The Mountain — storyboard

WIDE SHOT, camera across the room at standing height. his grounded lived-in room — exposed red brick chimney breast, dark wood floor, a heavy rug, full bookshelves, a large leafy plant in a clay pot, one tall window with low late-afternoon light. An older Black man with close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a rust wool sweater, sits down on the plain backless wooden bench and straightens up. He is small in frame with the whole solid room around him. Camera static.

MEDIUM SHOT, camera straight in front of him at seated eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He breathes out once and his shoulders drop. His eyes are open and lowered. his grounded lived-in room — exposed red brick chimney breast, dark wood floor, a heavy rug, full bookshelves, a large leafy plant in a clay pot, one tall window with low late-afternoon light. Camera static.

A tall window in a warm grounded room with an exposed red brick wall beside it, low late-afternoon light coming through and lying across a heavy rug and a dark wood floor. A large leafy plant at the edge of frame moves very slightly. Static camera, medium wide. No people, no text.

PROFILE SHOT, camera at his LEFT side at seated shoulder height, the tall window behind him rimming his face with low light. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He lengthens his spine and sits taller, once. Camera static.

LOW SHOT, camera down near the floor looking up, his feet flat on the dark boards and the bench legs in the near frame and his face clearly visible above. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He sets both feet firmly and settles. his grounded lived-in room — exposed red brick chimney breast, dark wood floor, a heavy rug, full bookshelves, a large leafy plant in a clay pot, one tall window with low late-afternoon light. Camera static.

THREE-QUARTER SHOT, camera in front of him and to his RIGHT, slightly BELOW seated eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He rolls both shoulders back once and settles. Camera static.

HIGH SHOT, camera above and behind his LEFT shoulder angled down so BOTH his face and both hands on his knees are clearly in frame. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He turns both palms over to face upward and presses them open on his knees, once, deliberate and unhurried. Camera static.

MEDIUM WIDE SHOT, camera at his RIGHT side at seated height, the whole bench and his upright figure and the brick wall behind him in frame. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He is steady; the only movement is one slow breath. Camera static.

Close on a worn dark wood floor and a heavy patterned rug in a warm room, low late-afternoon light lying across the boards at a shallow angle and shifting very slowly. Solid and grounded. Static camera. No people, no feet, no text.

CLOSE SHOT, camera straight in front of him at eye level, his head and shoulders filling the frame. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. One full slow visible breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. His eyes are open and lowered. Camera static.

CLOSE SHOT, camera in front of him and slightly to his RIGHT, a little above eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. His eyes close gently on an out-breath and stay closed, and his face settles. Nothing else moves. Camera static.

CLOSE SHOT of the face of the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes closed, completely still and calm, low warm light across one side of his face. Nothing happens at all. Camera static.

First sight of a single great mountain across an empty valley in clear low afternoon light, vast and still, its whole shape visible. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

Closer on the broad base of the mountain where it spreads out and meets the dry valley floor, deep and wide and rooted, clear afternoon light. EXACTLY the same mountain as in the reference image - the same broad golden-brown cone, the same profile, the same ridges, the same colour, seen from the same distance and the same angle. It is one continuous photograph filling the whole frame: no split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage. No different mountain, no rocky scree slope, no jagged peaks, no snow. No people, no buildings, no text.

The peak of a great mountain rising calmly into open sky, seen from below and far away, thin cloud moving slowly past it. Ancient and unhurried. Static camera. No people, no buildings, no birds, no text.

A great mountain standing completely still in clear light, nothing moving in the frame at all. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

MEDIUM SHOT, camera straight in front of him at seated eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes closed, sitting tall and completely still, his shape solid and symmetrical in the frame. Warm low light. Camera static.

The long rising flank of the mountain against open sky, one clean unbroken line climbing toward the peak, low light raking across its ridges and gullies so the rock texture is clearly visible. EXACTLY the same mountain as in the reference image - the same broad golden-brown cone, the same profile, the same ridges, the same colour, seen from the same distance and the same angle. It is one continuous photograph filling the whole frame: no split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage. No smooth sand dune, no featureless cone, no snow. Static camera. No people, no buildings, no text.

PROFILE SHOT, camera at his RIGHT side at seated shoulder height. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes closed, seen from the side so the long straight line of his back and neck reads clearly against the brick wall behind him. He does not move. Camera static.

The wide dark rooted base of a great mountain meeting the earth, utterly motionless, low warm light across the rock. Nothing moves. No people, no buildings, no text.

MEDIUM WIDE SHOT, camera at his LEFT side at seated height, the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor upright and still on the bench with the brick wall and window behind him. The low light across the room shifts very slightly, as if a cloud had passed outside. He does not move. Camera static.

Clouds gathering around the peak of the mountain and drifting away again. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

Wind moving hard across the mountain, streaming cloud off the ridge, then calming. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

Bright clean sunshine on the mountain, every ridge sharp and lit, deep blue sky behind it. EXACTLY the same mountain as in the reference image - the same broad golden-brown cone, the same profile, the same ridges, the same colour, seen from the same distance and the same angle. It is one continuous photograph filling the whole frame: no split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage. No different mountain, no sharp pyramid peak, no snow cap.

Grey rain sweeping across the mountain, the peak soft behind it. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

The mountain at dusk turning to night, the last light leaving its peak and the first stars appearing above it, the rock in cool blue shadow. EXACTLY the same mountain as in the reference image - the same broad golden-brown cone, the same profile, the same ridges, the same colour, seen from the same distance and the same angle. It is one continuous photograph filling the whole frame: no split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage. It is an ordinary quiet mountain at night: no volcano, no lava, no glowing crater, no eruption, no fire, no orange light at the summit.

The mountain at first light of the next morning, unchanged, exactly as it was. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

The mountain in clear calm light, completely still, nothing moving in the frame at all. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

CLOSE SHOT, camera in front of him and slightly to his LEFT at eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes closed, calm and unmoving, the warm light on his face changing very slightly. Camera static.

Fast weather crossing the mountain - a dark squall giving way to bright sunlight and back again, light and shadow racing over the rock while the mountain itself does not move. EXACTLY the same mountain as in the reference image - the same broad golden-brown cone, the same profile, the same ridges, the same colour, seen from the same distance and the same angle. It is one continuous photograph filling the whole frame: no split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage. No different mountain, no snow peak.

MEDIUM SHOT, camera straight in front of him at seated eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes closed, absolutely steady and centred in the frame while the light in the room around him shifts and changes. He does not move at all. Camera static.

The mountain in still clear light, holding completely, the longest and calmest shot in the film. Nothing changes at all. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

The mountain under a slow, wide sky, high cloud passing far above the peak, everything unhurried and calm. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

The mountain, still, in even light. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

CLOSE SHOT, camera straight in front of him at eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes closed. He lets out one long slow breath and his shoulders drop a little. Camera static.

The mountain in soft light, entirely motionless. A single great mountain seen from a distance across an empty valley, its broad base spreading wide and low and its peak rising into the sky, framed dead centre with open sky above it and empty ground below. ONE single photograph filling the whole frame. No split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage, no side-by-side comparison, no borders. No people, no buildings, no roads, no animals, no text.

MEDIUM SHOT, camera at his RIGHT side at seated height, the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor upright and calm on the bench, eyes closed, low warm light. Camera static.

The mountain at its calmest, warm low light on the rock, nothing moving at all. EXACTLY the same mountain as in the reference image - the same broad golden-brown cone, the same profile, the same ridges, the same colour, seen from the same distance and the same angle. It is one continuous photograph filling the whole frame: no split screen, no panels, no grid, no collage. No different mountain, no snow cap, no glacier.

A great mountain going gradually soft and pale and out of focus until only light and the faintest suggestion of its shape remain. Static camera. No people, no text.

MEDIUM WIDE SHOT, camera at his LEFT side at seated height, the whole bench and his upright figure and the brick wall behind him. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes still closed, and his hands settle on his knees. his grounded lived-in room — exposed red brick chimney breast, dark wood floor, a heavy rug, full bookshelves, a large leafy plant in a clay pot, one tall window with low late-afternoon light. Camera static.

CLOSE SHOT, camera in front of him and slightly to his RIGHT. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. His eyes open gently and he looks down and away, taking his time, then breathes out once. Camera static.

CLOSE SHOT of the face of the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, eyes now open and lowered, calm and still, warm low light across him. Camera static.

HIGH SHOT, camera above and behind his RIGHT shoulder angled down so BOTH his face and both hands on his knees are in frame. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He spreads and flexes his fingers once, slowly, and looks down at them. Camera static.

THREE-QUARTER SHOT, camera in front and to his LEFT, slightly BELOW seated eye level. the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor. He turns unhurriedly to look toward the window and the low light. his grounded lived-in room — exposed red brick chimney breast, dark wood floor, a heavy rug, full bookshelves, a large leafy plant in a clay pot, one tall window with low late-afternoon light. Camera static.

WIDE SHOT, camera across the room at standing height, the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor small in frame with the whole grounded brick room around him, sitting quietly. Camera static.

CLOSE SHOT of the face of the same Black man in his early seventies, close-cropped grey hair and a short grey beard, in a warm rust-coloured wool sweater, sitting tall and upright on a plain backless wooden bench with his feet flat on the floor, warm low afternoon light across him, the brick room out of focus behind. A quiet held moment at the end of a calm few minutes.