Fridge Surprise! A Scripting Excercise.

Here is another exercise in writing commercials. I’ve broken down an ad from the 2006 super bowl that I found particularly funny. Here is the original video:



Like last time, the script is written with video cues in CAPS, audio cues is italics, and dialogue in bold.

SCENE #1: ESTABLISHING SHOT: APPARTMENT 1 – MAN 1 IS ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES WITH HIS HEAD UNDER THE SINK, MAN 2 IS SITTING AT A TABLE, WATCHING A SPORTS GAME ON TV.
A sports broadcast can be heard from the TV.
MAN 1: Pliers.
MAN 2 HANDS HIM PLIERS WITHOUT LOOKING AWAY FROM GAME.
MAN 1: Can you hand me the screwdriver too?

SCENE #2: COSE-UP: MAN 1’S BACKSIDE – HIS HAND IS REACHING BEHIND HIM TO RECEIVE THE SCREWDRIVER.
The sports broadcast can still be heard.
SCREWDRIVER IS PLACED IN HIS HAND.

SCENE #3: CLOSE-UP: MAN 1’S FACE, UNDER THE SINK – HE IS POKING AT THE WALL OFFSCREEN.
The sports broadcast continues.
SFX: Pop, then the sound of a metal plate hitting floor.
MAN 1: I’m in.

SCENE #4: WIDE, PANNING SHOT: CAMERA MOVES FROM APPARTMENT 1, ACROSS THE DEVIDING WALL TO THE ADJACENT APPARTMENT.
BETWEEN APPARMTNETS A CROSSECTION OF THE WALL SHOWS MAN 1 CLIMBING THROUGH A HOLE.
The sports broadcast fades out.
APPARMENT 2 SHOWS A REFRIDGERATOR IN FRONT OF THE HOLE AND A WOMAN WALKING TO THE FRIDGE AND OPENING IT.
Quiet, easy listening music fades in.

SCENE #5: MID-SHOT: FROM THE LOWER SHELF INSIDE THE FRIDGE.
SFX: glass bottle jingle in the fridge door.
WOMAN: (screams).

SCENE #6: CLOSE-UP: MAN 1’S FACE CAN BE SEEN INSIDE THE FRIDGE, POKING OUT OF A HOLE IN THE BACK. A SIX PACK OF BUD LIGHT SITS ALONE ON THE SHELF IN FRONT OF MAN 1’S FACE.
WOMAN – OFF SCREEN: (screaming continues).
MAN 1 LOOKS FROM THE BUD LIGHT TO THE WOMAN OFF SCREEN.

SCENE #7: ESTABLISHING SHOT: APPARTMENT 2 – WOMAN CLOSES FRIDGE AND MAN 3 CAN BE SEEN IN BACKGROUND STANDING UP FROM HIS SEAT AT THE TABLE.
WOMAN: (Screaming continues).
WOMAN WAVES HANDS IN PANIC.

SCENE #8: MID-SHOT: POV FROM HOLE INSIDE FRIDGE - MAN 3 OPENS FRIDGE DOOR AND LOOKS IN.
WOMAN – OFF SCREEN: (Screaming continues).
MAN 3: (Begins screaming).

SCENE #9: WIDE SHOT OF APARTMENT 2: WOMAN STAND IN BACKGROUNS, MAN 3 IS LOOKING IN FRDGE.
WOMAN: (Continued screaming).
MAN 3: (Continued screaming).

SCENE #10: CLOSE-ON: EMPTY BUD LIGHT SIX PACK INSIDE FRIDGE.
WOMAN: (Continued screaming).
MAN 3: (Continued screaming).

SCENE #11: CLOSE-ON: BUD LIGHT CAP – CAP EXPLODES OF THE TOP OF A BUD LIGHT BOTTLE. BUD LIGHT BEER POURS FROM BOTTLE.
ANNOUNCER: for a great taste that will never fill you up…

SCENE #12: MID-SHOT, ZOOMING OUT TO WIDE SHOT: MAN 1 AND MAN 2 SITTING AT TABLE IN APPARTMENT 1 WATCHING TV. BUD LIGHT BOTTLES SIT ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF THEM.
A sports broadcast can be heard.
ANNOUNCER: …And never let you down,
MAN 2: We’re out of dip.
MAN 1: Pliers!
MAN 1 MOVES FROM HIS SEAT TO UNDER THE SINK.

SCENE #13: CLOSE-ON: BUDLIGHT CAP – CAP RETURNS TO TOP OF BOTTLE TO REVEAL BUD LIGHT LOGO IN A REWINDED SEQUENCE.
TEXT ON SCREEN: MAKE IT A BUD LIGHT.
TEXT ON SCREEN: www.budlight.com
ANNOUNCER: Make it a bud light.