KINGMAKER
Based on the extraordinary life of Gertrude Bell
STORYBOARDS
The opening scene of Kingmaker
EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - DAY
Swirling dust devils over an endless landscape of dunes- the end of the earth. Solitude falls like an impenetrable veil.
SUPERIMPOSE: “Hejaz, Arabia, 1914”
1
The HOWLING WINDS of a gathering storm...
Title Card
Low Angle of a swirling dust devil blowing across the desert (CUT TO)
1
2
A defenseless CARAVAN crossing the vast expanse.
Thundering hooves. ARAB RAIDERS, SHRIEKING like men insane, race to intercept...
1
Crane Wide Shot of a caravan crossing the desert in a horizontal line
3a
3b: Crane booms down to reveal location
3c: Caravan travels East on a horizontal line as raiding horsemen race into frame in a vertical line (contrast of direction of track within the shot). The crane dollies with the raiding horsemen, at a slower speed to increase visual intensity. (CUT TO)
The CARAVAN LEADER, red chequered keffiyeh shielding his face from the stinging winds, spies the charging Raiders.
Camera pushes in OTS on Caravan Leader on a vertical curved track
4a
4b
As Caravan Leader whips head in the direction of the sound of shrieking (CUT TO)
Camera pulls the raiding horsemen charging forward on a horizontal line with movement on a vertical track (CUT TO)
5
The Caravan struggles to control their spooked camels, but the Caravan leader raises an assured hand - hold fast.
6
Full Shot, Low Angle, the Caravan races over to the Caravan Leader; multi directional movement pushes the space beyond the frame heightening the chaos and tension
7a: Caravan Rider enters diagonally bottom frame left as
7b: camera tracks right with rider
7c: falling behind Caravan Leader (CUT TO)
7a
7b
7c
Handheld Dutch Angle on the Lead Raider as he closes in entering diagonal top frame right in complete juxtaposition to shot 7abc (CUT TO)
8
Close on Caravan Leader staring down the charging horsemen (CUT TO)
9
Camera pulls the horsemen with a Zolly: dolly out with a counter snap Zoom to escalate the tension
10a
The LEAD RAIDER, with matted black locks, deftly whips his rifle around. BANG!
10b
Snap zoom to the Lead Raider shooting at (CUT TO)
The rifle shot cracks just over the Caravan Leader’s head. One hand grips the reins tight, the other hides a WEBLEY REVOLVER beneath his tunic...
11a: Medium on Caravan Leader who doesn't flinch
11b: Camera tilts down to
11c: ECU of hand gripping Webley revolver (CUT TO)
The Raiders spread wide, encircling the Caravan, shooting wildly in the air. Chaos.
Camera dollies out, pulling Raiders as they charge the Caravan
12a
Camera on dolly track pulls the Raiders into the Caravan, the Horsemen split, encircling the Caravan, shooting wildly as the camera spins in the opposite direction
12b
Moving axis rotation (running at 22 fps to intensify the movement) - camera on locked circular track with 360 clockwise pan in counter movement to the Raiders (CUT TO)
12c
CU on thundering hooves kicking up sand (CUT TO)
13
A Raider grabs one of the camels, forcing it to kneel. He jerks open the saddlebag, stealing a LEE-ENFIELD RIFE.
14abcd
14a: Camera pans off-axis as a Raider charges into bottom frame left across a diagonal track
14b: and grabs the reins of one of the camels
14c: forcing the camel to kneel and ripping open the saddlebag and stealing the rifle
14c: exiting bottom frame right (CUT TO)
Handheld camera as Raider enters top frame right on a diagonal track, camera pans to follow...
15a
A second Raider rips open another camel's saddlebag, tossing aside woolen blankets, multicolored clothing...
15b
Camera tracks with the knife to...
ECU of the straps slashed (CUT TO)
15c
...he pauses, puzzled, pulling out a woman's beaded SATIN GOWN.
Full Shot of Raider pulling out gown (CUT TO)
16
CARAVAN LEADER (ARABIC, SUBTITLED)
Do be careful. The bead work is quite delicate.
17
Medium Reverse Shot (CUT TO)
CARAVAN LEADER (ARABIC, SUBTITLED)
I wish to see the Sharif of Mecca.
18
Wide Shot on standoff (CUT TO)
LEAD RAIDER (ARABIC, SUBTITLED)
(laughs)
And what makes you think the Sharif wishes to see you?
19
Medium CU OTS Caravan Leader (CUT TO)
The Caravan Leader's piercing green eyes flash amusement, exhilaration.
MCU - Slow Push In on Caravan Leader
20a
He slowly unwraps the keffiyeh...
20b
...revealing radiant auburn hair, a long and pointed nose, the regal visage of GERTRUDE BELL (46).
20c
CU to reveal Gertrude Bell (CUT TO)
The Lead Raider's eyes widen.
LEAD RAIDER (CONT'D)
Mashallah, Bint A'raab!
(As God has willed, the Daughter of the Desert!)
CU Reverse Shot
21