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.
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