Roar: The Beginning of Solitude, Part 1
Introduction:
Welcome to the first part of a unique storytelling experience. Roar is a short film project that merges the power of narrative scriptwriting with evocative photography. Initially conceived as a traditional short film, this project took an unexpected turn, blending cinematic elements with still imagery to create a haunting portrayal of isolation and survival. Of course, doing so made it so much easier to complete as a photographic project, than it would have been as a film.
In this first post, we'll explore the introduction of our protagonist, Harry (played by actor Chris Capaldi), as he confronts the eerie emptiness of a world suddenly devoid of people. Alongside the script, you'll find a couple of photographs that capture the stark reality of his new world.
Script Excerpt 1:
TEXT. FISHING TRAWLER. DAWN.
A full crew of fishermen are pulling in their nets after a long night.
A burly man (HARRY) in his mid-40s smiles over to one of the younger lads as the boat rocks back and forth. He pauses for a moment to watch the light from the sun start to penetrate the edge of the water on the horizon.
It’s time to turn the boat around and head back to the harbour, and it does exactly that. The wind bites, the waves crash against the boat, the engine kicks in, and it turns slowly around.
CUT TO:
EXT. HARBOUR. DAY.
Harry laughs a big barrel laugh. There’s banter between the lads as they pack the fish in ice. We only catch the tail end of the conversation.
HARRY
Aye yer arse Pete. She’s a manky wee thing, but you’ve nae chance.
PETE
Screw you, Harry!
Pete flicks ice in his direction, and they both laugh, as do the others.
CUT TO:
INT. COFFEE SHOP. DAY.
Harry is sitting there reading a paper. The place is full, even for this time of the morning. A waitress in her mid-forties comes over and motions to his cup.
WAITRESS
Another top-up, hon?
HARRY
Nah, I need to get home to my bed, darlin'. More than the prescribed amount of rocket fuel at this time of the mornin' is a curse to a man of my stature. Unless there’s a good enough reason to stay awake?
WAITRESS
Haha, yer a funny man, Harry, so ye are.
She laughs and shakes her head, obviously immune to his up-front charms, and walks off to serve another customer.
Harry smiles, folds up his paper, stands up, and walks up to the till. He pulls out a five-pound note and is just about to place it on the counter. Suddenly, the place falls completely silent.
HARRY (VO)
And then it happened. Everyone vanished. Just. Like. That.
Harry just stands there listening, not moving, and then there’s a distant crash. He turns around and stares blankly at the empty room.
He walks out into the street.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET. DAY.
There’s a car further down that’s crashed into a lamppost; smoke rises from the hood, but there’s nobody around. The place is silent, except for the seagulls.
He walks slowly towards it and peers in the window. The car is empty.
HARRY (VO)
You never really know yourself until you truly are alone.
In these opening scenes, we meet Harry, a man whose life is suddenly and inexplicably upended. The photographs paired with the script are intended to draw you into his world, one that shifts from the ordinary to the surreal in a matter of moments. The emptiness of the streets and the silence that follows everyone’s disappearance is almost palpable, setting the tone for Harry’s solitary journey.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we follow Harry deeper into his isolated existence and explore the psychological toll it takes on him.
