British Comedy Guide

Possessed / Conservation

Ok here's my very first sketches. Be gentle with me Huh?
They're sorta related so I've put them together I was thinking of linking them in some way.

Possessed
------------

SCENE 1. INT. THE LOCAL PUB – NIGHT (22.30)

DAVE (LATE 30’S) AND MAN (EARLY 20’S) ARE AT THE BAR DRINKING A PINT AND TALKING. DAVE IS VERY DRUNK.

DAVE:
I just want to meet someone, y’know?
Someone to come home to (BEAT) Someone to be there for you (BEAT) Someone to -

DAVE TURNS TOWARDS MAN WHO IS NOW PASSIONATELY KISSING A YOUNG WOMAN

DAVE:
Oh, for God’s sake

DAVE DOWNS PINT

DAVE:
(TO BARMAN) Same again

SCENE 2. INT. NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT (2.00)

DAVE IS DANCING WILDY WITH PINT IN HAND. HE SLIPS ON PINT SPILLAGE AND LANDS HURTING ARM. GETTING UP HE SEES A LONE MOBILE PHONE LYING ON FLOOR. [TEXT READS:FANCY A DRINK?] DAVE REACTS CONFUSED

SCENE 2. INT. DAVES BEDROOM – DAY (8.14)

DAVE IS SLEEPING AND GRADUALLY WAKES UP. HE TURNS OVER AND SEES MOBILE PHONE ON THE PILLOW NEXT TO HIM. HE PULLS BACK STARTLED AND SCRAMBLES TO GET DRESSED. HE KNOCKS OVER EMPTY BOTTLE OF VODKA. HE PICKS UP BOTTLE AND SPOTS A MOBILE PHONE COVER ON THE FLOOR. HE SLOWLY PICKS IT UP. IT IS RIPPED. HE DROPS IT AND GASPS. HE EDGES TOWARDS DOOR.

DAVE:
Er…I have to go to work. I’ll…er…call you?

DAVE EXITS

SCENE 4. INT. DAVE’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT(6.30)

MOBILE PHONE IS PROPPED UP ON ARMCHAIR. DAVE ENTERS WITH MAIL. HE DROPS KEYS ON TABLE AND SORTS THROUGH MAIL. HE NOTICES PHONE AND JUMPS (DROPS MAIL). HE GLANCES TOWARDS CEILING THEN TO THE PHONE. HE SLOWLY APPROACHES PHONE POKES IT AND BACKS AWAY.

DAVE:
(UNDER BREATH) Probably some stupid joke (BEAT) Yeah, the bastards – I’ll get ‘em…

DAVE WALKS AWAY.
MOBILE PHONE RINGS. DAVE STOPS AND SLOWLY TURNS AND LOOKS AT PHONE. HE RELUNCTANTLY ANSWERS THE CALL.

DAVE:
Hello?

Phone:
(FX-COMPUTER VOICE) You have received one new voice text: I – love – you

DAVE SCREAMS AND THROWS PHONE THROUGH WINDOW

END
------------------

Conservation
--------------

SCENE 1. INT. SHOP – DAY

CASHIER AT TILL WAITING IN SHOP. DAVE ENTERS CHOOSES A BOXED ITEM TO BUY AND HANDS IT TO THE CASHIER

DAVE:
Hi, I’d like to buy this phone but I was wondering if you could give me some money off?

CASHIER:
Our sale ended last week, Sir

DAVE:
I know. The thing is I don’t want the packaging. I think it’s a waste and really bad for the environment. Could I just pay for the phone, and you could omit the packaging? What’s the packaging worth…say five quid? Maybe that’s a bit generous…

CASHIER GLANCES AT QUEUE OF CUSTOMERS BUILDING UP

CASHIER:
I don’t really think I am authorised to do that, Sir. In any case, it would probably void the warranty if I did.

DAVE;
(GRADUALLY GETTING LOUDER) Void the warranty? Void the warranty?! If I refuse to accept the cardboard box with a printed picture on it, and the egg box of a compartment inside,(CASHIER:- Sir…)
- the instructions that people smell instead of read because the ink gets them high and the little twisty sticks which you can’t seem to buy anywhere
(CASHIER:- Sir, Please…)
– if I refuse all these useless items it voids my warranty?

CASHIER:
OK…Alright (IN A LOWER TONE) I’ll knock the five pound off, but I could really get into trouble for this.

CASHIER HANDS DAVE PHONE WITHOUT PACKAGING, DAVE HANDS CASHIER MONEY

DAVE:
Thank you (BEAT) You see? Saving the environment isn’t that hard now is it? Cardboard packaging, plastic bags, tin foil (BEAT) it really is unnecessary in this world. We as a society should have moved on by now, don’t you think?

CASHIER:
Would you like a bag with that, Sir?

DAVE:
Er…yeah go on then

End
--------------

The part where the cashier interrupts - that should be at on the right, so it doesn't break up Dave's speech. But I can't get it like that for some reason.

First one -- 'Possessed' -- is good (though it took me a while to figure what on earth was going on). Got into it but I thought the ending could be a lot stronger.

Second one's a bit long for me for that single joke. Nothing wrong with it per se, just a bit predictable for me.

For the interruption, I'd just do it as standard formatting:

DAN:
So, if I was talking and you--

LUKA:
--interrupted--

DAN:
--yeah, interrupted, I'd just--

LUKA:
--carry on--

DAN:
--yeah, carry on as normal.

Hope that's all useful.

Dan

its so difficult to describe visual humour - but it something I like. I'm not completely satisfied with the second one. I wanted to add some more gags in there but I just can't think of anything good enough.

About the interuption - yes I will do that next time, it looks better - cheers for that.

I did like the first one a lot btw -- not sure that came across in the reply above; sorry!

Dan

I really like the way you've written the character Dave, I can see him in my mind and feel that I know him already. I think they both have potential. The second one probably would work better if it was cut to a few lines, like someone pointed out before. The first one, although didn't have a lot of typical "set up, punch line" jokes, was amusing because of Dave. I can imagine him in a sitcom. I feel the first could work really well, but something needs to be changed slightly... maybe it needs to be a bit slicker? Trimmed round the edges etc. That's pretty unhelpful advise! Either way, I enjoyed reading it!

Share this page