final draft of script

Aftermath:

What Gang Violence Leaves Behind

Written By Adele Morris-Robinson

Produced by Latoya Wilson

Directed by Adele Morris-Robinson & Katie Allen

Filmed by Tinashe Mwandi

Scene 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. There is silence, then a scream. Fade to black.     

Scene 2: 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.

Gang violence has claimed over 148 teenage lives since 2005 in London alone. And it is a problem that still exists in the West Midlands.  As a mother of three young boys, 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 take a deeper look into gang violence and the effects that it has on families in the city of Wolverhampton. Join me on my quest to find out what course of action, if any? Has been put in place to ensure the safety of gang member’s families and what are people doing to tackle the unspoken crisis of gang violence.

First, I begin my journey with PC Brown from West Midlands Police Department. He should give some insight into his experiences with gangs from a police perspective.

Scene 3 - Insert interview 1

Micheal Brown- Police officer

Scene 4 -  INT. Glenwood Gardens- Day- 08.30

Alicia lay down in the bed looking very tired and depressed staring at the clock, 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 on the phone to Selvin, Alicia's dad.   

CAROLINE

If you saw her, she didn't even blink she was just staring at the clock, I just don’t know what to do.

SELVIN

She will be fine we got to stay strong for her, you know it vexes me that such a thing has to happen to my daughter, we told her many times about the company Anton was in and she didn't want to hear it. She is stubborn just like her mom.

CAROLINE

Ay cheeky, well I’m going now the car should be here in 15 minutes let me go see if she has even made an attempt to get ready. I will see you at the church.

Caroline goes to head upstairs but see’s Alicia in the front room. Her face drops.

CAROLINE

OMG Alicia

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

The words of Detective Graham and Inspector Hanson echo.

Alicia Fuller. I’m afraid I have some very bad news to tell you, your partner Anton Miller and son Anton Miller Junior were involved in a drive by shooting in which both were shot and killed.

I’m sorry for your loss.

Fade to black

Scene 5 - Presenter

(Talks directly to camera)

After talking to PC Brown when he said the bit about funerals, it had me thinking about a number of things that families have to face after losing a loved one. How are you supposed to get on with life? Is there any support for these people that have perhaps lost a child or a partner?

I have decided to visit to a bereavement centre. It would be very interesting to find out how they actually deal with clients who have experienced loss. I will be meeting with Janice Green, a counsellor at the centre.

Scene 6 - Insert Interview 2

Mrs Janice Green – Counsellor

Scene 7 - 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.

Fade to black. 

Scene 8 - Presenter

People join gangs for a number of reasons – be it money, respect or girls. Many people witness the effects of gangs and the violence they commit, but I want to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be in a gang. I’m on my way to visit Dion. Dion was involved in a gang but has now made his way out and given his life to Christ.

Scene 9 – Insert Interview 3

Dion - former gang member

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

Presenter asks the question - Is it right to say that having someone to guide you in the right direction is important?

Scene 10 -Presenter

Taking away what Dion had said about having support. I’m meeting with Jo Jackson, an influential member of the community that works boys who have been in gangs.

Scene 11 - Insert Interview 4

Jo Jackson - works with gangs

Scene 12 – Presenter

Jo has invited me to a Guns and Gangs conference held by Wolverhampton Citizens for Change; an organization that he is the Chairperson for. Today I should find out more about what the community is going to help stop this crisis.

Insert scenes from the conference with possible interviews from willing participants.

Presenter comments on the day

Scene 13 - Various shots of Shadea and Caroline working and trying to help Alicia

Scene 14 - 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 smiles
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.

During the speech – images of Detective Graham and Inspector Hanson consoling Alicia, images of Alicia crying and looking at the picture of Anton and her son, images of Caroline consoling her. Images of Alicia cuddling AJ’s favourite teddy bear and Anton’s shirt and Images and her walking to counselling and her recovery will be shown.

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

Scene 15 - 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