Documentary Script

(insert title)

Written By Adele Morris-Robinson

Produced by Latoya Wilson

Directed by Adele Morris-Robinson & Katie Allen

1  EXT. Glenwood Gardens- Night- 22.00                    

Detective Graham and Inspector Hanson pull up to a house in Glenwood Gardens.                     

Both approach the door silently. Inspector Hanson puts on his hat. DC Graham fixes his jacket. They ring the doorbell. The door opens and they enter.                

The camera slowly pulls away everything starts to blur. Silence, then a scream. Fade to black.     

PRESENTER INTRODUCTION 

Losing any family member is hard, but when you lose a child it could seem like the whole world has just crashed around you.

(Could insert possible stills and clips of funeral processions e.g my murder at the end where we saw real pictures of the victims funeral).

Gang violence is responsible for almost (enter statistic) deaths a year and as a mother of … I can’t even begin to imagine what my life would be like if I ever lost a child in such a violent way.

I am Davida Wilkins and I want to look deeper into gang violence and the effects that it has on families. What course of action if any is put in place to ensure the safety of gang member’s families and the people that are there to try and get gangs off the street.

I will begin my journey with PC Brown from West Midlands Police Department.

Insert interview

Micheal Brown- Police officer

2 INT. Glenwood Gardens- Day- 08.30          

Alicia lay down in the bed looking very tired and depressed staring at something, her mom enters the room with a cup of tea and a slice of toast.

CAROLINE

Here's some tea and toast you need to eat something and start getting ready the car will be here in an hour.

Alicia doesn't respond and continues to stare at the clock. Caroline leaves the room. Alicia continues to stare and then glances over at the clock it is now 08:45 she gets up and heads towards the bathroom. Meanwhile downstairs Caroline is talking to Selvin, Alicia's dad.

         

CAROLINE

If you saw her, she didn't even blink she was just staring at the photo of Anton and AJ.

SELVIN

She will be fine we got to stay strong for her, you know it vexes me to see my daughter like this we told her many times about the company Anton was in and she didn't want to hear it; Stubborn just like her mom.

CAROLINE

Ay cheeky, the car will be here in like 15 minutes let me go see if she has even made an attempt to get ready.

Caroline heads upstairs and enters Alicia's room. Her face drops.

CAROLINE

SELVIN! SELVIN!

Selvin runs up the stairs and enters Alicia's room. His face drops.

Alicia is sitting in her mirror looking spaced out applying eyeliner not only to her eyes but drawing all over her face. Fades to black.

Presenter

(Talks directly to camera)

After talking to PC Brown when he said the bit about funerals, it had me thinking is that it, are you supposed to get on with life is there no support for these people that have perhaps lost a child a partner you know.

I have decided to visit to a bereavement centre. It would be very interesting to know how they actually deal with clients who have experienced loss.

Insert Interview

3 INT. Bleechums community centre - Day- 15:00

2 months later.

SHADEA SIMMONS

Thank you for today ladies see you next week. Alicia could I have a quick word.

Alicia walks over to Shadea. Caroline enters the room.

SHADEA SIMMONS

Alicia I’m very worried about you, it’s been over a month and you haven't even said a word. I’m here to help you not to judge.

Alicia stares and Shadea with a blank expression.

SHADEA SIMMONS

Go on your mum is waiting for you at the back.

Alicia walks away and towards her mom.

CAROLINE

Here are the keys I'm just going to have a quick word with the lady.

Alicia takes the car keys and heads towards the car. Caroline walks over to Shadea.

CAROLINE

Excuse me, hi there, my name is Caroline Fuller I'm Alicia's mom.

SHADEA SIMMONS

Hi I’m Shadea I’m glad you came over to talk to me because I’m worried about Alicia.

CAROLINE

You and me both, I just don't know what to do she doesn't talk, she barely even eats it’s like she doesn't want to move on.

SHADEA SIMMONS

I don’t think the problem is she doesn’t want to I think it’s she doesn’t know how to. Now during these sessions Alicia doesn’t even speak and doesn’t interact with the other ladies and if this continues she is not going to do herself any favours.

CAROLINE

I’m all out of ideas I’m scared it’s going to get to the point where she might take her own life.

SHADEA SIMMONS

Ok well it’s not going to come to that, what Alicia has been through is not easy for anyone let alone a 23 year old she is young, give me your number leave it me I'm not going to give up.

CAROLINE

Thank you, thank you so much

SHADEA SIMMONS

This is what I’m here to do and you shouldn’t give up either.

Fades to black. 

Presenter

I’ve always believed that people who are in gangs are selfish and care about no one but themselves. I’m on my way to visit Dion who was involved in a gang but has now made his way out and given his life to Christ.

INSERT INTERVIEW

Dion (former gang member?)

(Possibly insert some stills of Dion preaching at church or acting in his plays)

Presenter could ask the question (is it right to say that having someone to guide you in the right direction is important)… which will lead into:

Taking away what Dion had said about having support I’m meeting with Jo Jackson who works with gangs.

INSERT INTERVIEW

JO JACKSON (works with gangs)

Jo has invited me to a guns and gangs conference.

(Talks directly to camera)

I don’t know exactly what’s going to be said but it does sound interesting and it could be very insightful.

(Footage of Davida sitting in the conference, possible go and ask other people questions).

Yes the conference was very good very, very good, learnt a lot.

Various shots of Shadea and Caroline working and trying to help Alicia

4 INT. Bleechum community centre-Day-15:00

SHADEA SIMMONS

Before we conclude today’s session does anyone have anything they want to say.

ALICIA

Can I speak please?

The whole class turns around and looks at Alicia. Shadea smile

SHADEA

Of course you can

Alicia walks up to the podium. Caroline walks in.

ALICIA

Hi everyone, my name is Alicia Fuller and I am 23 years old. 6 months ago my boyfriend Anton Miller and my 2 year old son AJ were murdered. Anton was part of a gang you may off heard of them the BC Crew, it wasn’t my plan to bring home any member of any crew home to my parents and say hey this is my boyfriend, but that’s what happened and I don’t regret it. Regardless of the things he had done I loved him so much, I guess the saying is true you live by the gun you die by the gun. It’s just a shame that my son had to go the same way. For 6 months I have been trying to work out in my head why such a thing would happen to me and what I did to deserve it. I came to the conclusion God wouldn’t give me anything, I couldn’t handle and that’s what I am doing now, handling it. One thing these gang bangers don't realise is the effects their actions have on their loved ones and innocent people sometimes do get caught in the cross fire. But I  believe in the power of God and I'm going to do everything in my power to try and help the young people and I hope that in the future I hope that I will have more kids, a boy especially so that he may grow up and make a difference in these young men’s life. I want to thank my mom and Shadea for never giving up on me and I won't let them down. Thank you.

A thunder of applauses commences. Caroline smiles and wipes away tears. Shadea smiles and Alicia smiles, fade to black.

Black screen saying (the events shown in this drama are real but have been dramatized purely for entertainment purposes).

Fade to Black

Presenter

When I first started out this journey I was keen to find out the effects gun and knife crime has on families. But instead I ended up coming away with a lot more. I met people that have really helped me understand more about gang culture and that it is something that may never go away. People join gangs for many reasons, three being money, respect and a sense of belonging to a family. But as I have shown today, gang violence destroys lives and tears families apart.

End Credits