Story Board

Bullying Script

Script for Scene Bullying

School Bullying Clip Analysis

      The scene is set in a school car park; this is shown by the movement of the camera it pans around the area then zooms in from the ground to the schools logo this makes the symbol key and important, the height of which the camera climbs can suggest high standards of the school, the deer representing pride. The movement from the camera as it scans the car park can suggest we, are looking through the eyes of a person a student or teacher. Majority of the cars are black this creates a depressing mood also a foreshadowing moment. No sound is used in the clip this creates a silent and lonely mood the cars cover most of the scene making the path to the buildings unclear, the only access to the entrance is shown but it leaves the question why is there nothing there?

     In the next scene we are introduced to a character, the camera zooms in on him from a distance this makes him the main character. He wears black clothing suggesting a negative image, he wears a red fez this suggests his background culture, the colour stands out making it noticeable. The colour red symbolises danger this could suggest the character could be a target or a victim another foreshadowing event. The only sound we can hear is his footsteps the sound echoes showing he is alone. As the character approaches the entrance he is stopped by another pupil “what the hell are you wearing?” he wears brighter clothing an opposite to what the main character is wearing this is an opposing force, the bully of the clip. He does not reply showing a timid side to him, we are not told his name this suggests he prefers to keep to himself.

     Next we have our main character dashing down a corridor hands on his face almost shielding himself from reality, he’s not wearing his fez this shows he is trying to fit in with everyone but it is unsuccessful with this as he is alone again only his footsteps can be heard. The long shot gives a dramatic effect to the mood also makes us sympathise with him.

     At this moment we witness the tension building, the teacher who is also wearing black asks the main character if he is ok but is quickly ignored. His footsteps are stilled heard as the pupil runs away this is still foreshadowing as he has been running ever since he arrived at the school and it makes the audience wonder where he will run to. The sound of the footsteps get lighter and lighter as the pupil runs off creating a distance from the pupil and the teacher, this goes back to the high standards of the school. The teacher turns slowly to the window, we see a female student who does match the expectations of the school her bright blond hair stands out symbolising peace, she is also alone this shows the students are all alone. As the main character runs away we cannot hear his footsteps this could show his time is running out as he can no longer run from his problems.

    

Our main character runs down the corridor he is confused not knowing where to run to and decides to hide in a cupboard. He attempts to end his life a close up of him making a noose creates tension as there is no sounds not even the sound of footsteps, this is the climax building as we don’t know anyone who will help him. The noose is black representing death, this recurring colour was foreshadowing this event. The death of a teenager at school. We see the frightful moment where we witness the life being taken from the pupil, we can only hear him chocking making the scene more dramatic and horrific, the sound of his legs hitting the wooden wall can symbolise the sound of a wooden coffin closing.The teacher bursts into the room and sees the lifeless body he tries to help by grabbing the body to support it and save his life, the light entering the room from the opening of the door can symbolise the doorway to heaven. The clip ends leaving the audience wondering if the pupil survived.

School Bullying Re-enactment

School Bullying Clip

    

      A clip from Waterloo Road it shows an extreme form of bullying where the victim, Harry tries to drown himself in the swimming pool. Harry is bullied for what he has to wear in the clip (brightly coloured swimming trunks) and how he looks. The comments thrown at him makes Harry feel singled out and alone as not even the teachers notice how he feels or how he is being treated.

      The scene is first set with Harry alone in a changing room, the fact he separates himself from the other boys can suggest he does not feel comfortable around them as could feel exposed, getting changed with other boys. The background music creates slight tension as the pace builds up, the sound of the locker closing can represent Harry's fate being sealed, the plan to steal his trunks has been done and the next stage of the bullies plan is about to unfold.

      The camera is focussed on the swimming pool as Harry walks past, his reflection is seen in the water, this is a foreshadowing event it creates more suspense to the clip. The convocation between the teacher and Harry is paced; we can tell the teacher is not focussed on Harry's problem. She turns her head quickly "what is it?" This sounds similar to how a teenager would speak to another person, this can suggest the teacher acting like a school girl as she doesn't reply to Harry in a polite manner but instead she is more focused on talking to the male swimming instructor.

      As Harry comes out of the changing room with his bold trunks the music dies down, this is done so the audience can hear the comments the other students make and so the audience can empathize with Harry. A behind the shoulder shot is used so the audience can see from the angle the other students are standing also a medium close up of Harry is used often as he walks past his peers. As Harry is shoved into the pool the camera falls as well giving more of a dramatic effect as he emerges from the water another over the shoulder shot has been used but this time for the audience to see from Harry’s point of view, we see the bullies Fin and Josh in the main view point with the added members of the class standing behind them this could represent how the other students follow the two boys and not try to help Harry.

      We see how the pool is divided with majority of the class around the Fin the main bully and Harry by himself the fact that he floats by himself can represent how he has been cast away from the social groups in his class. The sound of rude comments about Harry echo in the pool as they are being chanted we see what Harry is seeing all the students laughing and looking at him we see this from his own eyes. Harry takes his last gasp of air as he begins to sink underwater, the camera becomes unfocussed this can symbolize his mind becoming unclear and alone. The slow music shows times slowing down and Harry’s connection to reality and life fading away. Editing has been done, slow motion has been added to Harry’s movement this adds to reality slowing down and Harry’s life ending but this movement stops the water explodes as the swimming instructor rescues Harry and brings him to the surface. Reality hits the class as they did not notice Harry was in danger, even Fin is shocked, the swimming instructor says “I will check him over to be sure” this is the attention Harry has not received during the whole clip. It finishes with Harry smiling and the teachers hand on his head this can represent love, comfort or protection because finally Harry is being noticed.

      I will be working in a team to re-enact this scene but include our own ideas for the way the victim is treated and how he feels as this will give more of a understanding of why a child would want to take their own life.

Cutting it analysis

“Cutting it”

By Stephanie Rallison

     From the first scene we are given an insight to the two main characters, a close up of their hands holding shows trust also a worrying atmosphere. The male character does not know where they are going while the female character pays the taxi cab, this can symbolise the female as the dominant partner in the relationship. The female character is going to a consultant suggesting she may have cancer or a form of illness, as she walks away her coat is unbuttoned and open this gives a brave figure, as she spoke to her partner the 180’ rule is used a lot and quick cut scenes adds pace to the scene and conversations.
     In the consultants room the female character has a brave face while she begins to cry, there is an aerial shot of the room this could symbolise death, it makes the audience wonder if she does have cancer. As she is being given the news she has a brave reassuring smile trying to remain in control, in a cut scene to that, the camera pans across her partner who waits patiently outside, with the same reassuring smile as he focuses on his wedding ring, a close up of the ring represents love, commitment and trust. Going back to the consultant room another aerial shot is done showing God, heaven looking down on the consultant and his patient, this can represent judgement her life at a standstill.
     As she leaves the room she ties up her coat this can symbolise her secrets and feelings being bottled up she wants to keep everything in control. In the background we see members of the public wearing white coats this represents peace, meaning the female character does not have cancer, also being set outside of the hospital there are no doctors or nurses standing outside the building, this could also prove she doesn’t have cancer, she is free from treatment no more doctors , nurses and tests.
     As the female character returns to her partner a dramatic event takes place she calls out “guess what!” A large vehicle passes in front of her, silence comes and the sound of glass breaking fills the screen a exploding smash echoes making the scene freeze. The mysterious vehicle passes and we see the female lying on the curb and white roses scattered next to her broken body. The roses symbolise a wedding, love peace hospital sickness and death. Editing has been done a lot to this scene, slow motion as the camera shakes gives the audience a look through the male characters angle, and this puts us in his shoes. We hear the thumping of a heart beat this adds to the dramatic effect also symbolising love and shock, all he can hear is his own heart beating or this could be the heart from the injured partner slowly getting quieter and quieter. The male partner rushes to help her he knocks over the chair which she would of sat on, no one notices her lying injured on the pavement or the chair falling to the ground this could shoe the two main characters are alone only there for each other . His run and actions are all in slow motion this is dramatic and shows the shock going through his mind and body, as he attempts to run across the road, he still checks for passing cars so he doesn’t have the same fate as his partner, no other vehicles stop to let him pass safely or stop for the women on the pavement this adds to the idea they are lonely. As he makes it to her, comforting her cold body as she slowly slips away the white roses next to her and the sound of violins in the background representing grief, sadness, fear we have a bird’s eye view of the couple, their last moment together his watch on his wrist indicating the time of death a foreshadowing moment. Lastly the female character whispers “a perfect day” this could suggest they were married in the morning as this would explain their smart clothes and the many times the rings are in the camera shot showing their commitment to each other and the consult was planned to be done after they were married. The quote could be stating she doesn’t have cancer making the day be summarised as perfect.
     In conclusion the clip was mostly suggesting theories about the characters and the question about if the women was cleared from cancer is still a mystery, however this could of been intended by the director to get the audience involved. Overall the clip was enjoyable and had a variety of camera angles and actions in each scene.