1.

A KILLER PERFORMANCE

Written by

Michael Brook
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1A. SCENE 1
EXT. BRIDGE - DAWN
HIGH ANGLE ESTABLISHING SHOT - LONDON BRIDGE
CU
DETECTIVE
1 Why? Why did you do it?
CUT TO: DARK
STREET

1. SCENE 2
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
CU - CAMERA IS FACING A PLAY ADVERTISEMENT HAMMERED INTO A
WALL, FEATURING A WOMAN WEARING A NECKLACE. THE CAMERA
DRIFTS IN ON THE NECKLACE.
CUT TO: ACTRESS
IN DRESSING ROOM

2. SCENE 3
INT. ACTRESS' DRESSING ROOM
ECU - CAMERA IS FACING AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH FEATURING AN
ELDERLY WOMAN WEARING THE NECKLACE, WITH THE NECKLACE
LAYING IN FRONT OF THE FRAME.
The actress' hand swoops down and picks up the necklace.
CU
The actress ties the necklace around her neck. The actress
suddenly turns as the door behind her KNOCKS melodically.
CUT TO:
UNDERSTUDY
PERFORMING
ON-STAGE
3. SCENE 4
INT. STAGE
CU
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The understudy is moving around on-stage while wearing the
necklace. The understudy comes to a resting position.
TRUCK IN ON NECKLACE
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective is watching the understudy perform then
looks down at the play advert. The detective looks back up
at the stage quizzically. The detective stands and walks
past the camera.
CUT TO: DETECTIVE
WALKING BACKSTAGE

4. SCENE 5
INT. BACKSTAGE HALLWAY
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective walks down the hallway from beside the
camera.
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
The detective enters the understudys dressing room. As he
enters, a distant APPLAUSE is heard and detective quickly
leaves.
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective shuts the door behind him and begins to walk
down the hallway towards the camera.
(The understudy can be
seen faintly over the
detectives shoulder,
hidden in the shadows
behind him.)
CUT TO: LONG
HALLWAY
5. SCENE 6
INT. LONG HALLWAY
LONG SHOT
(Old empty shabby
hallway with a doorway
down the other end.
Two hallways converge
on either side.)
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The detective leans around the corner on the right, first
looking towards the camera and then turning to see the
door. The detective quickly walks towards the door.
(As the detective
nears the door, a dark
silhouette suddenly
moves across the
hallway)
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective moves close to the door and notices a
padlock keeping it shut. The detective touchs the padlock,
then lets it go. The detective moves backwards a step and
a TING of metal is heard.
CU DOWN SHOT
The detective turns around and notices a loose nail and a
slightly moved floorboard with a glint beneath it.
Detective bends down and moves the floorboard, revealing a
key.
ECU

The detective puts his hand in the hole and takes out the
old key.
CUT TO: OLD ROOM
6. SCENE 7
INT. OLD ROOM
STRAIGHT ON WS
(The room has no
lights and is entirely
black)
A metallic CLICK is heard, then the door opens.
(The detective is
silhouetted in the
doorway and the light
bleeding into the room
reveals the dead body
of the actress)
ECU
The detective suddenly turns at the sound of running
footsteps behind him.
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CUT TO: BRIDGE
7. SCENE 8
8. EXT. BRIDGE - DAWN
CU
DETECTIVE
1 Why? Why did you do it?
UNDERSTUDY
2 That bitch couldn't act! I'm the
real star!
DETECTIVE
3 But there's nothing left. Your
career's finished.
UNDERSTUDY
(Understudy grins and
shakes her head)
4 No... I'll always be the star!
Understudy leans back and falls over the side of the
bridge.
CUT TO: NEWSPAPER
9. SCENE 9
NEWSPAPER HEADING
ECU
HEADLINE
1 Ghastly murder leads to suicide
shock
ECU - CAMERA DRIFTS IN ON A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE UNDERSTUDY,
SMILING DIRECTLY AT THE CAMERA MANIACALLY.