On November 11th, 2028, York County Police discovered a young man dead in his home…

(press play, please)

who ? : the players

“An unknown assailant terrorizes a community, ending five lives in five days. The police had suspects…”

the WRITER – James River
D.O.B. – 11/10/1998 — D.OD. – 11/10/2028
the EDITOR – Lukas Curry
D.O.B. – 04/07/2000 — D.O.D. – 11/09/2028
the CRITIC – Matthew (Matty) Paxton
D.O.B. – 10/13/1997 — D.O.D. – N/A
the READER – Emma Noll
D.O.B. – 11/06/1993 — D.O.D. – N/A

what ? : the picture

“Forensic scientists found more than a crime perpetrated in broad daylight. Hidden in the shadows was a killer…”

FULL SCRIPT (5TH/6-7? DRAFTS)

The Picture is retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray, inspired by local folklore, TikTok tarot readings, and true crime content.

when ? : the past(s)

“But prosecutors needed more than shadows on videotape to get a murder conviction…”

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

The Picture will be shot/edited in a documentary format using footage the actors and I have filmed over the years, along with new scripted “doc” footage, social media posts, police interrogations, local news interviews, etc., all presented to the audience by a true crime cable access tv show (ex. Forensic Files, Dateline, etc.) titled Susquehanna Secrets.

where ? : the place

“People feel as though their world has somewhat been changed and their sense of security is gone, because if something like this can happen in York, Pennsylvania, it could happen anywhere…”

REHMEYER’S HOLLOW MURDER

SEVEN GATES OF HELL

DAUB FAMILY SUICIDE

The Picture is set in York, Pennsylvania, home of snack food factories and spiritual psychosis. The rich history and religiousness of the region deeply influences the thoughts and actions of everyone in it. This place is a big part of the cast’s lives, and therefore a big part of The Picture.

why ? : the purpose

“Then you wonder how sick this (person) really is, when (they have) no remorse over what (they’ve) done, and that is very scary…”

*a lil windy*

TIKTOK TAROT OUTLINES

The Picture’s purpose is in the eye of the beholder! Some may see it and say “tarot readings are evil and TikTok should be banned!” Others may see it and decide to make their own Picture! In the end, I truly believe, as did Oscar Wilde, that “all art is quite useless.”

how ? : the plan

“Despite the forensic evidence, (the suspect) insisted (they were) innocent. (They were) convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death by lethal injection…”

WARDROBE OUTLINE

“We often talk about criminals hiding in the shadows, don’t we? And in this case, the shadows were actually revealing…”

The Picture…Fall of 2028

All quotes used on this site were borrowed from: Forensic Files (S8E5) – Shadow of a Doubt

All music used was recorded by Jean Ross (my grandma) and can be heard here! (maybe listen to it while you read the script!)

thank you for your time!

Previous PICTUREs:

GOD BLESS (animated short)

STAR (music video)

THE MOUSE TRAP (silent[ish] short)