Tear-jerker stories hold a special place in the world of cinema, from current films such as Me Before You and The Fault In Our Stars, to classics such as Love Story and The Way We Were, their appeal is timeless and can be attributed to several factors that touch upon the depths of human emotion and pull at the heartstrings. On the Beach written by Steven Clark is a captivating and thought-provoking script that does just that; skillfully weaving together elements of drama and heartbreak. The story’s simplicity belies its emotional depth and compelling narrative, making it an engaging and memorable piece of work.

The script initially centers around two characters, Doug and Carolyn, who find themselves
preparing for the birth of their first child. The simple description of Carolyn painting the baby’s room opens the story. In the writer’s hands, this simple scene is transformed as we can almost hear the swish of the brush and smell the aroma of the paint as we are drawn into their world:

INT. HOUSE, BEDROOM – DAY
A paintbrush glides along the wall. Light blue is the color.
Then —
An empty crib that looks brand new. A dresser that still has a tag.
Downstroke of the brush in the hand of CAROLYN, 30, mother-to be, sweating, hair in her
eyes. But it can’t hide the glow on her face.

The entry of her husband, with his “find” of the perfect book for their new baby boy and his
dreams of reading it to him, complete the picture of joyous anticipation.

The script excels in its natural and heartfelt dialogue, allowing the characters’ emotions and
personalities to shine through. Doug and Carolyn feel like real people; their struggle to provide for their family while mired in more or less dead end jobs will resonate with the audience on a personal level, while the introduction of Doug’s illness is a seismic turning point. The remainder of the story is a telling of Doug’s gradual goodbye and the purposeful steps he takes to ensure that their son, Jeremy will remember the waning days he spent with his father.

Both Doug and Carolyn, as well as Jeremy, in his arc of age progression through childhood, are
well-crafted characters. The gradual unfolding of Doug’s illness and its effect on the family is woven seamlessly into the story, while his continued bedtime reading to Jeremy featuring an
astronaut shooting into outer space, serves as a segue to his son’s understanding that his father will soon be leaving.

The beach setting serves as a metaphorical stage, beautifully mirroring the ebb and flow of the characters’ emotions and the inevitable passage of time, while the vision of three chairs, “Two adult and one child” is a foretelling of the outcome.

No other cue is needed to summon the tears of the audience.

Despite its brevity, “On the Beach” manages to evoke a strong emotional response. The script
delves into themes of love, loss and the passage of time, offering a rich and resonant insight into how we may be called to face the unthinkable.

The script concludes on a poignant note, leaving the audience with a sense of melancholy closure. The ending feels fitting as it weaves the passing of one life and the beginning of another skillfully played upon the timelessness of the sea:

EXT. CALLOWAY BEACH – DAY
Bright Summer sun. Blankets and umbrellas everywhere.
Carolyn sits by the water’s edge, toes in the sand. The sun
feels good. She turns to see —
Jeremy sitting next to MAGGIE, 18 months, wearing a floppy
hat and a pink one-piece beach outfit.
Maggie picks up a sea shell, looks it over, then throws it.
On the beach are three unoccupied CHAIRS — two child-sized
and one for an adult.
The sound of a wave crashing onto shore.

Final Thoughts:
On the Beach is a remarkable short script that successfully captures the essence of human connection, nostalgia, and the complexities of life and death. With its well-crafted characters, poignant dialogue, and evocative setting, the script takes the viewer on an emotional journey that resonates deeply. It stands as a testament to the power of concise storytelling and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Credit to the writer for crafting such a touching and well-executed short script. On the Beach is a shining example of the potential that lies within the short film format and is deserving of recognition and praise. A small number of roles, few locations and budget-friendly scripting also serve to make this a very compelling project for those looking to produce a well-written and meaningful short film.

Read the script and talk about it on the discussion board.

About the Writer: Based in upstate, NY, Steven Clark is the writer of over 30 short scripts, several of which are under option, in pre-production, or have already been made into films. On A Clear Night, a family Christmas feature aimed at a Hallmark Channel-type audience, is currently in the works. Steven can be reached at his website.

About the reviewer, K. Cranford: I am a published author with articles featured in nationally circulated magazines. I specialize in family friendly stories with an uplifting message and currently have five completed screenplays, three of which are Christmas themed, as well as several shorts that I am actively marketing. By education I am a Registered Nurse. My husband, a physician and I make our home in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Find more scripts available for production

*This screenplay may not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.