2016 Oscar-Winning Short: “Stutterer” | The New Yorker Screening Room

Summary

The transcript presents a fragmented and chaotic conversation involving customer service issues with 'Umbrella Broadband' and various personal interactions. It shifts between a call to customer service about a billing problem, on-hold music, and disjointed dialogues about personal relationships, confusion, and emotional tension. The text includes expressions of frustration, apologies, random musings, and moments of existential reflection. Snap judgment segments appear throughout, highlighting brief character descriptions and moods, contributing to the overall disorganized yet dynamic narrative. The audio fluctuates between dialogue, music, and technical issues.

Takeaways

• 😅 The script starts with a humorous and awkward phone call to Umbrella Broadband, where the caller is put on hold multiple times.
• 🎶 There's a recurring theme of music throughout the script, suggesting a focus on the importance of music in the narrative.
• 👦 The script introduces a character named 'Snap Judgment 1224', who is described as a loyal but flaky 11th-grade student.
• 📈 The character is ecstatic about receiving his first-ever 'two nights ago', indicating a possible achievement or event.
• 👨‍💼 A customer service representative is mentioned, but there's frustration expressed by a customer who can't get through to them.
• 🏡 The script mentions a website issue that the customer's son is facing, which is the reason for the call.
• 🌍 Another character, 'Snap Judgment 1225', is introduced as a charity worker who dreams of escaping to Bu's Aras to set up a wine bar.
• 📞 There's a missed connection or communication issue between characters, as one character apologizes for not getting back sooner.
• 💬 A conversation about trust and staring is highlighted, indicating potential tension or misunderstanding between characters.
• 🌱 The script ends with a character talking about the satisfaction of seeing the results of their labor, possibly referring to a gardening or similar activity.
• 🔤 The alphabet is recited twice in the script, which could be a stylistic choice or indicate a child's presence or a learning scenario.

Q & A

Who is Bella Broadband and what service does she provide?

Bella Broadband appears to be a customer service representative for Umbrella Broadband, assisting customers with their billing and service-related issues.

What is the issue with Greenwood's son?

Greenwood's son is having trouble accessing the website, which is causing communication problems between him and Umbrella Broadband.

What is the significance of the 'Blue Swan Cafe' in the script?

The 'Blue Swan Cafe' is mentioned as a meeting place, but there seems to be confusion about its name, as it is also referred to as the 'Blue Swan cup', indicating a possible misunderstanding or miscommunication.

What is the profession of the person described as '1,225 charity worker'?

The person identified as '1,225 charity worker' works in charity and dreams of escaping to Bu's Aras to set up a wine bar.

Why is the charity worker unable to meet someone in London?

The charity worker is unable to meet someone in London because their cousins are visiting, which suggests a scheduling conflict.

What is the emotional state of the person described as '1,224 year 11 student'?

The '1,224 year 11 student' is described as flaky but loyal, and their current mood is ecstatic.

What is the context of the repeated musical references in the script?

The repeated musical references, including phrases like 'music's the pleasure' and 'counting counting', suggest that the script might be part of a creative or artistic performance, possibly involving music.

What does the acronym 'CU' stand for in the script?

In the context of the script, 'CU' likely stands for 'See You', which is a common abbreviation used in text messages and casual conversations.

What is the issue with the typographer mentioned in the script?

The typographer is described as reclusive with communication skills of an infant, excelling in the art of self-pity, which suggests they have difficulty communicating and may be feeling sorry for themselves.

What is the significance of the alphabetical sequence 'a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z' in the script?

The alphabetical sequence could symbolize a sense of order or a return to basics, possibly in relation to the typographer's work or a character's attempt to regain control or clarity.

What is the nature of the interaction between the characters at the end of the script?

The interaction between the characters at the end of the script is awkward and filled with apologies, suggesting a misunderstanding or a failed attempt at a romantic gesture.