Group meeting

 Hi blog! On Wednesday, we had another successful group meeting. This was honestly some of the most useful feedback I've received yet, because most of it pertained to our script. The main conscensus that my group came to is that a lot of the script is "unrealistic". How they explained it is that in order for something to be entertaining, the audience has to feel like the line can be somewhat what a real person would say, even if it's comedic. So, for example, lines such as "we need to get sneakier" can be improved on to something like a shot of them whispering ideas, which would be more realistic. 

We also ended up changing Tom's reason for not being able to shake hands to something else. We agreed that him having a "phobia" that makes him sensitive to touch wouldn't be a funny topic that would match why he refuses to shake people's hands so strongly. However, I don't want to give away the ending just yet, because I believe it really is what makes or breaks the film. Stay tuned...

Tom: Phobia is triggered by just direct physical contact with people gives him anxiety. Sensitive touch receptors that trigger strong emotions in him.

ACT 1 

Scene: Walking into work from elevator, opening the door, establish the character as a confident, cool guy. He walks up to meet the receptionist at the front desk, who is making a call. 

Receptionist: Yes? We have an opening at 2'o clock for a showing in the lower east side of Manhattan. 

She notices Tom and gives him a smile 

Receptionist: First day? 

Tom: Yes, such a pleasure to meet you is it, Alice? 

Receptionist: Yes, indeed!

She extends her hand. He looks down at it, and is reluctant and avoids the hand completely. Back and forth between receptionist and Tom, where he says

Tom: 'I just peed.' (he says it so confidently, that the receptionist is just like ah okay and then turn to her expression being weirded out). To avoid the handshake.

Shot of receptionist watching him sinister

Tom gets in his head about the situation and is very oddly confused, and stressed. (voiceover: nailed it.)

SCENE 2: 

Walking over to his desk, a co-worker is walking in opposite direction and they bump into each other. 

Greg: Oh my apologies, really, I did not mean to startle you, I'm Greg!

Tom: Yeah he seems nice but you can never be so sure...

hand extends in a frame, 

(Instead of handshake maybe he slaps his hand and gives a cringe smirk like just)

Greg: Reaction like what is happening...

Tom: Low five! (instead of high-five)

SCENE 3:

So... what do you think of the new employee?

Receptionist: He seems... normal, but when I offered my hand I tell you the weirdest thing happened. He refused to shake my hand.

Greg: "shock" gasp sound. No... it can't be...

Receptionist: 

Receptionist: We need a plan 

CUT TO ACT 2.

Phase One The "Super Secret Handshake" Setup: We introduce the idea of handshakes in a way that makes it feel exclusive, like it’s a big deal. We’ll gather the team and act like there’s this mystical, office-wide tradition of "Super Secret Handshakes." We’ll make it sound like it’s some rite of passage, even though it’s just a normal handshake. This creates the illusion that handshakes are a must and something he’s missing out on.

GREG: what if that doesn't work...?

Phase Two The Casual Coffee/pen Move: If he’s still avoiding handshakes, it’s time for a more subtle approach. We wait for a moment when we’re holding something like a coffee cup, pen, or binder. Then, when we “accidentally” walk past him, we’ll lean in and offer our hand for the handshake—without even thinking about it, like it's the most natural thing in the world. He’ll feel the subtle pressure to reciprocate, especially when he realizes everyone else is doing it.

Phase Three  The "Accidental" Handshake Escalation: If all else fails, we start getting sneakier. We’ll create situations where it's impossible to avoid shaking hands—like when handing him something across the desk or during a meeting. Slowly, we set him up to the point where the only thing left is to just shake our hand without a second thought.

Slo-motion sequence of greg going into hand shake, Tom in his head 

Cut to introspective feeling and him getting in his head,

Tom