Trapped* (pdf format) by Chris Keaton
Searching for a bit of the past, a survivor of an apocalypse finds himself trapped.
Spoiler alert: you’re going to die.
It could be quick – a sneaky brain aneurysm that shuts you off like a light switch. Or maybe it’ll be the slow torture of terminal illness. Or a sudden, tragic accident. But whatever the fates hold in store, you’ll have to face it. Eventually. That’s one of the reasons horror is such a beloved genre. It’s our morbid fascination of watching the human animal in its death throes… and wondering how we ourselves will fare.
Written by talented screenwriter Chris Keaton, Trapped is just such a tale. Bleak. Grim. Depressing. And you won’t be able to turn your eyes away.
In the indeterminate future, society’s collapsed. Dave’s been struggling to survive ever since. Wandering through desolate terrain. Scavaging. Surviving by any means necessary. Which has worked… at least, until now. In a lightening quick moment of lousy luck, he finds himself trapped in an abandoned garage; pinned under an engine block at the bottom of a pit. Unless a miracle happens, Dave’s reached The End.
There’s no chance of medical care. Wild dogs prowl outside. And he hasn’t seen another human being in months. But when a small group of travelers discover Dave’s predicament, it looks like he might be saved! But is it the help he was praying for? Or something else entirely?
Much like The Walking Dead (and other post-apocalyptic tales), Trapped is framed against the death of society. But the story itself is far more personal. Surprisingly uplifting in certain ways, it’s about facing your own mortality. And appreciating the small joys of life… while you can.
Horror and thriller indie directors take note: the potential for great performances in this one is vast. A small cast – no FX. All that’s needed is someone with the vision to bring it to screen. Grab this little gem while you can.
Or you can ignore it. It’s your funeral.
Pages: 7
Budget: Mid-range. Set in an automotive garage, there are a few “equipment” requirements. But nothing that would break the bank. (Especially if you’re pals with a local mechanic!)
About the writer: Chris Keaton is an Air Force veteran living with his family in sunny Arizona. He’s primarily a screenwriter, but he does love diving into prose. He has had several short screenplays produced and go on to win awards. He’s optioned a few features screenplays and currently has a thriller feature in post-production. A young-adult novel based on one of his screenplays is soon to be released. You can see some of his projects on his website, Chris-Keaton.com or follow him on Facebook at Facebook.com/ChrisKeaton.
About the reviewer: Pete Barry is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright, actor, director and musician. His short plays have been published in numerous collections. He’s also a cofounder of the Porch Room, a film and theater production company, website available at http://www.porchroom.com/. Please feel free to reach out to him with script requests at petebarry27 (a) Hotmail.
Read Trapped* (pdf format)
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.
*Fixed the broken link
6 Comments so far
1.
KP Mackie
January 3rd, 2015 at 1:44 pm
A riveting story that looks terrific on the page.
Great description. So intriguing that I zipped through it in no time, DYING to know if poor Dave makes it out alive.
Very entertaining. 🙂
2.
Henry Christner (Stumpzian)
January 3rd, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Evocative story, told with restraint. Nice choice for a setting.
Minor quib: Should be “lies” in the first graph. Doesn’t really matter because we’re watching not reading.
3.
Richardr
January 3rd, 2015 at 11:01 pm
Chris,
Take all comments with a healthy skepticism.
I’m not sure about the voice over. You use it to inform the audience when I think you should use visuals. Take the Ray of sunshine. Instead of the v.o. How about him making a mark on the wall? Same effect no? And if music is a theme, why not have him sing or hum, a reason to go for the music at the bottom of the pit. Instead of telling us about Kristen why not have him talk to her? If the dogs are a danger, show that in the beginning. He might get chased inside. Dogs snarling outside. If you want to show a dystopian world you might consider a corpse with a note. Showing is usually better than telling–as you do quite well when the larger group arrives.
Overall, it’s a good little story. Dave doesn’t move on until he learns he’s dead. Nice touch. Good work.
Best
Richard
4.
Skip Byrd
October 26th, 2016 at 10:58 am
Can I turn it into a feature film?
5.
Don
October 26th, 2016 at 11:20 am
Skip,
Reach out to the author on his website: Chris-Keaton.com
Don
6.
Skip Byrd
October 26th, 2016 at 8:44 pm
Can I tell him in person?