SHORT FILM: Crush [2001]

Crush

FADE UP:

INT. DARKENED SCREENING ROOM - DAY

A class of around 30 students are sat watching a film on a cinema screen. From a shot placed at the front of the room, we see the dimly-lit projection booth at the back. Almost against the glass, his head resting on his folded arms, is a BOY watching the film from inside.

INT. PROJECTION BOOTH - SAME TIME

From behind him, the projection equipment hums as the film plays through the glass. A cut to a point-of-view shot then reveals what he is actually looking at: down below in the screening room is sat a GIRL of the same age, obliviously watching the film.

FADE TO:

INT. SCREENING ROOM - MONTHS LATER

The students from the previous establishing shot have now changed positions around the room, and a different film plays. The GIRL is still sat in exactly the same place one row from the back. Up in the projection booth behind her sits the BOY, looking out as before.

INT. PROJECTION BOOTH - SAME TIME

A virtual reprisal of the previous scene is run. The BOY gazes through the glass in front of him, watching the GIRL.

FADE TO:

INT. SCREENING ROOM - MONTHS LATER

Once again, a different film rolls. Everyone has switched places around the room, save for the GIRL, who is slumped in her chair near the back of the room, her eyes closed.

INT. PROJECTION BOOTH - SAME TIME

The BOY gazes serenely through the rectangular windowpane as he watches her sleep. He reaches out and touches the glass in front of him. She stirs slightly.

CUT TO:

EXT. UNIVERSITY BUILDING - LATER

In long shot, we see the BOY catch up with the GIRL as she walks away. He stops her and shuffles awkwardly as he attempts to talk to her. Their conversation is obscured by the distance but it is obvious from the pair’s body language that she is turning him down.

FADE TO:

INT. PROJECTION BOOTH - MONTHS LATER

The BOY looks down onto the GIRL once again from behind the glass and presses his hand against the pane.

INT. SCREENING ROOM - SAME TIME

The GIRL stares ahead obliviously, watching the film as it plays in front of her. In the background, the BOY is left isolated up in the small room behind her, only able to gaze down at her in a state of longing and separation. We hold on this image before cutting to black.

C.C. 14/2/01