Stripes Essay, Research Paper

Stripes

Characters:

John Winger Bill Murray Taxi Driver/Army Enlistman

Russell Ziskey Harold Ramis English Teacher/Army Enlistman

Recruiter Bill Lucking Army Recruiter

Army Recruiter’s Office Scene: John Winger has just quit his job, lost his girlfriend, his apartment and had his car taken away by loan sharks. He convinced his best friend Russell Ziskey to come with him to a Army recruiters office to enlist in the Army. John and Russell have just gotten out of Russell’s car and are in the recruiter’s office talking with him.

Shot 1: Point of view shot from John and Russell of the recruiter in the recruiters office, medium close up of the recruiter. Recruiter, “I’m not saying the Army will be able to do for you what it did for me, all I’m saying is you get out of it exactly what you put into it. Sometimes the Army is your best shot.” Cut.

Shot 2: Point of view shot from the recruiter looking at John and Russell, medium close up of John and Russell. Recruiter, “Now there’s a couple of questions I have to ask you. There are a little personal.” Cut.

Shot 3: Medium group shot of John, Russell and the recruiter. Recruiter, “Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. That’s uh robbery, rape, car theft, that sort of thing.” John, “Convicted.” Recruiter, “Yeah.” John, “No.” Russell, “Never convicted.” Cut.

Shot 4: Medium close up of Army recruiter from John and Russell’s point of view. Recruiter, “That’s good good.” Cut.

Shot 5: Point of view shot from John and Russell of the recruiter. Recruiter, “Are either of you homosexuals.” Cut.

Shot 6: Medium close up of John Winger. John, “You mean like flaming or.” Cut.

Shot 7: Point of view shot from John and Russell of the recruiter. Recruiter, “Well it’s a standard question we have to ask.” Cut.

Shot 8: Medium close up of Russell. Russell, “Nah, we’re not homosexuals, but we are willing to learn.”

Shot 9: Medium close up of John and Russell. John, “Yeah would they send us some place special.” Cut.

Shot 10: Point of view shot from John and Russell of the recruiter. Recruiter, “Guess that’s no on both. All right now if you’ll just give Uncle Sam your autograph.” Recruiter gives two forms to John and Russell. Cut.

Shot 11: Point of view shot from the recruiter looking at John and Russell. John signs the form while saying, “Sammy get well soon.” Recruiter, “That’s good now your name.” John, “Dun na na, Dun na na.” John hands the pen to Russell. Cut.

Shot 12: Medium close up of John and Russell. John, “Dun na na, Dun na na.” John signs the form. Cut.

These shots are put together in the fashion to show that John and Russell are going into the Army with a sense of humor. It is also to show that John has convinced Russell to join and they both have nothing to lose going into this so carefree. You see how carefree these two our after watching the movie and seeing what type of attitude they take towards basic training.

Bibliography

Stripes; 1985 Paramount Pictures.