GIFTBOX

Film Opening Sequence

by Rica Angelica Adarlo

Based on Room

by Emma Donoghue

FADE IN FROM BLACK

INT. A BEDROOM - DIM LIGHT

The film sequence opens with a medium shot, showing JACK

going into the Wardrobe, fixing a pillow and lying down.

SON (VO)

I was four last night. Today, I’m five.

FADE TO BLACK

INT. A BEDROOM - BRIGHT

A sound of a Lamp switches on, and half of the screen fades

in, then fades out. It then fades in and out and the screen

(to mimic JACK’s eyes adjusting to the brightness of the

room)

a close-up shot above MA and JACK, who are both lying in

Bed. MA has her right arm over her eyes.

JACK

Was I minus numbers?

MA

(quietly)

Hmm?

MA, lifts her arm and looks slightly to her left where her

SON, who now sits up.

JACK

Up in Heaven? Was I minus one,

minus two, minus three-?

MA

Nah, the numbers didn’t start till

you zoomed down

JACK

Through Skylight. You were all sad till

I happened in your tummy. Then you wished

and wished on your egg till you got fat.

MA, leans out of the Bed and slowly reaches for the string

of the lamp. The camera then cross cuts to show Ma leaning

and pulling the string of the Lamp (to make it appear like

a person seeing the two characters) and it switches on. MA

lies back in Bed.

MA

(laughs softly)

I could feel you kicking. From

the inside, boom boom.

MA, yawns and stretches then sits on the edge of the Bed,

and then rubs her eyes. She gets up to go make breakfast

and walks to the kitchen sink and crouches down.

FADE TO BLACK

INT. SINK CUPBOARD

The shot shows MA opening the cupboard, grabbing a small

pan. She then looks back at JACK, who is now sat on the

edge of the bed, kicking his feet slightly and is nibbling

his thumb.

MA

Tell me, Mr. Five, would you like your

present now or after breakfast?

The SON looks up and smiles widely.

JACK

What is it, what is it?

MA

I know you’re excited, but remember

not to nibble your finger, germs

could sneak in the hole.

MA close the cupboard and a slightly high medium shot from

behind her shows her placing the pan onto the stove. She

then walks back to Bed where JACK is and gently pulls his

hand away from his mouth. JACK giggles softly and climbs

back into the Bed. The shot cuts to a close up of the Watch

(clock), which reads 07:14. A POV shot from the Watch then

quickly cuts to see JACK looking up at the wall and then

back at MA. The shot cuts to an over the shoulder shot,

showing MA.

MA

So, Mr. Five - now or later

or will I choose for you?

JACK

Now I’m five, I have to chose.

I choose - now.

MA

Ok, close your eyes.

The camera goes from behind JACK’s head and the shot fades

to black. It then fades in, showing MA lifting her pillow

and grabbing a roll of paper.

MA

(excitedly)

You can open your eyes now

The shot fades in and is now in JACK’s POV. The shot shows

MA handing JACK a roll of paper with a purple ribbon around

it. JACK removes the ribbon, gently, and unravels the

scroll of paper, which shows a drawing of him asleep. He

tilts it slightly (to show that he doesn’t understand what

it is meant to be).

JACK

Oh, it’s me! Why are the eyes of me shut?

MA

You were asleep. I was awake yesterday

morning and the day before and the

day before that, I put the lamp

on and drew you

The shot cuts to a medium shot showing MA looking worriedly

at JACK. JACK looks sad and puts the drawing down. She

crawls next to him and hugs him.

MA

What’s up, Jack? You don’t like it?

JACK

Not - when you’re on at the same time I’m off

MA

Well, I couldn’t draw you while you were awake,

or it wouldn’t be a surprise,would it?

JACK

I prefer a surprise and me knowing

The shot fades to black and the title comes on.

END OF SCENE