User Login
Friends
Friends have not been added yet.Rate this site
My Profile
I'm a young student director/ writer living in the cold city of Philadelphia, PA.My writing is unique with a style all its own but I'm visionary.
My Favorites
Favorite Directors Again alot, but someone I think of as a mentor is Kubrick.
Favorite Actors many, but currently I think its dependent on the work not the person but I respect Anthony Hopkins, Freeman, and others
Favorite Films A lot. Possibly too many to name, but right now The Boys from Brazil
My Posts
THE J5IVE- SCENE"1974"
Nov 17, 2009INT.BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL-NIGHT(1973)
All of Motown is in attendance at the reception of Jermaine
Jackson and Mrs.Hazel Joy Gordy-Jackson.Designed like a
White Wonderland, artificial snow and white doves are
everywhere.
The newlyweds enter--
Jermaine,in a white beaded tuxedo with tails holds his new
wife's hand.Slim and petite, Hazel's long white veil and
mink trimmed gown is stunning.
Flash bulbs go off in a storm for the young couple, Jermaine
is not sure what to feel but he is happy.Jermaine greets all
his guest while other Motown family dub him "The Prince of
Motown".
Berry is beaming at this special moment of his daughter's
life, posing for pictures, Berry welcomes Jermaine in with
open arms.
BERRY GORDY
(speaking to the Press)
This is the merger of the century,
The Jacksons....and the Gordys
TABLE
...sitting at a table alone in his tuxedo, Michael sullenly
plays with a plastic dove.The wedding is official, Jermaine
is gone from his life.He wants to go home,NOW--
Suddenly Diana walks past with her new husband,ROB
SILBERSTEIN.She can tell something is wrong--
DIANA ROSS
(looking at Michael)
Michael? What are you doin' over
here?
MICHAEL JACKSON
(playing with plastic dove)
Oh, nothing....
Diana senses she's needed. She needs to be mother to Michael
for a moment.Diana tells Rob to go on to the table without
her--
DIANA ROSS
(sitting down)
Michael, what's going on with you?
MICHAEL JACKSON
(shaking his head)
I just don't understand all this
wedding business.
Diana takes the bird from out of Michael's hand, she wants
him to pay attention to her--
DIANA ROSS
(looking at Michael)
Now, Michael.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(upset)
There's stuff at home...and there's
this and I don't know where I fit
in...
DIANA ROSS
(holding Michael's hand)
It'll be alright, promise you.
Diana plants a big kiss on Michael's face, leaving a huge
imprint of red lipstick there.She finally got him to smile,
hugging him, Diana rejoins her husband.
INT.DIANA ROSS' HOUSE-NIGHT(1973)
Its New Year's Eve.Huge party at Diana's Beverly Hills home,
celebrities mingle together with Motown legends to ring in
the new year. Among the people at the party is Michael.
Diana moves through the crowd, grabbing a glass of champagne
Quickly she rushes over with Michael for the countdown--
DIANA ROSS
(holding her champagne)
Ready?
MICHAEL JACKSON
(smiling from underneath his
party hat)
Yeah.
Its time--
MICHAEL/DIANA
(counting down)
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
Everyone throws confetti--
MICHAEL/DIANA/PARTY GUEST
(yelling)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
CUT TO BLACK:
TITLE CARD,OVER BLACK: "1974"
INT.NYC HOTEL ROOM-DAY(1974)
Marlon,17, is on the phone to room service, he's ordering
breakfast for his brothers.
MARLON JACKSON
(on the phone)
Hi, yes this is room 617.Uh, yes we
would like to order room
service...can we have 5 orders of
eggs and bacon with 3 extra sides
of bacon and...orange juice with a
bowl of grapes.
Marlon nods, their reading back his order--
MARLON JACKSON
(on the phone)
Yeah, that's right. Thank You very
much.
While the brothers wait for their breakfast, there is an
obvious conflict amongst them.Its some time since the height
of their Motown success and the boys are young men now.
JACKIE JACKSON
(sitting in armchair)
I still don't know 'bout this...I
mean...this year alone everything
we done at Motown just hasn't been
good.
TITO JACKSON
(sitting on couch)
They need to let us write our own
stuff...we can do it...every two
seconds its the writers this...or
the writers that...we need change.
MARLON JACKSON
(sitting down)
...And Vegas, all those old
people...I mean its not like its
poppin' there...and they all
white...ain't no brothers and
sisters playin' in Vegas...how we
suppose to get down to that?
The brothers shake their heads, their confused about their
situation at Motown.Tito, Jackie and Marlon contemplate
amongst themselves--
MARLON JACKSON
(looking at Jackie and Tito)
...they don't want us to grow up...
bubblegum is over...they can't see
it....
JACKIE JACKSON
(looking at Billboard
Magazine)
Its getting bad guys...were not
even hittin' the top 50 let alone
top 100 anymore.
Jackie looks across the room--
JACKIE JACKSON
(putting down the magazine)
Michael, you've been quiet the
whole time.
Walking into frame, Michael sits down in the Queen Anne
chair next to Jackie. Wearing a Pierre Cardin suit, Michael
is now 16, tall and very thin.Michael is thinner than Randy.
His mammoth Afro is loose and all over his head in curls.
Folding his newspaper into his lap, Michael thinks to
himself before responding--
MICHAEL JACKSON
(soft falsetto)
Vegas is an opportunity...all the
greats played there...Sammy played
there.
JERMAINE JACKSON
(looking at his brothers)
Berry was right...I told you we
shouldn't do Vegas...
Everyone stares at Jermaine--
JACKIE JACKSON
(looking at Jermaine)
Ever since you've gotten married...
you've been actin' different...
Jermaine.
Jermaine glares at Jackie, he shifts in his seat.The
brothers don't like the arrangement between Berry and
Jermaine.Its becoming more obvious--
JERMAINE JACKSON
(looking at Jackie)
Just 'cause I'm married to Hazel,
don't mean I gonna start
complaining to Berry about every
little thing....
MICHAEL JACKSON
(intervening)
It doesn't matter...Vegas doesn't
just have old people..this can help
us, it won't hurt record sales...
well, it can't hurt it anymore than
it already is.
JACKIE JACKSON
(looking at Michael)
But Mike...Vegas is where you go
when you don't have hits...when you
don't have a choice.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(talking to his brothers)
Its not like that..hanging out in
hotels and singing..yes,for white
people... is the tradition of
Vegas...don't you wanna be apart of
that... This is a cool opportunity
....C'mon guys, get with the
program.
Jermaine doesn't believe in this.He doesn't believe in
anything his brothers say anymore. His sole allegiance is to
Berry, he's determined to correct Michael--
JERMAINE JACKSON
(looking at Michael)
I know you feel like you got
somethin' to prove but Berry might
be right...we're not ready for
Vegas.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(looking at Jermaine)
How we'll know if we don't try?
Michael gets up, he stretches his long legs as he strolls
around the room.Michael leans up in the corner next to
Jermaine, he wants his support in this--
MICHAEL JACKSON
(hands in his pockets)
Look...let's just be honest..we
have to do something..we're fallin'
and we're fallin' fast..regardless
of Berry but to ourselves...Sammy
fought for people like us to even
have this opportunity..and I want
to take it.
THE J5-Written by D.Nesmith
Oct 26, 2009After some feedback, I've made some adjustments. Here's a new revised scene "BEN":
INT.BERRY GORDY'S OFFICE-DAY-1972
Two songwriter sit in front of Gordy's desk.Their anxious to get business underway,Gordy walks into the room.Sitting in his chair, he looks at the two white men.
He's ready to get this over with.
Berry Gordy
So...let's get this over with.
The two men look at each other.
Pulling sheets of music out, the men try to prepare themselves for the pitch.Gordy is growing inpatient--
The one sitting to the left, WALTER SCHARF,hands Gordy the pages of music. The one on the right, DON BLACK, speaks.
Don Black
Mr. Gordy, we really like the work that your doing with the Jackson Five.
BERRY GORDY
(looking at the sheet music)
Mmm-mmh.
Don looks to Walter,they think their losing him.
DON BLACK
Especially Michael.
Gordy puts the music down, they've got his attention now.
DON BLACK
We're working on this little film called Ben, its a sequel to Willard, ever hear of it?
BERRY GORDY
(annoyed)
No, I can't say that I had.
DON BLACK
Well its about this boy....and his rat...he's sick and the rat is his only friend...its a touching piece--
Don Black looks at Gordy's eyes, he seems unamused by this idea. Walter decides to save him.
Walter Scharf
Mr. Gordy, lemme be frank, this song is for the film, it was originally for Donny Osmond but he's on tour so we thought....
BERRY GORDY
...you thought you'll bring it to Michael as a last resort.
The men are silent.
DON BLACK
I hear he likes rats.
Berry stares at Don, he immediately changes his expression.
BERRY GORDY
Look fellows, we're kinda of busy right now...
WALTER SCHARF
Mr. Gordy ,I understand you're trying to get started in the film business maybe we could work something out with you as a backer...
Gordy contemplates for a moment.
BERRY GORDY
He'll do it...but it will be record on Motown.
DON BLACK
No problem.
BERRY GORDY
Good, I'll let Michael know.
WALTER SCHARF
When can we meet him?
BERRY GORDY
I'll give you a call in a few weeks.
The two men take their cue and leave.Berry pulls out recent publicity photos from the set of Lady Sings the Blues. Starring at Diana Ross, he gets lost in the photograph.
int.recording studio-day
Michael sits at the mixing board with a Sound Engineer. They are going through the first cut off the soundtrack for Lady Sings the Blues.
C.U.- The Sound Engineer hands adjust the equalization.
MICHAEL JACKSON "Happy" blares through the speakers. Listening to himself, Michael watches like a hawk every move the Engineer makes.
The room is dark.
Only the light from inside the isolation booth and the live room fill the control room.Michael and the Sound Engineer are silent when Berry walks in.
He walks up behind Michael's chair, placing his hand on the back of it.Behind a large Afro, two big brown doe eyes stare back at him.
BERRY GORDY
(whispering)
How's it goin'?
THE J5-Written by D.Nesmith
Oct 20, 2009Here's another scene from The J5,I wrote this as a commercial vechicle for African American film.If there is any interest particularly from FOX Searchlight, please comment below. I'm looking for feedback, ENJOY:
Suddenly, Hazel walks in.
With her beautiful comb natural and plunging neckline, she scans the room looking for Jermaine. Staffers greet her as she walks by, Hazel finally spots him at the table.
Switching in her tiny dress, Hazel sits at the table with the brothers.The boys all look at her, Hazel plants her self next to Jermaine in between Marlon.
HAZEL GORDY
(batting her eyes)
Hi Jermaine.
JERMAINE JACKSON
(smiling)
Hi Hazel.
Marlon and Michael laugh, Jermaine glares at his brothers.
HAZEL GORDY
(looking at Jermaine)
Can I talk to you?
JERMAINE JACKSON
Sure.
Jermaine puts down his plate. Hazel grabs his hand and leads the way,Motown staffers watch the young couple while Berry mingles in the corner.
HALLWAY
Hazel and Jermaine stand in the hallway, only a few inches between them. Hazel stares into Jermaine's eyes, walking towards him, he wraps his arms around her waist.
Hazel's curves fill his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. Her big eyes stare back at him as Jermaine rubs her nose.
HAZEL GORDY
(sweetly)
You know how I feel about you?
JERMAINE JACKSON
(sweetly)
I know.
HAZEL GORDY
I saw those girls...in Chicago...I wanna be with you Jermaine... and only you.
JERMAINE JACKSON
I dunno Hazel....I'm not ready yet....marriage is for those who truly understand it...
Jermaine shakes his head, Hazel knows how he feels. Standing on her tip toes, she kisses Jermaine sweetly while people walk past.
JERMAINE JACKSON
(shy;shaking his head)
Hazel, not here.
HAZEL GORDY
(sweetly)
I understand ... call me ... later ...I'll be up....I won't go to sleep without hearing your voice...
JERMAINE JACKSON
(pointing;stuttering)
I gotta go...back in....bye Hazel...
HAZEL GORDY
Bye Jermaine.
Hazel's hips sway, Jermaine watches her walk away. His chest sighs at the walk of a beautiful young woman like Hazel, as she disappears in the distance he goes back inside.
THE J5-Written by D.Nesmith, Based on the lives of the Jackson 5ive
Oct 20, 2009THE J5
Written by D.Nesmith
Based on the lives of The Jackson 5ive
d_nesmith@hotmail.com
Copywritten on July 13,2009.
Here is an excerpt from my screenplay:
INT/EXT.COW PALACE-NIGHT-1972
Fans flock inside for tonight's Jackson Five concert.Tickets on a raffle wheel are torn for attendees each time they walk through the doors.
The Jackson Five "PETALS" STARTS.
The concert hall is more like an airplane hanger, thousands of people, mainly kids from the Bay area have turned out for the concert. Amongst them are some black faces here to see the brothers to.
BATHROOM
Tons of girls wait their turn to use the bathroom, while girls in a row line up infront of the bathroom counter. Compacts, lip gloss, blush and other forms of beautification lay out as the J5 fans get their selves ready for the brothers.
Girls putting on their lip stick and gloss, do their masacara and help each other with their blush and eyeshadow before the concert starts.
SERIES OF SHOTS
--Girl kisses a picture of the Jackson Five
--A strawberry blond tosses her hair in the mirror
--A beautiful black girl combs out her natural
BACK TO SCENE
They fix their clothes and hair.
LOBBY
The ultra mod interior glows in the night while spotlights circle the sky outside the building.The brothers all wait around before going onstage.
Sitting by the wall of windows in the waiting area, Michael sits on a colorful couch looking at the night sky.Staring down at the black carpet, Michael thinks to himself.
His silver braclet glows from the reflection of the lights in the room.
JACKIE JACKSON
(looking at Michael)
Its time Mike.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(depressed)
Alright.
Michael gets up and joins his brothers.
CUT TO:
STAGE
The stage is very tiny.
Fans surround the entire room, the strange venue seems tight for all the people here tonight to see the boys. Girls can physically touch the brothers, that's how close they are.
The Jackson Five "PETALS" FADES OUT into the b.g
In the wings, the brothers look at the massive crowd here to see them.Looking at the stage, they realize how tiny it is.
JACKIE JACKSON
(concerned)
That stage is tiny.
TITO JACKSON
(concerned)
Can it fit us all?
MARLON JACKSON
(concerned)
I don't like this man, this ain't my bag, the girls can literally pull us off the stage.
Michael steps forward,
Looking at the stage, he sees how close the people are. He doesn't want to go out there--
MICHAEL JACKSON
(adamant)
I'm not doing it.
The brothers look at Michael,
TITO JACKSON
Mike, we gotta go out, there's security.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(scared)
I can't go out there, I'm not doing it.
JERMAINE JACKSON
(stern)
Mike, be a man, C'mon we're goin' out there.
Jermaine grabs Michael's arm,
Michael pulls away.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(stern)
I'm not going out there!
Joseph over hears the boys.
The band goes out onto the small stage and takes their positions,getting the mic and amps ready for the brothers.Playing a few riffs,they jam for awhile before the boys come out.
Joseph goes over to the brothers.
JOE JACKSON
(stern)
What's going on?
JERMAINE JACKSON
Michael says he won't go on.
Joseph looks at Michael,
JOE JACKSON
(angry)
Git out there, now.
Michael looks back into his father's gaze, he glares right back at him--
MICHAEL JACKSON
(angry)
No.
JOE JACKSON
(angry)
Michael, git out there on that stage with your brothers.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(angry)
I said No.
JOE JACKSON
(angry)
Michael, do as I say, now go out there with your brothers, or you gonna be sorry.
The brothers all look at Joseph,
MICHAEL JACKSON
(angry)
I don't wanna sing, I don't wanna go out there,I want be like everyone else, I wanna be normal, I don't want to do this and you can't make me.
Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon's eyes go wide--
JOE JACKSON
(angry)
That's it, you the one, that's always been a problem...not tonight.
Joseph grabs Michael, dragging him backstage. Weaving in between roadcrew, sound technicians, performers, musicians and backup singers, Joseph makes his way down a long corridor.
Testing every room, he finally finds one. Checking his watch, he and Michael go inside.Joe takes Michael into the last dressing room:
DRESSING ROOM
Joseph shoves Michael into the room, shutting the door behind him. He locks it--
Joseph stands at the door, Michael looks at him with hatred.Glaring at his son, Joseph unbuckles his belt,
Michael begins to tremble.
JOE JACKSON
(stern)
I've worked too hard in that steel mill to let you ruin this....
Joseph approaches Michael,wrapping the worn leather strap in his hand. Suddenly Joseph grabs him--
Michael fights back, pushing Joseph.Michael runs trying to get away, grabbing the doorknob he can't get the door open:
Michael backs against the door, cringing in fear.Tears begin to well up in his eyes, he shakes his head at Joseph.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(crying)
Joseph, please....Joseph, No.
Joseph grabs him.
Holding him by the arm, Joseph beats Michael. Hitting him over,over and over again across the back.The leather strikes Michael like fire as he falls to the ground.
Joseph tosses his belt aside, sitting on Michael, Joseph backhands his son.
JOE JACKSON
(yelling;hitting Michael)
You do what I tell you to do, you hear!!!
Joseph smacks Michael across the face,
JOE JACKSON
(yelling)
When-I-tell-you
(hitting Michael)
to-do-something-you-do-it!
(hitting Michael)
NOW!!!
Michael rolls over,sobbing uncontrollably.
Joseph stands over his son, his tears mean nothing to him. Looking down at Michael, Joseph fixes his clothes and puts his belt back on.
Grabbing Michael, he picks him up off the floor to his feet.Michael is still sobbing, Joseph feels nothing.Looking at his son, he adjusts his jacket.
JOE JACKSON
(stern)
Cut it out.
Michael continues to cry,
JOE JACKSON
(yelling)
I said cut it out or I'll give you somethin' to really cry about after the show.
Michael stops.
Joseph looks at Michael, his eyes are red and puffy. Pulling a tissue out his pocket,he wipes his son's face. Blowing his nose, Michael wipes his eyes.
JOE JACKSON
Now, lets go.
BACKSTAGE
The brothers are all ready out on the stage when Joseph and Michael return. Suzanne waits in the wings for them, tapping her feet.
Turning around, she looks at Joseph and Michael,
SUZANNE DE PASSE
(annoyed)
Where have you been? The show was suppose to start twenty minutes ago.
Suzanne looks at Michael, she can tell somethings wrong.
SUZANNE DE PASSE
(concerned)
Michael, what's wrong.
Michael keeps his eyes lowered,his gaze drifts to Joseph. Suzanne stares at Joseph, looking at Michael, she understands what exactly has happen.
SUZANNE DE PASSE
(motioning for Michael)
C'mon Michael, they need you onstage.
Michael goes on the stage with his brothers, the music begins and the concert starts.Girls scream so loud , the brothers can barely hear themselves.
Michael's sadness disappears as he breaks directly into routine.
Watching the brothers, she turns to Joseph. Reading his green eyes, Suzanne shakes her head. She is disgusted, Suzanne walks away.
INT.SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL ROOM-NIGHT
The TV blares.
No one is in the room while the TV is playing, recent room service dishes lay on the floor.A pair of colorful painted boots stand in the corner with a guitar case.
A bag with "MAD" magazines sit in the corner.
CUT TO:
BATHROOM
Jermaine and Michael stand in a hotel bathroom at night, two toothbrushes lay on the side of the sink.The two boys stand under the fluorescent lights.
JERMAINE JACKSON
Its okay....lemme see.
Michael takes off his shirt, Jermaine stares down at the welts on his younger brother's back. Running water in the sink, Jermaine makes cold compresses.
Michael sits on the side of the tub,he is silent.
JERMAINE JACKSON
(softly)
Mike, you got do what Joe says.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(angry)
I hate him.
Jermaine wrings the white washcloth out in the sink, the water drips down the drain. Michael turns around as his brother lays the soothing towel on his back.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Jermaine, lemme ask you something?
JERMAINE JACKSON
(holding the compress)
Shoot.
MICHAEL JACKSON
If Joseph died, how would you feel?
Jermaine stares at Michael,
JERMAINE JACKSON
Nothing.
The two brothers are silent, Jermaine lets his statement linger. Wringing out the towel, he puts it on Michael's back.
It stings but Michael fights it.
HOTEL ROOM
Michael lays sleeping across from Jermaine.
Sitting against the headboard, Jermaine watches late night TV in his room.Advertisements for adult movie theaters, gay clubs and peep shows come across the screen. Jermaine flips through the channels till he finds something he likes.
Watching the show, Jermaine laughs loudly while Michael sleeps soundly.
FADE TO BLACK:
INT.SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL ROOM-NIGHT-FEW HOURS LATER
Jermaine and Michael sleep soundly in bed, the room is dark as the only noise outside is the sound of cars going by.
Light from underneath the door glows from outside when the door opens--
JOE JACKSON
(O.S)
Come in, Come in.
The SOUNDS of multiple footsteps enter into the room, a crowd of girls surround the beds.They stare at Michael and Jermaine while they are sleeping.
JOE JACKSON
(whispering)
I told ya, didn't I?
The girls smile,watching the brothers sleep.WHISPERS and GIGGLES fill the once quiet room,girls touch them, playing with their hair and kissing them on the cheek.
Suddenly Michael wakes up.
Staring sleepily into the face of strangers, Michael is silent. Looking around the room, he shuts his eyes and goes back to sleep.
FADE TO BLACK:
INT.SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL LOBBY.MORNING-1972
The brothers sit in the lobby while Suzanne and Joseph take care of checking out. Sitting there, the brothers talk amongst themselves while waiting with security.
JERMAINE JACKSON
(to Jackie)
Something weird happened last night...
JACKIE JACKSON
(soft spoken)
What?
JERMAINE JACKSON
(to Michael)
Tell 'em Mike.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(to Jackie)
Joseph brought these girls in our room while we were sleeping.
MARLON JACKSON
(confused)
What?
TITO JACKSON
Why, Why would he do that?
JERMAINE JACKSON
(to Tito)
I dunno.
MICHAEL JACKSON
I think he's charging the fans money.
MARLON JACKSON
We should tell someone...
JACKIE JACKSON
Who?
TITO JACKSON
He doesn't even stand next to us anymore, its like he doesn't even want to be seen with us.
JERMAINE JACKSON
I'm gettin' tired of this.
MICHAEL JACKSON
I hate him, especially the way he treats Mother.
The brothers are silent, they all LOOK at Joseph,
JACKIE JACKSON
(upset)
I know, it isn't right.
MARLON JACKSON
When I call her on the phone, she's so sad.
JERMAINE JACKSON
She doesn't know what's goin on.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(angry)
I hate lying to her.
TITO JACKSON
I'm so thankful for Dee Dee, I tell her I love her everyday.Joseph sleeps with anything.
JERMAINE JACKSON
(sarcastic)
And he says he "knows" what we're doing...
Michael is quiet, Jackie notices--
JACKIE JACKSON
(concerned;to Michael)
Mike, you alright?
MICHAEL JACKSON
(sad)
I'm fine,Jack.
JACKIE JACKSON
I know you felt like I abandon you but I had to get out of that house, the beatings....I can't take it anymore.
The brothers nod--
MARLON JACKSON
(angry)
One of these days, we should gang up on him.
JERMAINE JACKSON
Yeah, would could take him.
A BEAT.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(angry)
No.
The brothers all look at Michael,
MICHAEL JACKSON
(angry)
Mother should divorce him.
The boys look at Michael, after a few minutes Joseph and Suzanne come over and join them.
SUZANNE DE PASSE
(looking at the brothers)
Ready for the windy city?
The brothers get up and leave the lobby followed by security, they don't speak or look at Joseph. Leaving out the door, Suzanne is confused.
SUZANNE DE PASSE
(concerned)
What's wrong?
Joseph can tell something is up, staring at the boys through the glass, they look back at him with anger in their eyes.
JOE JACKSON
(looking at the boys)
Their just tired...that's all.
FADE TO BLACK:
Get Email Updates
Be the first to know about FREE screenings, exclusive videos, news and more!
Click Here