Short Film Script: Gustav's Brush

This is the shooting script for a 16 minute short film that I directed in the summer of 2006. The role of Gustav was played by Tom Katsis. Darryl was played by Josh Weiss. Jon Bickford was the cinematographer. Ben Wilson and James Elden also appeared in the film.

I would like to have reprinted the script in its correct script format, but the parameters of this publishing site made that option unavailable. But I have spaced things out in such a way that it should still be easy to read.

GUSTAV'S BRUSH

FADE IN:

INT. GUSTAV'S KITCHEN - DAY

A spartanly-decored kitchen of a 1930s bungalow. Old appliances and dirty dishes suggest it still functions as such, but the room has been, for the most part, overrun by an ARTIST'S STUDIO.

GUSTAV HJERSTROM (59) sits at an EASEL in the center of the kitchen. He works on an ABSTRACT PAINTING -- a black background with red and orange swirls in the middle.

Gustav is a bedraggled, old codger with bits of dried paint clinging to his clothes and hair.

A RAPPING SOUND from offscreen.

Gustav stops painting and looks in the direction of the sound.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Gustav opens the front door and finds DARRYL FOSTER (11), a mop-headed kid with a skateboard. They stare each other down a moment. Then:

GUSTAV
Need something?

DARRYL
My Mom said I was giving her a headache, so I should come over here.

Gustav subtly grinds his teeth.

GUSTAV
Well, doesn't she suppose you'd give me a headache, too?

DARRYL
(shrugs)
I don't know.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Gustav and Darryl eat hashbrowns and eggs. Darryl notices Gustav's abstract painting.

DARRYL
What's that?

GUSTAV
A volcano.

Darryl studies it a moment.

DARRYL
It is?

GUSTAV
Yeah.

Darryl chews on his eggs as he continues to look at the painting.

DARRYL
(talking with his mouth full)
Oh, it's like you're looking down inside. And that's lava.

GUSTAV
Yeah.

DARRYL
It's cool. I wish I could see a volcano explode once.

Gustav nods.

DARRYL
Have you ever seen a volcano explode?

GUSTAV
Not in person.

They resume eating a moment, then:

DARRYL
I'm gonna come here after school all the time.

Gustav blinks at him.

GUSTAV
You mean every day?

Darryl nods.

GUSTAV
What for?