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Blackthorne
Cinemagenic Thirty-Nine
Fury
“The vitality of a new movement in Art must be gauged
by the fury it arouses.”--Logan Pearsell Smith.
1(traveling arc shot) a jagged rock coming from the crowd that
someone threw violently.
2(close-up) the rock striking the ebon mare on the haunch.
3(sound cue) French horn riffs over a horse scream.
4(medium wide shot) She exploded under him, rising high into the air.
5(sound cue) violin & piano.
6(wide two-shot; slow motion) the black lady landed on her front feet first
before her back feet touched down with a undulating jerking motion that
whipped Johnny’s head so violently that his hat flew off.
7(close-up) the mare stomping his hat.
8(overhead titan crane shot) The horse bucking, the onlookers hooting.
9(medium close-up) Graff, the foreman, grinning like the cat with canary
feathers in its teeth.
10(medium two-shot; regular speed) She circled to the right, leaned to the
right, then bucked to the left, kicking her hind legs straight out; clouds of
dust swirled up. She circled to the left, then bucked both directions. Johnny
lost his balance for a moment as she rolled out furiously to the right, & he
lurched suddenly forward with all of his weight down onto her neck.
11(sound cue) blues guitar slide.
12(medium wide shot; slow motion) Her hooves went out from beneath her
as she toppled into the alkaline haze, sliding down onto her left side.
13(sound cue) her breath expelling, her bulk hitting the ground over low strident
notes on the piano.
14(medium two-shot) Miraculously he got his legs clear & was tumbling away
from her as she scrambled to her feet, kicking air, screaming with rage &
fear, bucking & snorting & colliding with the corral poles dumping several
cowboys over backward onto their butts.
15(close-up) Johnny Eagle: Who tossed that goddamn rock?
16( two-shot) Foreman Graff & a tall unshaven cowhand next to him,
who sarcastically inquired: Why, hell, what rock do you mean, breed?
17(close-up) the Eagle: What did you say?
18(voice-over) What fucking rock are you.....
19(medium close-up) before the ranch hand could continue, the Indian’s
fist collided with his chin.
20(medium wide shot) the ruffian was knocked backward off the fence, landing
into the crowd behind him.
21(sound cue) trumpet & mandolin.
22(wide two-shot) Johnny Eagle, like a snarling puma leaped up
over the corral poles, nearly knocking the fat man off. The puncher
got onto his knees & was gathering his legs under him.
23(sound cue) Johnny’s yell as he leaped from the fence,
24(medium close-up: slow motion) the Eagle aloft, dropping down
onto its prey.
25(two-shot) Johnny landing on the larger man’s chest as the hired
ruffian felt his lungs nearly burst,
26(sound cue) the impact.
27(ample two-shot) Johnny bounced to his feet as the thug twitched
on the ground, grunting & groaning & gasping for air.
28(sound cue) Indian branch flute twill.
29 the cowpoke pushed himself up on one arm. Johnny kicked the arm
out from underneath him.
30(close-up) Johnny’s anger: Fucking borracho coward!
31(medium two-shot) The big man writhed in the dust, growling like
a badger, as the Eagle’s boot lashed out again--to the ribs, to the groin,
to the small of the back, to the side of the neck, & to the stomach; rapid
jabs, his boot a blur of retribution, the powerful kicks splitting muscle
& breaking bones.
32(sound cue) fast strumming guitar.
33(medium wide shot) the bully-boy curled up in a fetal position, but
the Eagle only saw a snake in the coiling. He lifted the man’s head up
& raised a murderous tightly clenched fist.
34(sound cue) I wouldn’t do that, Johnny.
35(three-shot) the Eagle whirled around to stare into the barrel of a pump
shotgun aimed at his head.
36(two-shot) over Johnny’s shoulder, the sheriff’s deep blue eyes
37(close-up) over Joe Hop’s shoulder, catching Johnny’s dark ones
& holding them.
38(close-up) Joe Hop:
--You don’t kill a man for throwing a damn rock.
39(sound cue) bass drum & tamborine.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at dVerse Poets OLN
Would you like to hear me read this Cinemagenic poem to you?
22 comments:
So true...you just don't kill a man for throwing a 'damn rock.' Another exciting segment, Glenn!
I think the sheriff might have saved two lives here.. Killing would have been way too far. Hope the best for Johnny. Though the intent was murderous, neither man was killed... always exciting with your script poetry..
For the first time, I listened to you Glenn and enjoyed it. I so wish someone made a movie out of Blackthorne script. They remind me of the westerns I used to watch with my mother when I was a child.
Wow, that was certainly very visual and auditive - a strong scene, almost claustrophobic.
I love the juxtaposition of action and screenplay notes, including the score! It was like being in two worlds at once or as if listening to God narrate life.
Another exciting installment Glenn. Love your read as you add atmosphere, love the way you say slooo-w.
Anna :o]
This play/movie just keeps getting better and better. I visualize sitting in a dark theater, my hand poised over the popcorn, holding my breath and then letting it out with a long sigh after this scene. I like how Bjorn terms this: script poetry. Indeed!
crazy scene
That brought the whole scene to life... so effortlessly!
Well done, and I can almost hear your music cues. :)
Wow! I wanna see this film!
sooo grand!!! just like a movie!!
This was new to me--script poetry--and very interesting. I LOVE westerns.
Such great fun to read!
I wouldn't, kill a man for throwing a 'damn rock.' I loved to hear your reading. Thank you. Amazing.
Glenn, I don't know why I tried to respons to your comment on my post....it was returned? Thank you for your comment.
Your ability to describe the scenes really brings it to life for me--living in the West, I can almost define the spot. Several times a year, I drive through/spend the night in Lone Pine, CA where they have a museum of Western Cinema, since that is a spot often pictured in those movies. We stay in the "John Wayne" room--one part of the motel is named for those stars.
I really love the line: grinning like the cat with canary
feathers in its teeth.
The wilder Indian Spirit flows with fists of fury..
the rage lives inside.. the pride of living..
the cost of survival.. is truly often
holding back.. so i suppose
the Sheriff is correct..
that the first person
to throw a stone should
not die for that.. as well..:)
f'n brilliant, Glenn. got my blood boiling, and here I was, about to go to bed ~
I think the "bully-boy" had it coming to him...glad Johnny was prevented from killing the man, but I'm not sure the sheriff needed to pull the shotgun...although given the time period and situation, not surprising. I could see this as I read. Another great chapter!
I guess one should not die for throwing a rock, but on the other hand one should not be throwing rocks just for kicks. I feel for the mare and for Johnny Eagle..and enjoyed the reference of the sound of the blues guitar slide..always fun to read these scenes. So, well done Glenn
Listened to it for the first time and found your tonal changes between screenplay notes and action so different and interesting :-)
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