Call If You Need Me

It was supposed to be one long night by El Topo

Behind The Scene 01/07/09 02:20:35 pm

Photo by Tan Chui Mui

Whenever I write or develop a story I always envisioned how the movie will look, how the characters will talk and the environment they will be set. Then usually I would like to find a title for the story, title whether working title or not is important for me to create the story. Usually the title will dictate the mood, style and rhythm of the movie in one way or the other. Or sometimes Im stuck or lost during the writing process I always go back to the title.

And even before the script is complete sometimes if I heard suitable music for the movie itll help me to set the vision and mood more clearly.

The music, the title set up the fictional characters, but of course when the actors come in everything will change, thats also another thing as a filmmaker and director I always have learnt, the actors have to bring in their own experiences, influences and input into the movie.

But for Call If You Need Me, the changes from the original concept and story changes drastically when the subject I want to explore which is loyalty and friendship begins to expand into a bigger world. Originally the movie is supposed to be small scale with three main characters and its a road movie set on one long night, but then slowly it grows and become more than just three characters and more than one night.

So to share what I meant from the drastic changes heres a few scenes from the early drafts of the script and when compared to the completed movie youll know what I meant.

James Lee

1. EXT. STREET/SUNNYS CAR NIGHT
Sunny is waiting inside his car. The car radio is playing some techno music. He looks out once in a while waiting. A young guy in his mid twenties appears. The guy walks to Sunnys car and taps on the window. Sunny rolls down the window. The guy passes him a large envelope. Sunny opens the envelope and takes out large chunks of rolled up money.

SUNNY:
Hey, you've got any extra pills on you?

YOUNG GUY:
Yeah, here you can have it.

SUNNY:
How much?

YOUNG GUY:
Don't bother, it's on me.

Sunny takes out the pill and check them out. Sunny nods. The young guy walks off. Sunny starts the car engine. The car wont start after a few try. Sunny is pissed, he got out and opens the bonnet. He checks out the sparks. He closes the bonnet. A car stops in front of his car. Two men got out. One of them is Ah Loon, Sunnys close friend and also business associates. Ah Loon walks to Sunny.

AH LOON:
Hey, I've trying to get you for quite a while.

SUNNY:
What's the matter?

AH LOON:
You're not trying to avoid me, are you? I mean come on were friends & partners.

SUNNY:
Yeah, yeah. I'm busy with Uncle Kwongs business. So what do you want?

AH LOON:
Wow! Somebody is expanding his services now. Hey don't forget about me okay. Anyway I can't find your cousin. I somehow believe he's avoiding me for sure.

SUNNY:
I haven't seen him around for months. I know he owes you some money, if I see him I'll let him know.

AH LOON:
Come on, don't joke around. You know the fact that he's still in one piece even after he had skip all the payments is because he's your fucking relative.

SUNNY:
I know that, but really sorry, I've no idea where he is.

AH LOON:
Shit! You know what our businesses like these days. It's been crap thanks to a lot of defaulters like your cousin there and stupid politicians getting involves. Making us looks like monsters. I've got a family and staff to feed!

Sunny does not respond.

AH LOON:
Okay, whatever! Just to let you know your cousin had been taking loans with the Chan brothers also, and those guys are not going to be very nice with him.

Ah Loon and his henchman got back into their car. And as they're about to drive off; Ah Loon pops out from the window.

AH LOON:
Shit man! You should lose some weight!!

Ah Loons car sped off. Sunnys mobile phone rings. Sunny takes it out and looks at the caller. He answers the call.

SUNNY:
Yeah, yeah I'm on my way!

Pause.

SUNNY:
Well I am still working. I'm going to deliver some stuff to Uncle Kwong first. No way, I can't bring you along.

Pause.

SUNNY:
Okay, okay, I'll be there in about ten minutes.

Sunny put back his phone and looks pissed.

2. EXT. STREET/SUNNYS CAR NIGHT
Sunny is driving along on another street. He slowly stops the car. A man in his late forties walks out from a building and got into the car. It's Pete. Pete is Sunny's cousin brother. Pete looks very relax and ready for a night out.

PETE:
So you've got the stuff?

SUNNY:
Yeah

PETE:
Cool! Let's pop one now!

SUNNY:
No way man, I still had to make a delivery.

PETE:
Come on, just one for warm-up.

SUNNY:
Ah Loon has been looking for you all over.

PETE:
Fuck him!

SUNNY:
I heard you took some money from the Chan brothers.

PETE:
Just a little bit, you know to cover Ah Loon's loan! If not for him I won't be borrowing from the brothers!

SUNNY:
How much did you borrow from them?

PETE:
Don't worry, I'll take care of it myself. Come on and hurry up with your delivery. We're going to be late.

SUNNY:
Late for what?

PETE:
We may get some chicks tonight!

SUNNY:
What? Who are they?

PETE:
I know them so don't worry not call girls. Just go and deliver your stuff and we have to call them!

Sunny starts the car. Pete notices the envelope.

PETE:
How much is it inside the envelope?

SUNNY:
It's none of your business.

PETE:
Come on, maybe we can just take a roll out and spent it and put it back later?

Sunny shows Pete the finger.

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Dear James

Impressed & agreed on the paragraphs above your name, and can't to see the completed movie compared with the early draft

*a great support here*

allie chan [Visitor] 01/07/09 @ 23:58

Hey guys best of luck with your new film. Always inspiring for us here back in India

nitesh [Visitor] · http://windsfromtheeast.blogspot.com/ 01/09/09 @ 15:18

it was fun filming with james... but what we want to see is an action packed film that'll blow away the rest...

james you're the man... and i do a pretty good innocent bystander caught in a hail of stray bullet... the dying scene itself i assure you would be award winning...

hahhaha just kidding, it was torture for me to be infront of a still camera let alone play a role on film, but james rocks...

camera shy... [Visitor] 01/12/09 @ 17:54

Looks good! Can't wait to watch the film.
Good luck to james lee and all the crews! :)

Dick Chua [Visitor] · http://www.d1production.com 01/17/09 @ 20:20

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