Suspicious Backpack
Hank responds to a campus alert and discovers that the greatest threat to public safety may be freshmen with no object permanence.
Quick Production Overview
This episode is designed so Van can shoot his side alone with an iPhone, a coffee cup, a radio, and a backpack. Port City Productions can add dispatch audio, radio static, cutaways, titles, music, and any needed campus inserts in post.
Van Needs
- Officer Hank Billy polo or security-style shirt
- Radio or walkie-talkie
- Coffee cup
- Backpack
- Bench or campus-looking walkway
PCP Adds Later
- Dispatch voice
- Radio static
- Student voice if needed
- Campus cutaways
- Titles and music
- AI/student inserts if useful
Target Length
- 2–4 minutes total
- Short enough for socials
- Expandable for web version
- Built around Hank’s reactions
Full Script Version
CAMPUS CONFIDENTIAL
OFFICER HANK BILLY
Episode 1: Suspicious Backpack
FADE IN:
EXT. CAMPUS WALKWAY – DAY
Officer Hank Billy walks across campus carrying a coffee and a radio.
The radio crackles.
DISPATCH (V.O.)
Officer Billy, we've got a report of a suspicious backpack outside the library.
Hank stops walking.
HANK
Copy.
A beat.
HANK
Suspicious-suspicious or freshman-suspicious?
DISPATCH (V.O.)
Unknown.
HANK
Great. My favorite category.
CUT TO:
EXT. LIBRARY ENTRANCE – DAY
A backpack sits alone on a bench.
Two nervous students stand several feet away.
STUDENT #1
That's it.
STUDENT #2
Nobody's touched it in like twenty minutes.
Hank studies the backpack.
HANK
Twenty minutes?
STUDENT #1
Maybe twenty-five.
HANK
And neither of you thought maybe somebody went to the bathroom?
The students exchange looks.
HANK approaches cautiously.
STUDENT #2
Shouldn't you call somebody?
HANK
I am somebody.
He kneels beside the backpack.
The students take another step backward.
HANK
You know, if this thing explodes, paperwork's gonna be a nightmare.
He slowly opens the bag.
The students brace themselves.
Inside:
Three textbooks.
A half-eaten sandwich.
A notebook.
And a student ID.
Hank picks up the ID.
HANK
Well.
Looks like we've identified the criminal.
CUT TO:
EXT. CAMPUS QUAD – MOMENTS LATER
A confused freshman runs toward Hank.
FRESHMAN
Oh my God! You found my backpack!
HANK
You left it outside the library.
FRESHMAN
I thought I had it.
HANK
That's usually how losing things works.
The freshman takes the backpack.
FRESHMAN
Sorry.
HANK
Don't apologize to me.
Points toward the two students.
HANK
They were three minutes away from calling Homeland Security.
The freshman walks away embarrassed.
Hank takes a sip of coffee.
The radio crackles again.
DISPATCH (V.O.)
Officer Billy?
HANK
Yeah?
DISPATCH (V.O.)
We've received a report of an aggressive goose near Student Services.
Hank closes his eyes.
HANK
Copy.
A beat.
HANK
Tell the goose I'll be there in five.
FADE OUT.Van Shooting Guide
Shoot these clips cleanly and simply. Multiple takes are better than one perfect take. Hold shots a few extra seconds before and after each line so editing has room to breathe.
Wide Walking Shot
Hank walks toward camera drinking coffee.
Dialogue: None.
Get 5–10 seconds. Shoot two or three takes.Radio Call Setup
Medium shot of Hank reacting to the dispatch call.
Dispatch added later: Officer Billy, we’ve got a report of a suspicious backpack outside the library.
Hank: Copy.
Hank: Suspicious-suspicious or freshman-suspicious?
Deliver straight-faced. Let the pause breathe.Reaction Close-Up
Hank listens to the radio.
Dispatch added later: Unknown.
Hank: Great. My favorite category.
Backpack Establishing Shots
Film the backpack sitting alone on a bench or near a campus-looking walkway.
Dialogue: None.
Get wide, medium, and close-up angles.POV Walk-Up
Camera becomes Hank’s eyes approaching the backpack.
Dialogue: None.
Slow walk. Build fake suspense.Kneeling Inspection
Hank kneels beside the backpack and studies it.
Hank: You know, if this thing explodes, paperwork’s gonna be a nightmare.
Zipper Insert
Close-up of the backpack being opened.
Show textbooks, notebook, half-eaten sandwich, and student ID.
Dialogue: None.
Discovery Shot
Hank holds up the student ID.
Hank: Well.
Hank: We’ve identified the criminal.
Small Reaction
Hank looks at the ID, then gives a small head shake.
Hank: Every time.
Walk Away
Hank walks away drinking coffee.
Dispatch added later: Owner located.
Hank: Outstanding.
Ending Button
Hank continues walking. Radio crackles. Hank stops.
Dispatch added later: We’ve received reports of an aggressive goose near Student Services.
Hank looks toward camera. Long pause.
Hank: Tell the goose I’ll be there in five.
This episode is part of the larger Campus Confidential: Officer Hank Billy concept.
View the Officer Hank Billy Pitch Page