Theory: Spiral of Silence

Idea: Horror short film around the spiral of silence theory; Protagonist believes they are being
pursued by a monster who kills whoever they tell about it to. May or may not end with the
protagonist realizing they were mad all along and the monster never existed.
Inspirations:
● The Lighthouse (LAWL)
● Psychological horror
Roles:
● PROTAGONIST – Basha (scenes in Joaquin’s house, Jacob’s house, & school)
● FRIEND 1 – Cass (scenes in Joaquin’s house & school)
● FRIEND 2 – Joaquin (scenes in Joaquin’s house & school)
● FRIEND 3 – Kayin (scenes in Joaquin’s house & Jacob’s house)
● FRIEND 4 – Nicole (ONLY SCENES IN SCHOOL)
● FRIEND 5 – Lionemar (scenes in Jacob’s house & school)
● SHADOW FIGURE – Lionemar (scenes in it Jacob’s house & school)
Setting/Sets:
● Bedroom – Joaquin’s house
● Classroom – G11/Jacob’s house
● Road (night AND day) – Jacob or Joaquin’s house
● “Forest” – Jacob’s house

Script draft 1:

[LOCATION: Joaquin’s house]

[Color grading is completely black and white]

[PROTAGONIST is running (best if forest, but any other available landscape can do) away from
something; Looks distressed. The camera is chasing them, they are constantly looking back.]

[As PROTAGONIST runs with their back facing the camera, the camera catches up with them
and everything turns to black. A whispering of a name is heard, which grows louder and louder]

[Color grading is normal– perhaps even more saturated and brighter than normal]

[Shot abruptly opens to PROTAGONIST saying the name, which is the name of FRIEND 1.
They are either in PROTAGONIST’S bedroom]

PROTAGONIST: FRIEND 1… FRIEND 1!

FRIEND 1: [Removes their headphones/earphones annoyedly] What??

PROTAGONIST: Were you calling me?

FRIEND 1: What? No, I didn’t, I was listening to music. Of course I didn’t.

PROTAGONIST: Oh. Sorry, I just… I thought you were calling my name.

FRIEND 1: Hrm, sure. [Is about to put headphones/earphones back on]

PROTAGONIST: It’s so weird. I swear I heard someone calling my name from your direction…

FRIEND 1: [Puts headphones/earphones down] Maybe you were imagining it?

PROTAGONIST: I think so, but… I mean, honestly, this has been happening for a while now. It’s
like I keep hearing… [hesitantly, trying to laugh] voices.

FRIEND 1: [concerned] Voices?

PROTAGONIST: [defensively] Not in, like, a crazy way! Just… I mishear things more now, you
know?

FRIEND 1: And you mishear them as your name?

[PROTAGONIST nods]

FRIEND 1: [chuckles as they put on their headphones/earphones] Sounds to me like you’re just
narcissistic.

[PROTAGONIST rolls their eyes. The two improv banter for a bit which ends with them playing
somehow (can be a video game, physical game, etc)]

[The camera shows a back shot of PROTAGONIST’S (LMAO) head, the audio grows low as a
whispering is heard– the whispering is intelligible, though]

[LOCATION: g11 classroom]

[Shot cuts to PROTAGONIST in class, camera facing their front, them in the center shot.
PROTAGONIST is listening to class and is bored, bouncing their leg and resting their head in
their hand]

[Close up shot of PROTAGONIST’S eyes, bored and unassuming. PROTAGONIST’S eyes

shoot open as they hear whispering, again intelligible]

[Color grading abruptly becomes grayer (but not too gray) as PROTAGONIST’S eyes grow
wide]
[Wide shot of PROTAGONIST, now sitting upright. They look around frantically, trying to keep
calm, but looking worried. Suddenly they keep their eyes on the classroom window]

[Shot of the classroom window, camera angled upwards at it. The whispering is louder and
there’s a blurry, shadowy hand tapping at the glass]

[Shot of PROTAGONIST’S reaction; They are speechless, trying to comprehend if what they are
seeing is real or not. Their head tilts, and they begin to look more confused than worried. Their
expression turns surprised when the teacher calls their name– though it cannot be heard by the
viewer]

PROTAGONIST: [still a little frazzled, adjusting themself] Teach?

TEACHER: I asked if you were listening.

PROTAGONIST: [flustered] Sorry, teach. Won’t happen again.

[wide shot of PROTAGONIST in their seat, putting their head in their hands. We see FRIEND 1
and FRIEND 2 are their seatmates]

FRIEND 1: [whispering] You good?

FRIEND 2: [whispering] You looked pretty spaced out.

PROTAGONIST: [whispering] Yeah, sorry, uh… It’s just… Was there someone outside?

[FRIEND 1 & 2 look to the class window]

FRIEND 2: No? Besides, we’re in class. No one goes here during class time.

PROTAGONIST: Oh…

FRIEND 1: [knowingly] Is it…?

PROTAGONIST: No, no, it’s just… I was mistaken.

[Shot of FRIEND 1 & 2 glancing at each other across from PROTAGONIST. FRIEND 1 looks
more worried while FRIEND 2 looks more confused]

[Shot cuts to FRIEND 1 and PROTAGONIST walking home together]

[LOCATION: Joaquin’s house (road)]

FRIEND 1: What was that earlier in class?

PROTAGONIST: It’s nothing, just… [they stop when FRIEND 1 looks at them knowingly] I
thought I heard someone call my name again. And… I thought there was someone outside the
classroom.

FRIEND 1: [concerned] This has been happening all week… Are you sure you don’t need to see
a doctor–?

PROTAGONIST: [abruptly] No! No, I… It’s nothing, trust me.

FRIEND 1: [unconvinced] If you say so.

[FRIEND 1 and PROTAGONIST continue walking back home; Back shot of both of them ( 😈)]
[Color grading is grayer now]

[LOCATION: G11 classroom]

[PROTAGONIST is in their classroom, looking at their phone. Camera cuts to show the screen,
showing that FRIEND 1 hasn’t been responding to their texts. They send one more, asking
“where are you?”]

[Shot of PROTAGONIST in their chair, FRIEND 2 & 3 approaching them]

FRIEND 3: FRIEND 1 not in yet?

PROTAGONIST: No…

FRIEND 2: They’re probably just coming in late.

PROTAGONIST: I hope so…

[side shot of PROTAGONIST in their classroom chair, window can be seen beside them, and a
shadow appears for a few seconds]

[LOCATION: Joaquin’s house]

[Cut to FRIEND 1 and 2 with PROTAGONIST relaxing in PROTAG’s bedroom. FRIEND 1 and 2
are doing something (playing a game most likely) while PROTAGONIST looks distractedly at
their phone]

[There is one shot where the camera is in the corner of the room, watching the trio from behind.
The atmosphere grows darker the longer the scene is, and a whispering can be heard. It cuts
abruptly to the next shot, which is framed as normal]
[FRIEND 1 and 2 improvs bantering/playing with each other]

[Shot of PROTAGONIST’s phone, endless text messages to FRIEND 1]

PROTAGONIST: [abruptly] Guys, I’m getting worried about FRIEND 1.

FRIEND 2: FRIEND 1?

PROTAGONIST: Yeah… I haven’t heard from her in a while.

FRIEND 3: [distractedly, trying to focus on the game] They’re probably just out.

PROTAGONIST: Do you think she’s ignoring me?

FRIEND 2: I mean have you done anything to make her do that?

PROTAGONIST: Well, I did… tell her something but… I don’t see how that would be a
problem… [softly] maybe I weirded her out.

FRIEND 3: [distracted] Uhuh, sure.

PROTAGONIST: [approaches FRIENDS 2 and 3, distracting them from their game] But maybe–
Oh, I don’t know, what if something happened to her?

FRIEND 3: Geez, you’re so obsessed! I’m sure she’s fine, won’t you stop talking about her?

PROTAGONIST: I’m just worried about her. She hasn’t been responding to my messages…

FRIEND 3: Relax for once, would you?

FRIEND 2: [more kindly than FRIEND 3] I think FRIEND 1 is okay… Probably just busy.

PROTAGONIST: You think so?

FRIEND 2: [nodding] yeah.

[FRIEND 3 exclaims frustratedly, looking at their game. They glare at PROTAGONIST]

FRIEND 3: Now look at that. I just died! Way to help me with beating this game, guys.

PROTAGONIST: [flustered] Sorry…

FRIEND 3: Whatever. I’m gonna get something to eat. You still got those chips?
[PROTAGONIST is distractedly looking at their phone before they look at FRIEND 3
embarrassedly, who only glares back]

PROTAG: Huh? Oh! Yeah, it’s on the second–

FRIEND 3: [at the door, already leaving] Yeah, yeah, I’ll get it…

[FRIEND 3 exits, leaving PROTAG and FRIEND 2 alone in protag’s room. FRIEND 2 plays a
little while PROTAG continues to look at their phone, when FRIEND 2 stops and gets PROTAG
to stop looking at the phone (takes the phone away, covers phone screen, calls PROTAG, etc;
improv]

FRIEND 2: Hey, I meant it when I said FRIEND 1 just might be busy… You know how she is
sometimes.

PROTAG: Yeah, but… I dunno, this time feels different. I can’t help but feel like she’s gone
because I…

[PROTAG hesitates, FRIEND 2 notices]

FRIEND 2: Because what?

PROTAG: [hesitantly] Well… I told her something… a little weird.

FRIEND 2: [cautiously] Weird?

PROTAG: It’s– … No, no, I shouldn’t tell you.

FRIEND 2: Why not? It can’t be that bad.

[PROTAG hesitates, stumbling over their words, trying to change the topic; improv]

FRIEND 2: Hey, I won’t judge. Honest.

PROTAG: [after a beat] Okay, well… I’ve been having this problem recently. I’ve… I know I’m
probably just paranoid or whatever, but I’ve been hearing… things. Voices, sort of. But not really.
Well… and… seeing stuff that isn’t there.

FRIEND 2: Like hallucinations?

PROTAG: [defensively] No! No, just… things. Like in the corner of my eye. It’s nothing too
serious.
[FRIEND 2 considers PROTAG for a moment before shrugging and smiling]

FRIEND 2: See? That wasn’t so bad.

PROTAG: [relieved] You think so?

FRIEND 2: Nah. There’s no way FRIEND 1 would ignore you over that. You’re probably just
stressed or whatever. Now come on, I wanna play a bit before FRIEND 3 gets back…

[Back to the corner shot, watching the duo turn into a trio as FRIEND 3 returns with chips (or
whatever else food is available). The atmosphere turns dark the longer the scene goes on and
whispering can be heard. Abrupt cut to next scene]

[LOCATION: Jacob’s house]

[Color grading is darker than the last scene now]

[PROTAG and FRIEND 3 are seated at a table with homework sprawled out on the surface.
PROTAG looks stressed while FRIEND 3 is doing homework]

PROTAG: [checks phone, then abruptly] Isn’t it weird FRIEND 2 isn’t here yet? They should
already be here by now, right?

FRIEND 3: [uninterestedly] Sure. Probably running late.

[PROTAG continues to look stressed, fidgeting, while FRIEND 3 continues to do homework.

After a while, FRIEND 3 looks at PROTAG annoyedly]

FRIEND 3: Can you relax? Why are you always so strung up?

PROTAG: [embarrassed] Sorry, it’s just–! I’m really worried about FRIEND 2…

FRIEND 3: [scoffs, mocking] My god. It’s like you’re worried about everyone nowadays! FRIEND
1, FRIEND 2… don’t tell me, you’re not gonna freak out when I leave to piss, will you?

PROTAG: [embarrassed, angry] I just– can’t I worry about my friends? What’s so wrong about
that? I’m just saying–

FRIEND 3: And I’m just saying, you should stop being so weird and just do what I brought you
here for. Come on.

[FRIEND 3 shoves homework in PROTAG’s direction, insisting they do homework; improv. Cut
to a far shot of them working]
[Cut to a shot of a clock (can be digital on phone), showing how much time has passed]

[Shot of PROTAG and FRIEND 3. The shot is from PROTAG’s side, partially covering them,
while FRIEND 3 is full in view]

[Shot then cuts to show PROTAG, staring at them, expression unnerved. Suddenly they snap
their head to the side]

[Shot of SHADOW FIGURE just barely exiting the shot, far away]

[Shot of PROTAGONIST and FRIEND 3, the former staring at the camera, while the latter works
on homework]

PROTAGONIST: FRIEND 2 never even showed up…

FRIEND 3: [under breath] here we go…

PROTAGONIST: They never even came…

FRIEND 3: [getting headphones] Uhuh.

PROTAGONIST: They never came… because I…

[Close shot of PROTAG, who slowly turns their head to look at FRIEND 3. Afterwards is a quick
shot of FRIEND 3 doing homework with headphones on]

[Close shot of PROTAG again, now looking straight at the camera, head cocked (euheuhe).
Their expression shifts into contemplation, before turning blank]

PROTAG: You know, I’ve been hearing voices.

[FRIEND 3 ignores them, only grunting a response]

PROTAG: I’ve been seeing things.

[FRIEND 3 continues to ignore PROTAG. PROTAG reaches over and harshly removes FRIEND
3’s headphones. FRIEND 3 looks offended]

FRIEND 3: Hey! What the f–

PROTAG: I said I’ve been hearing things. Seeing things that aren’t there. I hear voices. I see
figures.

FRIEND 3: [confused] Uh– okay–?

PROTAG: Just earlier, I saw… something. I never see it properly. I never do. This has been
happening for almost a month now. You’re the third person I’ve told.

FRIEND 3: [stares at PROTAG for a moment, mixed between being confused and unnerved]
Okay?

PROTAG: Do you understand?

[FRIEND 3 backs away from PROTAG, checking their phone for a moment. They clear their
throat and begin packing up their belongings]

FRIEND: Sure, sure… It’s… getting late.

PROTAG: [coldly] I’ll see myself out.

[PROTAG grabs their bag and heads out. The camera stays fixed as they walk away. The
atmosphere grows darker the longer the scene goes on. Just as PROTAG seems far enough for
the scene to cut, they turn around, then the scene cuts abruptly]

[LOCATION: Joaquin’s house]

[Color grading is darker than the last scene]

[PROTAG enters the bathroom (if shooting is allowed there; ask Quin), phone in hand. There is
a beat before they call someone, the phone call can be heard by the viewer]

PROTAG: Hey, FRIEND 4.

FRIEND 4: Hey– any word from FRIEND 3 yet?

PROTAG: [almost coldly] No… You?

FRIEND 4: Obviously not, why else would I ask you?

PROTAG: [chuckles] Right.

FRIEND 4: It just seems so unlike them. They don’t usually disappear like that…

PROTAG: [uneasily] Seems like a lot of our classmates are disappearing.

FRIEND 4: Yeah… I hope they’re okay. I’ve been asking FRIEND 5 to call them too.

PROTAG: [coldly] Yeah. I hope they find them.

FRIEND 4: Me too…

[There is a beat, it seems like PROTAG will end the call, when they bring the phone back to their
ear. Camera cuts to show PROTAG’s face (in a mirror shot, if possible)]

PROTAG: By the way…

FRIEND 4: Oh, yeah?

[Whispers can start to be heard]

PROTAG: Have you heard from… FRIEND 1…? Or– or even… FRIEND 2? I haven’t heard from
them in a long while, and…

FRIEND 4: Oh, you didn’t know?

PROTAG: [tense] Didn’t know what?

[Camera is fixed on PROTAG’s face as they listen. FRIEND 4’s voice is overpowered by the
sound of whispers. PROTAG’s face drops as they listen, and they eventually hang up. There is
only whispers for a while]

[Suddenly PROTAG bursts into laughter, the whispers cutting out completely. They laugh for a
while before gasping, clutching their mouth shut. They stare at themself in the mirror, looking
horrified]

[Camera returns to a profile shot of their body as they slide down to the floor, hands clasped
over their mouth. Their posture is as if they are trying to curl into themself]

[Whispers ensue again, and as the shot lingers, it grows louder. Right before the shot cuts, the
SHADOW FIGURE emerges for a split second, blurred]

[LOCATION: School]

[Color grading is still dark]

[A wide shot of PROTAG sitting, looking distressed. They jerk their head in one direction,
hearing footsteps. FRIEND 4 comes into the scene]

FRIEND 4: [kindly] Hey. I thought I’d find you here…

PROTAG: [trying to be chill] Oh, h-hey…

FRIEND 4: I've been trying to reach you. What's going on? You've been acting really strange
lately.

PROTAG: [nervously] Oh, nothing. I’ve just been… busy.

FRIEND 4: [skeptical] It's more than that. I've noticed you avoiding people .

PROTAG: [almost scared] Avoiding people?

FRIEND 4: Yeah. And I’ve heard you… saying things. To yourself. What's really going on?

PROTAG: [hesitant] It's hard to explain. I... I can't tell you.

FRIEND 4: [insistent] We've been friends for a long time. You can trust me. Whatever it is, we'll
figure it out together.

PROTAG: No, I just can’t– I won’t.

FRIEND 4: Come on, I know you too well. This is more than just stress. What's going on with
you? Talk to me.

[PROTAG tries to dismiss it, avoiding eye contact.]

PROTAG: I told you, I'm fine. Just drop it.

[FRIEND 4, unconvinced, approaches PROTAG.]

FRIEND 4: No, you're not fine. You're hiding something. I've never seen you like this!

PROTAG: [defensively] I said I'm fine! Why can't you just take that and go?

[FRIEND 4 stares at PROTAG, unwavering.]

FRIEND 4: Because I care about you, and it's clear something is wrong. Please, tell me what's
going on.

[PROTAG, feeling the pressure, looks around nervously. In the corner of their eye, they catch a
glimpse of the shadowy figure.]

PROTAG: [panicking] You wouldn't understand! Just leave me!

[FRIEND 4, undeterred, moves closer.]

FRIEND 4: I'm not leaving until you tell me the truth. What's been happening to you? You’re
worrying me…

[As PROTAG backs away, the whispers start to fade in, and a shadowy figure becomes
prominent in the corner of her eye.]

PROTAG: [Talking to herself] No, why can’t you just shut up… Get out of my head…please not
again…not now!

[FRIEND 4 looks surprised but concerned.]

FRIEND 4: PROTAG? What’s going on, please, something’s wrong with you, just let me help
you…

PROTAG: [muttering to herself and distant from FRIEND 4’s pleas, clawing at the sides of her
head]: no no no no, not now, why now?

[The whispers grow louder, and the shadowy figure becomes more prominent in the corner of
their eye. Panicking, PROTAG urgently pushes FRIEND 4 backwards.]

PROTAG: It’s always the damn voices– always the damn whispers! Why can’t it just leave me
alone–?

[PROTAG gasps in horror, clutching their mouth with their hands. FRIEND 4 recovers from the
push and tries to approach PROTAG once more]

FRIEND 4: Voices? What–

PROTAG: [rushes to clutch FRIEND 4’s shoulders] You heard nothing, you hear me? Nothing!

FRIEND 4: But I–

PROTAG: Just go!

[FRIEND 4, confused and concerned, is pushed away by PROTAG until they leave by their own
volition. PROTAG sinks to the floor, overwhelmed by fear and guilt.]

[Some days later]

[LOCATION: Jacob’s house]

[Color grading is at its darkest; completely black and white now]

[A shot of PROTAG sitting on the curb alone, FRIEND 5 walks up to her]

FRIEND 5: There you are! I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.

[Close up shot of PROTAG's face with a distant somber expression. They say nothing]

FRIEND: 5: What’s going on? You’ve been acting strange lately… Being alone all the time.

PROTAG: Just go, FRIEND 5…

FRIEND 5: Is something the matter? I’ve been texting the others, and–

PROTAG: I said go!

[FRIEND 5 looks shocked, then a little offended]

FRIEND 5: I’m just trying to help you. We’re just trying to help you… [improv FRIEND 5 trying to
talk sense into PROTAG]

[As FRIEND 5 talks PROTAG gives no response, the whispers start to fade in and increase,
drowning out FRIEND 5’s voice. PROTAG begins to look panicked.]

PROTAG: Can't you hear them?

[FRIEND 5 looks around, confused.]

FRIEND 5: Hear what?

[PROTAG looks haunted, says nothing]

FRIEND 5: Hear what–

PROTAG: Nothing, there’s nothing.

[PROTAG suddenly catches a glimpse of the shadowy figure. In a panicked state, they abruptly
stand up.]

PROTAG: I can't stay here. I have to go.

[PROTAG begins to run through the streets, looking over their shoulder as if being chased.
FRIEND 5 follows, calling out to them.]

FRIEND 5: Wait! What's happening?

[PROTAG doesn't respond, continuing to run. The whispers intensify, drowning out FRIEND 5's
voice.]

[Camera captures the scene of PROTAG running, desperately trying to escape an unseen
threat, making it to the tree line.]

[PROTAG enters the “forest,” shots varying from the camera following their profile, the camera
chasing them, the camera being chased, etc]

[Cut in sporadic and fast shots of a shadowy figure also running, seemingly after the PROTAG]

[PROTAG continues running, the whispering getting louder until it stops abruptly with the sound
of PROTAG tripping on something, and a strangled yelp escaping their throat]

[Just as PROTAG falls, cut to a wide shot of them, very wide, with them collapsing in the
distance]

[The shot lingers, quiet save for the sound of nature]

[Suddenly there’s a close-up shot of PROTAG’s phone, cracked and bloody. It starts ringing,
showing FRIEND 1’s name. It rings for a while, the shot lingering, before cutting to black
completely]

[END CREDITS]