The
piece lasts for approximately 13’ 00”
One of the
headlines in the book is 'My heart stops and starts again' and this was the
more specific starting point for the group. The plot follows the character of Sam,
played by Candidate 1, who is a struggling high school student. He is facing
challenges such as dealing with his father's loss and his demanding, over
controlling mother. He has a toxic school friend Jade, played by Candidate 4.
His best friend Ciara, played by Candidate 3 always supports him. At the end he
tries to commit suicide, but is saved just in time by his mother, played by Candidate
2 and his best friend. His mother realises that her intentions were good, but
her methods were devastating.
The piece lasts for just under 13 minutes, which is acceptable. Of this, there are 3' 17" of transitions/blackouts.
Structure: the piece has an uneven structure dominated by slow, lengthy and poorly-handled transitions.
Pacing and contrast: there are a few moments of dramatic tension but the candidates struggle to handle these effectively.
Roles: these are straightforward and coherent but all of them would benefit from being developed further.
Dialogue: this is functional but offers few dramatic possibilities.
00:43 Opening scene with the mother and Sam, which lasts for 23 seconds.
01:06 Transition 1, lasting for 47 seconds.
01:54 Ciara and Jade are in the exam hall, seated at desks, joined by Sam. The introduction of the ticking clock at 03:16 adds a sense of tension and signifies the passing of time in the exam.
04:39 Transition 2, lasting for 21 seconds ending with back-projection of text messages.
04:57 Sam, Ciara and Jade enter, and exam results are issued.
06:39 Transition 3, lasting for 49 seconds.
07:28 Mother returns. Takes telephone call and sits down to learn the news that Sam has failed the exam and has gone to Starbucks.
08:33 Transition 4, lasting for 20 seconds.
08:53 Sam and Ciara are in Starbucks. She is exasperated trying to help him understand what he can do to improve his situation.
10:37 Transition 5, lasting for 40 seconds with poorly handled back projection to return to a previous slide.
11:19 The mother and Sam enter, and she pushes him onto his bed and threatens him with being grounded for the rest of his life.
12:53 Transition 6, lasting for 17 seconds.
13:13 Ciara and Sam meet and embrace.
13:22 Piece ends.
