1. Jack out the box – Short film Page |1
“Jack out
the box”
Written and directed by:
Vanessa Lorriman and Ellie
Beazley
Final Draft

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1 INT. JESSIE BEDROOM – DAY 1 2100
Alone in room, party music playing in background. JESSIE sat in
front of her bedroom mirror applying makeup, bedroom suitable for a
young adult girl (neutral colours used and mirrors etc.)„CHRIS <3‟
written with red lip stick on mirror. (Camera PANS her bedroom,
ESTABLISHING SHOT, finds JESSIE, focuses on JESSIE, SLOW ZOOM, CUT
TO: OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT of JESSIE applying make-up.
CUT TO:
2 INT. INSIDE CAR – DAY 1 2101
CHRIS sat in parked car outside on road (ESTABLISHING SHOT, SLOW
ZOOM INTO CHRIS IN CAR, MEDIUM CLOSE UP).CHRIS looks around him
suspiciously making sure that no one is around, CHRIS retrieves
small baggie holding a white powdered substance (EXTREME CLOSE UP),
puts finger into bag(MEDIUM CLOSE-UP) and rubs drug on gums(EXTREME
CLOSE UP) , hides baggie(MEDIUM SHOT). JESSIE, walks to car
(EXTERNAL MEDIUM SHOT), opens car door, climbs inside smiling, leans
across kissing CHRIS on cheek(INTERNAL MEDIUM CLOSE POV FROM CHRIS'S
PERSPECTIVE).
JESSIE
Hey, I’m ready let’s go
CHRIS wipes mouth(CLOSE UP), starts car engine and drives
off(INTERNAL MEDIUM).
CUT TO:
3 EXT. FOREST AREA – DAY 1 2130
Establishing shot/s of the forest and car driving past(MONTAGE).
CUT TO:
4 CAR INT. INSIDE CAR – DAY 1 2130
Both JESSIE and CHRIS in car(TWO SHOT CLOSE UP). CHRIS driving(POV
MID-CLOSE UP JESSIE'S PERSPECTIVE). JESSIE opens beer can (MEDIUM
CLOSE -UP), starts drinking.(POV from JESSIE watching CHRIS drive,
POV from CHRIS looking at JESSIE opening can).
(CONTINUED)

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“Rave” music is playing. CHRIS and JESSIE both dancing. EXTREME
CLOSE UP of the speed dial as we see it increase from 20PMH to
40MPH. CHRIS leans over, grabs beer can, pops it open (CLOSE POV
SHOT FROM JESSIES'S PERSPECTIVE).
JESSIE
CHRIS! What the hell?! You’re driving you can’t drink yet, do you
want to kill us?!(MEDIUM CLOSE POV FROM CHRIS'S PERSPECTIVE.)
CHRIS
JESSIE! Just stop bloody panicking! We're going to be fine! It's
just a beer!(MEDIUM CLOSE POV FROM JESSIE'S PERSPECTIVE.)
JESSIE
No CHRIS! Stop the fucking car and let me out! (MEDIUM CLOSE POV
FROM CHRIS'S PERSPECTIVE.)
CHRIS
Just stop panicking Jessie! We're fine! I can still drive!(MEDIUM
CLOSE POV FROM JESSIE'S PERSPECTIVE.)
JESSIE
No!(MEDIUM CLOSE UP POV FROM CHRIS'S PERSPECTIVE.)
CUT TO:
(EXTREME CLOSE-UP OF JESSIE PULLING PUTTING THE HANDLE BREAK ON. The
car stops. (CLOSE POV FROM JESSIE'S PERSPECTIVE), CHRIS tries to
restart car, but has no luck.
5. EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAR NEXT TO WOODS DAY 1 2135
The couple both get out of the car at the same time (MID SHOT from
back of car).CHRIS walking to front of car (SLOW ZOOM), leaning over
bonnet of car, using torch to see while he is messing around with
car engine. (MEDIUM CLOSE-UP LOW ANGLE BY BONNET OF CAR.)
CHRIS
(Slamming bonnet down)For fuck sake, this is typical!
(CONTINUED)

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JESSIE
(Apologetic) Look Chris, I'm really sorry babe, but justcalm down,
we'll just phone someone at the party and get them to come get
us.(MEDIUM SHOT, WALKS INTO SHOT BY CHRIS AND BONNET).
JESSIE flips out phone (MEDIUM CLOSE UP), she has no reception. Puts
phone in air trying to gain reception whilst walking around the car
JESSIE
Oh great! I have no bloody reception!
CHRIS grunts and slams bonnet of car in anger (MEDIUM CLOSE UP). He
grabs the GPS out of car (MEDIUM CLOSE UP CONTINUED VIA TRACKING).
EXTREME CLOSE UP of the GPS shows destination of the party is not
too far.
CHRIS
(POV FROM JESSIE'S PERSPECTIVE - CLOSE UP)Look! The party is like
just through this forest, just chill out and follow me. The car can
stay here.
CHRIS AND JESSIE enter the forest together holding hands (MID-CLOSEUP TWO SHOT from behind, then cut to MID - CLOSE UP TWO SHOT from in
front). CLOSE UP of JESSIE putting car keys into her purse.
CUT TO:
7 EXT IN THE FOREST – DAY 1 2200
CHRIS lets go of JESSIS's hand and holds JESSIE around waist
securely pulling her into him. Walking looking around forest, slow
gradual steps. JESSIE very scared/worried (EXTREME CLOSE UP),
whereas CHRIS is calm and relaxed (EXTREME CLOSE UP). Forest goes on
as far as eye can see, nothing but trees surrounding them, hard to
see what‟s in front of them it‟s that dark. Wildlife noises coming
from every direction from owls and flutters of wings.(POV SHOT OF
FOREST).
JESSIE
(Anxious)CHRIS are you sure you know where we are going? I think we
might be lost.(MID-CLOSE-UP SHOT)
(CONTINUED)

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CHRIS
(MID-CLOSE UP SHOT)(Sighs)Obviously I know where we are just another
5 minute or so walk from here.
Then a strange childlike tune starts to play a few meters away from
where CHRIS and JESSIE are standing, (POV PAN around forest).
JESSIE
(CLOSE UP)(Frightened)CH-CHRIS can you hear that? It sounds creepy,
what the hell is it?
CHRIS
(MEDIUM CLOSE -UP) (Confused)I don’t know, but it sounds like its
coming from over there(points in direction).
CHRIS shines torch into direction in which he can hear noise (POV
PAN). CHRIS notices small object in clearing of the forest.(POV of
couple walking over to object).CHRIS bends down, picks it up
brushing off all the leaves and the mud from it to expose that it is
a JACK IN THE BOX (CLOSE UP). The box is small and damaged and oldfashioned/vintage. There are colourful pictures on the box however
have been dimmed in colour due to the damages to it(EXTREME CLOSE
UP).
CHRIS
(Surprised not taking things seriously)(MEDIUM CLOSE UP)Look at
this! It’s like some sort of JACK IN THE BOX! Bloody hell! I haven’t
seen one of these since I was kid! I used to love playing with a box
just like this!
JESSIE
(Worried) (MEDIUM CLOSE UP)CHRIS just put it down its old and dirty
I just want to get out of this forest already! Start walking!
JESSIE tries to hit box out of CHRIS‟S hands, CHRIS moves in time
holding box away from JESSIE.(MEDIUM CLOSE UP)
CHRIS begins to turn box handle round, musical tune starts to
play.(EXTREME CLOSE UP)
(CONTINUED)

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JESSIE
(Panicking)(Still in EXTREME CLOSE UP OF BOX)CHRIS just put it down
its really creeping me out!
CHRIS
(Just sniggers while continuing to spin the handle)(ZOOM OUT TO
CLOSE UP)
CHRIS continues to spin handle slowly round, JESSIE continues trying
to get the box out his hands to stop him.
JACK IN THE BOX pops open to reveal the toy inside, which splatters
CHRIS's face with blood(CLOSE UP).CHRIS starts coughing as if he's
just swallowed something nasty. (POV EXTREME CLOSE UP) Chris's mouth
starts pouring blood, eyes turn red, clown face make-up fades on.
JESSIE screams, starts to run into forest (POV FROM CHRIS MEDIUM
SHOT.)
CUT TO:
8 EXT IN THE FOREST – DAY 1 2220
Loads of different shots of JESSIE running through the
forest(EXTREME CLOSE UPS, CLOSE UPS, MEDIUM SHOTS, MONTAGE). JESSIE
getting caught on the tree branches(EXTREME CLOSE UP), running in
out of trees. JESSIE stops at giant tree, leans on it trying to
catch her breath(MEDIUM SHOT PAN) (Heavy breathing). JESSIE takes a
few moments to try and figure out the situation which has just
happened (Confused expression). (EXTREME CLOSE UP)
JESSIE can hear the crunches on the leaves from footsteps coming
from every direction (EXTREME CLOSE UP OF CHRIS'S FEET, FLOOR SHOT).
JESSIE looking around frantically trying to figure out where this
noise is coming from.(MEDIUM CLOSE UP).
JESSIE slowly peers round side of tree (MEDIUM CLOSE UP)(nondiagetic music humming Jack in the Box tune) to see CHRIS standing
there with no expression upon his face(POV FROM JESSIE MEDIUM CLOSE
UP), CHRIS has pale face with clown makeup.
CHRIS takes step towards JESSIE (LONG SHOT). CHRIS humming JACK IN
THE BOX tune.
JESSIE freezes (Cuts back and forth between JESSIES face and CHRIS
face)(EXTREME CLOSE UPS)JESSIE spins, runs away from CHRIs,
continuing to sluggishly walk behind her.(MEDIUM SHOTS).
(CONTINUED)

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JESSIE
(Shouting, panicking, looking back at CHRIS stalking her, on verge
of tears, still running)CHRIS if this is some kind of trick stop it,
it’s not funny anymore!(CLOSE UP, CUT TO POV SHOT OF CHRIS)
CUT TO:
9 EXT IN THE FOREST DAY 1 2230
Fast pace shots of JESSIE running through forest, heavy
breathing.(POV SHOTS from both JESSIE and CHRIS)
Out of nowhere CHRIS steps in front of JESSIES path (Humming
tune)(POV SHOTS from both JESSIE and CHRIS)
JESSIE skids falling over but quickly gets back up, continues
running the other direction (POV SHOTS from both JESSIE and CHRIS)
CHRIS slumps into JESSIES path (Humming tune) (POV SHOTS from both
JESSIE AND CHRIS)
JESSIE
AHHHH what’s wrong with you?(POV from JESSIE)
(POV from CHRIS)JESSIE spins round, runs the opposite way again,(POV
from JESSIE)this time she notices CHRIS‟S car from where they had
left it.(ESTABLISHING SHOT) JESSIE sees the car in distance,
runstowards it down a muddy road track leading back to the car.(POV
from JESSIE). While running JESSIE scrambles through her purse
trying to find the keys. JESSIE finds the keys and starts
frantically clicking the button over and over again.
10 EXT AT THE CAR DAY 1 2243
JESSIE reaches car, frantically opens the door climbs inside and
locks both front doors (MID SHOT) JESSIE slams the keys into the
ignition and turns it the car raws with life.
JESSIE
(Sighs) Starts to relax
The humming sound starts to come from the back seats of the car,
when CHRIS‟S face suddenly appears from out the darkness of the car
next to JESSIES. Cut to Jessie's face scared frozen. (REACTION SHOT
EXTREME CLOSE UP)
11SCREEN GOES BLACK
JESSIE screams
Same humming starts.

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THE END