[Quick Summary: Pursued by a deputy with a score to settle, an amateur car racer chases after a gang of escaped cons who have kidnapped his girlfriend.]
I knew about writer-director Frank Darabont for his well known adaptations (Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Walking Dead).
However, this was the first original story and script of his that I'd ever seen before.
This is a chase story which takes up about 3/4 of the script.
How do you keep the audience emotionally engaged that long?
It's hard enough when there is one chase, but when there are TWO chases?
In one word: Stakes.
For example, in this script:
Setup for 1st CHASE:
- Johnny pumps gas at his dad's station. Sara believes in his big dreams.
- When Sara Jane is kidnapped by escaped cons, Johnny chases after them.
- I have no problem believing this chase because Johnny loves Sara
Setup for 2nd CHASE:
- The writers wanted someone to chase Johnny to increase the tension.
- But why would anyone chase Johnny?
- The writers needed a character who wasn't entirely objective and took things very personally, i.e., Norm, the deputy sheriff who wants to date Sara.
- What are the stakes for Norm? Ego (so strong that it lasts 3/4 the script!)
- Note in the scene below how the writer sets it up so we believe that Norm is the pig headed type who could easily be stirred up into chasing after Johnny.
ex. "EXT. HADDONTON - DAY
...NORM: Howdy, Sara Jane. You're lookin' mighty pretty today.
SARA: Norm. What are you doing here?
NORM: Oh, just about to go on duty. Thought I'd stop by and have me a few words with the Sheriff.
SARA: Oh? About what?
NORM: Oh...things. This and that. By the way, what'd you think of that race today? Wasn't that somethin'?
SARA (wary): What race is that, Norm?
NORM: That race I won. The race Johnny Del Grissom took you to.
She stares at him with distaste, making a huge effort to keep her voice level.
SARA: I think you must be mistaken.
NORM: C'mon darlin' you didn't think that crouchin' down in that towtruck like that was gonna fool me, even for an instant, did you?
He moves in close, pressing her against the wall of the house, putting his face close to hers.
NORM: Just what were you doin' to that boy all crouched down like that?
She tries to slap him, but he catches her by the wrist. He kisses her fingers lightly, then presses her hand back against the wall and holds it there. Their eyes locked all the while.
NORM: Sara Jane...darlin'...the day's gonna come...soon...when you're gonna wish you'd been a lot nicer to ol' Norm Babbitt.
She spits in his face.
SARA: This ain't the day.
NORM: I can see that.
He releases her and very calmly wipes his face with his sleeve.
NORM: But the day will come.
He turns and heads for his patrol car, tipping his hat jauntily.
NORM: Awful nice to see you again, Sara Jane. Have a nice day now, y'hear?
Disgusted, she turns and enters the house."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Despite that it is mostly chase scenes, I think the script read so quickly because the stakes were so well defined from the start.
Black Cat Run (1998 TV movie)(undated draft)
by Frank Darabont
Story by Frank Darabont & Douglas Venturelli
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