COM 450 Journal: 2013

This is a screenplay I wrote for a media class at my previous college. I would like to share this screenplay in my blog because it based on my "Lindsay's Reunion" blog entry. The screenplay in itself would be a great persuasion piece to encourage individuals to become organ donors.

The screenplay includes genre, target audience, setting, plot structure, character analysis, camera shots, etc. There is also a sample script of one scene.

SCREENPLAY TREATMENT

Type of Screenplay:

This is a made-for-TV movie based on a true story. The drama would be similar to movies on the Lifetime Network. It is rated PG-13 due to its traumatic subject matter. The total production length is three hours (90 minutes for Part One and 90 minutes for Part 2). This treatment focuses mainly on Part One.

Target Audience:

This film appeals to a wide range of viewer demographics. A majority of the viewers will be female, ages 15 and beyond. The movie would be on a network like Lifetime, which is mainly viewed by women. Men will also be a target because they may watch the movie if they have a significant other or family member who watches the network. The viewer will be of any ethnicity or background. The film will appeal to any individual who has ever experienced the sudden, and tragic, death of a loved one.

Donate Life is a non-profit organization that I would like to have a great involvement in this film. The organization works to advocate and educate the public about organ, tissue, and blood donation. I hope the public would also have access to this film through Donate Life. Any individual who values life and wants to improve the quality of life for others should see this film.

Characters:

Lindsay Matthews is a young student athlete. She has a 4.0 grade point average and is a starter on the University at Geneseo soccer team. A recent knee injury put her on the sidelines for what would be the last soccer season of her life. Lindsay grew up in the small town of Orchard Park, New York. She was raised by her parents who are from England. She also has two brothers Mark and Scott that are just a few years older than her. They share many of the same friends as Lindsay.

Lindsay’s beautiful blonde hair, bright brown eyes, infectious laugh, and warm smile are loved by many. She is competitive and driven with a strong sense of compassion and empathy for others. Lindsay took dance lessons at the local studio, worked at the local pharmacy, played Orchard Park Quaker soccer and lacrosse, and was known by everyone in the small town. Lindsay was an extraordinary student and her mother took care of many of her former teacher’s children. Her father was always a staple at every sports game. Lindsay spent her summers working at the Boys and Girls Club of Orchard Park and Buffalo Hearing and Speech. Improving the quality of life for children is something she holds close to her heart. She lives for her family, friends, her dog Stanley, and the love of her life, Billy.

Mrs. Karen Matthews is Lindsay’s mother and Ian’s wife. She was born and raised in England and currently resides in Orchard Park, New York. Karen is everything you want and more in a wife and mother. Everyone in town knows Karen’s heavy British accent and the light in her eyes whenever she talks about her children. Not only does Karen care for her own children, she cares for children in her community through a day care she runs at her home. She lives for her family and holds a special place in her heart for the youngest, her only daughter Lindsay. Her love for her family knows no boundaries.

Mr. Ian Matthews, also born and raised in England currently resides in Orchard Park, New York. Ian shares his love for soccer with his only daughter, Lindsay. Whether he is referring a game or cheering on the sidelines his passion for the sport is evident. With his thick British accent and wonderful sense of humor, Ian has the ability to show light in the darkest of times.

Aaron is a young boy living in Auburn, New York. In first grade he went to a routine physical and the doctors knew something was not right. His blood pressure was high and his urine was abnormal. It was recommended that he see a special doctor in Syracuse. Lisa, his mother, was eager to find out what was wrong with her little boy. The tests concluded that Aaron had Chronic Renal Failure. He was born with the condition, but symptoms often do not show in the early stages. His kidneys began to fail and he was immediately put on dialysis and was ultimately in need of an organ transplant, one he could die waiting for.

Dawson is a young boy living in Binghamton, New York. He woke up one morning with a swollen face with claims that he was not feeling well. His mother Shelby has a background in urology and knew his symptoms could be a sign of kidney issues. A urine culture concluded Dawson had Nephrotic Syndrome. The swelling he experienced was from a loss of protein in the blood, due to a kidney malfunction. Water is absorbed in the blood by protein and if the protein is not there the water will move into the tissues of the body and cause swelling. Dawson was taken to a hospital in Syracuse where he met a young boy named Aaron, who also needed a life saving kidney transplant.

Setting:

Part One: The story begins with the exposition of the story in three separate locations. The film focuses on Aaron in Auburn, NY, Dawson in Binghamton, NY, and Lindsay in Orchard Park, NY making the transition from high school to college at the University at Geneseo in Geneseo, NY.

The rising action and complications of the story occur in Auburn, Binghamton, Orchard Park, and at a hospital in Syracuse. Each of the boys receives their diagnosis in their hometowns and is sent to a hospital in Syracuse to wait for a transplant. Lindsay spends some time in her hometown of Orchard Park and at her college in Geneseo leading up to her injury.

The climax of the story occurs in a hospital room in Syracuse where Aaron and Dawson receive a transplant, in Orchard Park where Lindsay’s family is, at Geneseo where Lindsay is injured, and at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester where Lindsay is taken following the accident. The resolution begins at the hospital in Syracuse roommates Dawson and Aaron both receive news that they are receiving the lifesaving transplant they had been waiting for. Lindsay’s family finds hope in the fact that her organs were able to save someone else’s child.

Part Two: The resolution moves to Orchard Park where Lindsay’s family and friends have a wake and funeral for Lindsay. Her loved ones try to get back to their lives after experiencing such a traumatic loss. The boys who received Lindsay’s organs begin to recover from the surgery and enjoy being normal kids. The final resolution is two years after the accident when Aaron, Dawson, and their families travel to Orchard Park to meet Karen, Ian, and their sons Mark and Scott.

Plot Structure:

The story begins in Auburn, New York with a young boy named Aaron sitting on the front steps of his home holding a basketball in his lap. He is waiting for his mother to take him to his yearly physical. When his mother Lisa comes out of the house she has her purse and seems to be in a rush to get Aaron to his doctor’s appointment. After a long day at work Lisa is eager to make the appointment quick so she can get home to start dinner for the family.

The next scene Aaron and his mother are gathering their things to leave the doctor’s office when the doctor comes into the room with a startling announcement. Aaron’s blood pressure seemed to be abnormally high and his urine is abnormal. Lisa is convinced this must be some sort of mix up because Aaron has not had any symptoms. The doctor refers Aaron to a specialist in Syracuse. The scene ends with Lisa at home making an appointment for Aaron with the doctor in Syracuse.

Next, the story narrows in on Dawson at home in Binghamton, New York. On a cold morning in November, Dawson’s mother Shelby is in the kitchen making breakfast. Dawson enters the kitchen and tells his mother he is not feeling well. Shelby is immediately alarmed when she sees that her son’s face is extremely swollen. His mother remains calm and asks Dawson to go watch some cartoons while she finishes making breakfast. As soon as Dawson leaves the room, Shelby calls the doctor to make an appointment to be seen immediately.

The story then moves to Orchard Park, New York where Lindsay Matthews is just finishing her senior year of high school. It is the week before prom and everyone at school is beaming with excitement. Lindsay has a busy week with a soccer practice, a lacrosse game, work, final projects for school, and preparations for the prom.

Lindsay scores a goal in her lacrosse game and the whole crowd cheers. Her mother and father are gleaming with pride on the sidelines and are congratulated by the other parents in the tight knit community. When the game ends Lindsay and her friends thank their parents for coming and then quickly hurry to see the end of the boy’s lacrosse game.

The girls watch the games while talking about the color of their dresses and pointing out which boy on the team was taking them as their date. There was no question as to who Lindsay would be going to the dance with. Billy and her had been dating for almost two years and was Lindsay’s high school sweetheart. At the end of the game the boys walked off the field and Lindsay rushes over to Billy and congratulates him on the win.

The weekend is finally here and Lindsay is at the local salon with her mother Karen getting her hair done for the prom that evening. Lindsay’s long blonde hair didn’t need much primping for her to look beautiful. Karen and Lindsay are extremely close and it is evident in their conversation at the salon as they talk about Lindsay’s plans for the evening. The hair stylist asks Lindsay about her boyfriend Billy and what their plans were for after they graduated. Each would be student athletes, but at different colleges just a few hours away from one another. Both Lindsay and Billy planned doing a long distance relationship. They would take the drive to visit each other at school or meet in the middle in Orchard Park.

Back at the Matthews’ house Karen helps Lindsay put her dress on and put the finishes touches on her makeup. Lindsay’s father Ian is downstairs watching a soccer game on TV. When they hear the doorbell ring Ian goes to the door and greets Billy who is in his suit and tie. Ian playfully quizzes Billy on their plans for the night although he knows his daughter is in great hands. Finally Lindsay comes walking down the stairs and Billy and Ian stop talking in mid sentence. Lindsay looks breathtaking with her long blonde hair in curls and a beautiful black and white gown. Karen hurries and gets her camera to take pictures of the young couple. She cannot help but notice how in love her daughter is. The way she looks at Billy is the way Karen looks at Ian. She knows what Lindsay and Billy have is something special.

The story then moves quickly through Lindsay’s high school graduation with all of her friends, and her freshman year at college. Finally, the scene is set with Lindsay as a sophomore at Genesseo where she is getting ready for finals. Lindsay has a 4.0 grade point average and holds high expectations for herself on and off the soccer field. In her dorm room Lindsay discusses with her roommate how much she was missing the soccer field due to an injury. She would be out for the remainder of the season and began thinking about transferring to a school in Buffalo to be closer to her boyfriend Billy who she has been dating since she was in highschool. Lindsay tells her roommate she would be going home for the weekend to spend some time with her family.

In Orchard Park, Lindsay has a warm welcome from her family and friends. She is excited to be able to spend time with her boyfriend Billy and talk about their future. Lindsay tells her mother that she would like to transfer home and get an apartment with Billy. Karen and Ian encourage Lindsay to explore her options and to focus on recovering from her injury.

Before Lindsay goes back to Genesseo she gets her nails done with some of her close childhood friends. They talk about their lives and the possibility of Lindsay coming back to Buffalo. The other girls go to school in Buffalo and would love for Lindsay to do whatever makes her happy.

Next, Lindsay in back and Geneseo watching the presidential election on TV and eating apple pie with her roommates on a Tuesday night. Lindsay is making a study guide for her big exam on Thursday when her mother calls. Karen wanted to know how Lindsay is doing since she had been feeling bad about not being able to play soccer and not being able to spend as much time with the team. Lindsay tells her mother she is looking forward to the possibility of transferring home and expressed her nervousness for her test on Thursday. Karen reminds Lindsay of how wonderful she has done in school in the past and how she knew she would do just fine. Before bed Lindsay calls Billy to say goodnight. They further discuss their plans to get an apartment together and then get married when they are done with school. Lindsay then falls asleep and the scene is switched to a hospital room in Syracuse.

Aaron and Dawson each lay in their own beds in the same hospital room. Aaron has Chronic Renal Failure. He was born with the condition, but symptoms often do not show in the early stages. His kidneys began to fail and he was immediately put on dialysis and was ultimately in need of an organ transplant, one he could die waiting for. Dawson is a young boy with Nephrotic Syndrome. The swelling he has experienced was from a loss of protein in the blood, due to a kidney malfunction. Water is absorbed in the blood by protein and if the protein is not there the water will move into the tissues of the body and cause swelling. Dawson also needs a life saving kidney transplant.

Each boy is receiving a dialysis treatment because their kidneys are failing. Their mothers stand in the hall and discuss the seriousness of their circumstances. It is made known that if the boys don’t receive kidneys very soon they are going to die. Their pale, gaunt, physical appearances are a sign that death may soon be at their door. The camaraderie between the two boys and their mothers help them through this difficult time.

The news they had been waiting for finally arrived and Dawson was being sent down to transplant surgery with Aaron soon to follow. They have been given a new lease on live and a chance to take back the childhood they were missing. The boys and their family’s prayers are answered but they find themselves with mixed emotions when faced with the thought that someone else had died. Lisa and Shelby are then informed that the organs came from a girl of just 19 years old. The women are so grateful but also saddened by a life cut so short.

The story goes back to Geneseo and rewinds back to that same morning. It is a very warm, sunny day for early November. Lindsay is in class participating in a discussion. After class Lindsay has some time in her schedule and decides to take a walk on the main road Geneseo is on. Nothing is more peaceful to Lindsay than to be outside and active. Due to her soccer injury taking a walk was the best she could do for exercise. As she walks with her Vera Bradley bag full of school books in tow she makes her way into the road to possibly cross the street when a tractor trailer semi truck comes quickly around the bend. Lindsay has no time to get out of the way and is struck by the vehicle and thrown 50 feet. She lay in the street waiting for help. Her bag lay not far from her with the straps ripped right off.

Lindsay’s father Ian is at work and Lindsay’s mother Karen is at home when the phone rings. It is an administrator from Geneseo. Karen automatically assumes he is calling regarding Lindsay’s interest in possibly transferring to a school in Buffalo. The man tells Karen there had been an accident and Lindsay was struck by a tractor trailer while taking a walk. Karen could not believe what she was being told. Panic grows over her and she begins to scream and pace the room. Ian received the news at work and is quickly on his way to Strong Memorial Hospital with Karen to where Lindsay is taken by ambulance.

At the hospital Lindsay is in critical condition and is taken into emergency brain surgery for a traumatic brain injury. At that time Lindsay’s parents, brothers Mark and Scott, and boyfriend Billy are in the waiting room hanging onto every last shred of hope. When Lindsay comes out of surgery the swelling makes her unrecognizable. It is apparent that Lindsay will need a miracle to survive.

When the news reaches the Orchard Park community the whole town stops. All of Karen and Ian’s family still live in England. To the Matthews their family was their children, and their children’s friends and families. Needless to say caravans of Lindsay’s friends begin making the trip from Orchard Park to Rochester to visit Lindsay and her family.

Lindsay’s friends know she is too young to die and believe she can overcome anything. Before Lindsay’s friends enter the intensive care unit they have no idea what to expect. As her friends pour into the waiting room Karen collapses into their arms. She expresses that she feels as though this is a nightmare and she will wake up. Ian is attempting to crack jokes through his tears to comfort the visitors. Billy, the love of Lindsay’s life, sits expressionless in a chair in the waiting room. Only a few people are allowed in Lindsay’s hospital room at a time so the visitors must rotate in from the waiting room. Karen is overwhelmed and gracious for the amount of people that have come to support Lindsay and their family. She tells her friends she didn’t realize how many people loved Lindsay and asks them to tell her some of their favorite stories about Lindsay.

In Lindsay’s hospital room the situation is grim. Lindsay is in grave condition. She is on life support and wearing a vest that is hooked up to machines that move her chest up and down as oxygen is pushed into her lungs. Some of the initial swelling has gone down. Her friends are able to recognize her best by her nails because she had just got them done on Sunday. Her beautiful blonde hair is gone and replaced with a white bandage. Lindsay has just a few cuts on her. She has a broken pelvis and bleeding of the brain from the accident. Lindsay is unconscious as her oldest brother Mark sits by her side and wipes tears as they fall from her eyes.

Her friends begin to realize the severity of the situation when they are told Lindsay is going to be taken off of life support. Lindsay cannot breathe on her own so she will die when she is taken off of life support. Emphasis is placed on the fact that 19 year olds aren’t supposed to die. Lindsay should be worrying about the test she was supposed to take today rather than taking her last breaths. Karen hugs Lindsay as she lays in the hospital bed and tells her she doesn’t have to worry about books or school anymore. Karen then hugs Billy and expresses how she feels like she’s hugging Lindsay because she was always all over him. Everyone at the hospital seems to be shadows of themselves filled with immense devastation and absolute heartbreak.

The doctors inform Lindsay’s family that she will not be able to sustain her injuries from the accident. Donate Life’s Upstate New York Transplant Services meets with Lindsay’s family to discuss the donation of Lindsay’s organs. Karen is devastated to think her daughter isn’t even dead yet and they are talking about donating her organs. UNYTS is trained to deal with traumatic events and explains the procedure to Karen and the rest of the family. Lindsay will be able to keep giving even after her death. She will be able to save someone else’s child. The Matthews know this is what Lindsay would have wanted and make the decision to donate Lindsay’s organs.

Ian enters the waiting room where Lindsay’s friends are sitting. He informs them that they will be donating Lindsay’s organs to save someone else’s life. Karen tells them that they are unable to donate Lindsay’s heart because she is having artificial sporadic brainwaves from the brain surgery she had. She tells the room full of visitors that it is ok that Lindsay is unable to donate her heart because her heart belongs to her boyfriend Billy. Billy remains very strong during this time and is a support system for Karen and the family. Everyone is worried about Billy because he is staying so strong under such horrific circumstances.

Ultimately Lindsay is taken off of life support. Karen lets out a loud cry and collapses to the floor as Lindsay takes her final breaths. Karen feels as though a part of her went to heaven with Lindsay. A montage of different scenes and pictures are played almost like a flashback of Lindsay’s life from the day she was born until the day she died. All the images will be of Lindsay living life to the fullest surrounded by everything she loved.

Lindsay is quickly taken down to surgery where her organs are removed for donation. Billy insists on going down to the surgery floor with Lindsay because he does not want her to be alone. Lindsay keeps her heart after spending 19 years giving it away.

Production Techniques:

Camera Shots and Movements: Close up and medium shots will be used in this film to convey the emotion of the characters to the viewer. It is very important for the audience to connect emotionally with the characters and the close up and medium shots will help to do so. There will also be full shots to show a large group of people during the lacrosse game or in the hospital room.

Transitions: Transitions will be smooth and fades will be used when focused on the different characters in each city.

Music: The music will be upbeat and fun when the movie is focused on Lindsay’s life before the accident. The music will be mellow during the rest of the movie. There will be a mix of instrumental background music and music with lyrics during different parts of the movie. Some songs I would include on the soundtrack are:

Beyonce- I Was Here (During the flashback of Lindsay’s life when she is taken off of life support.)

SAMPLE SCRIPT

FADE IN

INT. DAY- IN THE WAITING ROOM OF THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT STRONG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

W10S KAREN, IAN, MARK, SCOTT, BILLY, AND LINDSAY’S FRIENDS.

This scene occurs when LINDSAY’S friend TARA arrives at Strong Memorial Hospital. TARA enters the waiting room of the Intensive Care Unit where LINDSAY’S family is.

M2S TARA AND KAREN.

KAREN is disoriented due to the traumatic circumstances and seems to fall into TARA’s arms when the girls arrive. KAREN lets out a moan of sadness.

KAREN

Oh Tara, oh dear god, why my Lindsay? Why?

TARA

I’m so sorry Mrs. Matthews. There is no reason for a terrible thing like this to happen to anyone.

KAREN

I feel like this is some sort of nightmare and I am going to wake up and my Lindsay will be ok.

TARA

The whole town has stopped for Lindsay. We are all praying for her and your family. All the kids at the Boys and Girls Club, everyone at Rite Aid, and the whole town is just praying that she will pull through.

KAREN

Oh Tara, I didn’t realize how many people loved her.

TARA

She means so much to so many people. We are all heartbroken.

KAREN

She is supposed to transfer home for school in January. Did you know that? She was going to be coming home.

TARA

All we can do is pray for a miracle. We love Lindsay so much.

TARA and KAREN continue to embrace as KAREN sobs in her arms.

KAREN

You know, when my Lindsay was in Kindergarten and going on the school bus for the first time I was so nervous. I was not ready to let her go. I would put Lindsay on the bus and the drive in my car behind the bus all the way to Lindsay’s school. I wanted her to experience the bus ride with the other children but I wanted to be there when she got off the bus to see her into her classroom. I did this for her entire first week of school. How could this have happened to my baby?

TARA answers by giving KAREN a big hug. KAREN then looks at TARA.

KAREN

Tara will you please tell me some stories about Lindsay. Please share some of the good times you two had together.

TARA

Of course. Lindsay and I have had some great times over the years.

FADE OUT

INT. DAY- LINDSAY’S FAMILY IS IN A BOARD ROOM AT STRONG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH LINDAY’S DOCTOR AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM DONATE LIFE, UPSTATE NEW YORK TRANSPLANT SERVICES

This scene occurs when the DOCTOR informs Lindsay’s family that she will not be able to sustain the injuries she suffered from the accident. Lindsay has a broken pelvis and bleeding of the brain. The DOCTOR informs the Matthews’ family that they have the opportunity to donate some of Lindsay’s organs.

W7S DOCTOR, UNYTS REPRESENTATIVE, KAREN, IAN, MARK, SCOTT, AND BILLY.

DOCTOR

Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, I regret to inform you that Lindsay’s injuries prove to be very severe. She is in grave condition. Lindsay is not going to survive. She is having some sporadic brain waves but they are artificial. They are from the emergency brain surgery we performed when Lindsay arrived at the hospital. Ultimately, Lindsay is brain dead. I would like you to discuss the possibility of donating Lindsay’s organs with the representative from Upstate New York Transplant Services.

KAREN

Oh no, oh god. My baby isn’t even dead yet and you want to talk about taking her organs?

UNYTS RESPRESENTATIVE

Karen, I am so sorry for this terrible tragedy. If any good can come out of this Lindsay’s death it will be that she was able to give the gift of life to someone else.

IAN

Karen, if we can save someone else’s baby we should donate.

KAREN

You’re right. Lindsay was also caring for others and I think she would want to be a donor.

UNYTS REPRESENTATIVE

Lindsay can keep giving, even after her death.

FADE IN

INT. DAY- INTENSIVE CARE UNIT WAITING ROOM.

After the conversation in the boardroom the Matthews family enters the waiting room where their friends are waiting for updates on LINDSAY’s condition.

W15S LINDSAY’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Follow up scene summary: Ian informs their loved ones that they will be donating Lindsay’s liver and two kidneys. Unfortunately, they are unable to donate her heart because she had a brain death rather than a cardiac death and taking her heart before it stops beating on its own would be killing her. Karen attempts to comfort the room by telling them that it is okay that Lindsay can’t give her heart away because she thinks it belongs to Billy.