GONE

By Luca Damiano

INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY Scene 1
Three kids, LUCAS (10), EMMA (8), and NOAH (11), are sprawled out on the couch. The room
is quiet, save for the sound of a ticking clock.) TV changing channels pause for news and kids
playing with toys.

LUCAS: I’m so bored. There’s nothing to do
EMMA: We could go play in the backyard.
LUCAS: Mom is out in the garden right now. We can’t annoy her again
NOAH: Yea, the backyard is too boring. We need an adventure. Why don’t we go to the old
factory?
LUCAS: Orrrr we could go to the reed field.
Noah: ARE YOU KIDDING! Mom would kill us if she finds out we went there.
Lucas: She doesn’t Have to know.
Noah: whispering And how do you expect Emma to keep this a secret?
Lucas: Umm… we can pretend it’s a magical adventure that no one else can know about.
Noah: We can pretend it’s a jungle or something.
Lucas: Emma do you want to go find treasure?
EMMA: Excited Yeah! Let’s explore!

EXT. BACKYARD. Scene 2

(Kids run past mom who is tending her garden) The gray cloudy sky is spread out upon the
entire top half of the screen, signaling that something is yet to come.
The camera angles will switch from a wide angle and close angle of the kids running, and 2
close up angles of the mom gardening.
Mom: AY! Where do you guys think you’re going!?
Noah: Yell Just exploring!!
Mom: Okay! Just come back before dusk!—- And whatever you do don’t go into the reeds!
Noah: Promise!
Mom: Mumble under breath we don’t need another kid gettin’ lost.

EXT. Adventuring the field- SCENE 3
This will primarily be an improvisation scene. The kids will be having conversations, and
arguments, while running through the meadow.
Camera will follow the kids running in the field. 55mm Lense
EXT. Adventuring the railroad SCENE 4
The clouds are getting darker. It is colder out, the kids can be seen more bundled up than usual.
This will primarily be an improvisation scene. The kids will be having conversations, and
arguments, while walking on the train tracks.
Camera will be set from behind the kids. Wide Angle.

EXT. IN FRONT OF THE REEDS SCENE 5
Camera will be set behind the kids standing in front of the reeds, Wide angle. And a low close
up angle from the front.
Noah- Well,… here we are.
Lucas- okay. We go in and right back out. it’s going to rain soon.
Emma- Are you sure we won’t get lost?
Noah- Don’t you want to find the treasure.

Emma- Fine
Camera will pan from kids walking into the field to the Reed field.
EXT. REED FIELD – EARLY EVENING SCENE 6
The camera will be a “pov” shot following the kids through the reeds, like an unknown entity.
The sun begins to set, casting long shadows. The kids are deep in the field now, starting to look
worried.
Emma: What is this?
Lucas: Woah do you think it’s that missing kid’s shirt?
Noah: I think so.
Emma: I’m scared.
Lucas: hesitant It’s fine. brave We’re almost to the treasure!
EXT. SCENE 7- Imaginations
Camera will follow the kids walking through the reeds from the front.
The wind can be heard from outside of the reeds, and over the water.
NOAH: Guys, it’s getting dark. Maybe we should head back.
LUCAS: Don’t be scared. We’re explorers, remember?
EMMA: Whispering What if there are monsters in here?
The wind rustles the reeds, creating eerie sounds. The kids huddle together.
NOAH: Let’s use our imagination. We can pretend the monsters are friendly.
LUCAS: With forced enthusiasm Yeah, like… giant talking animals who want to help us.
Wind begins to pick up
EMMA: Loud I don’t think it’s working.
Lucas- Shouting over the wind Don’t be scared your minds are playing tricks on you
Noah Yelling THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS!
Emma- Pants then take deep breaths

EXT. scene-8: doubting the adventure
Camera will follow the kids walking through the reeds from the front.
The darkness deepens, and the field takes on a more sinister appearance. The kids look
around, disoriented.
All of the following lines need to be read in a loud, scared expression.
LUCAS: Which way did we come from?!
NOAH: I… I don’t remember.!
EMMA: Holding back tears; Trembling We’re lost, aren’t we?
The sounds of the night grow louder. The kids hold hands, trying to stay brave.
NOAH: We need to stick together. Maybe if we keep walking, we’ll find a way out.
EXT. REED FIELD – NIGHT Scene 9
The field is now pitch dark. The kids are visibly scared, their faces illuminated by the faint glow
of a distant moon. Loud noises surround the kids. They stay close away from the surrounding
reeds.
Next lines need to be read as if you are shouting over an airplane engine. Each line getting
louder than the other.
Camera will follow the kids walking through the reeds from the front.
Noah: Sobbing I want to go home.!
EMMA: Fighting tears Me too.!
Lucas: We can’t give up. There has to be a way out.!
EXT. STRONG WHISPERS: Scene 9
They walk in silence, the reeds whispering around them. Suddenly, a distant sound startles
them—a rustling that doesn’t seem to be the wind.
EMMA: Whispering What was that?
NOAH: I don’t know. But we need to keep moving.
They quicken their pace, but the field seems endless. Panic sets in.
The kids stop and realize their mistake.

Rain begins to set in.
LUCAS: I don’t want to be here anymore!
EMMA: Screaming Somebody help us!
The cries echo through the reeds, but there’s no response. The kids collapse to the ground,
exhausted and terrified.
Emma gets pulled into the darkness of the reeds screaming Other 2 try to save them. Rain
begins to get worse
Camera follows Emma onto the floor and into the reeds.
NOAH: EMMA! NO!
LUCAS: EMMA!
The kids continue to shout, but cant go into the reeds to find Emma because the reeds are to
thick.
NOAH: Voice breaking We… We can’t give up.
LUCAS: Whispering I’m so scared.
NOAH: Just stay together.
The camera pulls back, wide angle, showing the kids as small, lost figures in the vast, dark field.
EXT. REED FIELD – DAWN scene 10
The first light of dawn breaks over the horizon. The field is silent, the reeds swaying gently.
There’s no sign of the kids.
Closeup on mom, camera following.
MOM: Over the phone-Panicking, stuttering Hello Police, Yes, I’d like to report an emergency.
Yes. My, my children haven’t come home. They have been away for about four hours, and they
were were supposed to come long ago. YES! But I need to talk to someone now!
EXT. REED FIELD – DAY Scene 11
A search party combs through the field, calling out the kids’ names. Their voices echo, but
there’s no answer.
Closeup on searchers when lines are read. Wide angle when just walking and searching.
SEARCHER #1: Yelling Lucas! Emma! Noah!

SEARCHER #2: To another searcher They couldn’t have gone far. Keep looking.
The camera pans over the endless field, then slowly fades to black.
FADE OUT.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY Scene 12
The camera returns to the living room, now empty. The clock on the wall ticks softly. The kids’
toys are scattered around, untouched.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END

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Biography

My name is Luca Damiano, and I am a sophomore. I am vice president of the Marine Biology Club, and I enjoy participating in the theatre program at American Heritage. When I’m not in school, I enjoy sailing, biking, fishing, and McDonalds. I also love cinematography. When you’re looking for me, I’m probably near the ocean.

What motivated you to write this piece?

Being a screen writer or film director has been something I’ve wanted to do since I was very little. Every year I try to do one big film related project. For 2024, I wanted to film a short film. I traveled to my grandparent’s house in Ireland and filmed every day for two weeks.

What artists and/or writers inspired or influenced your work?

My grandfather used to be a screenwriter and is now an author. He helped me a lot when I was younger to pursue my passion for cinematography. He often gives me informative books, advice, and equipment. He encourages me to follow my dreams.