Scripts
THE BIG WHITE poster

Screenplay data

THE BIG WHITE script

Paul Barnell, a struggling travel agent, discovers a dead body in a dumpster and, desperate for money to treat his wife Margaret's illness, stages it as his long-lost brother Raymond to collect a life insurance payout. Insurance adjuster Ted Watters becomes suspicious of Paul's claim, while two hitmen, Gary and Jimbo, who originally dumped the body, begin searching for it. Gary and Jimbo kidnap Margaret, believing Paul has the body and the insurance money, while the real Raymond, who faked his death years ago, reappears, demanding a share of the payout. A chaotic confrontation ensues at a remote parking area where Raymond accidentally shoots Margaret, who survives due to the money Paul hid in her parka, and then dies himself from an unrelated illness. In the aftermath, Paul, Margaret, Ted, and Tiffany, Ted's psychic girlfriend, decide to bury Raymond and split the insurance money, allowing Paul and Margaret to move to Hawaii for her treatment, while Ted and Tiffany plan their future with their share.

Writer
Collin Friesen
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0402850
Script date
Unknown
133Scenes
21Characters
69Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

THE BIG WHITE Save the Cat analysis

Insurance agent Paul Barnell discovers a frozen body and sees an opportunity to claim his missing brother’s insurance.

Open full beat sheet
65

Key characters

Paul Barnell

Paul Barnell is listed as Travel Agent. 40s, mild-mannered, desperate. In the parsed data, Paul Barnell is connected to 71 scenes, 142 dialogue lines, 143 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.

71 scenes / 142 dialogue lines

Ted Watters

Ted Watters is listed as Insurance Claims Adjuster. Late 20s, ambitious, frustrated with his job. In the parsed data, Ted Watters is connected to 39 scenes, 108 dialogue lines, 108 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.

39 scenes / 108 dialogue lines

Margaret Barnell

Margaret Barnell is listed as Paul's Wife. Early 40s, suffers from Tourette Syndrome. In the parsed data, Margaret Barnell is connected to 35 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 42 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.

35 scenes / 42 dialogue lines

Gary

Gary is listed as Repo-man / Criminal. 30s, slightly effeminate. In the parsed data, Gary is connected to 26 scenes, 30 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

26 scenes / 30 dialogue lines

Jimbo

Jimbo is listed as Repo-man / Criminal. 30s, bear of a man. In the parsed data, Jimbo is connected to 25 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.

25 scenes / 25 dialogue lines

Raymond Barnell

Raymond Barnell is listed as Paul's Brother. Physically imposing, criminal. In the parsed data, Raymond Barnell is connected to 21 scenes, 54 dialogue lines, 54 text mentions, first appearing around scene 62.

21 scenes / 54 dialogue lines

Tiffany

Tiffany is listed as Psychic. 20s, Ted's girlfriend, smart. In the parsed data, Tiffany is connected to 21 scenes, 50 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.

21 scenes / 50 dialogue lines

Mrs. Wherry

Mrs. Wherry is listed as Neighbor. 80s, lives in a cabin. In the parsed data, Mrs. Wherry is connected to 6 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.

6 scenes / 24 dialogue lines

Avis

Avis is listed as Office Assistant. 40s, career office gal. In the parsed data, Avis is connected to 4 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 75.

4 scenes / 10 dialogue lines

Cam

Cam is listed as Insurance Claims Adjuster. 30s, Native-American Alaskan. In the parsed data, Cam is connected to 4 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.

4 scenes / 10 dialogue lines

Dave

Dave is listed as Criminal Boss. 50s, well-dressed, thuggish. In the parsed data, Dave is connected to 3 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.

3 scenes / 9 dialogue lines

char_20

char_20 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_20 is connected to 3 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 118.

3 scenes / 9 dialogue lines

Frank Branch

Frank Branch is listed as Insurance Manager. 50s, mid-level management. In the parsed data, Frank Branch is connected to 3 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 67.

3 scenes / 7 dialogue lines

Howard

Howard is listed as Outdoorsman. Burly, 30s. In the parsed data, Howard is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.

2 scenes / 2 dialogue lines

char_21

char_21 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_21 is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 118.

2 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Teenager

Teenager is listed as Unknown. Korean-American, wears apron and headphones. In the parsed data, Teenager is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.

2 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Hair Stylist

Hair Stylist is listed as Hair Stylist. Chunky, shivering, jet black bangs. In the parsed data, Hair Stylist is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.

1 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Man

Man is listed as Unknown. Middle-aged, work clothes. In the parsed data, Man is connected to 1 scene, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Woman

Woman is listed as Unknown. 40s, found in pajamas and parka on the road. In the parsed data, Woman is connected to 1 text mention.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Corporal

Corporal is listed as Police Officer. Young, in his 20s.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Detective Boyle

Detective Boyle is listed as Police Detective. Middle-aged, bored, cynical.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. INT. Inside a trash dumpster - Late afternoon

    A hair stylist talks to someone while sorting through conditioning samples in a dumpster.

    Hair Stylist

  2. 2. INT. Inside a trash dumpster - Late afternoon

    The dumpster lid closes and reopens briefly before slamming shut again.

  3. 3. EXT. Trash dumpster - Night

    A man dumps a mini-bar fridge into the dumpster.

    Man

  4. 4. INT. Inside a trash dumpster - Night

    Two men dump a body into the dumpster.

    Gary, Jimbo

  5. 5. EXT. Trash dumpster - Morning

    A teenager dumps garbage into the dumpster while singing.

    Teenager

  6. 6. EXT. City street - Day

    Ted helps Howard unload a snowmobile while secretly filming him.

    Howard, Ted Watters

  7. 7. INT. Camcorder view finder - Day

    Howard notices the camera and confronts Ted.

    Howard, Ted Watters

  8. 8. INT. Insurance office - Day

    Ted shows his colleagues the video of Howard.

    Ted Watters

  9. 9. INT. Insurance office - Day

    Cam confronts Ted about not being included in the field work.

    Ted Watters, Cam

  10. 10. INT. Branch's office - Day

    Paul Barnell meets with Branch and Ted to discuss his brother's insurance policy.

    Ted Watters, Frank Branch, Paul Barnell

  11. 11. EXT. Strip mall - Night

    Paul arrives at his travel agency.

    Paul Barnell

  12. 12. INT. Paul's car - Night

    Paul talks on his phone while driving and spills coffee.

    Paul Barnell

  13. 13. EXT. Strip mall - Night

    Paul walks to the dumpster while on the phone.

    Paul Barnell

  14. 14. EXT. Inside the dumpster - Night

    Paul discovers a body in the dumpster.

    Paul Barnell

  15. 15. EXT. Parking area - Night

    Paul retrieves his phone and contemplates the body.

    Paul Barnell

  16. 16. INT. Barnell Great Escapes Travel - Later

    Paul watches the dumpster from his office.

    Paul Barnell

  17. 17. EXT. Parking area - Moments later

    Paul retrieves the body from the dumpster.

    Paul Barnell

  18. 18. INT. Inside a fridge - Later

    Paul attempts to fit the body into a fridge.

    Paul Barnell

  19. 19. INT. Attached suburban garage - Continuous

    Paul finishes hiding the body in the fridge.

    Paul Barnell

  20. 20. EXT. City roadway - Evening

    Ted drives home.

    Ted Watters

  21. 21. INT. Ted's car - Continuous

    Ted encounters a moose on the road.

    Ted Watters

  22. 22. EXT. Roadway - Continuous

    Ted waits for the moose to move.

    Ted Watters

  23. 23. INT. Ted's apartment - Night

    Tiffany works as a psychic while Ted arrives home.

    Ted Watters, Tiffany

  24. 24. INT. Barnell Great Escapes Travel - Morning

    Paul talks to Avis about his brother.

    Paul Barnell, Avis

  25. 25. INT. Barnell home - Day

    Margaret interacts with a paperboy.

    Margaret Barnell

  26. 26. EXT. Trash dumpster - Night

    Gary and Jimbo search for the body.

    Gary, Jimbo

  27. 27. INT. Garage - Continuous

    Margaret finds the fridge.

    Margaret Barnell

  28. 28. INT. Kitchen - Continuous

    Paul and Margaret discuss dinner and Raymond.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell

  29. 29. INT. Paul's office - Day

    Paul prepares to commit insurance fraud.

    Paul Barnell

  30. 30. EXT. Tobogganing hill - Late afternoon

    Children play on a hill.

  31. 31. INT. Gary and Jimbo's car - Continuous

    Gary and Jimbo watch the hill.

    Gary, Jimbo

  32. 32. EXT. PARKING AREA - DAY

    Gary and Jimbo meet Dave at the parking area to discuss the status of the corpse.

    Gary, Jimbo, Dave, Teenager

  33. 33. INT. BARNELL HOME / BEDROOM - NIGHT

    Paul and Margaret are in bed; Paul is awake and restless.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell

  34. 34. EXT. BARNELL HOME - MORNING

    A newspaper is delivered to the Barnell home.

  35. 35. INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS

    Paul checks the newspaper for news about the corpse in the fridge.

    Paul Barnell

  36. 37. INT. BARNELL HOME / LIVING ROOM - LATER

    Paul leaves the house while Margaret vacuums.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell

  37. 40. EXT. WOODED AREA - LATER

    Paul arrives at a remote area near a cabin.

    Paul Barnell

  38. 41. INT. PAUL'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

    Paul prepares to disguise himself.

    Paul Barnell

  39. 42. EXT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME - MOMENTS LATER

    Paul plows the driveway to create an alibi.

    Paul Barnell, Mrs. Wherry

  40. 43. INT. PAUL'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Paul returns home and discusses Raymond with Margaret.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell

  41. 43. INT. Paul's Home - DAY

    Paul and Margaret discuss their financial and medical struggles, specifically regarding the HMO's refusal to cover Margaret's condition.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell

  42. 44. INT. MRS. WHERRY'S HOME - CONTINUOUS

    Mrs. Wherry calls Paul to thank him.

    Mrs. Wherry, Paul Barnell

  43. 44. INT. Ted's Apartment - NIGHT

    Ted argues with a pizza delivery guy and his girlfriend Tiffany while watching a movie.

    Ted Watters, Tiffany

  44. 45. INT. PAUL'S KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

    Paul continues the phone conversation with Mrs. Wherry.

    Paul Barnell, Mrs. Wherry

  45. 45. INT. Mrs. Wherry's House - DAY

    Ted interviews Mrs. Wherry about Raymond Barnell.

    Ted Watters, Mrs. Wherry

  46. 46. INT. Insurance Office - DAY

    Ted discusses the Barnell case with his colleague Cam.

    Ted Watters, Cam

  47. 47. EXT. Graveyard - DAY

    Paul and Margaret attend a funeral while Ted watches.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell, Ted Watters

  48. 48. INT. Gary's Apartment - NIGHT

    Gary and Jimbo discuss their plan regarding the Barnell situation.

    Gary, Jimbo

  49. 49. INT. Paul's Home / Kitchen - MORNING

    Margaret discovers Gary in her garage.

    Margaret Barnell, Gary

  50. 50. INT. Warehouse - DAY

    Ted and Cam investigate a break-in at a warehouse.

    Ted Watters, Cam

  51. 51. INT. Paul's Home / Living Room - DAY

    Margaret is held hostage by Gary and Jimbo.

    Margaret Barnell, Gary, Jimbo

  52. 52. INT. Paul's Home / Kitchen - LATER

    Gary and Jimbo discuss their hostage situation.

    Gary, Jimbo

  53. 53. EXT. Paul's Home - NIGHT

    Paul returns home to find his wife held hostage.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell, Gary, Jimbo

  54. 54. INT. Ted's Apartment - NIGHT

    Tiffany helps Ted realize a clue in the case files.

    Ted Watters, Tiffany

  55. 55. INT. Paul's Home / Kitchen - NIGHT

    Gary and Margaret argue about her condition.

    Margaret Barnell, Gary

  56. 56. EXT. Paul's Mobile Home - NIGHT

    Paul arrives at his mobile home.

    Paul Barnell, Mrs. Wherry

  57. 57. INT. Mobile Home - NIGHT

    Paul inspects the messy mobile home.

    Paul Barnell

  58. 58. EXT. Mobile Home - LATE NIGHT

    Someone arrives at the mobile home.

    Paul Barnell

  59. 59. INT. Mobile Home - LATE NIGHT

    Paul answers a knock at the door.

    Paul Barnell

  60. 60. INT. BEDROOM - LATER

    Paul lies awake in bed, illuminated by an electric heater.

    Paul Barnell

  61. 61. EXT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME - CONTINUOUS

    A man arrives at the mobile home.

    Raymond Barnell

  62. 62. INT. MOBILE HOME - LATE NIGHT

    Raymond confronts Paul about his fake death and the insurance money.

    Paul Barnell, Raymond Barnell

  63. 63. INT. BARNELL HOME / KITCHEN - LATER

    Gary and Jimbo hold Margaret captive.

    Margaret Barnell, Gary, Jimbo

  64. 64. EXT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME / DRIVEWAY - MORNING

    Ted confronts Paul about the insurance claim.

    Ted Watters, Paul Barnell, Mrs. Wherry

  65. 65. INT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME - MOMENTS LATER

    Paul and Raymond discuss the insurance money and Margaret.

    Paul Barnell, Raymond Barnell

  66. 66. EXT. CITY SKYLINE - MORNING

    The city wakes up in the cold.

  67. 67. INT. INSURANCE OFFICE - MORNING

    Paul meets with Branch; Ted arrives and tries to expose the fraud.

    Ted Watters, Frank Branch, Paul Barnell

  68. 68. INT. OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

    Paul defends himself against Ted's accusations.

    Ted Watters, Frank Branch, Paul Barnell

  69. 69. INT. INSURANCE OFFICE STAIRWELL - MOMENTS LATER

    Paul makes a phone call while distressed.

    Paul Barnell

  70. 70. INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING AREA - EVENING

    Raymond attacks Ted.

    Ted Watters, Raymond Barnell

  71. 71. INT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME - NIGHT

    Paul finds Raymond partying with hookers.

    Paul Barnell, Raymond Barnell

  72. 72. INT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME / KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

    Paul discusses the party with Raymond.

    Paul Barnell, Raymond Barnell

  73. 73. INT. BARNELL HOME / KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

    Intercut phone call between Paul and the kidnappers.

    Paul Barnell, Margaret Barnell, Gary, Jimbo

  74. 74. INT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

    Paul encounters a hooker in the kitchen.

    Paul Barnell

  75. 75. INT. BARNELL GREAT ESCAPES TRAVEL - MORNING

    Ted delivers the insurance check to Paul.

    Ted Watters, Paul Barnell, Avis

  76. 76. EXT. BARNELL GREAT ESCAPES TRAVEL - NIGHT

    Paul sits alone in the dark office.

    Paul Barnell

  77. 77. INT. TED'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

    Tiffany talks to a client on the phone.

    Ted Watters, Tiffany

  78. 78. INT. BARNELL GREAT ESCAPES TRAVEL - CONTINUOUS

    Paul calls Tiffany for advice.

    Paul Barnell, Tiffany

  79. 79. INT. PAUL'S CAR - LATER

    Paul prepares himself for his next move.

    Paul Barnell

  80. 80. INT. BARNELL MOBILE HOME / MAIN AREA - LATER

    Paul tells Raymond that Margaret is cheating.

    Paul Barnell, Raymond Barnell

Dialogue examples

I appreciate that, Sir. But I'm on a union specified break right now, which means you are talking to me as a private citizen. Now as a private citizen I can pretty much say whatever I want to. If you talk to me in 15 minutes I can assure you, you will be afforded every courtesy as specified in the workers policy guide and recently ratified in our latest collective agreement dated --

char_20 / Scene 118

Avis. There haven't been any people in here for months. No one comes in here, unless they're looking for pornographic movies or deep fried fish, neither of which we carry. So you can call me pretty much anything you want and it won't impress the customers at all because we don't have any.

Paul Barnell / Scene 84

Pauly, know it sounds corny but I miss you so much! Wish you could have come. Saw some dolphins today. Frisky little buggers. They were even playing our song in the bar. Have been pondering about your question, and I think my answer is "yes." After all, it's no fun in the sun without...

Margaret Barnell / Scene 168

I've been cutting you out of my life and as a result our normal communication channels have been blocked. I think you coming with me would... would... further the development of our relationship and allow us to both... realize the potential of our... interpersonalism.

Ted Watters / Scene 138

Sorry. Did Raymond like the outdoors. Not so much, no. Liked living out here at the cabin, though. I think he had some friends on the police force. Have you talked to them? They'd pull up here day and night, always looking for --

Mrs. Wherry / Scene 45

Sorry. Did Raymond like the outdoors. Not so much, no. Liked living out here at the cabin, though. I think he had some friends on the police force. Have you talked to them? They'd pull up here day and night, always looking for --

Mrs. Wherry / Scene 45

In certain lines of quasi-legal employment, using your actual ID can be a hinderance. But despite the reliance on aliases, it's nice to have your actual birth certificate to fall back on. Gotta tell ya, Paul, I was pretty pissed.

Raymond Barnell / Scene 62

Turns out our Mr. Barnell is mortgaged to the nuts. His business is about one step away from chapter 11. Plus it's like his brother Raymond never existed. He's got no credit history, no nothing for the last five years.

Ted Watters / Scene 46

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