This is the final draft of a screenplay for a short film that I wrote and directed during my final year at Leeds Thomas Danby, The film was made as part of my Final Major Project (May 2008) The final cut of the film was shown at the Carriageworks cinema in Leeds Melennium Square as part of the end of year film show.
Social Alienation:
(Aspergers and Anxiety A Personal Struggle)
A
Screanplay
by
Liam Whetstone
Director’s Introduction
Hello my name is Liam Whetstone Director of the film Social Alienation the events and conversations displayed in the film and the characteristics of the protagonist are based on my own personal experiences. I have a small element of Aspergers disorder. I hope as you watch this film you will gather information on the effects of Aspergers and anxiety on the sufferer. I hope you enjoy the film and I will see you at the end.
Scene 1-Opening credits
(Music Yes by Manic Street Preachers )
Scene 2.
The main character walking home
Main Characters Thoughts
(v/0)
For most of my life I have struggled to understand certain aspects of life and I didn’t understand why I have a very intense way of looking at things. Even the smallest things in life make me paranoid I find myself misinterpreting people’s tones of voice and facial expressions I feel as though the whole world is judging me and laughing at me. I find it really alienating I have always been very unsure about my future I am not looking forward to the rest of my life
Scene 3.
Bedroom or sat on park bench walking through park
Main Character
(v/0)
Then a couple of years ago I decided to get myself checked out so to speak and went to see a psychiatrist but he said that I had no mental illness. But I did have a psychological condition called Aspergers Disorder but the real problem I had was anxiety caused by the effects my condition I find it difficult in other peoples company making conversation. For the last few weeks I have been going to see a psychologist to help me with my anxiety
Scene 4
:Sat in pub
Everything Fades
By NickyWire
(Main character sat in pub looking lonely and rejected listening to other
People’s conversations about nothing)
Scene 5. Session-1:
Anxiety meeting new people/peoples opinions’
(Both characters sat in consultation room opposite each other with the physcologist sat behind his desk)
Physchologist
What’s bothering you then? (Relaxed)
Main Character
(taping hands on chair arm/slowly looks up speaking nervously) well er I start a new job next week im nervous about it you know er starting again and all that.
Physchologist
what are you worried about in particular (Relaxed response)
Main character
well, speaking to new people and settling in but not just that, Its the opinions that people will form of me (relaxed response)
Psychologist
If I was you I would look at it this way try to relax and focus on doing your job to the best of your ability
Main Character
(unsure response) yes
Scene 6.
Sat on a bench in town
(v/0)
Main characters thoughts
that didn’t help me at all (pauses for thought) what does he know, twat I had a job it didn’t go very well I don’t want to go through that again 10 (minuets later) look at him with his brief case and shit loads of money im never gunna have that and he just takes all his money for granted
Scene 7. Session2
Anxious about change
(Both characters sat in consultation room opposite each other with the physcologist sat behind his desk)
Psychologist
why didn’t you go? (Relaxed)
Main character
(silent as he considers response, unsure response as if his questioning himself at the same time) I thought it best it was only I part time job anyway.
Pyhschologist
(relaxed response) A jobs a job why didn’t you go what was the real reason?
Main character
(on the defensive) it’s not as if I don’t do anything
Physchologist
(Relaxed) no its not but a job would have done you good
Main character
(thinking about what the psycologist has just said responds in an unsure tone of voice) I have my uni work to do its more important than a silly little part time job.
Physchologist
( Relaxed) yes but don’t you think it would have been nice to have some money coming in you know so you can spend a bit more freely
Main character
(unsure and slow in response) ye I know what you mean but…
Physchologist
(Relaxed- prompting main character) but what?
Main character
(on the defensive)–but I get really nervous about change and alteration to my familiar surroundings you know (pauses) what im used to at the moment.
Physchologist
(Relaxed) in the future you will have to (short pause) make new starts it would have been good practice for you
Main character
(really defensive response as he gets more tense) I see what you mean but I have a lot to do at the moment at uni so I need to focus on that
Physiologist
I still think you should have taken my advice when we last met
Main character
(silent as he considers what to say next he’s gradually getting more and more tense) really defensive tone of voice in response)
What would you suggest for dealing with general change I mean its not just new starts that make me anxious it’s the sudden alterations of immediate plans you know for instance things you probably think are less important.
Physchologist
well I think you should try to relax and see what happens in the future
Main character
mm ye (quiet before response) but er
Scene 8 .
Park bench bedroom
(v/0)
Main character
EXT:PARK BENCH
they all have no idea of my condition none of them understand or have any idea about it they just think that im ignorant
INT:BED ROOM
He’s fucking useless ,Think he could have been a bit more supportive (whispers) dickhead, maybe should have taken his advice because things aren’t going that well at uni or shit I should have listened why didn’t I listen uni will be finished soon and it looks like I wont pass so I wont be able to get a job shit live fucked up my future have left myself with nowhere to go (Yes starts to fade in the background non digetic sound)I should have listened (pours wine and starts to drink) (frustratingly mumbles) Fuck sake
(Picks up a razor blade and starts to cut his arm to shreds)
Fade to black
Scene 9.sesion-3
Anxious about future and self harm
(Both characters sat in consultation room opposite each other with the physcologist sat behind his desk both characters sat in silence)
Main character
I err got a razor and er (down quiet/depressed)
Psychologist
(relaxed and inquisitive slightly concerned) you got a razor and what
Main character
(silent depressed delays’ response) you know what I mean
Psychologist
(relaxed and inquisitive slightly concerned) no I don’t
Main character
(silent looking fed up)
Psychologist
im not a mind reader what do you mean (with concern)
Main character
(long delay before answer / depressed) I erm
Psychologist
(with more concern) I can’t help you if you don’t open up to me im hear to help
Main character
(silent before responding by raising his head and speaking)
I(pauses) I er cut myself
Psychologist
(with more concern) this was with the razor was it??
Main character
(slow to respond after taping his hands on his chair arm) yes yes it was
Psychologist
(with concern) could I have a look at your arm then
Main character
( silent looking down on the floor)
Psychologist
(with concern)I need to have a look at it to see how bad the damage is
Main character
(silent unrolls sleeve on right arm)
Psychologist
(with concern) that looks painful did you clean it up
Main character
(nods slowly)
Psychologist
(with deep concern) why did you do that to yourself?
Main character
(long silence before response)(shakes head sighs)
Well I err just did it I just feel so (pausing and stuttering)Down I don’t Know what to do with myself any more
Fade to black
Scene 10.
Walking over fields
(v/0)
Main character
Well life is a very big struggle and who knows were my road will take me decisions that I have made recently point towards a very dark road of emptiness and despair. Learning to cope with this condition is making my life more difficult than I can handle I will have to live with it for the rest of my life so as you can see I have a tough future a head of me but its not all bad
Fade to black
(Autumn Song By Manic Street Preachers)
Director’s Conclusion
So there you have it, I wonder do you know how hard it is for people to live with the problems of Aspergers disorder it is possible to live around the condition but you are never really cured of it I hope you enjoyed the film and I hope it has given you an idea of the main symptoms of Aspergers disorder whilst showing you an undulating narrative that portrays the characters emotions in a realistic way my name is Liam Whetstone and I bid you goodnight
Aspergers info
The End
Liam Whetstone 