O. S. as trees greet us with open arms and out reached branches. Gwen's voice is enchanting. She is juvenile yet speaks with an air of percipience.

GWEN (V. O.) (O. S)

They say that nature offers deep rest for the soul, that it can make what once was broken feel whole.

We dive deeper into the realm of mother nature, creeping up to a field of grass and a figure (GWEN) in the distance. Gwen stands out, dressed in complementary yet contrast colours to the many shades of green in her vicinity.

GWEN (V. O.)

I wish I could understand the thoughts of trees. They don't need to put on a brave front, they stand tall regardless.

(pause)

I wish I could be more like trees.

We draw closer and closer to Gwen until she DOMINATES our focus.

Gwen: worthily noted as a good-natured young woman, wears a warm countenance and ENDEARING smile, that easily hides any dark secret. She seems the type of person one would easily confide in and make a friend for life.

GWEN (V. O.)

This is me.

(hesitates)

Well, mostly. Self-discovery is a lifelong expedition.

Gwen turns away from us before breaking out into a run across the field. We follow her, running a few paces behind. There are people and moving cars in the distance blurring into focus as the end of the field stretches closer.

Mid-run, Gwen TURNS towards us and flashes a PLAYFUL grin; her EYES prompt us to pick up the pace as she does. Adrenaline pushes us forward as we now tag along her side.

GWEN (V. O.)

I never used to be a runner, then again, I never used to be a lot of things.

We steady to a HALT at the end of the field, junctured with a car park and a busy road. After a moment to catch our breath with Gwen, we fasten our gaze on hers. Her eyes readily start SEARCHING for something or someone in particular; an anticipated meeting; pre-planned.

Gwen glances at us, her cheeks still flushed from running. Her gaze suddenly locks on A FAMILY - her family. Her MUM, a fiery haired woman with a character to match, with kind eyes and a fierce capacity to love. Her DAD, a tall business-man but family-man first and foremost with a zeal for adventure. Her BROTHERS, HARRY, KILLIAN and OLIVER. Harry is a witty daredevil yet trustworthy confidante, Killian a bulk of muscles with a big heart and Oliver (the youngest) a sensitive, bubbly kid, with an extraordinary gift to bring out the best in people. Her BEST FRIEND, NATALIA, a headstrong woman and rock to Gwen, is just as much a member of the family.

GWEN (V.O.)

(sinerely)

I am genuinely me when my smile is sincere.

Never one without the other.

Quite like my family.

Gwen trots over to her family into a flock of hugs. Harry says something that makes everyone LAUGH.

GWEN (V.O.)

I love being with my family. You’ll often see me laughing with them.

Gwen turns towards Natalia and GRINS.

FADE OUT to SCENE 2

SCENE 2

EXT: PARK - POND - DAY

Gwen is smiling at Natalia in the SAME DIRECTION as she was the shot prior, except they are now alone and walking by a POND situated within the park grounds. Among open skies and verdant trees, the two CHAT and exchange laughs as they BUMP into each other and EAT ice-cream.

GWEN (V. O.)

I also love to spend time with friends…

They pass some waddling ducks and geese SWARMING to the hands of people holding bread and nuts. Both stop to stare and find reason to LAUGH.

SCENE 3

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - DAY

We see SKETCHES of trees, people and flowers mingled among others on Gwen's wall above her ART DESK where she sits. Light streams in from the tall windows next to her.

She is RELAXED as she focuses on DRAWING a new illustration of trees in the park.

A JOURNAL with "GWEN" pasted on the front is in sight above her drawing besides a PLATE of snack food.

GWEN (V. O.) (CONT’D)

.... To draw…

SCENE 4

INT: LIVING ROOM - DAY

Upbeat music plays (sotto voce) and Gwen DANCES around to the beat with Oliver. Both are LAUGHING. It's more for fun than anything serious.

GWEN (V. O.) (CONT’D)

… To dance to music…

SCENE 5

EXT: GARDEN - HOT TUB - AFTERNOON

Gwen has her nose in a book as she AVIDLY READS its pages. She is relaxed in a family size hot tub with her arms perched on the outside of it, book in hand. Her dad and brothers are RELAXING in the opposite end of the tub.

GWEN (V.O.) (CONT’D)

… To read and relax…

SCENE 6

INT: LIVING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

An INTENSE movie plays on a television screen; the living room is dimly lit. Gwen, her brothers and Natalia are SNUGGLED up on the couch as Gwen chomps on POPCORN. All eyes are fixated on the screen.

GWEN (V. O.) (CONT’D)

… To watch movies…

SCENE 7

INT: KITCHEN - EVENING

FLOUR visibly dusts the worktops. Gwen is wearing an apron powdered in it as she FLUTTERS from a draw to another before ADDING some ingredients to her bowl of concoctions. Her mum is at the hob STIRRING a frying pan.

GWEN (V. O.) (CONT’D)

… To cook…

SCENE 8

INT: DINING ROOM - CANDLELIT - EVENING

Gwen and her family sit at a LIVELY dinner table. A big plate of FOOD is presented to Gwen who begins to EAT it almost instantly. She looks SATISFIED and content.

GWEN (V. O.) (CONT’D)

(enthusiastic)

… And, oh boy, I LOVE to eat!

JUMP TO: Glasses and plates HALF FULL as the family commences in EATING and TALKING.

The warm lighting compliments the ambience of the room as the family interacts one with another; each EAGERLY engaged in conversation. No one is EXCLUDED. We greet each family member at the table before circling back to Gwen.

Gwen (sotto voce) starts LAUGHING with her family around the table.

SCENE 9

INT: KITCHEN - LATER

Gwen GENEROUSLY helps her mum PILE up DIRTY dishes ready to be washed in the morning.

SCENE 10

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

The window reflects the dark night sky in CONTRAST to Gwen's well-lit bedroom. She has CANDLES alight and lamps are on. She is propped against her bed frame, Flipping through pages in her journal and listening to music through HEADPHONES.

GWEN (V. O.)

I'm normally a night owl but I don't like the dark.

We turn to stare outside at the moon-lit sky with Gwen. She is comforted by EXTERIOR lights but particularly sensitive to the light around her. She LIGHTS one more candle, just to be safe. Now satisfied she proceeds to balance her pen in hand and put it to paper; WRITING in today’s journal entry begins.

GWEN (V. O.)

Did I mention I love to write? I always wanted to be a writer.

POV of Gwen: We look around her room, first settling our focus on her bookcase. It is FULL to the rim of books. She's clearly a READER.

GWEN (V .O.)

I want to be a lot of things.

POV of Gwen: by her window is her art desk with a mural of personal ARTWORK surrounding it. On her left from the bed is a bookshelf full of films, a Director’s Cut and movie poster. She’s a MOVIE BUFF with the aspiration of making her own someday.

Gwen subtly presses her journal to her chest and gazes LONGINGLY at the contents of her room, surrounded by her aspirations, before setting her journal down, BLOWING out the candles, turning OFF the lights and getting into bed.

The door to her bedroom is left OPEN with a LIGHT streaming in from the hallway, so the room is not engulfed darkness.

SCENE 11

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Gwen wakes up ALERT and MOTIVATED to get out of bed; good sign of a good morning. Getting out of bed is a chore for her on any day and so she GROANS her way into body STRETCHES before RIPPING off the covers and dismounting her bed.

SCENE 12

INT: KITCHEN - MORNING

DIRTY DISHES queue up on the kitchen counters to be washed. Gwen wears rubber gloves as she DUNKS dishes in and out of the sink. Systematically, mum DRIES dishes as they both CHAT and CLEAN. Gwen is clearly a thoughtful LISTENER and helper.

GWEN (V. O.)

I am a people's person. I love to feel helpful.

Mum smiles affectionately at Gwen, RELIEVED and GRATEFUL for the extra pair of hands in the kitchen. Both Gwen and her mum share a very close bond, evident in their habitual GESTURES and INTERACTIONS.

GWEN (V. O.)

I like to see other people's smiles even more than my own.

The dishes are finally finished; tidiness in the kitchen has been restored. Pleased with their handy work, Gwen and mum CLASP each other from the side before sitting down to REFRESH themselves with a drink of water.

SCENE 13

INT: DINING ROOM - AROUND THE TABLE - AFTERNOON

VISITORS - family friends - are at the table, including Natalia. Everyone is engrossed in a BOARDGAME. Gwen is a good sport, though competitive she is MORE concerned about ENJOYING the company she keeps than winning the game.

GWEN (V. O.)

People tell me that I'm easy to get along with…

So you and I could probably be friends.

She looks directly at us and WINKS. She seems aware that we are watching her as though we are the real guests here, openly invited to enter her conscious thoughts and feelings.

SCENE 14

INT - GWEN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

With her journal in hand, Gwen sits up on her bed and PENSIVELY writes down her feelings as she routinely listens to MUSIC in her headphones. The words "in all honesty" are visibly noted in her journal. We hear the words she writes through the V. O.

GWEN (V. O.)

I am happy when I feel…

SCENE 15

INT: GWEN'S MIND - WHITE ROOM - DAY

ENTER GWEN'S MIND

We are taken into Gwen's visual imagination to see exactly what she is thinking as she describes her feelings. The headphone music gradually drowns out into a DISTANT echo.

She stands at the centre of an empty, WHITE room.

Oliver enters the room, running to her, arms OUTSTRETCHED. She looks at him and REACHES down to lift him up.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… needed…

Oliver now CLINGS to her side, safe in her embrace.

Mum walks in, towards the two, and CUPS Gwen’s face before KISSING her on the forehead; Gwen brushes her hands over her mum’s.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… noticed…

Harry, Killian, dad and Natalia now enter the room. All share a euphoric family HUG. Gwen DEVOTEDLY hugs them back and smiles. Dad takes out his phone to snap an idealistic, family SELFIE.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… and necessary.

EXIT GWEN'S MIND

SCENE 16

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - CONT'D

We are back besides Gwen on her bed, listening to music - headphone VOLUME has gradually been restored to that of SCENE 14, as she continues WRITING in her journal.

GWEN (V. O.)

It's a win win.

We see her UNDERLINE "win win" before she proceeds to write "BUT…".

GWEN (V. O.)

BUT…

Gwen lingers with her pen pressed motionless on the paper for a moment, as she THOUGHTFULLY considers what to say next.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

In all honesty...

SCENE 17

INT: GWEN'S MIND - BLACK ROOM - DAY

RE-ENTER GWEN'S MIND

We are back in Gwen’s visual imagination, except this version is a juxtaposition to the last. The music grows distant again. Though she remains at the centre, the room is now empty and BLACK.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… I don't always feel…

Oliver runs TOWARDS her, arms outretched like before, but mum ENTERS the frame and PICKS him up instead. The two of them CUDDLE one another. Gwen stands AWKWARDLY to the side.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… needed…

Dad walks in and SWIFTLY kisses Gwen on the cheek before turning AWAY to check something on his PHONE.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… noticed...

Harry, Killian and Natalia now enter the room. All HUDDLE up to take a selfie. Gwen STRUGGLES to fit in the assembled group and is soon on the OUTSIDE of them all, trying to make herself SEEN in the selfie. Attempts are wasted, and she appears LEFT OUT.

GWEN (V. O.)

… or necessary.

After the selfie EVERYONE, except Gwen, leaves the room. She is ALONE.

GWEN (V. O.)

It's one of the many things I hate to admit.

EXT GWEN'S MIND

SCENE 18

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Back to reality, Gwen slowly puts her journal AWAY, REMOVES her headphones and CONTEMPLATES the collage of family photos on one of her walls. EXHAUSTED in every sense of the word, she crawls into bed and waits for sleep; the covers close to her face.

SCENE 19

INT: GWEN’S BEDROOM - MORNING

Gwen wakes up GROGGY and RELUCTANT to get out of bed; contrary to SCENE 11. Getting out of bed remains a chore, and this time it seems too much hassle to handle. She ATTEMPTS to start her stretches but GIVES UP quickly and returns to sleep.

SCENE 20

INT: DINING ROOM - LATER

The FAMILY all sit at the table to eat. Everyone appears HAPPY, except this time it is apparent that something is OFF with Gwen. She FEIGNS her joy with FORCED smiles and AVOIDED eye contact.

SCENE 19

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - DAY - LATER

Gwen is at her art desk. A half empty plate of SNACKS sits beside her. Her head weighs on her forearms. She STARES at a pencil she doesn't have the motivation to use. The piece of paper in front of her is BLANK.

GWEN (V. O.)

Sometimes when I'm by myself, I struggle to be myself.

Gwen starts pressing her thumb and finger together subtly yet REPEATEDLY. She is testing all aspects of her ability to feel beyond NUMBNESS.

GWEN (V. O.)

Sometimes I struggle to feel anything.

Gwen looks DRAINED.

PHONE RINGS. We see a photo of NATALIA appear on the screen. Gwen let's it ring out as a MISSED CALL.

Natalia sends a text message: "Hey Gwen, how are you? It’s been a while. I'd love to catch up soon! Love you lots xxx"

Gwen leaves the text UNOPENED, takes a BITE of food and CONTINUES gazing at her fingers and pencil.

She LANGUIDLY gets up, only to LIE DOWN on her bed and stare BLANKLY at the ceiling.

GWEN (V. O.)

It's like my mind is put under a numbing anesthetic.

BEGIN TIME-LAPSE - DAY:

GWEN (V.O.)

It's hard waiting for it to wear off. It's never normally consistent.

Gwen lying on her bed. Days go by, indicated by her various OUTFIT CHANGES. Mum appears every so often to bring Gwen a plate of FOOD and a KISS on the head, occasionally her brothers walk in - either Oliver wanting to SHOW her his drawings and reading books, or Harry and Killan wanting to hang out and LAY with her on the bed, every once in a while SHOWING her something FUNNY on their phones. Dad also enters now and then to KISS her head and say a few words. Gwen is evidently FATIGUED and blatantly WORN OUT the entire time.

GWEN (V. O.) (CONT’D)

I'm forced to co-exist with patience above anyone else.

END TIME-LAPSE - ANOTHER NIGHT

Gwen finally begins to SIT up and WRITE in her journal; her mind’s reliable outlet.

We ponder with her for a moment as we prepare to delve into her train of thought.

SCENE 20

INT: GWEN'S MIND - BLACK ROOM - NIGHT

RE-ENTER GWEN'S MIND

Returning to the visual mind of Gwen, the room is once again BLACK. Gwen is at the centre, pulling on a LONG piece of string which eventually leads her to a FISHING ROD.

GWEN (V. O.)

I latch to the string of hope, tugging on my lifeline…

Gwen THROWS the fishing line O. S before proceeding to PULL the line back in HOPE to have caught something (a feeling).

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… fishing for something, or to feel anything.

The fishing hook returns EMPTY. She hasn't caught anything.

EXIT GWEN'S MIND

SCENE 21

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - DAY

Back to reality in Gwen’s bedroom she still has her pen and journal in hand.

We see "to feel anythi" written on her page.

Gwen is FRUSTRATED as her pen runs out of INK before she can finish the word “anything”. In an attempt to revive what little ink remains she proceeds to SCRIBBLE her pen across her page, gradually losing her patience until ink finally filters through only to scribble AGGRESSIVE loops across her page. Gwen, now STUNNED and more LUGUBRIOUS than anything, GENTLY closes her journal and places it besides her bed before sinking into bed with every intention to be swallowed deep into sleep.

SCENE 22

INT: KITCHEN - NEXT DAY

Gwen walks in wearing her pyjamas, having slept in late, she has woken up with a monster APPETITE. Gwen pours CEREAL and prepares TOAST. After eating A LOT of food her CRAVINGS haven’t gone away; she DOESN’T look satisfied.

GWEN (V. O.)

Sometimes I feed just to feel

MONTAGE (QUICK EDITS): Gwen looks IN and OUT of food cupboards and drawers. She's SEARCHING for something to satisfy her hunger.

GWEN (V. O.)

… but I'm hungry for more than substance.

JUMP TO: chocolate WRAPPERS scattered on the floor next to Gwen SLUNKED against a kitchen cupboard; mouth full of food.

GWEN (V. O.)

It's possible to still feel empty on a full stomach.

Gwen RUBS her hands over her STOMACH before bringing her knees closer to her chest. She STILL doesn’t look satisfied.

SCENE 23

INT: LIVING ROOM - DAY

The living room is pleasantly SPACIOUS; not overcrowded in furniture.

Furniture is RUSTIC, CLASSY and ANTIQUE, particularly belonging to shades of RED and MAROON. It is an ELEGANT looking room.

GWEN (V. O.)

Sometimes I can't ignore how I feel…

POV of Gwen: we SLOWLY enter the room and turn to see the back wall from the inside out. There is a stark CRACK on the wall SPREADING up to the ceiling. The couch is propped against this wall, hiding only as much as it can reach.

Gwen’s HAND brushes over the crack.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… just like the crack spreading on my living room wall…

On the other end of the living room there sits a beautiful WALL PIANO. It appears in great condition, no EXTERIOR damage.

We move closer towards it.

Gwen presses a FINGER down on one of the end keys; it sounds HOARSE and SPRINGY.

GWEN (V. O.) - CONT'D

… or like my piano key out of tune.

SCENE 24

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - DAY

Gwen sits at her art desk as she STARES out the window. Outside we can see other houses, trees and birds in their element. As per usual, a plate of SNACKS accompanies her at the desk.

As Gwen continues staring, lost in thought, the PHONE RINGS. Gwen looks at the phone. It’s Natalia. The call RINGS OUT. We see the TIME - 14:31

Gwen texts Natalia: "Hey Natalia, sorry, I'm a little busy right now but I will call you back later. I'm doing ok. Hope that you are too! Love you lots xxx"

GWEN (V. O.),

I promise you that I want to be ok.

Distant DIEGETIC SOUND of a clock TICKING is heard. A CLOCK ticks on her night stand.

GWEN (V. O.)

My hour will come.

Gwen looks at her phone, now revealing the hour - 18:00.

GWEN (V. O.)

Time (huh) sometimes I lose sense of that too.

Mum walks by Gwen’s room and STOPS to NOTICE Gwen is still sitting at her desk. She senses that something is wrong but is UNSURE how to help; this is not the first time she has seen Gwen like this.

SCENE 25

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - LATER - NIGHT

Gwen rests against the cushions on her bed. She DIALS Natalia’s phone number. BOTH start talking back and forth on the phone (sotto voce).

Gwen starts to look more at EASE, like it feels good to talk to someone.

JUMP TO: Gwen sleeping, TOSSING and turning every so often as we prepare to enter her dream.

SCENE 26

INT: MUM'S BEDROOM FURNITURE IN A WHITE ROOM - DAY

ENTER GWEN’S DREAM:

Mum’s bedroom door is OPEN. We peer in to see her FOLDING clothes on the bed. Her room is classy, with LOTS of plants inside, including bare tree branches. It's a REFRESHING atmosphere. Gwen KNOCKS on the door before walking in.

After what seems like a round of “small talk”, both sit on the bed and Gwen starts talking about her struggles with depression.

GWEN (V. O.)

I wish I had the voice to tell you everything.

Gwen looks at her mum and MOUTHS - "I wish I had the voice to tell you everything".

Mum lovingly strokes her face and MOUTHS - “I know”. She draws Gwen in for a hug close to her chest. Gwen starts CRYING.

Mum CONSOLES her, as both head towards a desk by the window. Gwen takes a TISSUE. Mum gently PLAYS with Gwen’s hair as she proceeds to hold Gwen against her chest.

We can hear the comforting sound of mum’s distant HEART-BEAT.

A pot of tree branches stands besides Gwen who lands her attention on them and MOUTHS - "I wish…"

GWEN (V. O.)

I wish we could understand our own unspoken language, like trees understand theirs.

Gwen FIDDLES with the branches, simultaneously to her mum’s fingers in her hair. Gwen looks SOOTHED.

FADE OUT TO SCENE 27

EXIT GWEN’S DREAM

SCENE 27

INT: GWEN'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Gwen wakes up, DISAPPOINTED to discover it was just a dream. Reality hasn’t changed. Mum walks by and STOPS at Gwen’s door. Gwen looks at her mum, indicating she CAN come in. Mum sits on her bed besides her and starts talking.

GWEN (V. O.)

Maybe, you could speak first.

Taking advantage of newfound COURAGE, Gwen begins honestly OPENING UP to her mum who ATTENTIVELY listens.

Though CONCERNED, mum is RELIEVED that Gwen is opening up. Upon finding herself SPEECHLESS, Mum simply holds Gwen’s hand TIGHT and draws her in for a hug.

GWEN (V. O.)

If you don't know what to say, please just stay.

We take a moment with them to absorb Gwen’s feelings. Gwen ENJOYS her mum’s COMPANY.

Mum pulls away only to CUP Gwen’s face and KISS her on the forehead. Gwen starts to cry and CLINGS her mum TIGHTER, not wanting or willing to face these inner demons alone.

GWEN (V. O.)

So, when I'm ready, and I let you in, please just help me heal.

Please just be with me.

SCENE 28

INT: LIVING ROOM - LATER - DAY

Gwen and mum are dressed in baggy trousers and hoodies, sleeves ROLLED up. They stand on floor sheets. Dad is present, he prepares TRAYS of paint and plaster filler. The couch has been moved to REVEAL the living room wall’s crack in all its glory. Paint brushes and rollers in hand, Gwen and mum POSE for a photo with the crack in the background. Both can’t stop SMILING.

GWEN (V. O.)

I promise that I'll make a habit out of happiness.

All three begin to FILL in the crack. Gwen’s healing has started. Gwen’s brothers run in, ready to get MESSY! The family begins to SMEAR paint on each other’s FACES. There is continuous LAUGHTER.

GWEN (V. O.)

It's only a matter of healing.

JUMP TO: The crack finally filled, left to dry.

FADE OUT TO SCENE 29

SCENE 29

EXT: GROVE OF TREES - DAY

We return to the park and day of SCENE 1. The sky is a clear BLUE, perfect for a walk in the park. Lots of people have the same idea; the park is BUSY. Gwen and her family WANDER past the trees, following a footpath. They are enjoying the outside.

They come across a QUIET sanctuary of nature; it's theirs for the taking. Gwen walks on AHEAD of the others, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty that surrounds her. Nature is her place of PEACE, particularly trees.

GWEN (V. O.)

They say that depression is deep rest for the mind.

Gwen breathes softly as she concentrates on the CHIRPING of the birds and the slight SWISH of the breeze. She smiles and she looks UP to where the treetops meet the sky. She CLOSES her eyes.

GWEN (V. O.)

When I finally awake, who will I find?

Gwen opens her eyes.

END - CREDITS

Written by Sarah Griffiths