Script

 Development of Script

Initial Concept

The development of How We Used To Be began with the idea of portraying a breakup in a realistic and emotionally subtle way. Instead of starting with a dramatic argument, we chose to open with something more modern and relatable — a breakup over text message.

This immediately establishes:

• Emotional distance

• Lack of direct communication

• The quiet devastation of digital relationships

We wanted the audience to feel the silence between messages, not just read the words.

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Narrative Structure Decisions

From the beginning, we decided the opening would rely heavily on cross-cutting.

Cross-cutting between:

• The boy reading and responding to the breakup texts

• The girl in her bedroom, emotionally processing it

This technique allows the audience to see that both characters are hurting at the same time, even though they are physically apart.

Rather than focusing on one perspective, the editing emphasizes parallel sadness.

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Why the Ice Cream Shop?

After the breakup texts, the boy leaves his house and walks in the rain. The rain visually represents emotional isolation and internal conflict.

When he stops outside the ice cream shop, it acts as a memory trigger.

The flashback scene contrasts:

• Warm lighting

• Laughter

• Golden tones

With:

• Cold rain

• Silence

• Dim streetlights

This contrast reinforces the theme of the film:
The difference between how they used to be and who they are now.

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The Role of Minimal Dialogue

The script intentionally avoids heavy dialogue.

The only spoken lines in the opening are:

• The mother calling from downstairs

• The boy quietly asking, “What am I doing here?”

This minimal dialogue allows:

• Body language to communicate emotion

• Silence to build tension

• The audience to interpret feelings naturally

It also makes the final moment more powerful.

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The Final Image: Him at Her Door

The opening ends with the boy showing up at her house:

• Soaked from the rain

• Slightly beat up

• Holding damaged flowers

This moment creates a narrative hook.

The audience is left wondering:

• Why did they break up?

• Is it too late to fix it?

• Will she open the door?

Ending on this unresolved image creates immediate emotional tension and encourages the viewer to keep watching.

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Development Reflection

During the drafting process, we refined the structure to make the breakup text the inciting incident rather than beginning at the ice cream shop. This strengthened the emotional clarity of the opening and made the cross-cutting more purposeful.

We also decided to delay any voiceover narration until later in development, allowing the visuals and editing to carry the emotional weight first.

The script evolved from a simple flashback idea into a more layered opening that combines:

• Modern communication

• Parallel editing

• Symbolism

• Emotional realism