Imposter Syndrome

Transcript

1. Action Notes INT. DEAN’S OFFICE - DAY The tip of a sneaker taps rhythmically against a polished hardwood floor. The tap is just a bit too fast — nervous energy trying to escape. Storyboarder's Notes Can still hear sneaker tapping noise throughout scene.
2. Action Notes INT. DEAN’S OFFICE - DAY The tip of a sneaker taps rhythmically against a polished hardwood floor. The tap is just a bit too fast — nervous energy trying to escape. Storyboarder's Notes Can still hear sneaker tapping noise throughout scene.
3. Action Notes The office is tidy, pristine, cold.
4. Action Notes Shelves of leather-bound books. Storyboarder's Notes Marco's POV, Shaky Camera
5. Storyboarder's Notes Marco's POV, Shaky Camera
6. Action Notes Framed diplomas. Storyboarder's Notes Marco's POV, Shaky Camera
7. Storyboarder's Notes Marco's POV, Shaky Camera
8. Action Notes A crystal award glints in the sunlight. Not a single thing out of place, except--- Storyboarder's Notes Marco's POV, Shaky Camera
9. Storyboarder's Notes Marco's POV, Shaky Camera
11. Storyboarder's Notes Marco's POV, Shaky Camera
12. Action Notes MARCO (21), a white skinned Mexican American, sits across from a DEAN who’s face is not in view.
13. Action Notes MARCO (21), a white skinned Mexican American, sits across from a DEAN who’s face is not in view.
14. Dialog MARCO (V.O.) Yup that’s me. You probably won’t be able to guess why I’m here. Well, let’s go back a month ago. Action Notes A manila file sits unopened between them. Tension hums in the air.
15. Action Notes INT. DORM HALLWAY - DAY Marco comes out of the stairwell and walks down the dorm hallway.
16. Action Notes His Stanford ID hangs from the Stanford lanyard hanging from his pocket.
19. Action Notes The hallway is decorated with “WELCOME FROSH” signs. He walks past other students.
20. Action Notes The hallway is decorated with “WELCOME FROSH” signs. He walks past other students.
22. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD DORMS - DAY Marco exits the dorm and unlocks his bike from the bike rack, tucked between other bikes.
23. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD DORMS - DAY Marco exits the dorm and unlocks his bike from the bike rack, tucked between other bikes.
24. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD DORMS - DAY Marco exits the dorm and unlocks his bike from the bike rack, tucked between other bikes.
25. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD DORMS - DAY Marco exits the dorm and unlocks his bike from the bike rack, tucked between other bikes.
26. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings.
27. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
28. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
29. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
30. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
31. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
32. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
33. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
34. Dialog Action Notes EXT. STANFORD UNIVERSITY - BIKE PATH - DAY Marco bikes past other dorms and lecture hall buildings. Groups of students laugh in the distance. A jogger passes. A flyer flaps on a post.
35. Action Notes Marco sees a girl jogging and smiles at himself.
36. Action Notes Marco sees a girl jogging and smiles at himself.
37. Action Notes Marco sees a girl jogging and smiles at himself.
38. Action Notes Marco sees a girl jogging and smiles at himself.
39. Action Notes Marco sees a girl jogging and smiles at himself.
40. Action Notes EXT. JANE STANFORD WAY - DAY He passes by a fountain next to Hoover Tower.
41. Action Notes EXT. JANE STANFORD WAY - DAY He passes by a fountain next to Hoover Tower.
42. Action Notes EXT. JANE STANFORD WAY - DAY He passes by a fountain next to Hoover Tower.
43. Action Notes EXT. LECTURE HALL BUILDING - DAY Marco parks and locks his bike. Two students walk up ahead. Marco hangs back casually and tucks his lanyard into his pocket.
44. Action Notes EXT. LECTURE HALL BUILDING - DAY Marco parks and locks his bike. Two students walk up ahead. Marco hangs back casually and tucks his lanyard into his pocket.
45. Action Notes One of them swipes their Student ID Card. Beep. Beep.
46. Action Notes When the door opens, he follows them in. Storyboarder's Notes I thought Marco being more "hidden in plain sight" in his confidence in this scene might be funny- but no sweat if this interpretation isn't it.
47. Action Notes When the door opens, he follows them in. Storyboarder's Notes Marco fist-bumps one of the students holding opening the door. "Looking good today, man!"
48. Action Notes When the door opens, he follows them in. Storyboarder's Notes The student looks a little puzzled, but happy about the compliment.
50. Action Notes INT. LECTURE HALL - DAY Marco sits in a film class, he listens to the professor.
51. Action Notes INT. LECTURE HALL - DAY Marco sits in a film class, he listens to the professor.
52. Dialog PROFESSOR Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a film and a movie? Action Notes The white board has various film terms written on it.
53. Action Notes Couple students raise their hand.
54. Action Notes Marco wants to raise his but doesn’t.
55. Action Notes Marco wants to raise his but doesn’t.
56. Dialog MARCO Orientation was nothing dawg, tell me why every girl in all of my classes look like models. Action Notes EXT. MEMORIAL CHURCH - DAY The afternoon sun hits bright on the sandstone walls of a building. Marco and TIEHRE (18), tall built African American, walk sideby-side down a path, backpacks slung low.
57. Dialog TIEHRE I know it’s crazy, everywhere I looked, 9’s and 10’s.
58. Dialog MARCO You got any numbers though?
59. Dialog TIEHRE Nah, I like to wait.
60. Dialog MARCO Why? TIEHRE That way the interaction feels organic. Also, you also don’t look desperate. What about you?
61. Dialog MARCO Well I met someone. TIEHRE Already?
62. Dialog MARCO Yeah..interesting thing. She’s older. Like, older-older.
63. Dialog TIEHRE Damn, I didn’t you went for milfs? MARCOe (Laughs) Me neither, I lied about my age, said I was 25. Hopefully she doesn’t have any kids. But will see though, were gonna hang out soon.
64. Dialog TIEHRE Alright then, let me know how it goes. I gotta go to my last class. Action Notes Tiehre checks his phone.
65. Dialog MARCO Bet. Take care. Action Notes They handshake. Tiere runs off.
66. Dialog JEANNETTE (O.S.) (Calls out) Mitch? Michael? MARCO!! Action Notes Suddenly, a familiar voice calls out from behind Marco.
67. Dialog JEANNETTE (O.S.) (Calls out) Mitch? Michael? MARCO!!
68. Action Notes Marco turns around and sees JEANNETTE, (21), his former high school classmate in a Lululemon sweater and leggings.
69. Action Notes Marco turns around and sees JEANNETTE, (21), his former high school classmate in a Lululemon sweater and leggings.
70. Action Notes Marco turns around and sees JEANNETTE, (21), his former high school classmate in a Lululemon sweater and leggings.
71. Dialog JEANNETTE (CONT’D) I thought I recognized you! What are you doing here? Action Notes Jeannette approaches Marco with a curious look, as she catches her breath.
72. Dialog MARCO Uh...I go here?
73. Dialog JEANNETTE (Laughs) Your not serious, I heard you didn't even apply to college. Action Notes Jeannette raises her eyebrow, with a skeptical smile.
74. Dialog MARCO (Grins) I honestly don't know what your talking about. Action Notes Marco freezes for a moment, caught off guard.
75. Dialog JEANNETTE What major are you? Action Notes Jeannette crosses her arms.
76. Dialog MARCO Uh Kinesiology.
77. Dialog JEANNETTE Same as me! Have you taken Professor Johnson’s KIN-455 class?
78. Dialog MARCO Not yet, but everyone says he’s amazing.
79. Dialog JEANNETTE He’s not real. There is no KIN-185.
80. Action Notes Marco pauses.
81. Dialog JEANNETTE (CONT’D) I see what your trying to do and it’s not funny.
82. Dialog MARCO Well I don’t know what you see but I’m just a regular student here. Action Notes Jeannette stares at Marco’s Student ID, it dangles from his lanyard in his pocket.
83. Dialog JEANNETTE (Sarcastic) Right. And I’m just trying to keep my campus safe.
84. Dialog JEANNETTE (CONT’D) You should leave, Marco. Before I report you to the authorities.
85. Action Notes Jeannette turns and runs off without looking back.
87. Action Notes INT. DORM HALLWAY - NIGHT The hallway is empty. The flickering overhead light hums. Storyboarder's Notes I had the composition making him walk the opposite direction that Jeanette went.
88. Action Notes Marco quickly walks through the hallway.
89. Action Notes He reaches the end, and opens the stairwell, and heads downstairs.
90. Action Notes He reaches the end, and opens the stairwell, and heads downstairs.
91. Action Notes He reaches the end, and opens the stairwell, and heads downstairs. Storyboarder's Notes Reference this scene in Parasite: https://youtu.be/clJ-HHmaBIQ?si=IHghHp4mUS9AJ-ZX&t=110
92. Action Notes INT. DORM BASEMENT - NIGHT Streetlights illuminate the basement. Boxes. Janitor gear. Sleeping bag on a yoga mat, cracked minifridge, a crate of noodles and notebooks. Storyboarder's Notes No camera movement. He just walks towards his makeshift room for a few seconds. I want him to appear small.
93. Action Notes Marco drops his bag, kicks off his shoes, and lies down.
94. Action Notes Marco drops his bag, kicks off his shoes, and lies down.
95. Action Notes Marco drops his bag, kicks off his shoes, and lies down.
96. Action Notes His hoodie becomes a pillow.
97. Action Notes He stares at the ceiling.
98. Action Notes He stares at the ceiling.
99. Action Notes He stares at the ceiling.
100. Action Notes Soft hospital beeps fade in.
101. Action Notes INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT Machines beep in a quiet rhythm.
102. Action Notes On a hospital bed lies his DAD (50s) thin, yellow skin, eyes sunken. A faint oxygen tube rests under his nose.
103. Action Notes On a hospital bed lies his DAD (50s) thin, yellow skin, eyes sunken. A faint oxygen tube rests under his nose.
104. Action Notes Marco enters the room.
105. Dialog MARCO’S DAD (Weakly) Didn’t think you would come.
106. Dialog MARCO Ma said you were dying. Figured that earns a visit.
107. Action Notes A pause. Silence hums behind the beeps
108. Dialog MARCO’S DAD I messed up, mijo...I know I made life hard. MARCO’S DAD (CONT’D) I don’t have much time, but I need you to do me a big favor. Go to college. Action Notes Marco stares at the floor.
109. Dialog MARCO Well it’s too late, man. I already fucked up. YOU made me fuck up. MARCO’S DAD Mijo, you had amazing grades in high school. You were planning on going to college. Action Notes Marco exhales a dry laugh.
110. Dialog MARCO’S DAD (CONT’D) Also I don’t think it’s too late. You’re twenty. You’ve got no kids. No marriage. No real commitments. You still got time. Action Notes Marco looks down.
111. Dialog MARCO And? study what? Waste four years of my life? Hell nah. MARCO’S DAD You could be the first in our family to go to college. Action Notes Marco looks back up.
112. Action Notes Marco starts to pace around agitated.
113. Dialog MARCO How am I supposed to take advice from the guy who drank himself into this bed?
114. Dialog MARCO’S DAD Because I know what not to do....and I don’t want you to end up here too.
115. Dialog MARCO’S DAD (CONT’D) Please, mijo. Do it. Marco clenches his jaw, then shakes his head. Action Notes Silence.
116. Dialog (Marco clenches his jaw, then shakes his head.) MARCO You don’t get to ask me for shit. Action Notes Marco runs out of the room.
117. Action Notes INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY – DAY Marco angrily power walks through the hall. In front of him, a couple walks past—laughing softly, arms linked. The guy wears a STANFORD UNIVERSITY sweater.
119. Action Notes Marco notices it but doesn’t take it in, until they pass. Something pulls at him. He stops and turns. Stares at the sweater.
120. Action Notes We slowly push in on Marco’s face. An idea forms.
123. Action Notes INT. DORM BASEMENT - NIGHT Marco rolls to his side and closes his eyes.
124. Action Notes EXT. STANFORD DORM BUILDING - DAY Tiehre walks towards the dorms.
125. Dialog TIEHRE (Calls out) Marco!! Shit Action Notes In the distance, Marco enters with some people into the dorms and Tiehre spots him.
128. Action Notes Tiehre hurries in.
129. Action Notes Tiehre hurries in.
130. Action Notes INT. STANFORD DORM BUILDING - DAY Tiehre spots Marco entering the stairwell. He follows. Storyboarder's Notes The camera will off zoomed in on Tiehre opening the door, then zoom out to show the door to the stairwell closing.
131. Action Notes INT. STANFORD DORM BUILDING - DAY Tiehre spots Marco entering the stairwell. He follows.
132. Action Notes At the door, Tiehre peers through the window. Marco heads down, not up. Storyboarder's Notes It would be cool if Tiehre entered the stairwell, then peered down to notice Marco going down.
133. Dialog TIEHRE What the? Action Notes At the door, Tiehre peers through the window. Marco heads down, not up. Storyboarder's Notes It would be cool if Tiehre entered the stairwell, then peered down to notice Marco going down.
134. Storyboarder's Notes It would be cool if Tiehre entered the stairwell, then peered down to notice Marco going down.
135. Storyboarder's Notes It would be cool if Tiehre entered the stairwell, then peered down to notice Marco going down.
136. Storyboarder's Notes Tiehre follows Marco down once he dissapears from view.
137. Action Notes INT. STANFORD DORM - BASEMENT - DAY Tiehre creeps around the corner, he sees Marco flopped on his makeshift bed.
138. Action Notes INT. STANFORD DORM - BASEMENT - DAY Tiehre creeps around the corner, he sees Marco flopped on his makeshift bed.
139. Dialog TIEHRE Marco??
140. Dialog MARCO SHIT, Tiehre what's up dawg! Action Notes Marco jolts up.
141. Dialog TIEHRE Are you living down here? Action Notes Marco hesitates, cornered.
142. Dialog MARCO This is not what it looks like.
143. Dialog MARCO This is not what it looks like.
144. Dialog TIEHRE DAWG, no way you’re living in a basement! Do you even go here?
145. Dialog MARCO I’m just...borrowing some space. And maybe...an education.
146. Dialog TIEHRE HOLY SHIT, your not even a student!
147. Dialog Marco doesn’t answer.
148. Dialog TIEHRE (CONT’D) Bro your fucked... Action Notes Tiehre stares, stunned.
149. Dialog MARCO (Sighs) Look, man, don't report me okay. I don't want to make a scene. I'll just grab my stuff and go. Action Notes A pause. Tiehre studies Marco.
150. Action Notes A pause. Tiehre studies Marco.
151. Dialog TIEHRE Nah man, I ain't no snitch. Action Notes Marco exhales, surprised.
152. Dialog TIEHRE (CONT’D) I have an idea, I don’t have a roommate, so I got an extra bed. You can crash in my dorm. MARCO For real? TIEHRE Yeah, but only on one condition. MARCO Action Notes Symmetrical/grounded composition again to show they're back on equal ground.
153. Dialog TIEHRE (CONT’D) My ex was Mexican. I miss her, but mostly her cooking. So you're gonna be my personal chef from now on. MARCO (Shakes Tiehre’s hand) Alright, bet. You just changed my life, bro. TIEHRE But explain, what drove you to do this? Storyboarder's Notes I would change Tiehre's line to something more casual, like "How'd you end up in this boat anyways?" + Would take out Marco's "So that's my story." and skip straight to Tiehre's response/reaction.
154. Dialog MARCO So that's my story. TIEHRE Well I probably would've done the same thing too if I was in your shoes. Action Notes INT. DORM HALLWAY - DAY Tiehre and Marco step out of the stairwell, both are carry big black bags filled with Marco's clothes. Storyboarder's Notes Tracking Shot as they walk down the hallway. Tiehre saying he would've dont the same thing with confidence feels unrealistic- maybe he says he wouldn't know what he would've done, or that he can't blame Marco.
155. Action Notes Jeannette exits her dorm room and immediately notices Marco and narrows her eyes on him.
156. Dialog JEANNETTE (Suspicious) Marco? What are you doing here?
157. Action Notes Marco freezes but Tiehre steps forward.
158. Action Notes Marco freezes but Tiehre steps forward.
159. Dialog TIEHRE He's my roommate? Do you have a problem with that?? Action Notes Marco freezes but Tiehre steps forward.
160. Action Notes Jeannette's expression hardens.
161. Dialog JEANNETTE (Fake smiles) No, just an RA being curious that's all!
163. Dialog (Whispers to Marco) I’ll figure you out Marco, I know you don’t belong here.
164. Dialog MARCO What's an RA? TIEHRE An RA is someone who's in charge of the floor. Action Notes Jeannette walks away.
165. Action Notes Tiehre opens his dorm and enters. Marco and Jeannette stare each other, she disappears into the stairwell.
166. Action Notes Tiehre opens his dorm and enters. Marco and Jeannette stare each other, she disappears into the stairwell. Storyboarder's Notes "Elevator" in the script was replaced with stairwell because Washburn dosn't have any elevators.