DEADBOLT
MASTER PRODUCTION BINDER
DIRECTOR: Samir Eshra
DATE: December 4, 2025
RUNTIME: 12-15 Minutes
FORMAT: Short Film / Drama
CORE CONCEPT:
A father and son have an entire conversation through a locked door. We don't realize they're separated until the reveal at shot 10A.
The Three Blocks
🟢
BLOCK 1: GREEN
EXT. PORCH
Mike's Coverage
Shots 1A-5B
Est. 3 hours
🔵
BLOCK 2: BLUE
INT. ENTRYWAY
Hassan's Coverage
Shots 6A-9A
Est. 3 hours
🔴
BLOCK 3: RED
PROFILE/REVEAL
Both Characters
Shots 10A-11A
Est. 2 hours
Key Props
| Prop |
Used By |
First Appears |
Notes |
| Army Uniform with "HASSAN" name tape |
Mike |
Shot 1A |
Must be new/crisp; audible fabric creak |
| American Dog Tags (New) |
Mike |
Shot 3E |
Shiny, reads "HASSAN" |
| Iraqi Dog Tags (Old) |
Hassan |
Shot 8A |
Faded Arabic script, worn |
| Deadbolt Lock |
Hassan |
Shot 8B |
Interior deadbolt; hero close-up |
CRITICAL:
The door is ALWAYS locked during the entire conversation. Neither character ever sees the other. This is revealed visually in Shot 10A.
Setup Overview
- Setup 1: Mike Master (50mm) - Shots 1A-1T (20 shots)
- Setup 2: Mike ECU Eyes (100mm) - Shots 2A-2B (2 shots)
- Setup 3: Mike Hand Inserts (Macro) - Shots 3A-3E (5 shots)
- Setup 4: Mike Sitting Low Angle (35mm) - Shot 4A (1 shot)
- Setup 5: Mike Departure Wide (35mm) - Shots 5A-5B (2 shots)
Complete Shot List - Block 1
| Shot # |
Setup |
Lens |
Key Dialogue / Action |
Notes |
| 1A |
Master |
50mm f/2.8 |
"—and now you come?" |
Opening shot, establish uniform |
| 1B |
Master |
50mm f/2.8 |
"Twelve and a half hours." |
Jaw works, first line |
| 1C-1T |
Master |
50mm f/2.8 |
Main dialogue coverage |
17 additional shots of Mike speaking |
| 2A |
ECU Eyes |
100mm f/2.0 |
"I remember her anyway... Safe." |
Eyes closed, most vulnerable |
| 2B |
ECU Eyes |
100mm f/2.0 |
"I know." / "Still do." |
Almost smiles |
| 3A |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Hand adjusts collar |
Fingers stay on collar |
| 3B |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Fingers touch name tape |
Unconscious gesture |
| 3C |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Hand becomes fist |
Against frame, knuckle tension |
| 3D |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Pounds frame |
Not hard, just enough |
| 3E |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Pulls dog tags |
New/shiny, reads "HASSAN" |
| 4A |
Low Angle |
35mm f/2.8 |
"Baba, ana... I can't even speak it anymore." |
Slides down, struggling with Arabic |
| 5A |
Wide |
35mm f/4.0 |
"I have to go." / "Mike." |
Stands, brushes uniform (soldier again) |
| 5B |
Wide |
35mm f/4.0 |
"Bye, Dad." |
Walks away. NEED CAR SOUNDS |
CRITICAL CONTINUITY:
• Name tape always visible: "HASSAN"
• Uniform crisp (backup available)
• Dog tags tucked until Shot 3E
• Watch hand positions
Setup Overview
- Setup 6: Hassan Master (50mm) - Shots 6A-6X (24 shots)
- Setup 7: Hassan Sitting Low Angle (35mm) - Shot 7A (1 shot)
- Setup 8: Hassan Hand Inserts (Macro) - Shots 8A-8C (3 shots)
- Setup 9: Hassan Ending (50mm) - Shot 9A (1 shot)
Complete Shot List - Block 2
| Shot # |
Setup |
Lens |
Key Dialogue / Action |
Notes |
| 6A-6X |
Master |
50mm f/2.8 |
Main dialogue coverage |
24 shots - entire emotional journey |
| 7A |
Low Angle |
35mm f/2.8 |
"No. You cannot." / "You know what tomorrow is?" |
Slides down, mirror to Mike |
| 8A |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Pulls Iraqi dog tags |
Old, faded, Arabic script |
| 8B |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Hand on deadbolt |
NOT turning (yet) |
| 8C |
Insert |
Macro f/4.0 |
Hand presses door flat |
Mirror image to Mike's hand |
| 9A |
Ending |
50mm f/2.8 |
Alone, palm on door |
Car fading. Twenty years of weight |
CRITICAL CONTINUITY:
• Hassan unshaven, worn, tired
• Iraqi dog tags under shirt until 8A
• Deadbolt locked entire scene
• Shadow movement on floor
⭐ CRITICAL MOMENT:
Shot 10A is THE reveal. This is the first time the audience realizes they've been separated the entire time. Everything depends on this visual clarity.
Complete Shot List - Block 3
| Shot # |
Setup |
Lens |
Description |
Notes |
| 10A ⭐ |
Wide Reveal |
24mm f/4.0 |
Profile: Both actors, door between them. "If I open this door, you still go?" / "Yes." |
THE REVEAL - First time we see they're separated. Split lighting: warm/cool |
| 11A ⭐ |
Macro |
100mm f/2.8 |
Hand grips deadbolt, begins to turn |
FINAL SHOT - Cut to black BEFORE turn completes. Ambiguous ending. |
Setup 10: The Wide Reveal (24mm)
THE MONEY SHOT. Profile angle showing both Mike and Hassan on opposite sides of the door.
- Lens: 24mm | f/4.0 (deep focus - both actors sharp)
- Frame: Wide profile, both characters visible
- Lighting: SPLIT - Warm porch light (Mike) + Cool moonlight (Hassan)
- Critical: Door must be visibly CLOSED and separating them
Setup 11: Deadbolt Macro (100mm)
FINAL SHOT OF THE FILM. Extreme close-up of Hassan's hand gripping the deadbolt.
- Lens: 100mm Macro | f/2.8
- Action: Hand grips, mechanism BEGINS to turn
- Critical: Cut BEFORE the turn completes
- Ambiguous: Is he opening it? Locking it tighter? We never know.
TEST THIS SETUP BEFORE SHOOT DAY!
The split lighting and profile angle must be tested in advance to ensure both actors are visible and the door separation is clear.
SHOOTING ORDER:
We shoot in BLOCKS, not in script order. Complete each color block entirely before turnaround to the next. This is a NIGHT SHOOT - single day production.
NIGHT SHOOT - BLOCK 1 (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
🟢 BLOCK 1: Mike's Coverage (Exterior Porch)
- Crew Call: 6:00 PM (1 hour setup)
- Actors: Mike only
- Setups: 5 total (1A-5B: 28 shots)
- Duration: 3 hours
Schedule:
- 6:00 PM - Crew arrives, lighting setup
- 7:00 PM - Setup 1 (Mike Master) - Shots 1A-1T
- 8:45 PM - Setup 2 (Mike ECU) - Shots 2A-2B
- 9:00 PM - Setup 3 (Mike Inserts) - Shots 3A-3E
- 9:20 PM - Setup 4 (Mike Sitting) - Shot 4A
- 9:40 PM - Setup 5 (Mike Departure) - Shots 5A-5B
- 10:00 PM - TURNAROUND
NIGHT SHOOT - BLOCK 2 (10:30 PM - 1:30 AM)
🔵 BLOCK 2: Hassan's Coverage (Interior Entryway)
- Turnaround: 30 minutes (flip lighting, move camera inside)
- Actors: Hassan only
- Setups: 4 total (6A-9A: 28 shots)
- Duration: 3 hours
Schedule:
- 10:00 PM - Turnaround begins / Mike released
- 10:30 PM - Hassan on set, camera inside
- 10:30 PM - Setup 6 (Hassan Master) - Shots 6A-6X
- 12:45 AM - Setup 7 (Hassan Sitting) - Shot 7A
- 1:00 AM - Setup 8 (Hassan Inserts) - Shots 8A-8C
- 1:20 AM - Setup 9 (Hassan Ending) - Shot 9A
- 1:30 AM - TURNAROUND
NIGHT SHOOT - BLOCK 3 (2:00 AM - 4:00 AM)
🔴 BLOCK 3: The Reveal (Profile/Both)
- Turnaround: 30 minutes (rig profile angle)
- Actors: BOTH Mike and Hassan
- Setups: 2 total (10A-11A: 2 shots but critical)
- Duration: 2 hours
Schedule:
- 1:30 AM - Turnaround begins / Hassan stays
- 2:00 AM - Mike returns, both actors on set
- 2:00 AM - Setup 10 (Wide Reveal) - Shot 10A
- 3:15 AM - Setup 11 (Deadbolt Macro) - Shot 11A
- 4:00 AM - WRAP
NIGHT SHOOT NOTES:
• Total shoot time: 6:00 PM - 4:00 AM (10 hours)
• Tight but achievable schedule - stay focused!
• Have coffee/snacks available throughout
• Monitor crew energy levels after midnight
• Exterior night lighting already built into Block 1 setup
• Interior lighting easier to control at night
SCRIPT SUPERVISOR:
Check these elements in every shot. Any deviation must be documented.
Master Continuity Watch List
Mike - Uniform
- Name tape: "HASSAN"
- Always visible/readable
- Stays crisp (backup available)
- Fabric creaks when new
- No wrinkles until Shot 5A
Mike - Hands
- Right hand for door touches
- Worn spot: center, 4 ft high
- Fist: left hand
- Keys: right pocket
- Dog tags tucked until 3E
Hassan - Appearance
- Unshaven (52 years old)
- Worn, tired
- Casual clothes
- Iraqi tags under shirt
- Shadow on floor visible
Hassan - Hands
- Right hand on deadbolt
- Left hand mirrors Mike
- Iraqi tags visible only in 8A
- Hand grips frame in 8B
- Palm flat on door in 8C
Door - Critical
- ALWAYS LOCKED (entire film)
- Worn spot: center, circular
- Deadbolt visible (Hassan side)
- Keyhole visible (Mike side)
- Wood grain consistent
Sound
- Clock ticking (interior only)
- Clock stops during emotion
- Car sounds consistent
- Fabric creak (exterior only)
- Breathing matches emotion
Hero Props List
| Prop |
Description |
Qty |
First Use |
| Army Uniform |
New, crisp, "HASSAN" name tape |
2 |
Shot 1A |
| American Dog Tags |
New, shiny, "HASSAN" |
2 sets |
Shot 3E |
| Iraqi Dog Tags |
Old, faded, Arabic script |
2 sets |
Shot 8A |
| House Keys |
Ring with multiple keys |
2 sets |
Shot 1T |
| Door Unit |
With worn spot, deadbolt |
1 |
All shots |
| Interior Deadbolt |
Functional lock |
2 |
Shot 8B |
CRITICAL PROP NOTES:
• Dog tags must be production-accurate (not costume jewelry)
• Deadbolt must be FULLY FUNCTIONAL for Shot 11A macro
• Worn spot should be authentic (years of touching) not painted
• Keep backup uniform for re-shoots
GOOD LUCK
This film is about what war does to families.
It's about names and identity.
It's about doors we keep locked.
Make it with care. Make it with truth.
— Director: Samir Eshra