The short film tells the story of Jade, who is struggling with coming out as a lesbian to her family. In the opening scene, she expresses her inner turmoil over keeping this secret in a voiceover. In subsequent scenes, she writes a coming out letter to her adoptive mother Carol but leaves it unsent. Tragedy strikes when Carol suddenly passes away in an accident. At the end, Jade receives a final letter from Carol revealing that she had actually adopted Jade as a child. The film closes with Jade grieving this revelation and turning to her sister Millie for support.

1. Jade
An Original Short Film
Written By
Kieran Morris
Chloe Spencer
Holly Thomson

2. Jade
Kieran Morris, Chloe Spencer, Holly Thomson
2
Scene 1
FADE IN:
EXT Location: Woodland – Day
The film starts with a variety of shots showing nature and the woodland. Non-diegetic music
is used to create a peaceful opening. Jade, Millie and Carol can be seen smiling and
laughing whilst walking through the woodland.
Jade (Voiceover): Look at us all smiling. It’s like we’re one big happy family. No secrets. No
lies. Keeping a secret shreds you into pieces. It eats you up inside. (PAUSE) Is it right that I
keep a secret from them? Is it right that I love another woman? Am I normal? Am I a
lesbian?
Title ‘Jade’ appears on-screen.
FADE OUT
Scene 2
CUT IN:
INT Location: Dining Room – Day
Jade is seen reading a female magazine whilst sitting at the breakfast table with a bowl of
cereal. Ambient sound is used to suggest the radio is on in the background. Millie is also
sitting at the table texting on her phone. Carol walks down the stairs in work clothes with her
bag.
Carol: Right I’m off. (Kisses Millie) Who are you texting?
Millie: Oh, just some girls from uni.
Carol: Right.
Jade quickly changes the page in the magazine so she isn’t looking at models. Carol kisses
Jade.
Carol: See you later darling. (Starts walking out the room and out of house) Have a good
day both of you and don’t forget to hang out the laundry.
Millie: Bye! (Stops looking at phone and looks at Jade who is still reading the magazine)
What you reading?
Jade: Oh just an article.
Millie: What article?
Jade: (Stands and shouts) Does it matter! (Walks out and upstairs with the magazine in her
hand)
Millie: Woah! (returns to the mobile phone)

3. Jade
Kieran Morris, Chloe Spencer, Holly Thomson
3
Scene 3
CUT IN:
INT Location: Jade’s Bedroom / Living Room – Day
Jade is sitting on her bed writing a letter to her mum. The scene switches between Jade
writing the letter and flowers and ornaments around the house. Non-diegetic sound is used
to create a peaceful scene.
Jade (Voiceover): Dear mum. I want you to know that I love you. You have always been
there for me and we’ve always been able to talk about anything. That’s why I need to tell you
something really important. The last few months have been difficult for me. I haven’t been
able to express my true feelings. I thought I was ill. I thought I needed help. But I don’t. All I
need is your continued love and support. I’ve found a person that I love. But they’re a girl. A
woman. I hope you understand what I’m trying to say. I’m a lesbian. Please don’t cry or be
angry with me. I was the same person as I was yesterday, or last week and I will be the
same person tomorrow, or next year. It’s just that now you know. You know the real me.
Love you lots, like jelly tots. Jade.
Jade is then seen placing the letter on the fireplace in the living room in an envelope
addressed to ‘Mum’. Jade’s phone then vibrates. A text message appears from Cara: ‘In the
woods.’
Scene 4
CUT IN:
EXT Location: Woodland – Day
Jade and Cara are sitting on a bench in the woodland. Ambient sound is used to create a
naturalistic setting. Jade feels uncomfortable.
Cara: Did you tell her then?
Jade: I wrote a letter.
Cara: (PAUSE) You’ve done the right thing.
Jade: (Turns around) Are you sure?
Cara: Listen. You’re mum is one of the loveliest people on this planet and I know she will
understand. She’s not as lovely as you though.
Cara is about to kiss Jade on the lips before Jade’s phone begins to ring. She then moves
away.
Jade: Sorry. (Answers phone) Hello. (PAUSE) Millie has something happened? (PAUSE)
Okay, okay I’m coming. (Ends phone call) Sorry but I have to go. (Begins to leave)
Jade leaves the woodland, leaving Cara alone on the bench.

4. Jade
Kieran Morris, Chloe Spencer, Holly Thomson
4
Scene 5
CUT IN:
INT Location: Living Room – Day
Jade rushes through the front door in a slight panic. The Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and
Millie are standing nearby. Jade stops.
FLO: Hello Jade. I’m Mike, your family liaison officer.
Jade: Liaison Officer?
FLO: You best sit down.
Jade: Where’s mum?
Millie: Jade.
(Scene jump cuts to Millie and Jade sitting opposite the Family Liaison Officer)
FLO: I’m afraid that I have to inform you that we have identified a body in a road collision
earlier this morning that we believe is your mother, Carol.
Jade: No you’ve got this all wrong.
FLO: I’m very sorry Jade.
The shot is then from outside of the house peering in at the window. Muffled sound can be
heard of crying and screaming.
FADE OUT
Scene 6
FADE IN:
EXT Location: Woodland – Day
Jade and Millie are sitting on the bench in the woodland hugging. Ambient sound is used to
represent the woodland area.
Millie: Jade. (Stops hugging. Reveals a letter.) I have this for you. (Jade takes the letter and
begins to open it.) It’s from mum. (Jade stops.)
Jade opens the letter and reads it. Non-diegetic sound begins to play: Christina Agularia,
Beautiful (Instrumental Version).
Carol (Voiceover):Dear Jade. I want you to know that I always loved you. I’m sorry I’ve
passed away. This is a bit strange writing to the future. I know you’ve got a nice husband,
lovely children, and a successful business. But there is something I need to tell you.
Something that I couldn’t face telling you when I was alive. When you were a little girl, your
daddy was put into prison and you’re mummy moved away. I adopted you when you were
two years old. I’m not your real mum Jade. She’s still out there somewhere. Go and find her
and build that relationship you had with me. But you’ll always be my special daughter. You
will always be the one I loved. Love you lots, like jelly tots. Mum.
Jade bursts into tears and hugs Millie. The camera zooms out from the scene.

5. Jade
Kieran Morris, Chloe Spencer, Holly Thomson
5
FADES OUT
CLOSING CREDITS
MUSIC ENDS
The letter that was never opened on the fireplace is seen in a still shot. The clock can be
heard ticking in the background.
FADES OUT
END