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THE ART OF ACTING OUT: "Phill Collins Gets Shot" By Gregory D. Aronoff [email protected]

THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

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Page 1: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

THE ART OF ACTING OUT: "Phill Collins Gets Shot"

By

Gregory D. Aronoff

[email protected]

Page 2: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

EXT. SHADY STREET IN DENVER - NIGHT

A moving shadow of a man looms large on the side of a

building. Based on the shadow, he’s gotta be six foot easy.

And yoked.

As shadows go, we can’t see much definition, but we just get

a feeling - this is a bad man. Then the shadow stops.

From behind, we see two new shadows - walking quickly.

The first shadow moves again. The new shadows get closer.

The first shadow starts to jog - but the new shadows gain.

Finally, the first shadow breaks into a run and turns a

corner. We pan down and see PHILL COLLINS breathing hard,

peering around the corner.

Then TWO LITTLE KIDS race by and join their awaiting mother.

Phill sighs & shakes his head at himself, and continues

ONTO AN EMPTY OLD URBAN STREET

Chuckling to himself, he visibly relaxes and plugs earbuds

into his phone. When he hits play, classic Disney-ish music

soars.

And that’s ALL WE HEAR.

Now with pep in his step, he continues walking, then stops,

unrolls a Santiago’s menu from his pocket - but drops it.

As he bends down to pick it up, a FRANTIC WOMAN runs past...

quickly followed by a fucking SCARY GUY with a knife!

But when Phill stands up, they turn a corner and are gone.

Oblivious, Phill smooths out and

LOOKS AT THE MENU

The word Audition is hand written and circled by an address.

Page 3: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

2.

BACK ON PHILL

Who cranes his neck and really struggles to see the nearest

building’s address.

Meanwhile... a GUY WITH A PISTOL runs behind Phill, crosses

the street and dives for a car. Then comes up SHOOTING!

Phill still looking for the address, also doesn’t notice the

SECOND GUY WITH PISTOL firing on the first guy. Phill shrugs

and continues, while the two guys go the opposite direction.

Phill walks on, so fixated with reading the addresses that

he steps right on a moist personal lubricant.

Disgusted, he stops, turns and wipes his foot off...

Just as three HIGH SCHOOL GUYS sprint past - followed by a

Michael Myers type MAD WOMAN with a goddamn CHAIN SAW!

When Phill turns back around, they’re gone too.

Phill takes a step, then frustrated, he pulls out his phone,

reaches for the earbuds - and right as he unplugs them we

finally HEAR THE CHAOS that surrounds him.

Phill covers his head like in a war zone and looks like he

might have a panic attack. Eyes darting this way and that.

In the distance, a lone SANDWICH BOARD MAN with a sign that

reads "The END is near" slowly ambles in the street.

Phill tries to hide behind a telephone poll and dials.

INTERCUT

With TONY D. MANAGER nervously pacing back and forth.

TONY

(near whispering)

Yello?

PHILL

Tony! It’s Phill!

TONY

Who?

PHILL

Phill? Phill Collins!

(CONTINUED)

Page 4: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

CONTINUED: 3.

TONY

(near whispering)

Hey kid, make it snappy. I’m in

some stuff over here.

A SLEAZY CHARACTER flashes a gun in his belt to Tony.

PHILL

Um, Yeaaah - me too! I’m lost!

TONY

Relax kid, you’ll do great. Just

member what I taught ya.

ANOTHER SLEAZY CHARACTER whispers into Tony’s ear then

points to a barefoot AWKWARD GIRL in a coat. The girl

scratches her leg with a foot, and we see crazy hammer toes.

PHILL

No, I don’t belong here!

TONY

Calm down kid, calm down. Everyone

gets stage fright.

Tony gulps as he looks at the gun in Sleazy’s pants.

TONY

(like he’s advising himself)

Just gotta go through with it.

PHILL

I don’t know what I’m doing here! I

don’t even know what this audition

is for! And, I’m like...

Phill watches the Sandwich Board Guy getting closer.

TONY

You find out when you get there.

That’s how it goes sometimes. K, I

gotta ru...

PHILL

Wait! I’m literally about to die,

okay, and I’m starting to re-think

my whole decision to...

TONY

Yeah, I know. I know. Just nerves.

Have faith and keep going, keep

going. You’re in the right place.

Page 5: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

4.

Tony hangs up and nervously passes the two Sleazy Characters

who pat their belt, and walks into

A DARK ROOM

After a long beat a light KICKS on.

Tony is seated by two OTHER PEOPLE near a stage. A sign that

reads "Ms. Mile High Manicured" lights up the curtain.

Curtain rises then stops - we see a dozen painted toes -

along with the busted feet of Awkward Girl. Tony turns

around to Sleazy guys, winks, turns back and looks nervous.

BACK ON PHILL

PHILL

(to self)

Keep going? I’m in the right place?

Phill looks up to the CREEPY back alley.

PHILL

Through the back alley of death?

The Sandwich Board Guy with his "The END is near" sign is

right in the middle of the alley. Phill turns to leave,

stops, stares at the word audition. Then turns back around.

Phill slowly approaches the silent Sandwich Board Guy and

self-consciously pushes a button on his phone.

JOEY (OS)

What up bro?

Phill gets closer to the alley, and Sandwich Board Guy

shuffles toward him.

PHILL

Just tryin’ to find this audition.

Sandwich Board Guy gets right in Phill’s way.

PHILL

(awkwardly)

About to walk by a zombie den. You?

Sandwich Board Guy just stares right at Phill’s face.

(CONTINUED)

Page 6: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

CONTINUED: 5.

JOEY (OS)

Romero or twenty-eight days later?

Phill goes left, but Sandwich Board is there. Phill goes

right, but Sandwich Board stays in his way.

PHILL

Romero - I think. He hasn’t

mentioned ’brains’ yet though.

Phill jukes left, but Sandwich Board is surprisingly fast.

JOEY (OS)

(disappointed)

You’ll be fine. Oh, told my sister

you’ll finally take her out, so...

EXOTIC VOICE (OS)

(loud into phone)

No talk during massage.

Dial tone.

Phill mumbles, then keeps his eyes on Sandwich Board, while

his hands fly on his phone. Then Phill comes up with the

flash on his phone, BLINDS Sandwich Board and runs for it!

Sandwich Board turns to watch - and the back of his sign

reads "Buddhist Temple End, Crisis Support the Zen Way".

With the flashlight app on, Phill lights up the alley, and

we start to see unsettling graffiti...

Finally Phill nears the end of the alley and sees a

billboard with a man (who we’ll later meet is ’Jack Ace’)

holding a phallic shaped burrito in his mouth while a man’s

hand wipes sauce from his face.

We’re panning with Phill jogging - when he TRIPS and drops

out of frame, but we keep going to the building’s address.

Phill pops up and notices two things. He tripped over a BODY

on the ground, and that this is the location. He found it!

He jumps & does a leg kick - accidentally kicking the body.

Apologizing, Phill walks over the person on the ground,

who’s passed out or possibly dead, and knocks...

Nothing.

He KNOCKS louder this time.

And... nothing.

(CONTINUED)

Page 7: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

CONTINUED: 6.

Phill just shakes his head, like fuck my life, when...

MENACING VOICE

What you want white bread?!

Phill turns around and looks at the SCARY BOUNCER.

PHILL

Here for the, um... um, audition?

SCARY BOUNCER

Name?

PHILL

Phillip. Um, Phill.

SCARY BOUNCER

I got a Peterson and Pratt, but no

Phillip or Phill.

PHILL

(smiling)

Oh, that’s funny, no, Phill’s my

first name and...

SCARY BOUNCER

(not smiling)

K Mr. one-name superstar, you ain’t

on my list.

PHILL

Sorry, Collins. Phillip Collins.

SCARY BOUNCER

You’re Phil Collins?

There’s an uncomfortable pause as Scary Bouncer looks like

he might go ahead and beat the shit out of Phill for lying.

SCARY BOUNCER

(giddy as a school girl)

Get outta town?!

He pumps Phill’s hand and has a giant grin.

SCARY BOUNCER

The Tarzan soundtrack changed my

life! I’m a huuge fan - go on

through my man!

Phill can just smile and

Page 8: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

7.

ENTERS BRIGHT ROOM

Still waving. When the door shuts he turns around and stops.

And takes in an actual casting hall. Like a nice one. Posh

even. Phill looks unsure, like he’s about to get Punked when

an ATTRACTIVE FEMALE ASSISTANT comes out with a water.

ATTRACTIVE ASSISTANT

(handing water)

Phill? Just take a seat and I’ll

come and get you in a minute.

She exits and when Phill’s alone he allows himself a smile.

He’s actually here, on an honest to god audition.

He checks out the movie posters on the wall... "Kill Phil",

"Space Battles", "Hungover Bridesmaids".

Suddenly the interior door opens and the WORST STAGE MOM

you’ve ever met comes out, yanking her kid’s arm...

WORST STAGE MOM

Why couldn’t you act more natural!

POOR KID WITH WORST STAGE MOM

They were scary.

They reach the exit door, and just before the door closes...

WORST STAGE MOM

I knew I should have adopted that

little Asian girl instead!

POOR KID WITH WORST STAGE MOM

I’m adopted?

The door shuts and Phill does a double take before sitting.

The interior door swings open, and a good lookin’ man-boy

named JACK ACE comes out - in SLOW MOTION. And sparkling.

Back to Phill who looks impressed.

Then back to Jack Ace still in slow motion. Back to a very

confused Phill.

JACK ACE

And that’s how you do Stasalasky’s

technique for slow motion acting...

Thanks Billy.

He looks up at an INTERN on a ladder with a box of glitter.

(CONTINUED)

Page 9: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

CONTINUED: 8.

JACK ACE

(walking backwards)

Kisses... You’re fabulous.... Say

hello to the kids.

The door shuts. And like some kind of Keyser Soze

transformation, his sweet demeanor is instantly gone.

Jack Ace turns around and trips over Phill’s leg and CRASHES

to the ground.

JACK ACE

Not cool sport! Not cool! Don’t you

know who I am?!

PHILL

Um...

Phill tries to help him up, but Jack Ace hits his hand.

JACK ACE

Just the biggest commercial actor

in the state of Denver, that’s who

slick!

He pushes Phill and storms off, SLAMMING the exit door.

Phill looks around like that was weird.

Then after a beat - Jack Ace opens the door and sticks his

head back in...

JACK ACE

You really don’t know who Jack Ace

is? Really?! From such commercial

hits as ’Balls Deep Glove Oil’ and

’Reach Around Back Scratcher’?

PHILL

Sorry, I’m kinda new to...

JACK ACE

What, new to sucking?! You just

made my list chief! You’ll rule the

day you ever messed with Jack Ace.

You got that pilgrim!

PHILL

You mean ’rue the day’?

Then the Attractive Assistant comes out.

Jack Ace’s demeanor totally changes.

(CONTINUED)

Page 10: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

CONTINUED: 9.

ATTRACTIVE ASSISTANT

Phill?

JACK ACE

Oh, hi Janice! I was just tellin’

amigo here, he better be nice to my

favorite assistant or else. Tell

Jenny I’ll wait outside, kay?

He smiles at the Assistant, gives Phill a look, then exits.

Phill smiles at the Attractive Assistant who holds the door

open... then Phill’s DREAM GIRL comes out!

His eyes nearly bug out as they lock with hers - and she

smiles.

DREAM GIRL

Hiya tiger.

Phill manages a goofy smile, and as she passes, he can’t

help it - he smells the air. He turns and watches her all

the way till she exits.

Phill turns back - and is on cloud nine. Today = win.

Assistant nods her head like, hurry up Phill. Phill rushes

AUDITION ROOM

And stops. We’re in close and see his eyes scanning around.

With an homage to Wes Anderson, we pan over and see vintage

style video equipment, a newspaper reading CLOWN, a yoyo-ing

COWBOY, and in the corner TWO MOBSTER TYPES.

MOBSTER ONE

(to the other one)

This the kid?

(to Phill)

You the kid?

PHILL

I’m Gary and Joan’s kid.

MOBSTER TWO

Look at him bustin’ stones - you

gotta be Tony’s guy, right?

PHILL

Yesss?

(CONTINUED)

Page 11: THE ART OF ACTING OUT (episode 3) - Phill Collins Gets Shot

CONTINUED: 10.

MOBSTER ONE

Yeah well, if the boss’ daughter

don’t win that foot pageant, you

might not be no one’s guy.

MOBSTER TWO

Don’t mind him, Tony’ll be fine.

Unless he won’t be. But that ain’t

none of your concern... Good luck.

The mobsters whisper to themselves, then Mobster One

absently scratches his head with a gun.

The lights dim, and a spotlight shines on Phill.

CASTING DIRECTOR

Okay, Phill, what did you prepare?

Phill may or may not have just wet himself. And a visible

cold sore is now above his lip.

PHILL

(suddenly sweating)

Um..... Um....

The Clown shoots water at Phill.

QUICK CUT TO BLACK

ANNOUNCER

Next time on Acting Out...

It’s broad daylight, there’s a full crew and Phill has a bat

in his hands while a DIRECTOR talks to him.

DIRECTOR

I’m not feeling your anger. I need

you to be - red. You know? Like...

pretend you’re in a shitty job,

with no respect, that you hate...

Phill is about to lose his shit because he’s so angry now.

DIRECTOR

... and some jack hole,

right, some jack hole spits in

your coffee, and makes you drink

it.

CUT TO BLACK

But we still hear A HIGH PITCHED SHRIEKING.