1. BACK FROM THE EDGE
JAMES ARTHUR
By
L.ROSENFELD
M.WEST
A.PEREIRA
A.DWYER
1
DRAFT THREE: 29th November 2016
2. CUT FROM BLACK
SCENE ONE
EXT. The sky is dim, dark and bleak in London, with clouds passing
over. Several boats pass beneath the 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
(ES,ELS,MS) A man stands at the centre of the bridge. He stands
looking out over at the water.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
Back before demons took control of my head
Back to the start, back to my heart
LIAM KAY
(MS,ECU)He has a focused expression on his face and is broken at the
same time.
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
CUT TO BLACK:
SCENE TWO
INT:(LS,CU)Downstairs, the unlit well furnished living room is
silent, and lifeless. Upon the shelf lies a photograph of happier
times.
Oh, he would reach for the stars, yeah
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,as the drugs are beside him.
LIAM KAY
(LS,MS)No expression shown on his face and with thoughts racing
through his head.
You can take my home, you can take my clothes
You can take the drugs I have that nobody knows
2
LIAM KAY
3. (CU,ECU) Liam prepares the drugs. He tightens a worn out
belt around his arm and boils a spoon containing the
drugs.He then injects himself.
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:
RACHEL KAY
(LS, MS) Walks up the stairs carrying a basket of clean clothing.
Liams door is slightly open. Rachel peaks though the gap, catching
Liam high, with the used needle beside him.
'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,OTS) 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
LIAM KAY
(MS,SRS) 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
3
CUT TO:
RACHEL KAY
4. (MS,LS) Downstairs they argue. In frustration she kicks
Liam out of the house.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
CUT TO:
LIAM KAY
EXT. (LS,HA) Liam falls to the ground in a catatonic state. Rachel
throws his belongings at him.
Back from the tears that were too easily shed
Back to the start, back to my heart
RACHEL KAY
(LS,LA) Slams the front door shut in a disheartened manner.
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
LIAM KAY
(HA,MS,CU) He looks up to see the door slammed shut, he falls back
and his head hits the ground.
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.
LIAM KAY
(MS, TRACKING BEHIND, FRONT TRACKING) Walking slowly, his
possessions slowing him down, 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
4
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
5. 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, and swigs a
bottle of alcohol.
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:
SCENE FIVE
5
EXT. SAME AS SCENE 1
LIAM KAY
(ELS) He walks on the bridge looking out over at the choppy waters.
His fists are clenched tight, placed by his side, as he reaches the
centre of the bridge.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
LIAM KAY
6. (LS,POV)He nervously steps up onto the ledge of the
concrete bridge. His hands shake violently as he holds
onto the railing. He pauses.
Back before demons took control of my head
PHILLIP BARNES
(TRACKING,LS,HA)A smartly dressed man suddenly stops, he has a calm
and casual presence and begins to talk to Liam.
Back to the start, back to my heart
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
PHILLIP BARNES
(LS,SRS) He calmly tries to convince Liam not to jump.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
Back from the tears that were too easily shed
LIAM KAY
(MS,POV,TWO SHOT,LS)Liam contemplates what he’s about to do, he
looks back at the river, and then back at Phillip. 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 SIX
EXT. The sky is cloudy and dark. Liam is walking anxiously towards
the rehabilitation centre, he contemplates going inside and gazes
around.
6
LIAM KAY
(ELS,LS,CU) Liam suddenly stops and finds a rehabilitation leaflet
on the floor, he realises that he needs help, picks up the leaflet
and 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
A timelapse of the sky, showing the passing of time.
LIAM KAY
7. (LS,MS,LA)Liam leaves the rehab centre for last time,
looking neat, hopeful and accomplished, 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:
SCENE SEVEN
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, miserably.
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) Walks lifelessly towards the door.
Back to the start, back to my heart
RACHEL KAY
(MS,OTS) Joylessly opens the door to see Liam outside.
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
RACHEL KAY
(MS,OTS) Rachel's stress has been relieved, she smiles. Rachel leaps
into Liam's open arms.
Back from the edge, back from the dead
7
LIAM KAY
(CU) Liam smiles as he has been accepted by Rachel.
Back from the tears that were too easily shed
CUT TO:
SCENE EIGHT
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.
8. LIAM KAY
(LS,MS) Liam with a grin on his face, places a plate of
food on the table and takes a seat next to Rachel.
Back to the start, back to my heart
CUT TO:
LIAM KAY
(TWO SHOT, MS) Liam and Rachel sit together, with smiles beaming, as
they enjoy popcorn and a movie together.
Back to the boy who would reach for the stars
CUT TO:
SCENE NINE
EXT. SAME AS SCENE 1
LIAM KAY
(MS,LS) With the realisation of his actions, Liam, distressed steps
down off the ledge of the bridge
Who would reach for the stars
FADE TO BLACK
8
