Channel -11 News (film)/Script

This page contains an adapted version of the original script for Channel -11 News.

Script
News Intro Plays

Main Report Scene 1

Noah: Good morning everyone, and welcome to Channel -11 News. I’m your host, Joe Ryan,

Danny: And I’m your co-host, Alejandro Castro.

Noah: Our top story today, a mass killer is on the loose here in Toronto. The killer has already claimed 47 victims in the past 24 hours. While no one has seen the killers face, this photo was captured. If anyone has any information on this, please contact the police immedia-

The lights cut out.

Noah: What was that?

After a few seconds, the lights come back on revealing Danny has been stabbed.

Noah: Uhh… We’ll be right back after this commercial break.

The green screen cuts out and we see the broadcast without any special effects.

Staff Meeting Scene 1

Noah: Okay guys what the hell was that?

''Everyone crowds around the news desk to talk to Noah. Danny’s body is visible in the corner of the frame.''

Russell: I have no idea man. To be honest I wasn’t really paying attention.

Sean: (In a very monotone voice) I am both shocked and disgusted.

Oliver: Thanks for letting us know, I couldn’t tell.

Noah: You think this is time for jokes? Castro is dead, goddamnit!

Russell: That man was my friend… We went fishing together…

Ethan: Guys, let’s get out of here. NOW.

Cut to Sean, who is trying the studio door.

Sean: Uh, guys? You know I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think the studio door is locked.

Cut back to the news desk, where Danny’s body is now missing.

Noah: What? Jesus Christ...

Olliver: Ok guys, I think the best course of action would to just go on with the show as normal until we can figure this out.

Ethan: That’s a terrible idea! I’m calling the cops.

Noah: No! Don’t call the cops. If he sees us calling the cops, we’re dead! Plus, if he’s one of us, what’s stopping him from killing us all right now?

Everyone quietly looks around at one another

Sean: I guess we don’t have a choice.

Noah: Alright. Darryl, you’re up. Act casual.

Noah notices the camera recording them.

Noah: Wait, why is the camera o-

Cut to regular news report

Transition to weather

Noah: Welcome back everyone. We now go to meteorologist Darryl with the weather.

Weather Report

Russell: Welcome to the weather report with your host Darryl! Today we can expect some light showers in downtown toronto and some sunshine in lower parts of- um, nevermind there will be sunlight all day in downtown toronto- ok, now there will be heavy rain in downtown- WHO IS MESSING WITH THE WEATHER

''Cut to Oliver who is leaning on the control board. He notices what he is doing and casually gets off the board.''

Oliver (Under breath): Whoops...

Russell: Ok...um…sorry about that...um..ok back to the weather. The temperature across Toronto has been at a consiste-

Microphone touches chin and Darryl takes a deep breath in, stands in shock for second, and falls to the ground.

Noah: Everyone, staff meeting. NOW.

The camera turns to show everyone walking into the control room.

Staff Meeting Scene 2

''The newscast run into a control room while Noah holds the door open for them. As the last person enters (cameraman), Noah locks the door shut.''

Noah (While locking the door): I think we’ll be safe here. So, we know the killer wasn’t Darryl…

Oliver: He was too stupid to pull anything like that off.

Noah glares at Oliver.

Noah: Stop joking around! We’ve got a huge problem, and we need to figure this out now! ... Eli what are you doing?

Ethan: Oh, just writing my last will and testament.

Noah: You’re not gonna die, because we’re gonna figure this out right now! Donald, you’re up next. Everyone watch really carefully so we can catch the killer in the act!

Sean: I have several objections to this course of action.

Oliver: Don’t worry, you’ll have our full attention. If we see anything remotely out of place, we’ll get you out of there ASAP.

Sean: I have no reason to trust any of you with holding my bag, let alone with my life.

Noah (Pushing him out the door): Everything’s going to be fine, now get out there and give it your all!

Transition to stocks

Noah: Sorry about that. A good way to calm us down might be to go to our financial reporter Donald Montgomery. What do you have for us, Donald?

Financial Report

Sean: Hello everyone. Today truly has been a crazy day in the world of Stocks. Definitely one of the most bizarre in my entire career. To start with, RBC has gone down a full 3 points. In contrast CIBC has gone up 4. That’s gotta be a new high score. In light of the recent announcement of the closure of all payless stores across the country, prices for their shares have dropped like a rocket, however that is to be expected. During all of this, a noose starts to slowly lower and wrap around Sean’s neck, however he doesn’t notice. Next up we have Blockbuster, who in a surprising twist have The noose finally tightens and begins to hoist him up Oh god someone please help I’m in mortal peril please I have a wife and children oh god oh fri-

He hangs there choking to death.

Staff meeting scene 3

Oliver: We’re running out of time here!

Ethan: I knew it! We’re all screwed! This is it! I’ll never see my kids again!

Oliver: Calm down! There's only four of us left which means it has to be someone in this room.

Ethan (Sarcastically): Oh thanks, that thought really calmed me.

Noah (Drinking from a mug): Hey guys, why does this tea taste like cyanide?

He falls to the floor.

Oliver: I knew it! It was you the whole time!

Ethan: What are you talking about? I haven’t killed anybody! You’re the one who's been killing everyone!

They hear a ding.

Oliver: Dang it, I’m up. But I’ve got my eye on you!

Ethan gives the Malocchio to Oliver in return.

''Cut to regular news report with no one there. Oliver walks on.''

Entertainment report

Oliver: Hey everyone… Unfortunately, something has… come up and our regular anchors can’t be here. For now, I’ll just transition to my segment.

Midway through the report, cut to separate angle of Oliver staring at Ethan in a death glare.

Oliver: Hello, I’m Oliver and welcome to Silver Screen Showcase, where I catch you all up on the latest movies. On Friday, the long-awaited motion picture Space Coupe was released in theatres, and folks, let me tell you, it’s already a classic. Now, I won’t spoil anything about the story of course, so you folks can go watch it yourselves, but the acting was excellent. I really think Hammy should be nominated for his performance, not to mention the great story, and especially the songs that the inclu-

''The cameraman falls in front of the camera, dead. Ethan rushes to turn off the camera, now realizing that Oliver must be the killer because he is the only one left. Oliver thinks the same thing.''

   Fight and big reveal

Ethan (Sarcastically): Wow, how did you manage to pull that one off, MURDERER?

Oliver: I was over here the whole time! I couldn’t have killed him even if I wanted to!

Ethan: Don’t lie to me! I’ve had enough of this!

Ethan starts to walk menacingly over to Oliver.

Oliver: Your little tricks won’t work on me. Come here and fight me like a man!

They run towards each other at full speed screaming at the top of their lungs just as they’re about to clash, Oliver stops dead in his tracks and collapses to the ground, revealing a cloaked figure standing behind him.

Ethan: Wait, what?

Hooded Figure: And last but not least, you. He raises a gun to Ethan

Ethan: Wh- Who are you?

Hooded Figure: Takes off his hood Surprise!

Ethan: B-But you were murdered at the beginning, weren't you?

Danny: Well when I found out the news station I work at was reporting the killings I did, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I would be found out. So obviously the only logical thing to do would be to fake my own death and kill everyone else!

Ethan: Yeah I guess you’re right.

Danny: And now you’re the only one left. Any last words?

Ethan looks around panicked for a few seconds

Ethan: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?

Danny: Goddamnit. I know there is nothing behind me but now I want to look! Ugh. Fine.

He turns around and Ethan immediately tackles him.

The sports intro plays, cut to Danny and Ethan wrestling on the news table.

Sports

A fight scene we’ll block later. ''It ends with Ethan wrestling the gun from Danny and shooting him. Midway, cut to a mother and a daughter watching the broadcast on live television.''

Finale

Ethan: Phew, Safe at last. I mean sure everyone’s dead, but at least now nothing could possibly go wrong!

''He walks out the door. Police Sirens sound''

Police voice: Freeze! Hands in the air, don’t move a muscle!

Ethan: Damn it.

END

Notable Differences from Final Film

 * The script uses the actors' names, rather than their characters', at the beginning of dialogue.
 * The character of 'Joe Ryan' has his name changed to Miller Meemstar.
 * During the first staff meeting, after Alejandro's body is initially shown, the camera never returns to a framing where his body can be seen as missing.
 * 4 lines of dialogue were cut from the end of the first staff meeting.
 * Miller never returns to anchor as a transition to the other crew members' segments, they simply begin immediately after the segment intro.
 * In the third staff meeting, the cameraman being a possible suspect isn't mentioned in the script.
 * After murdering Robert, Alejandro is immediately revealed rather than starting out as a hooded figure.
 * The shot involving a mother and daughter watching the fight between Eli and Alejandro play out on live TV was cut.