Photosensitive

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

A male photographer, JOSH (28), walks through a wide open countryside scene, large digital camera in hand, taking photographs of trees on a cold day. There is a feeling of solitude and freedom but also isolation and loneliness. He appears small in a very large space.

EXT. PEBBLE BEACH - EVENING

A smartly dressed man, AIDAN (35), is taking photographs with an old film camera of a beautiful woman, LEANNE (30), on an otherwise deserted pebble beach. The crashing waves and sea defences provide a backdrop as she poses and the wind blows through her long hair.

LEANNE

Is this good?

AIDAN

It's perfect, just put your hand up like that. That's it.

LEANNE

Do we really need all these photos?

AIDAN

I know we're home now but for my money the honeymoon just keep's on going.

LEANNE

I'm getting cold, can we leave it for the day?

AIDAN

Just a few more, this light is fantastic.

A young man, SEB (20), walks up to them nonchalantly alone and seemingly carefree.

SEB

Hi, lovely weather for it, amazing light too.

LEANNE

Hi, bit chilly though.

SEB

Hey, do you guys want me to take one of the two of you together?

AIDAN

No, we're ok.

LEANNE

Oh, go on Aidan that would be nice.

AIDAN

Do you know how to use one of these?

SEB

Yeah, sure, I've got a friend who's a photographer.

AIDAN

Ok, be careful with it though, it's kind of valuable.

Seb takes the camera and walks a little ways back.

SEB

That's it, put your arms around her.

Seb takes a photo and then climbs up onto the sea defences wall.

SEB (CONT’D)

Why don't you pick her up, sorry,what's your name?

LEANNE

Leanne. We're just back from our honeymoon.

Aidan picks his wife up in his arms.

SEB

That's nice.

In an instant, suddenly Seb is off and running at speed, camera in hand. Aidan is left down the beach holding Leanne. He tries to run after Seb, but the pebbles prove to be too much and Seb is gone.

INT. PUB POOL HALL - NIGHT

Seb, the thief, meets Josh, the photographer from the first scene, for a game of pool.

JOSH

So I've been thinking a lot about actually asking Janie the big question.

SEB

Do it man, you two are made for each other, its about time if you ask me.

JOSH

Just got to find the right moment.

SEB

Any time's the right time, just get on with it, 'cos I don't want to hear you still talking about it this time next year.

JOSH

Yeah you're probably right.

SEB

Hey, I've got something for you to take a look at.

Seb removes the stolen camera from a bag and hands it to Josh who looks it over.

JOSH

Whoa, this is a nice camera, good condition too. Where did you get it?

SEB

Don't ask. Do you want it?

Josh gives Set a serious look.

JOSH

How much do you want for it?

SEB

Err... Five Hundred.

JOSH

That's a good price. How about I give you two hundred? Right now.

SEB

Oh man... Ok, you got yourself a deal.

JOSH

As I'm sure you recall, seeing as you've owed me  over a hundred and eighty for over a year now, I'm going to take this off your hands, give you the twenty and you don't owe me a thing. It's your round.

SEB

Man, you are the cheapest!

Seb leaves the room, leaving Josh still looking at the camera.

JOSH

Oh, its still got a film in it.

Josh takes out his phone and calls a friend.

JOSH (CONT’D)

Steve, I feel like doing some printing. Yeah, too long away from film. Can I use your darkroom tomorrow? Cheers Steve. Is it ok to pick the keys up in the morning? Cool. See ya.

INT. DARKROOM - DAY

Josh develops the roll of film in the camera and makes some prints. They are mostly nudes, which we do not see, and he is quite shocked but clearly fascinated.

JOSH

This is steamy stuff. How did he manage to get her to do that?! She is something else. Mmm, nice depth of field.

He phones the owner of the darkroom.

JOSH (CONT’D)

Hi Steve, yeah, I'm here right now. It's all coming back, like riding a bike. I hope I'm not pushing it, but could I spend the afternoon in your studio. Five would be great, that's fantastic, I'll pay you back one day, cheers.

Josh then phones his girlfriend JANIE (26).

JOSH (CONT’D)

Hey babe, how's things? Listen I've had an idea. How would you like to do some modelling for some photos tomorrow, I've got a studio for the evening. You would! I thought you would. It doesn't matter, whatever you like, whatever you feel comfortable in. I don't know something cool, maybe something hot too. Can you get to Steve's place around five thirty? I have to set up first. Amazing. I've got to go. See you then. Love you. Bye.

INT. PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO - DAY

Josh is in the studio setting up the equipment for the shoot, including lights, reflectors, a tripod and his digital camera. Janie arrives carrying a large bag.

JOSH

Hi beautiful.

JANIE

Well hello, this place is nice.

JOSH

Yeah, haven't used a studio since college days.

JANIE

Bit of a change from shooting the same tree in the middle of nowhere every month!

JOSH

You're right, might be a whole new direction for me. Listen we've got to get a move on, Steve needs it in an hour or so. I'm all set, just get in the groove and lets get going. Josh puts some music on.

JANIE

Well you are the professional all of a sudden.

Janie poses for photographs. She is laughing and smiling and wears a few changes of clothes. They have a lot of fun together.

JOSH

You look so different, you've got so many looks. It's like you're lots of completely different people.

JANIE

I am. I'm a model. How do you want me?

JOSH

At the moment I want you just like that. And that. And that.

Josh's hot camera is clicking fast. He takes it off the tripod and photographs Janie from every angle. She blows him a kiss. Eventually she is wearing just a single silk negligee. The music is as sultry as her looks, she speaks in a husky voice.

JANIE

Do you want me to take this off? Josh stops and looks up. He pauses for a long while.

JOSH

No. No I don't. I don't need you to, and you don't need to.

LEANNE

You are a gentleman.

JOSH

This is for us, not just me.

Josh looks at his watch.

JOSH (CONT’D)

We better wrap this up. Come on. Let's get you into some warmer clothes, you must be freezing. Janie puts her regular clothes on and as they are leaving she sees the old film camera that Josh has put down by the door and picks it up to look at.

JANIE

It's such a cute camera, looks old, did you borrow it off Steve or is it yours?

JOSH

Not exactly. What would you say to dinner? You choose, anywhere you like. I've got something I want to ask you.

JANIE

Sounds mysterious.

They leave holding hands, the old camera left on the desk as they turn the lights off and shut the door.

THE END