SHAFTED! is a contained comedy feature which has been devised as a possible vehicle for a fast-rising comedy star – such as a popular stand-up comedian or YouTube sensation aiming to transfer their talent and fanbase to the big screen.
The simple premise has been written with tongue-in-cheek nods to successful features in the ‘contained thriller’ genre – such as LOCKE and BURIED – utilising the same claustrophobic dynamic to deliver a character-led piece where the dual strengths of the writing and performance shine through.
The simple premise has been written with tongue-in-cheek nods to successful features in the ‘contained thriller’ genre – such as LOCKE and BURIED – utilising the same claustrophobic dynamic to deliver a character-led piece where the dual strengths of the writing and performance shine through.
Synopsis:
Twentysomething man-child Jarryd reluctantly agrees to babysit his toddler nephew Sam, while his sister attends a wedding. Ignoring her strict schedule, Jarryd plans an alternative timetable involving lunch at a pub with the dual attractions of a soft play area and – importantly – live televised football, featuring Jarryd’s beloved Arsenal.
He hypes Sam up on a Haribo sugar rush to sustain 90 minutes of supervision-free tumbletottery and awaits kick-off. However, when Sam is reluctant to go down the enclosed slide into the ball pool, Jarryd accompanies him down…. and gets totally stuck.
As Sam descends into a pit of rubber ball nirvana, Jarryd remains suspended in plastic shaft purgatory. The pub staff refuse to assist on health and safety grounds, calling a non-emergency fire engine instead. Waiting time: six hours.
During this time, Jarryd sees his life disintegrate via a series of increasingly-frenetic phone calls: to best mate Corey, with whom he keeps up appearances by pretending to watch the Arsenal game he is clearly missing; to goof-prone colleague Shabazz who is minding their tiny gaming shop where a burst water main has literally soiled their entire stock; and to girlfriend Lacey who is distraught at failing her driving test and REALLY needs a cuddle right now.
By the time he is liberated - to the ironic cheers of an entire pub (who have summoned the local media in scenes resembling a mini-mining disaster rescue) – Jarryd re-emerges to a new reality where his love life, fledgling business and social kudos are forever changed.
Twentysomething man-child Jarryd reluctantly agrees to babysit his toddler nephew Sam, while his sister attends a wedding. Ignoring her strict schedule, Jarryd plans an alternative timetable involving lunch at a pub with the dual attractions of a soft play area and – importantly – live televised football, featuring Jarryd’s beloved Arsenal.
He hypes Sam up on a Haribo sugar rush to sustain 90 minutes of supervision-free tumbletottery and awaits kick-off. However, when Sam is reluctant to go down the enclosed slide into the ball pool, Jarryd accompanies him down…. and gets totally stuck.
As Sam descends into a pit of rubber ball nirvana, Jarryd remains suspended in plastic shaft purgatory. The pub staff refuse to assist on health and safety grounds, calling a non-emergency fire engine instead. Waiting time: six hours.
During this time, Jarryd sees his life disintegrate via a series of increasingly-frenetic phone calls: to best mate Corey, with whom he keeps up appearances by pretending to watch the Arsenal game he is clearly missing; to goof-prone colleague Shabazz who is minding their tiny gaming shop where a burst water main has literally soiled their entire stock; and to girlfriend Lacey who is distraught at failing her driving test and REALLY needs a cuddle right now.
By the time he is liberated - to the ironic cheers of an entire pub (who have summoned the local media in scenes resembling a mini-mining disaster rescue) – Jarryd re-emerges to a new reality where his love life, fledgling business and social kudos are forever changed.
