This document is a storyboard for the music video of the song "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men. It alternates between flashbacks of a woman and her husband who has passed away, and her present day grieving. The storyboard depicts the woman remembering happy times with her husband through memories and flashbacks, such as dancing, talking in a field, and their wedding. It also shows her current sadness, like sitting alone crying and visiting his grave. The storyboard uses these flashbacks and scenes of grief to visually tell the story of her coping with the loss of her husband through the lyrics of the song.
The Wells Branch Community Library in Austin, TX, hosted a writing contest in November, 2009 (National Novel Writing Month). Here are the four winning compositions!
1
P e b La H e
T e Ne S ea R e
By Langston Hughes (1921)
I e kno n i e :
I e kno n i e ancien a he o ld and olde han he flo of h man blood in h man ein .
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln en do n o Ne O lean , and I e een
its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I e kno n i e :
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
2
M e S
By Langston Hughes (1922)
Well, on, I ll ell o :
Life fo me ain been no c al ai .
I had ack in i ,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor
Bare.
But all the time
I e been a-climbin on,
And eachin landin ,
And nin co ne ,
And ome ime goin in he da k
Whe e he e ain been no ligh .
So bo , don o n back.
Don o e do n on he e
Ca e o find i kinde ha d.
Don o fall no
Fo I e ill goin , hone ,
I e ill climbin ,
And life fo me ain been no c al ai .
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
3
I, T
By Langston Hughes (1925)
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I ll be a he able
When company comes.
Nobod ll da e
Say to me,
Ea in he ki chen,
Then.
Besides,
The ll ee ho bea if l I am
And be ashamed
I, too, am America.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
4
T e Wea B e
By Langston Hughes (1925)
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway. . . .
He did a lazy sway. . . .
To he ne o ho e Wea Bl e .
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming f om a black man o l.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan
Ain go nobod in all hi o ld,
Ain go nobod b ma elf.
I g ine o i ma f o nin
And ma o ble on he helf.
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more
I go he Wea Bl es
And I can be a i fied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can be a i fied
I ain ha no mo
And I i h ha I had died.
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He le like a ock o a man ha dead.
https://www.poetryfoundat ...
1
P e b La H e
T e Ne S ea R e
By Langston Hughes (1921)
I e kno n i e :
I e kno n i e ancien a he o ld and olde han he flo of h man blood in h man ein .
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln en do n o Ne O lean , and I e een
its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I e kno n i e :
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
2
M e S
By Langston Hughes (1922)
Well, on, I ll ell o :
Life fo me ain been no c al ai .
I had ack in i ,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor
Bare.
But all the time
I e been a-climbin on,
And eachin landin ,
And nin co ne ,
And ome ime goin in he da k
Whe e he e ain been no ligh .
So bo , don o n back.
Don o e do n on he e
Ca e o find i kinde ha d.
Don o fall no
Fo I e ill goin , hone ,
I e ill climbin ,
And life fo me ain been no c al ai .
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
3
I, T
By Langston Hughes (1925)
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I ll be a he able
When company comes.
Nobod ll da e
Say to me,
Ea in he ki chen,
Then.
Besides,
The ll ee ho bea if l I am
And be ashamed
I, too, am America.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
4
T e Wea B e
By Langston Hughes (1925)
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway. . . .
He did a lazy sway. . . .
To he ne o ho e Wea Bl e .
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming f om a black man o l.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan
Ain go nobod in all hi o ld,
Ain go nobod b ma elf.
I g ine o i ma f o nin
And ma o ble on he helf.
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more
I go he Wea Bl es
And I can be a i fied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can be a i fied
I ain ha no mo
And I i h ha I had died.
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He le like a ock o a man ha dead.
https://www.poetryfoundat ...
The Wells Branch Community Library in Austin, TX, hosted a writing contest in November, 2009 (National Novel Writing Month). Here are the four winning compositions!
1
P e b La H e
T e Ne S ea R e
By Langston Hughes (1921)
I e kno n i e :
I e kno n i e ancien a he o ld and olde han he flo of h man blood in h man ein .
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln en do n o Ne O lean , and I e een
its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I e kno n i e :
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
2
M e S
By Langston Hughes (1922)
Well, on, I ll ell o :
Life fo me ain been no c al ai .
I had ack in i ,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor
Bare.
But all the time
I e been a-climbin on,
And eachin landin ,
And nin co ne ,
And ome ime goin in he da k
Whe e he e ain been no ligh .
So bo , don o n back.
Don o e do n on he e
Ca e o find i kinde ha d.
Don o fall no
Fo I e ill goin , hone ,
I e ill climbin ,
And life fo me ain been no c al ai .
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
3
I, T
By Langston Hughes (1925)
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I ll be a he able
When company comes.
Nobod ll da e
Say to me,
Ea in he ki chen,
Then.
Besides,
The ll ee ho bea if l I am
And be ashamed
I, too, am America.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
4
T e Wea B e
By Langston Hughes (1925)
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway. . . .
He did a lazy sway. . . .
To he ne o ho e Wea Bl e .
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming f om a black man o l.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan
Ain go nobod in all hi o ld,
Ain go nobod b ma elf.
I g ine o i ma f o nin
And ma o ble on he helf.
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more
I go he Wea Bl es
And I can be a i fied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can be a i fied
I ain ha no mo
And I i h ha I had died.
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He le like a ock o a man ha dead.
https://www.poetryfoundat ...
1
P e b La H e
T e Ne S ea R e
By Langston Hughes (1921)
I e kno n i e :
I e kno n i e ancien a he o ld and olde han he flo of h man blood in h man ein .
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln en do n o Ne O lean , and I e een
its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I e kno n i e :
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
2
M e S
By Langston Hughes (1922)
Well, on, I ll ell o :
Life fo me ain been no c al ai .
I had ack in i ,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor
Bare.
But all the time
I e been a-climbin on,
And eachin landin ,
And nin co ne ,
And ome ime goin in he da k
Whe e he e ain been no ligh .
So bo , don o n back.
Don o e do n on he e
Ca e o find i kinde ha d.
Don o fall no
Fo I e ill goin , hone ,
I e ill climbin ,
And life fo me ain been no c al ai .
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
3
I, T
By Langston Hughes (1925)
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I ll be a he able
When company comes.
Nobod ll da e
Say to me,
Ea in he ki chen,
Then.
Besides,
The ll ee ho bea if l I am
And be ashamed
I, too, am America.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes
4
T e Wea B e
By Langston Hughes (1925)
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway. . . .
He did a lazy sway. . . .
To he ne o ho e Wea Bl e .
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming f om a black man o l.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan
Ain go nobod in all hi o ld,
Ain go nobod b ma elf.
I g ine o i ma f o nin
And ma o ble on he helf.
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more
I go he Wea Bl es
And I can be a i fied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can be a i fied
I ain ha no mo
And I i h ha I had died.
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He le like a ock o a man ha dead.
https://www.poetryfoundat ...
1. Little Talks
Song By ‘Of Monsters and Men’
By Louise and Poppy
Key:
Action
Lyric said (diegetic)
Lyric (non-diegetic)
2. Flashback- woman standing alone then man comes up behind her and
grabs her. They laugh. Star running of camera.
Cuts to: Hey! – Long shot of woman on chair.
Flashback – his and her shoes on mat. Cut to them running.
Hey!- Mid shot of woman on chair
Flashback – Run towards camera with flower, shot of flowers in vase.
Hey! – close up of woman on chair
Cut to clip of grave and woman. Cut x3 as she gradually moves down.
I don't like walking around this old and empty house – Present day.
Woman singing, lying with flowers.
So hold my hand, I'll walk with you, my dear – Flashback – them
holding hands. Cut to jewellery box.
The stairs creak as you sleep, it's keeping me awake – Present day.
Woman singing
It's the house telling you to close your eyes – flashback – woman
sleeping in bed, man kisses her on head.
Some days I can't even trust myself – Present day. Woman singing
It's killing me to see you this way – Flashback – two cups of tea both sit
on sofa.
3. 'Cause though the truth may vary
This ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore – both past and present day woman singing
and laughing – flashes between.
Hey! – Long shot of woman on chair.
Flashback – his and her shoes on mat. Cut to them running.
Hey!- Mid shot of woman on chair
Flashback – Run towards camera with flower, start talking.
Hey! – close up of woman on chair
There's an old voice in my head that's holding me back – present day
woman singing
Well tell her that I miss our little talks – flashback of them lying on
ground talking
Soon it will be over and buried with our past – present day, grave and
woman at church with stain glass window.
We used to play outside when we were young,
And full of life and full of love – Flashback - wedding.
4. Some days I don't know if I am wrong or right
Some days I feel like I'm wrong when I'm right – Present day. Woman
singing.
Your mind is playing tricks on you, my dear – Flashback – wedding
cutting cake.
'Cause though the truth may vary
This ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore - both past and present day woman singing
and laughing – flashes between.
Hey! - flashback of woman’s face smiling
Don't listen to a word I say – present day woman
Hey! – flashback of woman’s face smiling
The screams all sound the same – present woman screaming
Hey! - flashback of woman’s face smiling
Though the truth may vary
This ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore - both past and present day woman singing
and laughing – flashes between.
Improve – Collection of flashbacks (fast pace)
5. You're gone gone gone away
I watched you disappear - present day woman. Flash to grave and woman hand/body.
Fist clench.
All that's left is a ghost of you – present day. Woman stands at grave. Man fades in and
out.
Now we're torn torn torn apart, there's nothing we can do – woman sits then looks at
camera.
Just let me go we'll meet again soon – Gets to grab something.
Now wait wait wait for me – woman sat then leaps up and smashes something. woman
sink on floor.
Please hang around – clip of her going to bedroom
I'll see you when I fall asleep – lies down, hands cross, closes eyes
Hey!
Don't listen to a word I say
Hey! – Flashback of woman blowing out candles on cake. Man next to her.
The screams all sound the same – present day sleep
Hey!
Though the truth may vary
This ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore – flashback collection (Wedding)
Don't listen to a word I say
Hey! - flashback collection
The screams all sound the same – present day scream
Hey!
6. Though the truth may vary
This ship will carry- flashback collection
Our bodies safe to shore - present day sleep (open eyes)
Though the truth may vary
This ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore
Though the truth may vary
This ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore – flashback – woman and man standing together holding
hands. She steps back from him slowly and let go of hands slowly. Mid shot. Close up
of hands. His hands leaves shot and leaves just her hand.
