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The Lightkeepers Crossword Animatic

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Seton and Its' Monster!

Seton  is a remote village somewhere in the northern part of Scotland. It’s not a particularly well known village, however its keen locals have always done their best to bring their village the fame and attention it deserves ( in their opinion).

Seton has historically always been a fishing village. However over the last few decades the trade of fish has suffered somewhat. Many believe that the blame for this drop in commerce lies with the so called “Seton Sea Monster”. This is a common defense used by local fishermen after an unsuccessful venture to sea.

Several sightings of the “Seton Sea Monster” have been reported over the years, the description of the beasts appearance taking several different forms. However there has never actually been any conclusive evidence.

As to whether the creature actually exists or not is a topic that has caused much debate. While several locals are adamant that they have seen the beast in the flesh, many feel the whole tale is an embarrassing joke, whilst others are simply happy to jump on the bandwagon in an attempt to make a small fortune through the sales of t-shirts and other tacky merchandise.

The people of Seton have an unusual rivalry with those from around Loch Ness and often can be overheard making snide or abusive comments against them.

Many are spiteful towards the Loch Ness Monster Situation. Some believe the whole thing to be a fabrication surrounding tourism, which in turn has a direct effect upon what their own village has to share with the world - which of course is the “Seton Sea Monster”, much like the Loch Ness Monster, but they believe it to be real!

Others believe that the whole myth surrounding Nessie was at its conception misinterpreted and is infact the same thing as the “Seton Sea Monster”, the location of sightings has simply been miscredited.

The Lightkeeper

He’s a fairly old man (around 70) who’s been working at the lighthouse for many years. Although he has lived in the area for a long time, his face remains unknown to the rest of the community as he spends all of his time by himself inside the lighthouse. 

Shell shock is one possible explanation for the lightkeepers unusual personality. He’s an ex navy officer who served in the 1st world war. After his retirement he wished to live in solice and so took up the position as the lighthouse keeper. Scattered around his live- in lighthouse are memento’s of his past; including dust covered pictures of family members, old navy buddies and his old sweetheart. His prized possession however lives amongst his old navy medals. It sticks out from his collection of medals as it is the only one that still shines. It's a medal he received for winning a crossword competition many years ago. It may well be another explanation for his obsession with the things.

Over the years he has done a good job as lighthouse keeper. There is not an awful lot required of him, although it it is a job that requires long hours (in his case it’s constant) and there have been no major incidents known to have happened whilst he has been on watch.

Every day, along with his groceries,several of the days papers are delivered - which he reads from front to back before completing the puzzles inside, his favourite of which being the crossword.

He always finishes his crosswords, as he reads a lot and so as a result he is very intelligent - however his good knowledge and book smarts are compensated for by his sheltered lifestyle, which has left him detached from the real world.

He doesn’t have any real ‘people friends’... but thats not to say he’s unhappy. His puzzles are his passion and his favoured company. His ideal evening would be to sit in his lighthouse enjoying a good crossword to the soothing beat of his other companion, the spinning light. He likes to top the evening off with a comforting glass of irish cream and a slice of cake. Nothing gives him more joy than when he completes all of his crosswords for the day, at which point if he does he’ll knock off for a nap.

He’s a bit of a hoarder too and keeps all of his completed crosswords under and around his desk. From time to time he looks through them as though they are cherished memories.

Script (Version 5)

THE LIGHTKEEPERS CROSSWORD

(draft 5)

by Adam Hackers

EXT. LIGHTHOUSE - NIGHT

It’s a dark, slightly misty but overall peaceful evening. A Lighthouse stands by itself on top of a cliff edge. Music can be heard (it’s source is inside the lighthouse)

INT. LIGHTHOUSE - NIGHT

Inside is a lone lighthouse keeper. He is sitting in the top room of the lighthouse, in front of the light itself. In the room there is also a bed, some shelves and a few other bits and pieces, it looks quite homely. The keeper sits at a desk writing down answers to a crossword. He writes them quite rhythmically as the light intermittently covers him. His radio (where the introduction music came from) is still playing.

The lightkeeper becomes stuck on a question and begins to tap his pencil off the desk in frustration.

EXT. LIGHTHOUSE

(M.S) We see indications that the weather is worsening along with the lightkeepers mood. Rain batters off the roof of the lighthouse and the weather vain is blown around, making a creaking noise.

INT. LIGHTHOUSE

As the light spins, illuminating him on four separate passes we can see his frustration developing. This frustration is further developed as the radio begins to crackle. Soon it starts to annoy him and so he switches it off. However this causes the fuse to blow and the light goes out. 

As soon as the light blows the weather steadily worsens. A flash of lightning followed by thunder and the light patter of rain on metal.

The Lightkeeper lights a flickering candle lantern. He glances to the window and leans back confused by the sudden change in weather and noise level.

Camera cuts to looking up at the lightkeeper. He gets up and disappears off screen. We hear the lighting of a match and faint flickering light enters the scene and the lighthouse keeper follows

He looks to his crossword, its not quite as easy to read without the larger, more powerful light. He lowers his face close towards the crossword and squints with the lantern close in his hand.

EXT. LIGHTHOUSE

Cut to outside shot of lighthouse, camera follows the spiral of the staircase down the lighthouse, the viewer can see the light coming from each window as he makes his way down the stairs.

The Lightkeeper opens the front door of his lighthouse with great difficulty and takes a couple of difficult steps out of the door, when he lets go it swings violently shut. In the background at sea we see a large boat and a small portion of a tentacle sticking out of the water and making its way towards the ship.

INT. CONVENIENCE SHOP

A door swings open and the Lightkeeper stumbles through, before forcing it shut.

1. LIGHTKEEPER

“hmmph” (relieved sigh)

He gathers himself together before heading towards the shop counter. The Lightkeeper points from behind the counter. 

We are now introduced to a new character, the shopkeeper. Seeing the lightkeeper, he pauses. He looks astonished that this ragged old lightkeeper has made his way through the storm just to get to the shop. 

The lightkeeper points again, this time with more urgency. 

2. Lightkeeper

“hmmm!”

The shopkeeper follows his hand and picks up a lightbulb from the shelf.

The Lightkeeper shakes his head and raises his hand in disapproval.

3. LIGHTKEEPER

“no no.”

His other hand remains pointing at the same spot and he nods his head forward as if to urge the shopkeeper to have a closer look at the shelf.

(Camera now in P.O.V on shelf) The shopkeepers hands brush aside several small, unidentifiable boxes (containing light bulbs) and raises his eyebrows in astonishment.

EXT. SHOP

The Lightkeeper makes his way back to the lighthouse clasping a huge bulb in his arms. His journey this time is made easier as he is blown along by the wind, in contrast to the struggle he had against it on his way.

INT. LIGHTHOUSE

We see the Lightkeeper inside once again, he is finishing screwing the bulb in.

He soon gets the light up and running again, stands back and places his hands on his waist, with a look of satisfaction.

Behind him we see what has been going on in the darkness; We see a boat being pulled under by some monstrous tentacles! This will happen in stages as the light spins around, illuminating it as it passes. We will see the boat being pulled under before the lightkeeper. As the boat gets pulled under he will turn around and quickly notice. He’ll then before lean forward over his desk and closer to the window.

To begin with he appears to be in shock. However after a few passes of the light his face starts to turn from shocked to a more satisfied, but at the same time curious look. He runs his finger over the question once more before looking back to the goings on outside. The expression on his face is now a look of joy. Slowly, as if thinking whilst speaking, he lets out the word.  

1. Lightkeeper

“Calamari.”

We now see the Lightkeeper eagerly filling in the answer to his question (“popular Mediterranean seafood dish”)

END.