1. BACK FROM THE EDGE
JAMES ARTHUR
By
L.ROSENFELD
M.WEST
A.PEREIRA
A.DWYER
DRAFT ONE: 17th November 2016
SCENE ONE
2. EXT. The sky is dim, dark and bleak, with clouds passing
over. Several boats pass beneath a dull concrete bridge
through murky waters and a crowd of people pass by. A tall man in
tattered clothing and a worn out hoodie steps up onto the ledge of
the busy bridge. The tall man is in the centre frame of the camera.
LIAM KAY
(LS) He stands on the bridge looking out over at the water.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
Back before demons took control of my head
LIAM KAY
(CU)He has a focused expression on his face, and is broken at the
same time, showing no emotion.
Back to the start, back to my heart
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
Oh, he would reach for the stars, yeah
CUT TO:
SCENE TWO
INT: The large bedroom is cream coloured, with clothes and items
scattered across the room. The blinds are closed, with only the
light of a lamp brightening the room. Liam Kay sits on his bed, back
against the headboard, thoughts racing through his head.
LIAM KAY
(LS,MS,CU)No expression shown on his face, drugs are beside him.
You can take my home, you can take my clothes
You can take the drugs I have that nobody knows
LIAM KAY
(ECU,CU,MS) Liam prepares the drugs. He tightens a worn out belt
around his arm, boils a spoon containing the drugs.
You can take my watch, you can take my phone
You can take all I've got 'til I'm skin and bone
CUT TO:
RACHEL KAY
(CU,LS) Rachel is in the kitchen, boiling food on the stove and
prepares to take some freshly cleaned clothes up the stairs.
I don't want control, I can dig my own hole
I can make my bed and I can lie in it cold
CUT TO:
3. RACHEL KAY
(LS, MS) Walking up the stairs carrying a basket of
clean clothing. Liams door is slightly open. Rachel
peaks though the gap, catching Liam injecting.
'Cause I don't need heat, I've been burnin' in hell
LIAM KAY
(CU) Liam, high and oblivious.
But now I'm back with my own story to tell
RACHEL KAY
(LS,MS) Tracking Rachel as she bursts through the door, screaming at
Liam, whilst he remains oblivious.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
Back before demons took control of my head
CUT TO:
LIAM KAY
(MS, SHOT REVERSE SHOT) Rachel screams at Liam, whilst he remains
unaware.
Back to the start, back to my heart
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
RACHEL KAY
(MS,LS) in frustration she kicks Liam out of the house and throws
his belongings on to him.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
CUT TO:
LIAM KAY
EXT. (LS, HIGH ANGLE) Liam falls to the ground in his delusion.
Back from the tears that were too easily shed
Back to the start, back to my heart
RACHEL KAY
(LS, LOW ANGLE) Slams the front door shut in a disheartened manner
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
Oh, who would reach for the stars, yeah
CUT TO:
SCENE THREE
EXT. A tall hooded man walks through the empty streets on a dull
afternoon, with a sky threatening rain.
4. LIAM KAY
(MS, TRACKING IN FRONT) Walks slowly, his baggage
slowing him down, as the rain begins to fall and dampens his
clothing. He makes no attempt to shield himself from the downpour.
They don't like my lines, they don't like my songs
Except in karaoke when they're singing along
LIAM KAY
(LS,MS) Liam settles down in a derelict alleyway, and plunges
himself against a damaged brick wall.
Did you see them build me up? Well I just tear myself down
CUT TO:
EXT. Flashback. Liam and Rachel stand solemnly, modestly dressed in
black attire, both in a wrecked state. The deserted funeral grounds
are cold and wet, as a brisk wind brushes through the treetops. The
rain comes crashing down.
RACHEL KAY
(ELS,MS) Rachel, weeping places flowers onto the dampened
gravestone.
With a smile on my face, I dug my grave in the ground
We all make mistakes, we're so quick to judge
CUT TO:
LIAM KAY
(MS,CU) Liam, mournful, weeps in the polluted alleyway
It's hard to forgive when we hold onto a grudge
CUT TO:
SCENE FOUR
INT. Liam walks onto the deserted carriage of the train, in his same
disheveled state. His walk vapid and clothes soiled. He remains
hooded and reserved throughout the duration of the journey.
LIAM KAY
(LS,MS) Stumbles through the carriageway and slumps his body into
the dirt ridden seat. He rests his head against the glass, as a
short period of time passes.
So turn down the heat, I've been burnin' in hell
But now I'm back with my own story to tell
CUT TO:
5. EXT. SAME AS SCENE 1
LIAM KAY
(MS) He walks on the bridge looking out over at the choppy water.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
LIAM KAY
(CU)His fists are clenched tight, placed by his side, and reaches
the centre of the bridge.
Back before demons took control of my head
LIAM KAY
(LS)He nervously steps up onto the concrete bridge. His hands shake
as he steps up onto the rails. He pauses.
PHILLIP BARNES
(LS,HA)He slowly walks up to Liam and lightly taps him on the
shoulder. Liam turns curiously.
Back to the start, back to my heart
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
PHILLIP BARNES
(LS,SRS) He tries to convince Liam to not jump, and think about what
is important in his life.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
Back from the tears that were too easily shed
LIAM KAY
(MS)Liam contemplates what he’s about to do, by looking at the
river, and then looking back at the bridge. He is about to step
down, but doesn’t.
Back to the start, back to my heart
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
Who would reach for the stars
CUT TO:
SCENE FIVE
EXT. Liam is walking anxiously towards the rehabilitation centre, he
then suddenly stops and gazes around. He can see see a hopeful white
building. He can see himself in the people around him.
LIAM KAY
6. (LS,LA,) Liam stops suddenly and looks at the
rehabilitation leaflet , at this moment he realises that
it is the right thing to do.He then walks into the
centre.
I don't want control, I can dig my own hole
I can make my bed and I can lie in it cold
LIAM KAY
(MS,LS,LA)Liam leaves the rehab centre for last time, looking
hopeful and accomplished, he walks towards the gate, with a smile on
his face.
'Cause I don't need heat, I've been burnin' in hell
But now I'm back with my own story to tell
CUT TO:
INT. The large house is quiet, and lacking in life. Rachel, sits in
low spirits alone on the oversized couch. The room is dim, with only
the TV lighting up the room.
RACHEL KAY
(MS) Rachel sits, miserable.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
RACHEL KAY
(CU) She becomes alarmed when she hears the doorbell ring.
Back before demons took control of my head
RACHEL KAY
(LS) Walking lifelessly towards the door.
Back to the start, back to my heart
RACHEL KAY
(MS) Joylessly opens the door to see Liam at the door.
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
RACHEL KAY
(MS, TWO SHOT) Rachel's stressed has been relieved, she smiles.
Rachel leaps into Liam's open arms.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
LIAM KAY
(CU) Liam smiles as he has been accepted by Rachel.
Back from the tears that were too easily shed
7. CUT TO:
SCENE SIX
INT. The kitchen is bright, and the sun's rays beam through the
clear glass windows. Liam and Rachel are content and in freshly
cleaned clothing.
LIAM KAY
(LS,MS) Liam with a grin on his face, places a plate of home cooked
food on the table and takes a seat next to Rachel.
Back to the start, back to my heart
LIAM KAY
(TWO SHOT, MS) Liam and Rachel sit together, smiles beaming, as they
enjoy popcorn and a movie together.
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
CUT TO:
EXT. SAME AS SCENE 1
LIAM KAY
(LS) Liam, distressed steps down off the ledge of the bridge
Who would reach for the stars