In Awe of You
Blurb
A rather eccentric police officer (Jim) questions a thief’s accomplice (Anthony) in a downtown police department. Jim is
suspicious that Anthony is connected to Mahalia (the thief) despite Anthony coming forward as a witness to one of her
more recent burglaries (this is implied). Anthony is protective of Mahalia as they are in a relationship (modern day Bonnie
and Clyde). On the back of what Anthony describes, Jim sketches a series of women. Although Anthony purposely
describes the wrong women to throw Jim off the scent. After countless attempts (and further interviewing), Jim becomes
aware that he is being fooled by Anthony and a fight breaks out.
Meanwhile, Mahalia is in the midst of robbing a high-end clothes store when she senses that Anthony is in danger.
Mahalia comes to Anthony’s rescue, busting through the door that coincidently knocks Jim unconscious. Anthony and
Mahalia escape before breaking into dance to end the clip. The rabbit comes to Jim’s rescue. Jim gets up, dusts himself
off and also begins to dance.
Characters – Along the lines of these characters
Mahalia Brown – Zooey Deschanel in ‘Yes Man’. MB is animated, a joker, hams up playing a thief.
Anthony Nero – Vincent in Pulp Fiction. AN is cool, laid back and can be comedic at times.
Jim Pollock – El wopa in the Three Amigos. JP is eccentric, has showman/circus/lion tamer traits. Is as bizarre as
Salvador Dali, although is also a little goofy (think Larry David).
The Rabbit – himself
Direction
We have no directing experience although we are pretty imaginative and have the enthusiasm and energy to make this
work. The takes listed as follows are must haves although we’re happy to have a whole bunch of cut-aways that happen
organically on the day also.
intro credits
Take 1: Clip starts with a tight frame of the below image, although Gina to mock up this image with the rabbit in the middle
of the circle instead. The image is styled with the AWCP fonts and graphics. Perhaps the text in the circle (‘ARS GRATIA
ARTIS’) could read ‘PIZZA TACOS ANIMALS’. The circle could be styled like a submarine window. Top banner (‘Metro
Goldwyn Mayer’) to read ‘I don’t like it anymore’, with the AWCP web address down the bottom.
Take 2: Text on Screen, reads1:
In Awe of You
A Whale called Phoenix
Starring…
Take 3: Extreme close up of MB
MB emerges from among manikins, looks right, looks left and holds finger to lips… “Shhhh motion”. Hamming up looking
oh so mysterious. Location - shot among manikins in complex. Wardrobe – fitted, sleek, cat burglaresk, red lipstick,
something along the lines of the below).
(5 second shot)
1
All text on screen to be styled/framed the same way.
Take 4: Text on Screen, reads:
Mahalia Brown as… the thief!
Take 5: Close up of AN bobbing to the rhythm of the music, clicking fingers hamming up looking cool and very handsome,
miming the lyrics “so California” (to synch with music). Location - sitting on the desk in the cop’s office. Wardrobe – suit
and tie, see below.
(5 second shot)
Take 6: Text on Screen
Anthony Nero as… the thief’s accomplice!
Take 7: Close up of JP (allow for almost full body shot) practicing his quick draw in front of the mirror and looking
ridiculous doing it. JP looks inconspicuous then quickly reaches for gun with intent to kill! Does this a few times. Location bathroom mirror in complex. Wardrobe – see below.
(5 second shot)
Take 8: Text on Screen
Jim Pollock as… the cop
Take 9: Close up of the rabbit who starts as a scrunched up ball, pops out and takes a bow. Location - cops office.
Wardrobe - hand puppet.
(5 second shot)
Take 10: Text on Screen
And the rabbit as… himself!
Scene 1 - Cop’s office
Take 11: Camera positioned up high in a corner of room facing down towards the cop’s desk. There are chairs at either
side. Upon the desk, there is a lamp, folder, note pad and pencil. The camera angle imitates CCTV footage. The footage
could be black and white and a little grainy (but at the same time, we don’t want this effect to compromise the clarity of the
shot). As the guitar riff plays AN is seated at the desk facing camera while JP paces. JP is suspicious that AN is MB’s
accomplice and is after a confession.
(10 second shot)
Take 12: Close up of JP (from ANs perspective). JP sits down at desk, picks up note pad and pencil.
(5 second shot)
Take 13: Close up of AN waiting for JPs direction.
(2-3 second shot)
Take 14: JP motions to AN that he should start describing what MB looks like (gestures with hand, like a bull fighter about
to say farewell)
(3-5 second shot)
Take 15: Extreme close up of clock
Reads ‘3pm’
(2-3 second shot)
Take 16: Close up of AN at desk, hand on side of forehead, slipping into thought, he mimes… “well… she was very
beautiful”2.
Take 17: Text on screen
Well, she was very beautiful…
Take 18: AN memory scene.
Extreme close up of MB out in the afternoon sun. MB is staring directly into the camera (which is meant to be AN’s face).
The camera is moving also, mimicking AN’s walking/being with MB. The footage will be slightly slowed down in editing.
MB’s hair is out, blowing in the wind etc etc, she is smiling and in love. The scene is shot in the late afternoon/sunset to
capture that awesome golden light that hopefully filters onto the screen. Perhaps we could flash to and from this footage in
bursts that align with the rhythm of the music in editing.
Location – St Kilda, in that grassed area next to Luna Park. (Not sure where everyone lives, we could meet somewhere
more convenient as the background isn’t that important if this location doesn’t suit).
Wardrobe – More casual than the cat burglar get up, perhaps something red or whatever colour you feel comfortable in
really. The frame will mostly be shot from the waist up. We’d need approximately 5 seconds of this.
(these photos are close but still not it, I’ll
know the look im after when I see it).
Both AN and JP will mime words throughout the cop meeting scene which will be followed by ‘text on screen’, the spelling out of all, or part of those
words e.g. see from 0:13 onwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCAO3bQ_Dbc&playnext=1&list=PLY2MoDeFTJL0xpIpgHlH328mk_kg6xJIz&feature=results_main
2
Take 19: Meanwhile back at the cop’s office
Camera is positioned in the high corner of room. Jim violently throws powder on the note pad that he is cradling in his arm
(like a painter with a paint pallet). He starts furiously scribbling on the pad, almost mimicking a violinist. JP is asking AN for
details of what MB looks like. AN motions long wavy hair and what her eyes look like with his hands (ANs intent is to try
and steer JP off the scent). At the end of this take, JP finishes up, gestures to the picture and to AN, presenting and
almost waiting for applause (think lion tamer at a circus).
Take 20: Extreme close up of sketch
Take 21: Close up of AN, picks up sketch, furrows brow, looks at camera (JP). AN is surprised at JPs sketching skills.
Shakes head. AN mimes ‘she was tall and tanned.. and young.. and lovely… like the girl from Ipanema’.
Take 22: Text on Screen
She was tall and tanned and young and lovely… like the girl from Ipanema.
Take 23: Extreme close up of JP nodding in appreciation. This is followed by look of concentration that comes over JPs
face. He realizes that he has more sketching to do. Picks up pad, begins sketching.
Take 24: Extreme close up of a clock
Reads ‘4:20pm’.
Take 25: Extreme close up of JPs hand sketching
Camera zooms slightly out, runs up JPs front. JP picks up new sketch from desk, reveals it to camera (AN) like a magician
revealing the missing card (a cloud of smoke – powder – fills the screen also, the powder has become JP’s thing). JP’s
eyebrows raise and fall, waiting as the smoke clears in anticipation. JP mimes ‘what about this’?
Take 26: Text on Screen
“what about this”
Take 27: Extreme close up of JP with alternative sketch
Take 28: Extreme close up of AN shaking head (starting to get a little tired, wondering how long this whole things going to
take). AN motions to hair sweeping across her face.
Take 29: Extreme close up of clock
Reads ‘5:30pm’
Take 30: Text on screen
This?
Take 31: Extreme close up of alternative sketch
Take 32: Extreme close up of AN resting head in hand, shaking head (signifying that he is getting well over JPs art
exhibition)
Take 33: Quick succession of the following pics, changing on every beat of the song
PIC 1
PIC 2
PIC 3
Take 34: Switches from pics to CCTV view. JP is seen dancing around the room blowing puffs of powder everywhere
caught up in himself, oblivious to AN who is slumped over the desk with both arms cradling his head, really having a hard
time getting through JPs very funny antics.
Take 35: Back to pics syncing with rhythm.
PIC 4
PIC 5
(ahahaha)
Take 36: Close up of AN who has had it, mimes… ‘STOP! For fuck sake, STOP!! (begins hitting himself around the head
trying to beat the images of JT out – although I don’t mind JT, that fucker can move.)
Take 37: Medium distanced shot, from side of desk. Camera zooms in as JP stands and grabs AN by the tie and the
scruff of the neck, pulling him out of the chair and in close over the table.
Take 38: Extreme close up of JP whispering in ANs ear, miming ‘What else do you…’
Take 39: Text on screen
“What else do you know, ive heard she steals peoples pets for gods sake!”
Take 40: Extreme close up of a ‘have you seen this cat’? flyer. Flyer will be tapped to a poll in the street.
(Video it for two seconds).
Take 41: Extreme close up of ANs face, his eyes dart left.
Take 42: Text on screen
I’ve also heard she has an accomplice… a handsome, very sexual, and did I mention… handsome accomplice?? (JP
cottons on that AN has been trying to fool him).
Take 43: Close up, camera set behind ANs shoulder on JPs face. JP is staring into ANs eyes as Larry David would
miming.. “ok…ok” (see link - http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2091546-Have-you-ever-givensomeone-the-Larry-David-Stare)
Take 44: medium frame of JP grabbing AN, they spill onto the ground and start rolling around (borat style http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnKu4IZ0fYw see 0:22 to 0:30 seconds)
Take 45: Meanwhile MB creeps down the hall of the women’s clothing exhibition.
Long camera angle shot from end of the hall. MB sneaks towards camera (moving to the rhythm of the music), hamming
up being a cat burglar.
One continuous shot of MB:

sliding along the wall, shoulders and back against wall

into creeping across the floor like a cat on a hot tin roof

stops for a second, looks behind her, continues creeping towards camera, zig zagging up the hall

MB gets quite close, all of sudden stops right in front of the camera (extreme close up). Suddenly MBs eyes light
up, grow very wide, like a kid at Christmas who’s just seen a ridiculous amount of presents under the Christmas
tree (MB sees a whole bunch of clothes that she really likes on a bunch of manikins)
Take 46: Shot from the back of MB, throws both arms up and marches towards the manikins, hugging one of them (cute
and child like).
MB engages in a series of interactions with the manikins…
Take 47: Close up of MB mimicking the pose of a manikin, smiling and nodding to it after she’s nailed the pose.
Take 48: Side shot of MB playing paddy cake with another manikin.
Take 49: Extreme close up of MB licking the side of another ones face.
Take 50: Medium range shot of MB among manikins, laughing her head off as if she’s with a group of friends and one of
them has told the group a very funny joke, gives that one a high five.
Take 51: Close up of MB who has taken a skirt or top from a manikin, MB is holding it against herself checking out how
she looks in a mirror (the camera). MB fixes her hair, turns slightly left and right still checking out the skirt/top. Suddenly
MB pauses and senses that AN is in trouble. A look of concern comes across her face. MB holds her hand to her temple
and pauses. Her eyes become very focused.
Take 52: Close up of JP, shot from the ground, along side JP who is sitting on AN doing the type writer on his chest, AN is
trying to get free while JP stays in character.
Take 53: Camera set up at medium range, MB runs towards camera down a hall, camera is also moving backwards. MB
is heading to save AN, she catches up to camera where footage cuts to JP/AN fight scene.
Take 54: CCTV view. Fight has progressed to just in front of the cop office door. Both are exhausted from fighting, AN has
hands on knees bent over. JP decides that scissors, paper, stone will settle things. The pair begin playing a best of three
game.
Take 55: Close up of JP and AN counting out “1,2,3”, during which MB busts in the door, which coincidentally knocks JP
out. AN and MB watch JP fall to the ground, they hug and run out the door together.
Take 56: Middle range camera shot, gaining into close range as camera chases AN and MB running hand in hand down
the hall.
Take 57: Extreme close up of JP knocked out on the ground. Rabbit enters shot and begins tapping JP on the face in an
attempt to wake him.
Take 58: View of ceiling from JP perspective as he awakens, rabbit enters shot from the corner and looks into screen
suggesting that he has been successful in waking JP.
Take 59: CC TV view of JP getting up and dusting himself off (rabbit on stand at JPs feet).
Take 60: AN and MB arrive at an open reception area in the complex, they stop look at each other and start dancing
(how’s your dancing skills MB? : ). JP is seen dancing similarly in the TV behind reception (will be pre-recorded at played
on TV). Camera could cut from close ups of AN/MB dancing to still medium shot which includes JP on TV in the
background.
The dance could be either choreographed, something like this at 3:09 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3cC9GN3QFg OR we just dance along the lines of John Travolta and Uma Thurman in the dance comp in kill bill… like cool
motherfuckers.
END