Kayfabe from the Creek

While clearing up some space on my hard-drive a couple of the scripts were floating around and this one is from one of our more recent projects called "Fistswings '76"

The behind the scenes context for what is being post is once we wrapped up filming the movie, we had a phone call and I made it clear to Steve that we had unfinished business with this film. There is not a let's wait and see possibility. There was still more story left to be told. I understood the inspiration for what was going to be a freeze frame psychotic moment ending shot but....this was one of those matches where things don't end just because the bell rang. Everyone knows it takes four wipes to know it only took three.

This portion of the film also demonstrates why we tend to use multiple directors and, really, we are a team of filmmakers and artists aspiring for something cool and not after the stock shit-chat and standard interview answers. It's better to have multiple artists on these projects because it's like a special forces unit and requires a lot of performance overlap and shared knowledge to produce this material.

In this section we split up the script into sections; a meeting in the park and the finale at the boardwalk and then the events at the house Ryan worked with the Spinelli's to set up the character activities, like watching King James and being excited about Pete Girard, poppin' hot buttered corn in the microwave, passing out reading a copy of Wake by Michael Spinelli, and then day off we improvised the details of the fighting and the Tom and Jerry style stuff in the house.

Typically here is what a working script might look like., this is what we were using.

To be more specific, the writers in this portion of the script switch between two people starting from the word "Three'che" and picks back up at the "Easy, fella." scene with the handgun.

All the typos and spelling errors are left in too. This was straight up copied and pasted from the "script"

**Also note that Michael Spinelli is the name of the actor not the character.

***The film and what is written are slightly different if you read through this and notice things like Tea used instead of Coffee or Popcorn instead of Cheese Sand-wedges.

FISTSWINGS '76 - script

Filling in the blanks so we can all see what and where we need to be and what to

film

'3 months later

Opening scene:

(filmed at the house later on JULY 15th)

Maddox is washing his face and thinks he sees Jud behind him in the mirror but

this is a flashback and he is having coffee with Spinelli.

Coffee scene:

Maddox and Spinelli are grabbing a cup of coffee.

Maddox is guzzling coffee with no regard for amount or temperature.

Spinelli is drinking it in and is amazed how he is guzzlin'

During the conversation we can flash back to all the recent stalking moments and

Maddox can say that he thinks Jud has been following him. Maddox looks like he

is freaking out like Freddy Krueger or The Shape is on his ass. He doesn't want

to fall asleep and fall victim. Even washing his face makes him think he sees Jud

in the room.

Dialogue:

Tyler: ....even when I am washing my face I can feel it....it always feels like

somebody's watching' me....

Spinelli: I bet that is a whole 'nother can of worms as far as your privacy

goes too, am I right?

Tyler: Yeah.....how did you know?

Spinelli: Happens all the time in these killer/victim scenarios and...

Tyler: Hey, man! I'm no victim....my brother saved my life and

Spinelli: Creek County Sheriff Office investigated the brothers, Butch and

Judd, (flashback of Butch being happy and yaking with Jud) they took an account

from the hitchhiking woman and her adventurous son (cut to Chaz and Sam) and

it turns out that stranger things has happened in Creek County.

Tyler: ....and yeah...like no sign of Jud Wallen....(looks around nervous

before chugging his coffee)

Spinelli: Exactly. (sips a drink) Now look....I'm not telling you what to

do....and after this you can go join an acronym army, join a religious cult, or

worship science and tech like the CHUDs in Planet of The Apes but now's not the

time for fear....or to stand here acting applidoetic....(get fired up like Joe Rogan)

You need to be your own hero and stand up for yourself....You think Casey is

watching your back?

Tyler: Well I mean he....

Spinelli: (interrupts) Yeah, exactly....look Tyler...you can stand here looking

applidoetic or we can see what this guy is really made of...ya know....like in the

movies. Let's get some closure. Find out if he is supernatural or not....maybe

even unnatural...

Tyler: Eh,eh, I don't know if that matters either way because luring him

out....yeah....that sounds dangerous....and I'm not really sure what applidoetic

even means or how I'm doing that but I'm not trying to anything?

Spinelli: Applidoetic is a person's personal reaction to an unknown word or

object.

Tyler: (sensing he is being teased) That feels like you're just making it up.

(nervous laughter)

Spinelli: Am I? Or is that your applidoetic experience to the word

applidoetic? (picks up an apple and bites it)

Tyler: I don't know....I just don't think luring him out is the right thing to do.

SpinellI: Well at least you think that way and you don't feel that way....

Tyler: Why does that matter?

Spinelli: Because so many operate based on how they feel versus think, as

in logic and decency.

It just feels like we could really get to the bottom of what this guy is all about....

Tyler: That's what I'm asking....why does it matter if he is supernatural or

not? The guy is a predator. A locust. Look at what he does.

SpinellI: Lots of things happen in nature or that animals do that aren't bad

for them like a shark but it is bad for us as humans. The animal kingdom doesn't

set the bar for us. He could be that missing Link.

Tyler: (uncomfortable) Can you get me lifted back to K.C.'s place? Milo and

I are planning to read Lord of the Ring before bed tonight. (shows he has other

plans and is taking an older brother approach to Milo and not completely thinking

about Casey Ryan's plans)

Spinelli: Good luck. That book took me 7 months to read.

Tyler: Gotta stay awake somehow that guy is out there somewhere

watching me like Sideshow Bob or Max Cady.

Spinelli: Three'che.

SHOWDOWN AT THE HOUSE

Spinelli takes Tyler home to Ryan and Milo's house

Spinelli and Tyler Pull up to the house and k.c and Tommy are waiting outside

throwing a ball.

Tyler gets out of car and spinelli give a wave or something to k.c.

K.C whats up buddy? How was your day.

Tyler It was ok I guess, went to the grave again

K.C well thats good, were you able to get a lot off you chest with Spinelli?

Tyler yeah we had piping hot coffee and had a good conversation about

things.

Tyler leaned down to Tommy

Tyler how you doing buddy?

Tommie ok thank you.

K.C said were going to watch one of his favorite movies

Tyler Oh did he now

K.C Awe why did you have to go and ruin my surprise now, come on you

two ill make us some cheese sandwiches before we get to the film.

Tyler/Tommie ok

They walk into the house.

The next shot is Petes character in kink james and K.C is talking about how

much he loves that character and its his favorite actor.

-The camera sits on them for about a minute in a still front shot.

-The camera stops and doesn’t movie but the skip is going to show that time

passed and K.C has fallen asleep. The movie is over pretty much.

Tommy: should i wake him up now?

Tyler: Not yet, ill do it later, here come on ill take you up and get ready for

bed.

Tommy: OK

Tyler and tommy walk up the stairs and head to the bathroom as there walking

the camera pans over to an open window.

In Bathroom

Tylar: here brush your teeth and really soap up your face before bed ill be

right back

Tylor walks out and Tommy really brushes them teeth and them soaps up his

face. Tommy thinks while he’s doing it he heres sounds around him but the soap

on his face makes him not see. (May be a lot of sounds and he washes his face

off quick to check things out)

Taylor walks in the room and asks if he’s ok and Tommy hugs him and says he

things he been hearing something.

Taylor looks around with a concerned look for a second then snaps back into it.

Taylor: Its nothing buddy come on.

The camera is far shot of them leaving and taylor turns and hold a sec before

shutting off the lights BLACK CAMERA

The light goes back on in in Tommys room and Taylor tucks him in and walks out.

Taylor starts to walk downstairs and pauses when he looks at K.C and walks

back up to his room.

Time Passes and K.C Wakes up and sees its late and the kids aren’t there.

He goes to the kitchen and gets some water and downs it then heads up the

stairs to Taylor room.

He sees the light on from the bottom of the door and does a soft knock.

Taylor answered the door

K.C everything ok?

Taylor: Yeah I didn’t want to bother you so I let you sleep.

K.C: Thank you, i appreciate that.

Taylor: No problem.

K.C: Did you get Tommy in bed ok?

Taylor: Yeah he brushed and washed up then I put him in bed.

Ill check on his later I think he was freaked out about something, I don’t know.

K.C: Ok that you ill do the same later. Good Night

Taylor: Good night.

K.C walks to his room.

K.C walks In The room and see someone under the covers and he stand in front

of the bed.

Camera shows sheets then back to K.C

K.C: Hey buddy you under there? Taylor said you were feeling scared

about something. Do you want to talk about it?

The sheets move a little

K.C Come on buddy lets talk

Jud starts standing up slowly and the camera shows the sheets Getting taler

The camera shows a front view of you slowly start looking up following the

sheets

Once Jud stands all the way up do a sweet full side view of you standing there

looking up and Jud in the sheets like a ghost standing tall on the bed, over

powering in being tall.

K.C slowly life your hand To grab the sheets and Jud just Dives forward tackling

you on the ground. (full Knee right in the bags to make him go down)

So when Jud tackles K.C and when they go Down the camera will still be on the

sweet side view but when we go Down the camera will then sideways with us

hitting the ground.

Close up shot of the choke Bam

Jud looks up and sees Tommy standing there. Tommy takes off and pounds on

Taylors door.

Taylor answers and lets him in.

Tommy: The bad mans here (freaking out) he can improve also.

Taylor: The bad man? what are you talking about?

Tommy: he had a white shirt on and blood.

Taylor knew right away and slams the door shut and lockes it.

Taylor: o shit, ok ok here what we do! You have to hide.

Tommy: what about you.

Taylor: as soon as you think its clear to come out, comet and run. get

help. Do you understand?

Tommy: Yeah

Tommy hides.

Taylor stands by the door for a sec and slowly starts to open it, very

slowly. when he gets about halfway jus thrusts his arm in the door and grabs

Taylor upper shirt. He pushes his way in the door and Taylor bites his hand and

grabs something to hit Jud with. He runs out and looks into K.Cs room where

he sees him dead on the ground. Quick pan shot of K.C like in the shining.

He runs downstairs and calls for Jud . Jud slowly walks down the stairs and

head toward Taylor.

Taylor: come on asshole

Taylor grabs a weapon and stars swinging it a Jud getting him away from

Tommys running distance.

Taylor: Tommy run!

Tommy bolts downstairs and out the front door. when he’s running out and

close to the camera it pans over reviewing someone is standing there and

Tommy runs into him

Taylor and bud can improve and go at it for a sec. Taylor gets the upper hand

uMaddox is about to kill Jud but Spinelli pulls him off.

Spinelli: Easy, fella. E's had enough, (arms under Tyler's armpits not aggressive)

E's ad euff, mate.!!! Air ya go.

Special exchange between Spinelli and Jud's closing statement as he walks

away and speaks as he disappears into the horizon from Spinelli's point of

view....one take.....Jud walks off.

Fistswings '76 ending conversation and speech by Jud

As Jud and Spinelli pull up at the boardwalk in Plant City.

Jud: So that is it?

Spinelli: Yeah, pal...Nod is that away.

Jud: What? No arraignment, no arrests? Pardoned just like that?

Spinelli: Oh...you aren't pardoned (smiles) but you are free to go.

Jud: Huh? That doesn't make any sens...

Spinelli: Look, we're running out of time for paperwork and prisons

now....(looks up towards the heavens through the

windshield)....besides.... the love and hearts of the masses have

already started to wax cold (hold up a cell phone)....you ever scroll

through one of these things?

Jud: Not really my scene. It's not real enough for me. I'd rather fuck,

fight, worship, experience a concert, or love a bitch in person. (like what

he said earlier in conversations with Butch)

Spinelli: Yeah...I bet you would because you're just adding to their

wants, just you being on the streets will help answer the news crew's

prayer to pop a Nielsen.....People claim to root for the villains

nowadays. Let's see how they feel when the devil shows up at their

front porch.

Jud: Hey, man! I'm not the devil...(Jud gets out of the truck)

Spinelli: (smiles) I know you're not, Jud. You're cruel enough to turn

down a mother and her son so that her act of kindness saved my life

(flashback to Sam and Chaz again and Spinelli getting shot by Maddox)

but you were kind enough to get me out of that marriage without a

messy divorce and with a cool 76 thousand in life insurance....so I ain't

got much to spare.... (pauses, nothing left to say) Good luck out there,

Jud.....Not all who wander are lost....(pause and jokes) some are just

unforgiven.

Jud: (it dawns on him in his heart that he was doing evil) That's a

punishment more than I can bear.

Spinelli: Then stay the hell out of Creek County...(drives off)

Jud: (narrative as he walks away slowly)

all you wives of adornment and shade,

listen to me;

let this serve notice to all the mothers of cowboys, and ironworkers, and

artists too...

I am not like you...

You know I'm willing to shed blood if you offend me...

I practice, I don't protest...

Because actions speak louder than words, that includes in texts and

nature....

and though you may claim not to believe something is out there

watching you....

...you'll live like you're hoping to impress an unsubscribed stranger....

...while not knowing who is actually stalking you...

you're busy living like you're anticipating something more everyday...

meanwhile you know that if I'm out here lurking...I'll take away his

purpose (pause)

and so now in the back of your mind you know your men aren't safe....

...and because you've grown lazy, sarcastic, and out of practice ...now

you have no hope....

and when you have no hope,

you have no purpose,

and when you have no purpose,

you have nothing to offer,

and so

if anyone kills your man he may be avenged 7 times

but anyone who kills me will be punished 77 times.

Does The Wicked Walk Alone?