Rich Wilson Creative Services Writing Sample (ASCII text format)
For
demonstration purposes only / (c) 1996-2003 All rights reserved
Client: Deborah Hospital Foundation
Program: (Excerpt) A Life-Giving Tradition
Type: Public Relations/Marketing
Audience: Individual philanthropists or representatives of philanthropic organizations. Viewers will be decision-makers in a position to donate, or influence the donation of, funds. They are likely to be sophisticated and well-educated.
Objectives: This program's main goal is to touch viewers' emotions and make them more receptive to other elements of the fund-raising presentation. Its basic premise is that Deborah takes critically ill people and "gives them back" to their communities, where they return to active and productive lives. It should use a warm, sensitive tone, and convey positive values.
Format: Given the program's goal of moving viewers emotionally, and the theme of returning people to their communities, it was decided that the program should present a dramatic story about a patient on his first day back at work. The program was to be shot film-style on videotape with an emphasis on high production values.
The excerpted material here begins on page 4 of the actual script.
Rich Wilson (c) 1996-2003 all rights reserved
Excerpt for demonstration purposes only
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EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - WIDE SHOT
Fred walks slowly down a tree-lined street, feeling the heft of
the bag on his shoulder, and taking in the sights of the small
town as if for the first time. He arrives at a house and slips
mail through a letter slot in the door.
CUT TO:
INT. FIRE HOUSE - DAY - EXTREME CLOSEUP - CHECKERBOARD
A hand picks up one of the checkers.
WIDE SHOT
The hand belongs to HARRY, a black man of about 65. His opponent
is DOUG, a gruff white man also about 65. In the b.g., out of
focus, a FIREMAN can be seen polishing a fire engine. Doug looks
up as Harry finishes moving his piece. RACK FOCUS as Fred enters
in the b.g. The Fireman climbs down from the fire engine, greets
Fred, and takes the mail.
HARRY
It's your move, Ace.
DOUG
Awright, just hold your horses! I'm
thinkin'.
FOLLOW FOCUS as Fred approaches the players and stops.
Concentrating on the board, they don't see him at first.
FRED
Don't you guys ever get bored with that
game?
Doug and Harry look up, annoyed at first by the interference, but
smiling broadly when they recognize Fred.
HARRY
Well, look who's here!
DOUG
Hey, Fred! Son of a gun!
HARRY
How ya doin'?
FRED
Not bad, can't complain. Everything works.
Better than before, that's for sure.
DOUG
How's it feel to be back?
ANGLE ON FRED
FRED
Well, I'll tell ya. It's nice to feel
useful again. I never appreciated this job
until all of a sudden I wasn't able to do
it anymore. Then I wanted it back real bad.
DOUG
Yeah, take it from me. It's a lot nicer
when you can retire by choice, when you're
ready.
HARRY
Amen.
FRED
Well, I still got a few miles left in me.
HARRY
Okay, I hope you'll let me know when you
are ready to retire.
(gesturing to game)
It would be nice to play somebody who I
didn't beat all the time.
He smiles and Fred laughs. Doug is caught by surprise, but
rebounds.
DOUG
Hah. You wish!
FRED
Listen, it's good seeing you guys. Don't
work too hard.
HARRY
You can bet on that.
DOUG
Good to have you back, Fred.
FRED
Thanks. See ya 'round.
HARRY
Take it easy.
Fred exits, waving to the Firemen on the way out.