Yay! I'm back! And guess who went to Senoia, GA to see the set of TWD? That's right. Anyway Hope everyone had a fun and SAFE holiday week. I will continue to update the two scenes a week though I can't promise a certain day.
ACTING TIP: Film acting is very much different from theater though it's still the same. The camera picks up EVERYTHING! Notice a few characters in the show (EX: Michonne) and how still they are. This is freaky, but the camera is a soul seer so your THOUGHTS CAN BE SEEN no matter how small they are. GROUNDING yourself and finding your STILLNESS in certain shots (mostly close ups) is a great technique to contain any nervous energy and channel emotions to your face. But keep in mind this could vary by genre for with comedy you can get away with being a bit over the top. Learning camera techniques is a great way to advance as an actor.
EXT. ALEXANDRIA- DAY
Tessa sits at a table finishing the crossword puzzle/riddle book until SLAM. On the table a dead opossum. She glances at it then turns her attention back to the puzzle.
TESSA
I'm not cleaning that.
DARYL
I didn't ask you too.
TESSA
I'm not eating that.
DARYL
(teasing)
Some country girl.
TESSA
And as one I will eat raccoon, squirrel,
rabbit and deer but I will not eat possum.
Its probably "playing possum."
DARYL
Naw, It's as good as dead.
Rick steps out onto the deck.
RICK
Hey, Tessa. Come walk with me real quick.
Tessa hesitates for a moment then closes the book, gets up and follows Rick out into the yard.
CUT TO:
Rick waits for Tessa to catch up. They start to walk together.
RICK
I never thanked you for bringing
back those supplies. Guess I was a bit...
dumbfounded that you found
such needed quantity.
TESSA
You're welcome.
RICK
(Beat) You say you got lucky?
TESSA
Yep. I have a horseshoe up my ass. That's my only explanation.
Rick is a bit suspicious.
RICK
Well, how far did you go before you got "lucky".
TESSA
Why does that matter?
RICK
Just curious. Maybe there is more.
We can search around for oth-
TESSA
There's not. I checked. Let's leave well
enough alone for now. There's enough
food to last a month in a half, hygiene
for two maybe three. When that
runs out we'll talk.
Rick studies her stand offish expression but nods in agreement.
RICK
Alright.
TESSA
Excuse me.
Tessa walks off.
RICK IS LEFT WITH HIS THOUGHTS.
EXT.- ALEXANDRIA- WATCH TOWER- NIGHT
Tessa sits in the dark guard tower alone observing the few Walkers outside the gates. She watches them with empty emotion not daring to waist bullets on the few. A moment pass until something in the distant trees catches her attention. She gets up and goes to the opposite window to better view the faint red light eerily flowing through the woods like a beacon. Her breathing quickens as she lifts the rifle to look through the scope. It passes between the trees. Now she sees it. Now she don't until suddenly... it stops.
Tessa is tempted to squeeze the trigger but at such a range she knows she won't make the shot.
Then, just as it appeared, the red light vanishes back into thin air and the woods goes completely dark.
FADE IN THEME MUSIC:
Tessa is clearly a bit shaken and keeps her weapon aimed. But after a moment of seeing no additional signs, she lowers her weapon. Heart bounding and a sudden chill consuming her body, Tessa tries to steady her breathing.
OPENING CREDITS...
