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"The Jetty" - An Off Script Cold Read

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In every episode of ‘Off Script’, Ben and Lloyd are faced with a tough, but real, acting challenge… To take a script, with absolutely ZERO preparation, and perform it to the best of their abilities. No peeking, no hints, no ideas - just straight into the scene, and being left to (hopefully) swim rather than sink thanks to their considerable talents!

In the third episode of the series, the boys faced their most dramatic script yet; a thoughtful, emotional and powerful piece by James Kersey. Presented here for your reading pleasure, is the script of “The Jetty”… exactly as the Off Scripters were handed it…

EXT. JETTY - EVENING


The waves crash along the shore, shaking a small boat tied to a wooden jetty. ROWAN stands looking out on the endless sea, eyes red raw.


Sam rushes down the hillside towards the jetty.


SAM

Rowan! Rowan thank god! Oh thank god! The whole town's looking for you.


ROWAN

Are they?


SAM

They're all over the fields, even the young lads are out there.


An uncomfortable silence.


SAM (cont'd)

What are you doing?


ROWAN

I don't know.


SAM

Right... ok. Cause it looks like you're trying to get into that boat.


ROWAN

Do you imagine what things will be like? Like, a vision of your whole life, a future partner, future house, kids, your perfect job, getting old.


SAM

Yeah, I think everyone does.


ROWAN

I don't see that. I don't envisage that. I can't see it.


SAM

Wha... okay...


ROWAN

I don't feel it. I can't see myself in 20 years. I can't see myself in 20 days.


SAM

That doesn't matter.


ROWAN

Course it matters. Everyone's got dreams, its what's supposed to keep you going, right? It's what keeps everyone going through this rigour of life every day, waking up everyday because of that thing in 20 years that'll make your life worth it. And I just, I just don't feel it.


SAM

Surely you-


ROWAN

What's your goal?


SAM

Well you know what it is.


ROWAN

What is it?


SAM

To take over the bakery, of course it's to take over the bakery.


ROWAN

And that keeps you going?


SAM

Yeah.


ROWAN

I don't have a bakery. I don't have anything that I care about.


SAM

Surely there must be something.


ROWAN

I'm not driven. At all.


SAM

Well I can't drive either.


ROWAN

I'm not joking.


SAM

No sorry, Rowan, sorry. You know I can't resist.


ROWAN

That's cause you're funny. That's what you are. You were made to make people laugh and love you. And that's my point you have things to do. I have nothing. Give me three fun facts about myself, nothing.


SAM

That's not true.


ROWAN

Go on then. Three exciting things in my life. Go on.


Sam struggles for anything to say.


ROWAN (cont'd)

Give me one exciting thing this WEEK. We've been together almost every hour, give me one good thing.


SAM

We saw that sunset, on Tuesday on the hill. I saw your face, you loved it.


ROWAN

I can't keep pushing on for sunsets.


SAM

Other push on for a lot less.


ROWAN

Well I can't.


SAM

What will you do then?


ROWAN

Well I thought I might just sail. See where the tide takes me.


SAM

In that small thing?


ROWAN

I'll manage.


SAM

You're really gonna leave the island? I don't even know how far the mainland is away. And you can't even steer a thing like this.


ROWAN

I'll get there.


SAM

You'd really leave this beautiful place.


ROWAN

If all it offers is sunsets then yes.


SAM

And you trying to get all the way to the mainland.


ROWAN

Yes.


SAM

To give yourself something to live for.


ROWAN

I hope so.


SAM

Then you're the most driven person I know.


How well do you think Ben and Lloyd did? Is there anything you would change about their interpretation? Or do you think it was pitch perfect? Please do let us know!

If you haven’t already, you can listen to episode three of Off Script here;



Episode Four lands on Tuesday 12th May, as the boys look at the worlds of film and television. We hope to see you there!

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