Production Script

Narrator: Viraj is an 18 year old teenager from Southall. At first glance he seems like an ordinary teenage boy that enjoys playing video games. However, Viraj, is addicted to them.

Viraj: Mum, move out of the way, I’m playing!

Shotts of setting - Southall - introducing setting

Title

Narrator: Viraj began playing video games at the age of 7, when his mother bought him a PlayStation. Since then he’s been hooked, and plays an average 8 hours a day playing his new favourite game, Grand Theft Auto

Narrator: Hello Viraj

Viraj: Hey (still looking at the tv)

Narrator: What are you doing?

Viraj: Playing GTA.

Narrator: Viraj’s obsession with GTA is an issue that is becoming common amongst youngsters. An estimated 100,000 children have become hooked on games like GTA in the UK in the last 2 years. The hours he’s spending playing it is beginning to worry his parents.

Raj: I don't understand why everyone's making such a big deal about me playing GTA. Who cares? I don't get involved in other people's business, I just want to play and have fun.

Narrator: Do you perhaps think you play too much and it's affecting your behaviour?

Raj: No. I'm not an idiot. You can't blame everything on a game, like that's the answer to everything. I just want to keep playing, I don't have to go anywhere, or stop, my mum sorts everything out for me.

Narrator: Raj's mum is concerned about his addiction to GTA etc... shots of mum doing house work

(Straight cut – Medium close up of worried mum)

Raj's teacher:

(Straight cut – Medium close up of laid back Viraj)

Viraj: Yeah, my mum doesn’t like me playing GTA, she says its not good. I need to focus on school and that, but I don’t really care about school. I know that once I get old enough the council can give me benefits and I can carry on here playing my game. I don’t care what anybody thinks.

(Straight cut- Medium close up)

Dad: He has no aspirations for the future now. I am dissapointed. He can’t stop playing this violent disgusting game.

(Straight cut)

[Viraj goes to strip club in GTA – over the shoulder shot]

Viraj: Hahaha look at this man, all these girls in the strip club.

(Straight cut- Medium close up)

Mum: The horrible sexualisation of women, the violence, (crying) ooh it just makes me so sad.

Narrator: GTA has come under much criticism for its violence and depiction of women within the game. Protesters have said that it is having an effect on our children. In (vijay investigation case studies). Viraj’s friend Tyrone believes the game is having an effect on him.

(Straight cut- Medium close up – Laid back Tyrone – stereotypical black teenager)

Tyrone: Yea man, Viraj, when he gets off dat game he’s jokes now bruv. Me and him get up to bareee adventures now you get me. He always wants to try out this mad shit he did in the game. The other day we went into a strip club, dem girls though, they all wanted me though obviously. He even came out with me to go rob some youts init, mans balling out here. He never used to do this shit before.

(Camera follows Viraj and Tyrone going out, follows them from behind)

Tyrone: We guna try and rob a car now

Viraj: Yea, make sure we do it properly this time

(Camera stays still, watching them go down the road)

(Straight cut – Medium shot from across the road, showing them going around a car)

(Straight cut – Close up showing them breaking into the car)

Tyrone: Yo, yo Viraj I’m in

Viraj: Niceee.

(Straight cut – Medium shot showing them getting the car)

(Straight cut – Medium shot showing car drive away)

(Fade to black)

Later that day…

(Low angle shot showing Vijay being escorted home)

Narrator: Viraj and Tyrone were quickly caught by the police and have been escorted home.

(Medium shot from inside the house as Viraj is brought inside)

Mum: Not again Viraj! What do you think you are doing! What is wrong with you! Is this how I brought you up? To try and steal people’s car?!

(Viraj walks past silently) Deepeh!! Please talk some sense into your son.

Narrator: Viraj and his father have had a very strained relationship for the past few years. His dad claims that he has given up all hope on his son.

(Straight cut – Medium close up of dad) Angry, agetated Indian dad speaks aggressively about the failures of his son.

Dad: Ohh that boy. I am sick and tired of that boy. I want him out of this house! He does nothing, nothing all day. He is a disgrace to this family! What girl will want to marry him when all he does is play that silly game! Look at him, he’s an embarrassment. He thinks he can become a doctor doing that? 

Dad: He has no aspirations for the future now. I am disappointing. He can’t stop playing this violent disgusting game.  

 

Do you think growing up without a mum has any link to your addiction?

No...maybe. I don't know. I've never known what it's like to have a mum. My dad just ignores me and gets angry all the time so I just stay in my room and play my games. I guess it's hard not having a mum to care for you. But you know, I have GTA.