Book of Sides II: Original, Two-Page Scenes for Actors and Directors

Dave Kost

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781138220553
• eBook ISBN:
  9781315412559
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Film & Video

Book of Sides II: Original, Two-Page Scenes for Actors and Directors is the second book in the Book of Sides series by Dave Kost, featuring original, two-page, two-character scenes for use in acting, directing, and auditioning classes. While shorter than the traditional three-to-six-page scenes commonly used in classes, Book of Sides II features longer scenes than the first Book of Sides with greater character development, more reversals, and stronger climaxes.

• Balanced, structured scenes designed specifically for educational use challenge both actors and directors equally with objectives, obstacles, tactics, and subtext;
• Two-page length is ideal for high-intensity exercises and faster-paced workshops;
• Printed in easy-to-read film-script format with plenty of room for notes;
• Scenes are completely original and unencumbered by copyright, so students may film and post legally on the internet;
• Universally castable, so all roles can be played by actors of any gender, appearance, skill level, or ethnicity;
• Accessibly-written for modern students, helping them to focus on the fundamentals of performance and directing;
• Simple and conducive to performing in a classroom without sets, costumes, or special props.

This book was written by an educator for educators and designed for use in the classroom. Never search for scenes again!

Are We on Drugs?

Bailey and Cletus sit side-by-side, both looking confused.

BAILEY

Something weird’s going on here.

Cletus nods slowly in agreement.

BAILEY

Like things don’t seem real.

CLETUS

Like being in a movie or something.

BAILEY

Or even weirder, like being in a dream.

CLETUS

Yeah.

BAILEY

So what’s going on?

Cletus

Are we on drugs?

They look at each other.

Bailey

I don’t think so. Do you remember taking drugs?

Cletus struggles to remember.

CLETUS

I don’t remember a lot.

BAILEY

Me neither.

CLETUS

Are we dreaming?

BAILEY

How could we both be dreaming?

CLETUS

Right. Maybe it’s just me dreaming.

BAILEY

I’m not just a part of your dream.

Cletus has to think about this one.

CLETUS

Isn’t that what you would say if you were just part of my dream?

BAILEY

Uh... No?

CLETUS

Virtual reality?

They both look all around, then look at each other, shaking their heads “no.”

BAILEY

Government experiment?

CLETUS

Whoa, like MK-Ultra?

BAILEY

I never saw that. Was it good?

CLETUS

No, it, like, actually happened. MK- Ultra was a government experiment where they drugged people to find out about mind control.

BAILEY

That seems uncool. I was thinking more like Bourne Identity.

CLETUS

Yes!

Cletus starts throwing punches and karate chops in the air, seeming to defeat a multitude of enemies.

Bailey

Wait... I’m thinking now I do remember taking drugs.

CLETUS

Really? That seems kind of disappointing now.

Bailey

Maybe the government put that memory in my mind, though.

They look at each other, smiling and nodding.

Are You Buzzed?

Simpson and Vondie walk till Simpson stops in a panic.

SIMPSON

My keys! What happened to my keys?!

VONDIE

You gave them to me, remember?

SIMPSON

Oh, right, of course. Hand ’em over.

VONDIE

You gave them to me for a reason.

SIMPSON

Don’t be like that. I had like one drink.

VONDIE

You definitely had more than one drink, so now you pretty much have no credibility.

SIMPSON

What?! Stop messin’. I’m good. Gimme my keys.

VONDIE

Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

SIMPSON

I don’t think it matters what you think. They’re my keys and it’s my car.

VONDIE

It mattered what I thought when you gave me the keys.

SIMPSON

Whatever. I’m not drunk. Just give me my keys.

VONDIE

Are you buzzed?

SIMPSON

What does that even mean?

VONDIE

Do you feel different than normal?

Happier? Looser? Impaired judgment?

Simpson takes way too long to weigh this out.

VONDIE

How about if I drive you?

SIMPSON

How about if you mind your own business?

VONDIE

Okay.

Vondie begins to walk off.

SIMPSON

Hey! My keys!

Vondie

Fine, here.

Vondie turns and tosses a small key ring. Simpson misses the catch, but picks the keys up off the ground, examining them.

SIMPSON

Hey, the car keys too. I’m not asking you to go with me. It’s my car. How is this your problem?

VONDIE

What about the other people out there? The other drivers? People trying to cross the street?

SIMPSON

So you’re the big hero, protecting the common folk?

VONDIE

No. You got me. I don’t actually care about them at all.

SIMPSON

Ah ha!

VONDIE

It’s you I care about. I love you and I won’t let you do something stupid.

SIMPSON

You love me? I don’t know what to say... I love you too. I do. I really do.

VONDIE

You are buzzed.

Are You Shot?

Flynn limps in, trying to sneak past Canton unnoticed.

CANTON

Are you okay?

FLYNN

Yeah, fine.

CANTON

Hold up. You don’t look fine.

FLYNN

It’s nothing.

Canton

Did you hurt yourself?

Flynn

Yeah... but I’ll be fine.

CANTON

Is that blood? Are you... shot?

FLYNN

It’s just a nick, but I need to clean it up and change.

CANTON

How did you get shot?!

FLYNN

Look you can’t know anything about any of this, so just imagine you didn’t see me and go back to what you were doing.

CANTON

That’s not how it works.

FLYNN

How what works?

CANTON

How loving someone works. You’re hurt. I need to help you, I have to make sure you’re not in trouble.

FLYNN

I am in trouble and I can’t be getting you into it, so just let me do my thing.

Canton

Let me help you.

FLYNN

Stay out of this. I don’t want you in this mess too.

CANTON

Is that just a convenient way to get me to back off?

Flynn sighs.

FLYNN

I know I deserve that and I really deserve a great big lecture from you if I make it out of all this.

Canton

If?

FLYNN

I’m leveling with you here. I’m in it deep, real deep, and it might not end well for me, but things are in motion now that could make it all good.

CANTON

This is crazy.

FLYNN

No doubt.

CANTON

I’ll help you, whatever it takes. If I need to use a gun, I will.

FLYNN

Now it’s you that’s crazy.

Canton hugs Flynn.

CANTON

I just... can’t lose you.

FLYNN

You won’t if I’m sharp out there.

Canton

Be sharp out there, then.

Canton le...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Scenes
• About The Author