Speak before you shoot
A five minute Film
By
Evan Papamichael
Scene Breakdown
1.EXT.AthensAirportDawn
It is a dull, wintery European day. The plane just touched down at Athensairport. The silence which Evan felt, just five minutes ago, as the journey ended disappears.
All of a sudden there is noise everywhere. As Evan was on the tarmac, with his family, waiting for a bus to transport them to the main terminal area, an Air Steward cried out,” All overseas passengers proceed to disembark the plane.”
2.EXT.On the busDawn
Evan and his family board a bus which transports them to the airport terminal. Wait a minute, no one is speaking English. All of sudden Evan has a culture shock. What ever happened to the easy-going English language?
3.INT.In the airport terminalDawn
People rushing in all directions trying to get themselves organized. Passports opening and closing, plane tickets being flashed. All confusion everywhere. Was this a holiday or some sort of late night bad dream?
4.INT.Finding our relativesMorning
A tall, solid conservative gentleman approaches my family. He was holding a photo of us all. We approached and he asked who we were?” Are you the Papamichael family?” Wereplied,” Of course we are.” This was my first meeting with Uncle Stratos.
5.INT.Customs officers or sticky beaksMorning
Customs officers snooping around, all over our luggage. Trying to find something that was not there. Our luggage is given the all clear. We are ready and set to go.
6.EXT.Taxi tripMorning
While Evan is in the taxi with his family, travelling towards his Uncle Stratos’ apartment, everything changes for a split second. Evan asks himself, “Will he fit in with these wealthy, educated people? And what about communication between Evan and his Athenian relatives?
7.EXT.Culture shockAfternoon
Forget the modern, expensive western buildings of Melbourne. Evan was now in a cultural background, of derelect, run down buildings. Hardly any grass, parks, flowers or green areas.
8.EXT.Arriving at the apartmentAfternoon
Evan realized with shock and horror, that he was no longer in the leafy, tree lined streets of Melbourne. Everyone in Athens lived in an apartment.”Wow, what a difference,” said Evan to himself.
9.INT.Get used to itAfternoon
Evan was conscious of his ability to speak Modern Greek. This uneasy feeling was relieved by Uncle Stratos and his wife Aunty Antoinette.
10.EXT.Caught up with the copEvening
Evan’s life was about to change. He went for a stroll on his own to see the Military museum. Evan was lost and confronted a traffic cop to ask for directions. Would Evan be able to express himself properly?
11.EXT.ShowdownEvening
Not only did the policeman give Evan directions. But Evan was complemented by the policeman. Evan was told that his verbal expression was perfect. Policeman: “Evan, you just do not know how much potential you have.”
12.EXT.Potential and futureEvening
The policeman stated that Evan had a big future. And Evan was bouncing with intelligence according to the cop.
13.INT.Party timeAfternoon
Evan attended a party at Aunty Antoinette’s apartment. The guests complemented Evan on his verbal expression in Modern Greek.
14.INT.Showdown-Confidence sky rocketedAfternoon
Evan concluded his holiday, inAthens with a thrill. The transition in people’s perception of Evan, by those around him, would be implanted in Evan’s mind indefinitely.