Task 5: Script/ Screenplay Final Draft

[FADE IN]:

An artificially lit office is shown. Ordinary office stationary is seen, neatly organised alongside generic office furniture. The space lacks personality, save for one picture on the wall next to the office's computer. Police investigator BRIAN SMITH is sat behind the office's desk. As a man in the late prime of his career, Smith is in his late 40s, and seems to have been aged by the importance of his position. As a man of great importance, he has an air of cold, impersonal professionalism. Smith is shown to be organising paperwork and typing on the office's computer before picking up the office phone in swift, efficient movements.

[THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON SMITH IN A MEDIUM SHOT, SHOWING THE DESK FROM ABOVE THE WAIST AND A LIMITED VIEW OF THE WIDER OFFICE]

SMITH: *speaking into the office phone* He can come in now.

[CAMERA FOCUSES ON THE VIEW OF THE OFFICE DOOR FROM BEHIND SMITH'S DESK.]

One younger police investigator enters the office. He is dressed in a business suit and is cleanly shaven. MILLER is noticeably younger than SMITH, giving the impression that they are fresh from training and lack the experience of their higher ranking colleagues. Police investigator JOHN MILLER is in his late twenties -early thirties, but appears younger due to his lack of practical experience in the field. He seems uncomfortable in the office, despite attempting to mimic the professional attitude employed by SMITH. SMITH continues typing before looking up and standing to address MILLER.

[A CLOSE UP SHOT ON SMITH IS USED DURING THE DEBRIEFING. SHOT-REVERSE-SHOTS ARE USED THROUGHOUT THE CONVERSATION. ENSURE THERE IS AN EYE-LINE MATCH BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS.]

SMITH: John, another body has been found. 

MILLER: Another? Are you sure? Do we have any leads this time?

SMITH: The individual who found the body and alerted the police had sufficient alibis, so at this point in time, we only have one lead. As Fisher is occupied with a reported missing person case, I need you to help me in leading this investigation.

SMITH retrieves a plain brown file from a stack of paperwork on the desk, which he offers to MILLER who has moved closer to SMITH's desk.

[MATCH ON ACTION WHEN THE FILE IS BEING TRANSFERRED FORM SMITH TO MILLER]

As SMITH is talking, MILLER opens the file and begins to leaf through the paperwork, stopping at a picture/ mug shot of a young woman. This is an image of the same woman shown during the opening title sequence in the previous scene.

[A CLOSE UP SHOT OF THE FILE GIVES THE AUDIENCE A CLEAR VIEW OF THE PICTURE OF THE YOUNG WOMAN.]

MILLER: Are you serious? The only suspect we have is a teenage girl?

SMITH looks over MILLER'S shoulder in order to see the image.

[AN OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT MAY BE USED]

SMITH: You should know not to judge a book by its cover. Besides,  something doesn’t seem quite right about this girl. She's in holding room three waiting for questioning, come with me.

MILLER follows SMITH as he exits the office.

[THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON THE OFFICE DOOR IN A MEDIUM/ LONG SHOT AS THE POLICE INVESTIGATORS EXIT]

[FADE OUT]: