student council pilot

STUDENT COUNCIL Pilot

Written and created by

W.K Sharah

© 2015 All Rights Reserved

Khadija Warsame.

Characters: President (Matthew): Average Dork; Junior.

Matthew is an average kid. He is very geeky and has trouble

taking care of matters with his rowdy team.

Vice President(Tracy): Stereotypical Asian Girl; Junior.

Tracy plays the piano, has a brown belt in karate and very

intense with her grades. Matthew is her arch nemesis; she is

continuously trying to get him impeached.

Secretary (Min): Quiet Asian; Sophomore. Always in the

corner writing down everything the council says. Always

asked if she agrees on the subject but is then simply

answered for.

Treasurer (Brianne): Sassy Black Girl; Junior. Friendly as

long as you stay on her good side.

Sports Rep (Jeremy): Chubby Idiot; Junior. An overweight

guy, who is very feminine but refuses to accept it.

Club Rep(Marcy): Popular Dumb Blonde; Junior. Marcy acts

self absorbed to fit in with her popular friends, but she

really has a very deep and complex personality.

Eco Rep(Layna): Hippie Chick; Junior. A religious girl who

is always referring to beliefs of multiple different

religions. Has a calm attitude and positive outlook on life.

Senior Rep(Dylan): Punk Man; Junior. A bad boy type who has

no interest in being on student council, but is forced due

to the circumstances. Dylan always upstages Matthew with

better ideas.

Junior Rep (José): No English Mexican; Sophomore. A kid from

Mexico who doesn’t speak a word of English but understands

it perfectly.

Advisor (Naina): Junior. A rich Indian girl whose father is

a superintendent. She joined the council in order to get

closer to Matthew.

Staff Supervisor(Hugh Bartram): Mid 30’s. An eccentric

teacher who is only running the council because he was put

on probation.

Marvin: Late 20’s. Hugh’s student assistant who has major

social issues.

2.

COLD OPEN: HUGH TALKING TO HEAD

HUGH

I did it! They asked for a student

council, I got them a student

council.

A couple of days ago, Tanly brought

in some hippies to talk about

diversity and crap-- and then it

got me thinking: diversity +

student council equals a one way

train ticket out of probation town

for Daddy!

Of course I had to pick all the

students myself, otherwise I would

have ended up with the usual line

of White rich kids and

over-achieving Asians.

Even so, I still had to pick very,

very carefully.

INSERT: Footage of Hugh pointing to oblivious students at

random in the cafeteria and Marvin writing it down.

HUGH

Him, her, him, her

INT.STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM -- DAY 1

Hugh is standing behind a long line of office chairs

HUGH

Today! I’ve made student council

diversity history. I bring you;

Goth Guy, Chubby Idiot, Popular

Blonde Girl, Sassy Black Girl,

Hippie Chick, Quiet Asian, No

English Mexican, Smart Asian, and

last but certainly least, Average

Dude.

As Hugh says each of the names, he turns the chairs around

to reveal the members.

DYLAN

I’m a hipster!

BRIANNE

What did you call me? Black Girl?

Mr., I am chocolate.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

MARVIN

(whispers to camera)

Sassy

LAYNA

I don’t think you understand the

word,’diversity’.

BRIANNE

Who do you think you are?

HUGH

I thought you’d never ask! Hello

everyone! My name is Mr. Bartram.

but you can call me Hugh.

LAYNA

Aren’t you that history teacher

that cries after the documentaries?

My sister got you a tissue box for

Christmas.

HUGH TALKING TO HEAD

HUGH

I’d like to get one thing straight.

Those were tears of joy! And it was

four years ago. The kids that

actually witnessed it probably have

grandchildren that go here.

INT.STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM -- DAY 1 CONT’D

HUGH

Anyways, I am not just a history

teacher now, I am also the head of

student council.

(beat)

The students all look puzzled

HUGH

You guys are my student council.

JEREMY

What! He told me this was the

cafeteria food critics club.

Marvin smirks at the camera

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

TRACY

So who’s president? I’m president,

right?

HUGH

Ah yes positions! Senior Rep,

Sports Rep, Club Rep, Treasurer,

Eco Rep, Secretary, Junior Rep,

Vice President and Presi-

TRACY

Excuse me?! Vice president? Are you

serious? You just said I was the

smart Asian and you’re making this

average idiot president? This is a

conspiracy.

HUGH

First of all, it’s average dude,

not idiot. Second of all, I

actually don’t have a second of all

TRACY

How dare you do this to me? I will

destroy you Mr Bartram

HUGH

First of all, it’s Hugh-

Tracy slams the door on her way out

MARVIN

Her nickname should have been

Annoying Asian

(beat)

Margo points to Jeremy

MARGO

I’m sorry, are we not going to talk

about the fact that he is sports

rep?

JOSE

(In Spanish)

Oh my God

5.


The camera pans the student council room. The upstairs is a

hangout area, while the downstairs has desks and a long

table for discussions.

BRIANNE

Are we on an episode of cribs

school style?

LAYNA

This place is totally rad!

MARGO

She is killing me!

JOSE

(In Spanish)

Shut up ugly blonde wench.

DYLAN

Does this guy speak English at all?

MARVIN

What do you think we meant by No

English Mexican?

HUGH

Jose here understands English

perfectly but he can’t speak a word

himself.

Jose moves closer to Layna, and grabs her hand.

JOSE

(In Spanish)

Hello flower girl , your freckles

look like carrots in my rice.

Layna hesitates

MARGO

Okay! That’s it! This is insane!

Let’s face it, you have no idea

what you’re doing. You gave us all

offensive nicknames,

HUGH

(To camera)

Which were accurate....

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

MARGO

Two of your members can’t even

communicate properly. Your vice

president just walked out on you

and is now threatening to ruin your

career. Obviously you have no

common sense as you picked an obese

guy who probably needs his insulin

around now to be sports rep.

JEREMY

I’m neither diabetic nor obese

MARGO

And a president who hasn’t said a

word since we got here!

All eyes turn towards Matthew

MATTHEW

(coughs) Eh hem

Margo gives him a look, challenging him to say something

MATTHEW

Hi?

MARGO

Make that two people

Margo storms out of the room

DYLAN

I’m out too. I don’t have time pull

up Google translate every time No

English speaks.

Dylan leaves the room

BRIANNE

Well, I’m not leaving

BRIANNE TALKING TO HEAD

BRIANNE

Nah, I don’t really care that I’m

not president. I’m already the head

of my own club- The Beehive

We are a fan club dedicated to the

Beyonce and all her greatness

7.

INSERT: FOOTAGE OF THE BEEHIVE MEETING

The girls are all dressed in blue jeans, red converse and

white T- shirts, channeling the Crazy In Love video

BRIANNE

Alright, let’s begin today’s

meeting

They all shift their hands in the Single Ladies motion

CLARA

Rupert Everett reportedly stated

that our Queen has...

(Disgusted whisper)

....thunder thighs

All gasps

BRIANNE

Swarm him!


Brianne goes upstairs, along with Layna, Jeremy, Min and

Jose. They are all in awe of how cool the upstairs is.

Matthew is downstairs, spinning in the office chair.

HUGH

Average, we need to talk

Hugh, stops the chair from spinning

MATTHEW

Would you stop calling me average?

HUGH

Would you prefer mediocre?

MATTHEW

Why did you make me president

anyways?

HUGH

Because you remind me of myself. I

wasn’t always this flamboyant, no,

I was once average too. But I was a

good kid, smart, and nice. I see

that in you too. Now stop acting

like PMSing girl and get to work.

Hugh gets up to leave

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

MATTHEW

Work on what?

HUGH

Keeping this dysfunctional council

together.

Hugh leaves the room, leaving Marvin and Matthew alone.

Marvin moves to place his hand on the back of Matthew’s

shoulder.

MARVIN

I too, see myself in you.

Matthew gives the camera a bizarre look.

ACT 2

INT. GYM 1 -- DAY 2

Principal Tanly is on the stage speaking into a microphone

in front of the students.

PRINCIPAL TANLY

Bullying is unacceptable and it

will no longer be tolerated.

Whether it be cyber, physical,

verbal, or even mental. That’s

right, if you’re even thinking

about bullying someone, detention

for a week!

The crowd erupts in ’boos’

PRINCIPAL TANLY TALKING HEAD

PRINCIPAL TANLY

Well, yes bullying is a big

issue. I’ve actually invited a lot

of the kids who are bullied to join

my book club. Now days we’ve been

focusing on books where the

characters are in a similar

situation. This week we were

reading Animal Farm.

INSERT: Footage of Sean, a nerd, dressed in a horse costume,

approaching a bully in the cafeteria.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

SEAN

I will no longer be oppressed

Sean slams a windmill made out of Popsicle sticks over the

bully’s head.

PRINCIPAL TANLY TALKING HEAD-- CONT’D

PRINCIPAL TANLY

And now, the new head of student

council, Mr Bartram, has a few

words for you.

Hugh walks onto the stage from the wings

HUGH

Ah, well helloooooo Jansonam!

His failed attempt at “Hello Vietnam” leaves the crowd in

silence

HUGH

Okay... Well as Principal Tanly

said, I’m Mr.Bartram, most of you

probably know me by my first name,

Hugh. I teach Histo-

Some students in the audience begin to mock Hugh by fake

crying

MARVIN

Hey, cut it out

HUGH

Anyways, today I stand before you

as the head of student council.

Please give a warm welcome to your

Class President, and your council.

The rest of the council walks on stage from the wings as

Hugh and Marvin exit from the other side. Matthew approaches

the microphone.

MATTHEW

Helllooooo Vietna-

From the wings, Hugh puts his head in his hands as MARVIN

signals him to stop

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 10.

MATTHEW

I mean....Um....So how are you

doing today Janson Collegiate

Institute? Funny story, when I

first moved here, I thought the

name of the school sounded like a

prison. Am I right?

Silence from the crowd

MATTHEW

My name is Matthew and I am your

new class president.

Matthew pauses for applause, but there is none. There are

only a couple of scattered murmurs of ’Who is this guy?"

MATTHEW

I would like to introduce the rest

of your student council now,

Brianne as Treasurer, Min as

Secretary, Jose as Junior Rep,

Jeremy as Sports Rep, and Layna as

Eco Rep.

There is a large group of students who are related to Jose

who start hooting and catcalling.

MATTHEW

So now I would like to introduce

the executive division of the

council. The executives are the

most important people on the

council, even more important than

me. This remarkable group of people

have promised to take student

council to the next level and are

extremely happy and grateful to be

apart of this. If I could have

Tracy your Executive V.P, Margo,

your Executive Club Rep, and Dylan,

your Executive Senior Rep, come on

stage. Don’t be shy. Hey guys c’mon

let’s give them a round of

applause.

MATTHEW & HUGH TALKING HEAD

MATTHEW

As the saying goes, "Flattery will

get you anywhere"

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 11.

HUGH

Actually, the saying is, "Flattery

will get you nowhere"

MATTHEW

Where did you get that tie? It

looks great.

HUGH

Oh, this. I got it on sale at

Nordstrom Rack.

Matthew gives the camera a knowing smile

INT. GYM 1 -- DAY 2

TRACY

Well, I would just like to say how

honored I am to be here tod-

Margo shoves her away from the microphone

MARGO

Go Bull Slugs!

BRIANNE TALKING TO HEAD

BRIANNE

What the hell is a bull slug?


The council, excluding Hugh and Marvin, are sitting around

the table. Min is in the corner with a typing on a

typewriter.

MATTHEW

Okay! So this is our first student

council meeting! First on the

agenda-

Dylan raises his hand.

DYLAN

I have a question

MATTHEW

Yes

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

DYLAN

Why is this table round?

MATTHEW

Because it is, okay? Now let’s move

on-

MARGO

No, no wait. I think we should get

down to the bottom of this whole

"Round Table business".

JEREMY

This isn’t even a round table.

DYLAN

I’m sorry, do you see an edge

anywhere?

JEREMY

Just because it has no edges,

doesn’t mean it’s round.

BRIANNE

Oh my God..

MATTHEW

This is a round table okay. Can we

move on.

Jeremy sits up in his chair

JEREMY

Are you guys blind? Or just stupid?

It’s important that I know

Jose begins laughing hysterically and Min is typing

furiously as their voices rise and go over each other.

ENTER Hugh and Marvin with NAINA

HUGH

(to Naina)

So here is the coun-

Hugh sees what is going on

HUGH

-cil

Hugh gives Marvin a look, who then blows a bull horn

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 13.

HUGH

Attention students. We have a new

addition to the council. Please

welcome Naina Kumar.

There is a line of groans across the room. Matthew stands

there wide eyed as Naina winks at him.

TRACY

Sorry but we don’t have any

positions left. In fact I think we

have one too many members.

Tracy eyes Matthew when she says this.

HUGH

That is why Naina will be an

advisor

Margo rolls her eyes.

MATTHEW TALKING HEAD

MARGO

So this is what happened. Naina

went to her superintendent daddy

and got him to force Principal

Tanly to force Hugh into giving her

a fake position so that she can be

the creep that she is and stalk

Matthew.

NAINA TALKING TO HEAD

NAINA

Is it that obvious?

INT. STUDENT COUNCIL DESK AREA -- DAY 2

Everyone is settling into their desks.

LAYNA

I’m totally gonna set up a hammock

in here.

Margo rolls her eyes at camera

NAINA

So! Did you miss me over the

summer? I know I definitely missed

you.

14.

Matthew squirms away from Naina

MATTHEW TALKING HEAD

MATTHEW

In the third grade I was made

Naina’s hallway buddy-- So

according to her that means we’re

soulmates. I can’t tell her I don’t

feel the same way because she

has... anger issues. In the fourth

grade, Sean told her he wanted to

build his snowfort without her so

she cornered him after school, beat

him senseless with snowballs,and

got her brother to destroy his new

fort. Fourth grade.


Naina is adding her stuff to her desk. She has a picture of

Matthew and her. Matthew eyes the camera.

INT. CAFETERIA -- DAY 2

Margo is going to sit at her lunch table with Janine and

Sarah and her boyfriend, Justin. Margo kisses him as she

sits down.

MARGO

Hey

JUSTIN

Hey babe, where were you?

MARGO

Oh, I had some stuff to do. What

are we talking about?

JANINE

We are going to the mall later to

go dress shopping. You didn’t

forget did you?

MARGO

Oh yeah, I’m sorry guys I can’t go

SARAH

Why not?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

MARGO

We have a mandatory student council

meeting

JANINE

You’re seriously gonna stay in that

club

MARGO

Well yeah, with that whole stunt at

the assembly, I can’t really say no

JUSTIN

Margo, half of the members look

like they’re on the verge of

deportation

JANINE

I can’t believe you’re blowing us

off for them. We’re are your best

friends

MARGO

I know. Okay I’ll try to leave

early and catch up with you guys at

the mall

JANINE

Don’t bother. Since you won’t be

there we can finally shop at Saks

instead of the Rack

Janine and Sarah get up and leave the table

Justin and Janine eye each other

JUSTIN

Hey babe, I gotta go too

MARGO

Where?

JUSTIN

Oh, umm, I needed to talk to coach

about positions See you later

Margo leans in for a kiss but Justin leaves her hanging

16.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- DAY 2

Dylan is walking down the hallway. He is then attacked by

three boys in all black.

DYLAN

Aw! C’mon guys!

They throw him in a corner

MARCUS

Dylan Scherbatsky, we hereby disown

you from the dudehood

DYLAN

You can’t do this! I stated this

frickin club!

They drag him inside a bathroom. The camera views as the

door slowly closes.

MARCUS

You have chosen the side of the

turds. Now you will be one of them,

inside and out

DYLAN

No!


Matthew walks up to Tracy who is organizing her desk.

MATTHEW

Hey, I brought you a peace offering

TRACY

A muffin basket?

MATTHEW

Yup. I know how much you love

muffins

TRACY

Muffin are made of flour and flour

is made of wheat and our wheat

comes from Canada. These muffins

are disgusting.

MATTHEW

Hey but I bet the basket was made

in China

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

(BEAT)

MATTHEW

Anyways, I’m sorry that you didn’t

get the position of President.

TRACY

Do I sense pity on your tone?

MATTHEW

No not pity, more like sincerity.

(BEAT)

TRACY

As your Executive V.P, I reserve

the right to finalize all your

decisions. Don’t question the

rules, I didn’t make them

MATTHEW

Are you sure?

TRACY

Oh and get this muffin basket away

from me. I can smell the gluten

like I can smell the capitalism.

MATTHEW

Why do I feel like it’s the basket?

Tracy glares at Matthew

MATTHEW

Leaving

Matthew leaves the room. Tracy fails to fight a smile

REVEAL: The camera is watching over NAINA’s shoulder from

behind a wall

Naina turns to face the camera. She is furious.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- DAY 2

Tracy is closing her locker to REVEAL KAYLEE BEN, standing

behind

TRACY

How long have you been there?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 18.

KAYLEE BEN

(In Mandarin)

Long enough

TRACY

Well, what’s up?

KAYLEE BEN

(In Mandarin)

Wow, you’ve even forgotten the

mother tongue

TRACY

No I haven-

(In Mandarin)

No I haven’t

KAYLEE BEN

(In Mandarin)

Listen you little white washed wench, you have brought shame

to us all.

TRACY

(In Mandarin)

Look, if this is about Matthew

being President-

KAYLEE BEN

(In Mandarin)

It’s not about Matthew being

anything. We were informed of your

grade on your most recent Spanish

test.

TRACY

I can explain!

KAYLEE BEN

You Asian failed! There is nothing

you can say. As the President of

the S.A.O.C , you are kicked out.

Kaylee Ben storms off

TRACY TALKING HEAD

TRACY

The S.A.O.C supposedly stands for

Student Apprentices Of California,

what it really stands for is, Smart

Asians Only Club -- And I’ve just

been kicked out

19.

INT. ART ROOM -- DAY 2

Layna, Brianne and Jeremy are each painting on their

canvases. Ms Heranda makes her rounds.

BRIANNE

(to Layna)

What is that supposed to be?

JEREMY

It looks like a bird with green

blood went through a blender

LAYNA

It’s an umbrella, sheltering a

woman from the tears of loneliness

BRIANNE

(mutters)

More like horror

Ms. Hernada makes her way over to them

MS HERNADA

Oh, Layna, it’s beautiful. Can I

guess? It’s a woman, sheltering

herself from the tears of

lonliness?

Layna nods and glances at Brianne and Jeremy.

Ms. Hernanda looks at Brianne and Jeremy’s painting.

MS HERNADA

Needs work

Jeremy glances at the camera

LAYNA

Guys, isn’t that Margo’s boyfriend?

They look through the classroom door into the hallway. There

is Justin flirting with Janine

BRIANNE

It looks like he is flirting with

Janine

LAYNA

He wouldn’t do that. They’re just

friends

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 20.

JEREMY

Would just friends be making out?

They look back over to see Justin and Janine kissing in the

hallway. Layna has a horrified look on her face and Brianne

is stifling a laugh.


LAYNA

So what, we just don’t tell her

JEREMY

Absolutely not.

LAYNA

Why not?

BRIANNE

Margo will flip out

JEREMY

Yeah, and she’s the type to

literally shoot the messenger

LAYNA

I feel obligated to tell her

Hugh and Marvin appear at the door of his office

HUGH

Tell who what

JEREMY

Nothing

LAYNA

No one

BRIANNE

Hey, Hugh! Have you lost weight

since I last saw you, 5 hours ago?

HUGH

I actually I did-- I lost 3 pounds

Brianne glances at the camera

Marvin whispers into Hugh’s ear

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 21.

MARVIN

(audible whisper)

They are trying to distract you

(To Jeremy, Brianne and Layna)

What’s the secret punks?

Matthew enters the room

MATTHEW

What’s going on?

HUGH

They, have a secret

MATTHEW

C’mon guys we’re all friends here

LAYNA

I met you for the first time

yesterday

MATTHEW

We’ve all met each other here. We

can keep a secret.

HUGH

Yes, yes we can. However, if I find

it within my judgment that this

secret may harm you or someone

else, I’m obligated to call your

parents and notify the principal.

Otherwise, your secret is safe with

me.

JEREMY

Sorry guys! We can’t.

BRIANNE

We really can’t

MARGO

Hey, what are you guys doing?

LAYNA

Justin is cheating on you with

Janine!

Margo’s facial expression changes from shocked to pure fury

in seconds.

Dylan enters

He is wearing khaki shorts and a magenta tank top. His hair

is neon pink.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 22.

Matthew stifles a laugh

HUGH

What the hell happened to you?

TAG

Tracy closes her locker door to REVEAL Naina standing behind

it.

TRACY

Is this a thing now?

NAINA

Listen here Huan Ju -- That’s

right, I know your real name isn’t

Tracy.

TRACY

Wh-

NAINA

Shut up. I saw you flirting with

Matthew earlier. Getting kicked out

if the S.A.O.C was just a warning.

TRACY

You did that?

NAINA

Stay away from my man or else.

student council pilot

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