The Compromising Couch
SCENE 1: OUTSIDE HOUSE
EXTERIOR ESTABLISHING LONG SHOT OF SUBURBAN HOUSE WITH DRIVEWAY ON RIGHT SIDE OF HOUSE AT
DAYTIME.Start the music, Can's "She Brings the Rain" (Soundtracks, 1970), with the start of the establishing shot. A slow moving car with a couch precariously tied to the top of the car with ad-hoc ropes will enter the frame from the right. The girlfriend will be driving the car. As she turns the car into the driveway, one of her hands will be out of the open car: window and helping to prevent the couch from falling off of the car. The car will be stopped when it has entered the driveway. The back of the couch will be on the driver's side, and will always be facing in that direction as the couch is moved towards the house. Both will be dressed in conservative, comfortable, but good looking (no baseball caps, nothing garish or noticeably bad) clothes. The couch is a hide-a-bed couch.
CUT TO MEDIUM FULL SHOT OF CAR FROM PASSENGER'S SIDE AND HOUSE IN BACKGROUND.
Because the ropes are tied to the couch through the windows, it is not possible to open the
doors. The boyfriend will exit the car through the open window by first sitting on the door,
swinging one leg out of the window, and then, with hesitation, swinging the second leg out of the
door.CUT TO CLOSE SHOT OF WAITING GIRLFRIEND WITHIN CAR.
She will be looking at boyfriend who is out of the car now. she will then turn and look at the boyfriend.
CUT TO LONG SHOT OF BOYFRIEND.
Untying the knots that were done on his side of the car, just above the couch.
CUT TO MEDIUM LONG SHOT OF BACK OF CAR AND HOUSE.
The boyfriend is done untying the couch. He throws the ropes onto the ground, walks behind the car and waits. As he does this, the girlfriend opens the door and stands up, and closes the door. The boyfriend then points towards the opposite end of the couch, and she immediately grabs that end of the couch. He grabs the couch to, and they both lift the couch off of the car and onto the ground.
CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT BOYFRIEND, ANGLED SO THAT WE CAN SEE HALF OF HIS FACE. STAIRS OF HOUSE AND GIRLFRIEND IN BACKGROUND.
The boyfriend will point towards the couch and then move to form an angle with his elbow to indicate the angle that the couch must be on to best move the couch over the stairs. Girlfriend will mimic the same hand gesture. Boyfriend will then make a 'no' gesture with his hands and face, and then repeatedly move his arm with the elbow at an exaggerated angle.
CLOSE SHOT UP GIRLFRIEND, HOUSE AND STAIRS IN BACKGROUND.She will be facing the camera, listening to boyfriend, then she will look at stairs, look back at boyfriend, and then nod in agreement.
CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT OF COUPLE AND THE COUCH ON THE STAIRS.
She will lift couch onto the stairs open the door, open the main door and then use her body to
hold the second door open throughout the scene. Make sure that they both suddenly look at the
door as it is being opened. Boyfriend will repeat his arm waving angle gestures. Girlfriend will
then lift the couch off of the stairs. Boyfriend will angrily repeat his arm waving angle
gestures.CUT TO LOW ANGLE SHOT, WITH GIRLFRIEND ON TOP OF STAIRS.
She moves the couch higher off of the stairs, smiles, and then they proceed to move the couch up the stairs.
SCENE 2: HALLWAY AND KITCHEN
CUT TO BACK OF GIRLFRIEND IN A MEDIUM SHOT, INTERIOR OF HOUSE.She is moving the couch into the house. The couch is entirely moved into the house. They let the couch down, and as the door c10ses shut, they both put their hands to their ears. The boyfriend then goes to the door and moves the door while looking at the hinges.
CUT TO CLOSE SHOT OF GIRLFRIEND, FACING TOWARDS CAMERA.
She is rolling her eyes, looking upset because he is wasting his time by fixing the squeak in the
door.BACK TO MEDIUM SHOT OF COUPLE AND COUCH.
He climbs over the couch, with his shoes on, and gets off of the couch to the right frame..
LONG SHOT WITH A HIGH ANGLE OF BACK OF COUCH, BOYFRIEND, AND JACKET CLOSET CONTAINING WINTER JACKETS, WHICH CONTAINS A SHELF WITH SEVERAL SPRAY CANS ON IT.
Boyfriend opens the closet, and grabs a can of WD-40 or Squeak Remover. He then places the spray
can on the couch, and then grabs the couch in an attempt to angle the couch so that he has more
room next to the door to fix the squeak. As he grabs the couch to move it, he grabs the handle
which opens the hide-a-bed part. Not expecting this, he flies back into the wall.
CUT TO CLOSE SHOT OF GIRLFRIEND, FACING CAMERA RIGHT..She is looking concerned. She then looks bemused, laughs, and then smiles. She then looks towards the door, facing the camera.
BACK TO LONG SHOT WITH HIGH ANGLE.
She crawls over the couch, grabs the can of WD-40 or Squeak Remover, quickly sprays the offending hinge of the door with it, tosses the can to the boyfriend, and then exits the frame via the door. As she does this, he climbs over the couch towards the door which is across from the couch. He will be on the couch when he catches the can, and will just throw it on the ground to the left (away from the second door).
CUT TO MEDIUM FULL SHOT OF BOYFRIEND INSIDE KITCHEN. A FRIDGE WILL BE VISIBLE IN THE SCENE.Show boyfriend enter scene from the left, go towards fridge, open the fridge door, look for a while.
CUT TO CLOSE-UP POINT OF VIEW SHOT OF FRIDGE CONTENTS. THE FRIDGE WILL BE WELL STOCKED WITH MILK, EGGS, ETC. AND WILL ALSO CONTAIN A FULL BOTTLE OF WINE. CUT BACK TO MEDIUM FULL SHOT OF BOYFRIEND.
Closes fridge door, then turns around and 1ooks towards the camera.
CUT TO MEDIUM LONG SHOT OF EMPTY, OLD COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM, WHICH IS VISIBLE FROM THE
KITCHEN. AN UNLIT FIREPLACE WILL BE VISIBLE WITHIN THE SCENE.Zoom in.
INTERCUT WITH TELEVISION THAT THE BOYFRIEND IS WATCHING.
CUT TO FLASHBACK. FRONT VIEW OF COUCH, WITH ENTIRE COUCH WITHIN THE SHOT. THE BOYFRIEND, WHO IS
WEARING MUCH SCRUFFIER CLOTHING AND A BASEBALL CAP, IS EATING AND WATCHING TV ON THE OLD COUCH.
HE IS EATING HAM FROM A TIN TOPPED WITH CHEESE-IN-A-CAN, AND A CAN OF REDI-WHIP (WHIP CREAM IN A
CAN). ALL THE FOOD NOT BEING EATEN IS PLACED ON THE OLD COUCH. THE LIGHT IN THIS SCENE WILL BE
DARKER.Boyfriend eats very messily, starting with the ham and cheese. He is eating straight from the tin. After spraying the ham with the cheese, he takes a fork and eats a very large portion of it. He then puts the tin of ham back on the table, grabs the can of Redi-Whip, tips his head back, but keeps his eyes on the television screen while doing so. He then fills his mouth with the whipped cream. He spills some whip cream on the old couch, and then calmly wipes it off with his hands.
CUT BACK TO LONG SHOT OF EMPTY, OLD COUCH.
Zoom out.
CUT BACK TO MEDIUM FULL SHOT OF BOYFRIEND PRESENT TIME.
Still looking at camera, with the fridge door still open. He then quickly moves his head left, towards the door. He then walks out of the scene towards the left, closing the door on his way.
BACK TO LONG SHOT WITH HIGH ANGLE OF COUCH AT THE DOOR.
The girlfriend is tying down the hide-a-bed part of the couch with the same rope that was used to tie the couch to the top of the car. After doing this, she climbs over the couch to go to the end of the couch that is nearest the door. The boyfriend then moves towards the other side of the couch in a similar manner.
CUT TO MEDIUM ANGLE, MEDIUM SHOT OF COUCH AND THE COUPLE.
INTERCUT BETWEEN CLOSE SHOTS OF GIRLFRIEND AND BOYFRIEND.Girlfriend points and moves head to indicate that they should move the couch down the hallway. Boyfriend slowly shakes head in agreement in a condescending manner to indicate that that is obvious. He then makes motions to say that they should lift the couch, talking while he does so. Girlfriend makes a similar condescending show of agreement.
BACK TO MEDIUM ANGLE MEDIUM SHOT OF COUCH AND COUPLE.
They begin to move the couch down the hallway.
SCENE 3: LIVING ROOM
CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT IN THE LIVING ROOM, WITH WALL OF HALLWAY ON LEFT SIDE OF FRAME.
Couple will enter the living room from the hallway. First we will see the boyfriend with the couch, and then we will see the girlfriend enter. The couch will have the back of itself facing the camera. The excess rope from tying the hide-a-bed part will be swung over the couch, and should be visible. The boyfriend should be looking towards the old couch which will be visible in the scene in the background.
CUT TO CLOSE UP OF BOYFRIEND AS HE MOVES THE NEW COUCH AND LOOKS AT THE OLD COUCH.
CUT TO POINT OF VIEW LONG SHOT OF EMPTY, OLD COUCH FACING TOWARDS CAMERA.
The boyfriend is looking at the couch as he is moving, so therefore the camera should shake and be moving right to indicate this.
CUT TO FLASHBACK. FRONT VIEW OF COUCH, WITH ENTIRE COUCH VISIBLE. WE ARE AT A PARTY THAT WAS HELD
BY THE BOYFRIEND. THE GIRLFRIEND, WEARING BETTER CLOTHING, IS SITTING NEXT TO THE BOYFRIEND WHO
IS ALSO WEARING MUCH BETTER LOOKING CLOTHING. OTHER MEMBERS OF PARTY ARE VISIBLE ON THE COUCH AND
STANDING AROUND. THE FIREPLACE IS LIT. EVERYONE IS CARRYING A DRINK. THERE ARE SEVERAL KINDS OF
DRINKS ON THE COFFEE TABLE IN FRONT OF THE COUCH.The girlfriend has her legs on the boyfriend. A girl who is sitting next to them on the couch spills her drink on the couch while talking to someone else. Everyone reacts to the spilling. The girl tries to rub it out. The boyfriend reaches into the coffee tables' drawer, pulls out some stain remover in a spray can, and sprays the stain remover on the couch, while the girlfriend rolls her eyes and looks annoyed. She mouths the words, "oh god."
CUT BACK TO CLOSE-UP OF BOYFRIEND AT PRESENT TIME, WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUND TO INDICATE THAT HE HAS MOVED WHILE HE WAS THINKING OF THE PAST.
CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT OF THE LIVING ROOM, WITHOUT WALL OF HALLWAY. THE OLD COUCH AND THE UNLIT FIREPLACE SHOULD BE VISIBLE IN THE BACKGROUND.
The couple will move the couch towards the older one, arguing the entire way and visibly yelling directions at each other. They will reach the old couch. Couple will then start to let the couch down.
CUT TO PANNING DOWN CLOSE UP OF GIRLFRIEND, LOOKING CAMERA RIGHT.CUT TO PANNING DOWN CLOSE UP OF BOYFRIEND, LOOKING CAMERA LEFT.
Keep face centered in both close up shots. Jittery camera movements to indicate they are looking at each other putting the couch down. Will still be yelling directions at each other. He will look hurt while yelling "faster, faster" and she will be shaking her head, saying that she can't.
CUT TO MEDIUM FULL HIGH ANGLE SHOT OF BOTH GIRLFR1END AND BOYFRIEND WITH COUCHES.
Both will be looking at the old couch, which is now on the floor, and then at each other. Boyfriend will look at couch, while girlfriend still looks at boyfriend.
CUT TO CLOSE UP OF BOYFRIEND, LOOKING DOWN AT OLD COUCH.
CUT TO ABOVE VIEW MEDIUM SHOT OF EMPTY OLD COUCH.
CUT TO FLASHBACK. FRONT VIEW OF COUCH, WITH ENTIRE COUCH VISIBLE. WE ARE SEEING THE GIRLFRIEND
AND BOYFRIEND WATCHING A MOVIE TOGETHER. BOTH ARE VERY CLOSE TOGETHER, BUT ARE WATCHING THE MOVIE.
CUT TO TELEVISION WHICH IS SHOWING THE MOVIE THAT THE TWO ARE WATCHING.
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Scene near end of movie where it rains while both are hugging each other.
CUT BACK TO GIRLFRIEND AND BOYFRIEND WATCHING MOVIE TOGETHER.
CUT BACK TO MEDIUM FULL HIGH ANGLE SHOT OF BOTH GIRLFR1END AND BOYFRIEND IN PRESENT T1ME.Both will lift the old couch over the new one, and then push the new couch into its position against the wall. Both will stand back. He will be untying the rope which is holding the hide-a-bed part. She will put her hands to her hips.
INTERCUT WITH MEDIUM CLOSE SHOTS OF GIRLFRIEND AND BOYFRIEND.
She will then attempt to describe the perfect position for the couch by using the typical photographic framing technique (fingers in an L position) and emphasizing important distances by moving her hands like she is pulling a tape measure. He will shrug and then shake his head yes while she is doing this.
CUT BACK TO MEDIUM FULL HIGH ANGLE SHOT OF BOTH GIRLFRIEND AND BOYFRIEND.
She will then exit the scene towards the left, while the boyfriend makes adjustments to the new couch. He then sits in the new couch, and then looks towards the left.
CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT OF GIRLFRIEND HOLDING SAME BOTTLE OF WINE THAT WAS IN THE FRIDGE BEFORE WITH
TWO GLASSES. SHE IS LOOKING CAMERA RIGHT.
She will hold the bottle of wine. point the bottle towards the boyfriend, move her eyebrows up,
tilt head, and shrug shoulders -- asking the boyfriend if it is OK to have wine right now.CUT TO CLOSE-UP OF BOYFRIEND SITTING IN NEW COUCH.
Nods head in agreement. His eyes will be looking up at her.
CUT TO CLOSE-UP OF GIRLFRIEND STANDING.
She smiles. Eyes looking down slightly.
CUT TO SIDE ANGLE MEDIUM 2 SHOT OF COUCH.
She enters the scene from the left, and sits down on the couch. She pours the drinks into one of the wine glasses, gives the glass to him, pours another, and then puts the bottle down. Both hold up drink, and clink glasses three times: once at the top, once at the bottom, and then both glasses together vertically.
FADE OUT.