NAPOLEON DYNAMITE PUTS HIS SWEET SKILLS TO WORK

TitleNAPOLEON DYNAMITE PUTS HIS SWEET SKILLS TO WORK
BrandSEEK
Product / ServiceSEEK CAREER ADVICE
CategoryA02. Script
EntrantADHESIVE Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Idea Creation ADHESIVE Sydney, AUSTRALIA
PR ADHESIVE Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Production AIRBAG Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Post Production AIRBAG Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Additional Company SEEK Cremorne, AUSTRALIA

Credits

Name Company Position
Alexander Masson Adhesive Creative Director, Copywriter

Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

After 17 years away from our screens, Napoleon Dynamite has returned as the spokesperson for SEEK Career Advice. As the spokesperson for SEEK Career Advice, Napoleon has been tasked with shooting an infomercial highlighting the benefits and features of the product. The infomercial uses callbacks to the 2004 film as a device to allow Napoleon to explain how the product works and dramatise just how impactful it can be. The film relies on both scripted references to the film, as well as physical + vocal performances from Jon Heder to create the link between Napoleon Dynamite and SEEK.

Provide the full film script in English.

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE PUTS HIS SWEET SKILLS TO WORK We open on a shot of Napoleon Dynamite walking across a bright pink soundstage. The backdrop is made of a slightly crumpled paper roll, the lighting is a touch too bright, think ShamWow. After 17 years he looks exactly how we remember him, except for two new additions. A handsfree headset sits atop his perm - again think ShamWow - and his iconic ringer tee now reads WORK YOUR SKILLS. NAPOLEON: “Do you ever worry that you don't have any good skills?” We cut away to another stage, this one a dark blue. We now hear Napoleon’s voice as VO, it’s clear this is a flashback. NAPOLEON VO:“Are your numchuck...(he should intentionally mispronounce nunchuck, as a callback to the 2004 film) Napoleon flails nunchucks around trying to show off his martial arts skills. He hits himself. Hard. NAPOLEON:“Ow!” We cut to Napoleon drawing back a hunting bow. NAPOLEON VO:“and bow hunting skills...” As he releases the arrow, the bowstring snaps in half. The arrow falls limply at his feet. NAPOLEON:“Gosh!” NAPOLEON VO: “...just not up to scratch?” We cut back to Napoleon on the pink soundstage. He is standing behind a plain desk. In front of him on the desk is a 90s era Dell computer, with its screen faced away from us. NAPOLEON: “I used to feel the same as you. Until I discovered SEEK Career Advice.” As he speaks, Napoleon struggles to spin the monitor around to face the camera. We hear it squeak in protest before spinning around to reveal the SEEK Career Advice product page. NAPOLEON: “SEEK’s latest advancement in Skills technology it helps you explore where your skills can take you.” Napoleon is now sitting at the desk tapping away at the computer as he uses SEEK Career Advice. He types a little too aggressively. On screen we see Career Advice in action. It suggests that based on his interests he might consider being an IT Engineer, an Electrician or a Florist. Napoleon reacts to this by swivelling in his computer chair to face the camera and giving us a thumbs up in the style of Brent Rambo (“Thumbs Up Kid” meme). NAPOLEON: “Sweet!” (to be delivered in his deadpan style) We cut to an extreme close up of a cassette being inserted into a Sony Walkman. The cassette labels reads SKILLING IT. SFX: The music is silent throughout this section, the only noise being the Walkman slam close. The moment it slams close a new backing track kicks in. It’s big and cheesy. It’s the perfect dance track. We see Napoleon back at the location of his most triumphant moment, the dance floor. A theatre spotlight shines down on him. NAPOLEON VO:“So whether you’re ready to step up or stand out.” As the music kicks in he rips off a series of big dance moves. It looks like he’s been practicing some new moves since last we saw him. At the top of each dance move an animation triggers on screen that showcases a skill that he has discovered through SEEK Career Advice. SUPER: LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION TIME MANAGEMENT We are now looking over Napoleon’s shoulder as we see him sketching in a three-ring binder. In the centre of the page he is sketching a liger. NAPOLEON VO: “Or looking to turn a passion into a profession.” As he shades in the liger, more skills animate around the page as if he is taking notes of the skills he is discovering about himself. SUPER: COLLABORATION INITIATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING NAPOLEON VO: “SEEK Career Advice will put your skills to work.” We are back with Napoleon sitting at the computer. He leans in way too close to the screen, he’s found something cool on SEEK Career Advice. We zoom into the computer screen and see what he sees. SEEK Career Advice has recommended that his skills qualify him to be a ZOOLOGIST. NAPOLEON: “Like being a liger tamer.” (he speaks softly to himself in awe) Napoleon found his dream job. He lets out a huge celebration, imitating his brother Kip’s celebration from the original 2004 film. NAPOLEON: “Yesssssss!” (he should drag out the Yes) We are back on the pink soundstage. Napoleon is now standing in front of the desk with the computer to the left of him displaying the SEEK Career Advice product. NAPOLEON: “So what are you waiting for?” Napoleon points aggressively down the camera as he delivers the line. NAPOLEON: “Head to SEEK Career Advice...” The SEEK logo animates at the top of the frame. Napoleon tries to remember where he should be pointing but just ends up with his arms obscuring the logo. NAPOLEON: “...and put your skills to work.” The audio goes silent. The ad is finished but someone forgot to yell CUT. Napoleon awkwardly holds his position a few seconds too long.

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