Script Archive: Depression Youth Beyond Blue 2007
Back in 2007, when I was enormously pregnant with my first baby, I had the pleasure of writing a series of scripts for Beyond Blue under the series Strength to Speak as a precursor to their Youth Beyond Blue program. This is the first script titled Introduction to Depression facts sheets have been updated since then.
This script formats a little clunky here, tell me if you’d like me to work on this, is written in AV format for documentary/presenter sections and traditional format for creative/scenario sections.
I also want to leave you with some links. This is a project that stayed with me and I’ve kept up to date with who has best information and advice. Here in Australia two organisations lead the pack to my mind Youth Beyond Blue and Headspace. They create facts sheets, brilliant YouTube clips, vlogs, multimedia content and so on… and always need support, I mean $, to survive, check them out!
| Agency | Neon/Cre8ive | Writer | Samantha Maher |
| Client | ANU/Affirm | Producer | Michael Fardell |
| Project | Strength to Speak | Director | |
| Title | Introduction to Depression | Art Director | > Cre8ive |
| Duration | 5 mins | Format/OP | Tape/DVD |
| Job # | Draft # | 2 |
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VISION |
AUDIO |
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INTRODUCTION TO DEPRESSION |
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| Presenter to camera
Super: >>
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Presenter: Did you know that approximately 1 in 5 young people in Australia will experience depression at some time in their life?
Or that this year 5% of you will experience a depressive episode. That’s 1 in 20 of your classmates. Look around you now, because you or one of your friends might suffer next or be suffering right now. Do you know what to look for? Do you know how to help? Hopefully today you’ll find out where to start. I’m Presenter and today we are talking about depression, what it is and how to spot it. You’ll also hear from Sally* who went to find out what the experts think. We’ll also watch a short film about Johnno’s life and see how he and his Mum handle a depressive episode.
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| Presenter to camera
Super: Week 1: Amy’s journey: start point to current location (must have travelled over the week) SFX: Footsteps trace weeks journey with interesting landmarks highlighted along the way (must have youth interest – like music and sporting venues, home of famous person, site of disaster/victory/newsworthy achievement etc.) |
Presenter V/O: But first let’s check in with Amy. This week Amy’s walk has taken her from … to…
She has passed 1…., 2…., and 3…. She has slept in a six person tent by herself and is longing for her mother’s lasagne. She’s now off to…where hopefully she’ll finally find a hot shower. |
| Presenter to camera
Super: Sally* Super: What is Depression? Super: @@@ and title
Super: Some signs and symptoms of depression:
(Spiral graphic with each sign/symptom spinning into the spiral and then fading into centre) Super:
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Presenter: So what is depression? Let’s go and find out…
Sally: Hi guys I’m Sally and recently one of my friends was diagnosed with depression, neither our friends nor we really understand what depression is, so I’ve decided to find out more. I’m at the ANU and about to meet @@@ an expert on all things depression. Sally: @@@what is depression?
@@@: It’s normal to feel down and sad at times, especially if you have recently experienced a stressful life event or problem like the death of a friend or family member, or a relationship break-up, but if these feelings of sadness last longer than two weeks, and interfere with your relationships, work and school commitments, then you may be experiencing a depressive episode. Sally: As friends are there any signs or symptoms we can look out for? @@@ (V/O): Certainly, if you notice you or one of your friends is often sad and cranky, or they have lost pleasure in their favourite things: activities and favourite pastimes, they might not be eating or sleeping or conversely are eating and sleeping all the time. They may lack motivation to go out, to study or to do anything, and their energy levels may seem lower than usual. They may talk about feeling worthless or helpless or feel guilt about something that may not be their fault. You might notice that decisions seem hard for them to make or that they don’t seem to be thinking clearly. They may be very critical of themselves, and might talk about death or suicide.
Sally: But help is available, right? @@@: Absolutely! A fact sheet is available from your school, or more information is available on the web. You can also talk to your school counsellor, family doctor or phone the Kids Help Line Sally: Thanks @@@ for your expert knowledge.
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| Presenter to camera
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Presenter: @@@ has certainly answered my questions.
Now let’s check out Johnno’s story. Johnno is a 16 year old boy, who lives with his mum in the suburbs. It seems that everything in Johnno’s life is spiralling downward and until Johnno realises he’s depressed nothing is going to change in fact it will just keep getting worse. |
1. INT JOHNNO’S BEDROOM MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
JOHNNO’S POV: The bedroom door opens and MUM is sitting on the teenager’s bed. She is surrounded by empty beer and liquor bottles and clutches a report card that shows very low grades. She’s been crying.
A lamp throws an illuminated smear across rock posters in the messy, dishevelled room. Dirty clothes, food wrappers, CD’s and motorbike magazines litter every surface.
JOHNNO stops dead, squinting he surveys the scene, he stumbles and starts retching into the waste bin. He runs from the room.
SFX: JOHNNO throwing up
MUM
Johnno…?
JOHNNO (o/s)
(retching) just leave me alone
SFX: More throwing up
MUM moves to the open bedroom door, her head drops and shakes, she is crying.
MUM
Johnno, I can’t do this anymore (hysterical) no more, no more parties, no more anything… enough.
INSERT: Calendar Transition
A calendar peels the date away. It is now Sunday.
2. INT JOHNNO’S BEDROOM MID MORNING
SFX: Phone ringing
SFX: JOHNNO snoring
JOHNNO is sleeping in a darkened room. Dust is floating in the sunlight beaming through gaps in the curtains. The room is unchanged from last night.
SFX: Knock on bedroom door
MUM o/s
Johnno, it’s your boss, you’re supposed to be at work
JOHNNO
(sleepy) just tell him I’m sick
MUM bursts through bedroom door phone clutched in her hand. She thrusts the phone at JOHNNO.
MUM
Sort it out yourself…
JOHNNO hangs up the phone without saying anything and goes back to sleep. MUM stands hovering over her son, madness across her face, she picks up the phone.
MUM
That was too rude! First bad grades, binge drinking, all night parties, sleeping all day now this…(waving phone). Whatever you’re doing it stops NOW!!!
JOHNNO
(muffled)Get over it. And just get out.
MUM leaves and JOHNNO keeps sleeping.
INSERT: Calendar Transition
Calendar peels the date away and the next three. It is now Thursday.
SFX: School bell rings as Thursday appears.
3. INT JOHNNO’S CLASSROOM MID AFTERNOON
The classroom is empty, desks line-up in rows across the room. A wall of windows reveal kids leaving school for the day and frame JOHNNO as he sits on top a desk at the front of the room. A kind looking TEACHER stands nearby.
TEACHER
This essay is lazy. I want you to try again.
JOHNNO
I did my best…
TEACHER
This is no where near your best, this is a clear fail, you are failing too often now, what is going on? Do you need to talk to someone – we have a counsellor here at school…
JOHNNO
No, I’m good. I’ll do it again… (beat) Can I go?
The TEACHER shrugs, JOHNNO leaves in a hurry.
4. EXT OUTSIDE SCHOOL MID AFTERNOON
JOHNNO bursts from the double main school doors, and crashes into AMANDA and JOSH playfully touching and kissing each other.
JOHNNO stops dead like he’s seen a ghost.
JOHNNO
Amanda? Josh? What…?
JOHNNO starts running down the street. AMANDA goes after him.
AMANDA
(running) Johnno, wait, I can explain…
JOSH
(to Amanda’s back)Mandy, it’s time he knew…
INSERT: Calendar Transition
Calendar peels the date away and the next three. It is now Sunday.
5. INT JOHNNO’S BEDROOM MID MORNING
SFX: Phone ringing
JOHNNO is lying in bed in the darkened room. Dust is floating in the sunlight beaming through gaps in the curtains. The room is unchanged from last week.
SFX: Knock on bedroom door
MUM o/s
Johnno, it’s your boss, you’re supposed to be at work
JOHNNO
(crying) just tell him I’m sick
MUM bursts through bedroom door phone clutched in her hand. She thrusts the phone at JOHNNO only then realising he’s crying.
JOHNNO, composing himself, takes the phone.
JOHNNO
I’m not coming in…
BOSS o/s
(angry)Just forget it that was your last chance. You’re fired.
MUM tries to comfort him, JOHNNO pushes her away. MUM leaves and JOHNNO turns back to his pillow.
INSERT: Calendar Transition
Calendar peels the date away and the next four. It is now Thursday.
SFX: Phone rings as Thursday appears.
6. INT JOHNNO’S BEDROOM MID MORNING
JOHNNO is lying on his bed playing Playstation, he looks small and withered, tiredness and worry showing on his face. MUM walks in.
MUM
That was the school. I can’t keep lying, you have to stop avoiding whatever you’re avoiding. Mrs Healy says she spoke to you about the counsellor, they think…and I think…you should talk to someone. It might help?
JOHNNO
Whatever…
MUM
Johnno please. You won’t talk to me…we can find someone other than the school counsellor!?
JOHNNO
Nah… I’ll go, but before school, and if anyone asks it’s about my grades. Ok.
MUM nods half-heartedly.
Fade to black
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VISION |
AUDIO |
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Super: Johnno’s Depressive Episode > Two weeks Interfered with relationships Interfered with work Interfered with school Super: More information
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Presenter: So as we’ve seen Johnno’s situation was just getting worse until he agreed to get help.
His situation had gone over two weeks, had interfered with his relationship with his mum and his mates and his school and work commitments. Johnno’s solution was to seek professional help, but that’s not the only solution. Over the coming weeks you will hear about self-help and professional options in detail, if in the meantime you need more information or want to talk to someone check out the fact sheet, these websites or talk to your school counsellor, family doctor or the Kids Help Line. |
| Super: Next Week: Reducing Stress | Presenter: Well that’s it from me. I’ll be back next week to talk about stress and how with a few techniques it can be managed. |
SAM MAHER writer | producer | communicator 