The Talent
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THE TALENT:
Screenplay by
Tania Meneguzzi
Based on the novel by Carter
DRAFT ONE:
01/16/2018FADE IN:
EXT. MIAMI, FLORIDA - DAY
ESTABLISHING SHOT. WIDE. OVER the country's third-tallest
skyline, featuring the 84-story Panorama Tower. The sound of
SUPERIMPOSE:
“MIAMI - 1993.”EXT. FOOTBALL STADIUM - CONTINUOUS
The AFC New York Lightning and the NFC California Cougars are
playing in the biggest game of the year. It’s the Super Bowl.
Meet JASON STALLINGS (30). Star quarterback for the Cougars.
He’s 6’6” and 255 pounds, easy-going, instantly likable...and
his number 12 shirt is covered in blood. He looks up. Sees...
KIM STALLINGS (30) looking at him from the stands. Kim is
beautiful and fit. She mouths the words: “I love you.”
Jason hits his chest indicating the “I love you too” signal.
The professional commentators having their own pre-game talk.
COMMENTATOR #1
As one of the best quarterbacks in
football history, Jason Stallings
has an impeccable QB rating and
broken records for the most passing
touchdowns and most passing yards.
The commentator’s V.O. CARRIES OVER:
EXT. FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Where the players get into formation to begin the next play.
COMMENTATOR #1 (V.O.)
He is already on his way to the
Hall of Fame. The boy was born with
natural talent.
The referee blows the WHISTLE and the kick-off begins... We
FOLLOW Jason running and then move to Jason’s left guard,
MARK MULLENS (29)...
He gets distracted and lets the left defensive end, JAMES
FORD (32), around the corner... Suddenly --
CRACK! Jason and James smash in a helmet-to-helmet collision
whereby Jason goes flying, flipping wildly into the air.
JASON:
F*CK!!!
And tumbles over his neck, his head crashing to the ground
with a THUD as his burly body keeps sliding...
NEW ANGLE - Kim holding her hand to her mouth in the stands.
KIM:
Oh my God, Jason!
SPECTATORS scream at Jason just laying on his back. Dead
still.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE UP:
Jason opens his eyes.
JASON’S POV
AUDIO FX -- There’s a cold and hollow SILENCE...
VISUAL FX -- OVERCRANKED CAMERA
Jason looks around... sees only fractured pieces... BRIGHT
LIGHTS... BOOTS RUNNING... PANIC-FILLED FACES...
The referee mouths “Are you OK, Jay?”... Barely audible...
Then a RINGING starts in Jason’s ears.
BACK:
The referee helps Jason into a sitting position. He blinks
his eyelids several times. NORMAL SOUND comes back...
JASON:
Where’s Drew?
2.
JASON’S POV AGAIN
The RINGING returns but his vision gets clearer. Jason sees
the referee looking right at him but can’t understand --
REFEREE:
Who?
BACK:
Jason looks around for someone, dazed. But all he sees are
players, coaches, and THREE DOCTORS surrounding him.
DOCTOR #1
Are you hurt anywhere?
No response. The doctor looks down. Sees... Jason wiggling
his feet, his legs, then his body.
JASON:
Yeah, I’m okay.
And starts to get up with help from his offensive teammates,
one of which is the hottie wide out TRAVON JACKSON (28). The
crowd CLAP and CHEER as Jason gingerly walks off the field.
JASON (CONT’D)
What happened?
TRAVON:
You just got sacked. You were out
for a few seconds, bro.
JASON:
What’s the score?
TRAVON:
The score is tied, and there’s only
four minutes left in the game.
Off Jason’s look, we move to...
Where the commentators are lapping up the drama.
COMMENTATOR #2
Have the Cougars just lost their
starting quarterback in the most
important game of the season? This
doesn’t look like the fairy-tale
ending the Cougars were hoping for.
3.
EXT. SIDELINES - CONTINUOUS
Jason sitting on the bench, his head down. The three doctors
performing a series of physical assessments.
DOCTOR #1
Do you have ringing in your ears?
Jason shakes his head. Then, someone catches his eye. Sees...
The Cougars head coach SIMON PARR (50s) talking to BILLY
WRIGHT (30), their backup QB. Billy’s ego is astronomical.
Back to Jason watching them while the doctor keeps examining.
DOCTOR #2 (O.C.)
Do you know where you are?
Jason’s looks right at the doctor.
JASON:
Look, I wasn’t knocked out. I was
just a little dazed and trying to
get my bearings back there.
Jason grabs some water and starts to walk around, the doctors
watching his every move. Coach Parr approaches the head doc.
PARR:
What’s the verdict?
DOCTOR #1
Well, he answered the level of
consciousness questions correctly
but I believe he has a concussion.
Parr catches Jason’s eye. He looks pained, angry.
The commentators watching the monitors closely.
COMMENTATOR #1
Stallings has 11 fourth quarter
comeback wins in his 10-year career
with the Cougars...
Now the other commentator is chiming in with his piece.
4.
COMMENTATOR #2
With four minutes left in the game,
the Cougars have the ball on their
own 20 yard line with 82 yards to
go for a touchdown. A field goal
could win them the game if they can
stop the other team from scoring or
just run out the clock.
EXT. SIDELINES - CONTINUOUS
Jason hesitantly looks out at the field. Sees...
-- Billy finishes the cadence and then hands off the ball to
the running back who gets seven yards and is taken down.
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"The Talent" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script-for-sale/the_talent_19>.
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