Script Analysis: “Eighth Grade” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire.

For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

• We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
• By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
• A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

This week: Eighth Grade (2018). You may download a PDF of the script here.

Written by Bo Burnham.

IMDb plot summary: An introverted teenage girl tries to survive the last week of her disastrous eighth grade year before leaving to start high school.

Eighth Grade
Scene by Scene Breakdown
By Denise Garcia
GoIntoTheStory.com

P 1–2: Through webcam feed we see Kayla Black (13) talking to her blog audience. Today’s topic: “Being Yourself.” Her speech is awkward, rambles as she twirls her hair. Kayla tells viewers that “being yourself is not easy cause people will make fun of you but ignore them…. try not to care.” She wraps up with a plea to share this video and subscribe to her channel.

P2–4: The next morning we follow Kayla through her bathroom routine. Motivational post-it notes line the mirror: “Trust yourself…don’t just fly, soar.“ After showering, she opens laptop on bathroom counter to YouTube. Refers to tutorial as she applies makeup. Satisfied, she changes back into her pajamas and gets into bed. Takes selfies from different angles and posts one to Instagram. “Just woke up.”

P4–5: Kayla walks to school under the weight of a massive backpack. Headphones blaring, checks iPhone. Her Instagram photo has zero likes, one negative comment. She deletes photo.

P5–7: As Kayla maneuvers through her school routine we hear an adult woman’s V.O. “Your body is changing. This change can be scary…your body deserves respect.” Later in a dark classroom, we see the woman who has been speaking. She’s on an educational film. “Chapter One: The Hair Down There.” Suddenly a student rats out a boy secretly watching a video under his shirt. “Are you masturbating?” The teacher tries to calm down a freaked out class. Kayla sits quietly watching the commotion.

P7–10: Auditorium. Student orchestra performs…it’s a mess. Kayla waits for her big moment, cymbals in hand — -and smacks them late. Moments later, she sits with classmates, listening to Principle McDaniel rattle on about next week’s high school Shadow program, year-end dance, and picking up their sixth grade Time Capsules. Hushed excitement as Mrs. Roche gets up to read the results of eight grade superlatives. Kayla bites her nails, bored. Grimaces as Mrs. Roche calls her name for “Most Quiet.”

P10–13: Eighteen superlative winners sit in the band practice room. Kayla sits by herself; watches group of girls inspect and share each other’s Time Capsules. She looks down at hers. In glittery pink lettering, sixth grade Kayla wrote: To the Coolest Girl in the World. Inside are small mementos and a plastic SpongeBob SquarePants.

Mr. McDaniel calls off names for picture taking. “Best Eyes” bored Aiden walks past Kayla…. she thinks he’s hot. Moments later “Most Quiet” Kayla and Andrew sit side-by-side for their photo. They sit in excruciating silence waiting for photographer.

P13–15: Kayla exits school with heavy backpack as Mrs. Graves picks up daughter Kennedy (Miss Best Eyes). Mrs. Graves tells Kayla to thank her dad for helping with the spring fundraiser. Then to her daughter’s horror, she invites Kayla over for a pool party to celebrate Kennedy’s birthday. Kayla stares as they drive away then suddenly sprints down the sidewalk, her backpack weighing her down. She forces herself forward until she can’t anymore. Collapses onto a patch of grass, like a flipped turtle. Catches her breath then continues in same direction — now just walking, head down.

P16–21: On Instagram, Kayla scrolls past dozens of photos of her classmates having Friday night fun while she’s home having a quiet dinner with Dad. He tries to get her attention but she ignores him. Dad mentions Kennedy’s birthday party. Kayla says she isn’t going, Kennedy doesn’t like her then puts in her headphones. Frustrated, Dad throws a napkin at her. “I know the kids at school aren’t great…but I think you’re a really special person.” Kayla tunes him out.

P21–24: Kayla’s in her bedroom, browsing the Internet. Receives a Twitter message from Kennedy. “My mom said to invite you, so this is me doing that.” Kayla clicks on Kayla’s profile. Her latest tweet was to Aiden. Kayla clicks on his page. Watches a video of him flexing muscles while she makes out with the back of her hand. A Knock on Her Door! She jumps up, throwing her iPhone across the room. It’s her dad saying good night through the door.

She picks up phone — — the screen is cracked. Flops on bed, staring at ceiling. Then with sudden purpose, takes out her Time Capsule. Rips SpongeBob from his SquarePants. It’s a USB drive with one video file: “Dear 8th Grade Kayla.” Kayla watches, uncomfortable as her eager 6th grade self congratulates her 8th grade self. “Stay cool! I can’t wait to be you.”

P25–32: Dad drops a nervous Kayla off at the Kennedy’s. She adds her small gift to a huge pile of wrapped presents. Mrs. Kennedy shows Kayla where to change. The pool party is in full prepubescent swing. Shirtless boys splash bikini-clad girls who pretend not to like it. Kayla appears in a one-piece swimsuit. Steps into the pool until the water is neck high. People splash and talk around her without acknowledging her presence.

Aiden. He’s on the diving board. Does the sexiest cannonball that Kayla has ever seen. She watches him until interrupted by Gabe, Kennedy’s cousin, who challenges Kayla in a breath-holding contest. Mrs. Kennedy yells, “Picture time.” The girls pose in a tangled, wet mass except for Kayla, who crouches awkwardly up front. Next shot is for squad members. Kayla and only Kayla shuffles out of the group.

P33–34: Everyone sits around a patio table, watching Kennedy open presents. When Kayla’s gift is opened, Kennedy doesn’t know what it is. The other girls contain their laughter as Kayla shrinks.

P34–38: Family room. The kids play a Karaoke video game while Kayla sits alone down the hall, calling her father. “The party’s over…why can’t you come quicker?” Kayla freezes. Aiden is bending down to grab his charging phone. He is pretty dull but Kayla doesn’t notice / care. When he leaves, she grabs his soda straw left on the floor and sticks it in her back pocket.

Kayla enters family room. The kids are piled on couches, laughing as Z sings into a microphone in front of a giant flat-screen TV. Kayla inches forward as her webcam speech plays through her head…”Just put yourself out there.” Z hits his final note and holds out microphone, “Who’s next?” Kayla takes it. She has zero stage presence but gradually gets into it. Unenthusiastic applause but for Kayla, it’s a huge win.

P38–40: Bedroom. Kayla speaks into her webcam. “As always, if you liked this video, please share it with your friends. Thanks for watching!” Her Youtube channel homepage reads: “Advice for people like me.” She’s posted 156 videos, all with less than 20 views. Sequence begins of Kayla having fake conversations with unseen people in the bathroom, taking selfies in the backyard. She pops Aiden’s straw into her mouth saying, “I love you too.” Sequence ends with her uploading a new Twitter profile.

P41–42: Kayla sits by herself in the crowded cafeteria, hunched over a notebook. On the page are two columns — Things I Want and How to Get Them. When Kennedy walks by, Kayla hands her a thank you note. Kennedy’s weirded out but Kayla smiles.

P42–44: School hallway. During an active shooter drill, Dylan notices Kayla staring at Aiden, who’s blowing spit bubbles. He tells her, “Aiden’s a dick, dumped Chelsea because she wouldn’t send him naked pictures.” In background Officer Todd repeatedly reminds the students, “You are to run away as fast as you can. Be your own hero and save yourself.”

P45–48: Students take cover under their desks — another drill. Kayla slowly crawls across room to Aiden. She makes small talk as he plays a game on his phone. After a long silence, Kayla pretends to see something on her phone. “Guess what just happened? It’s so embarrassing. A dirty photo I took came up.” Now Aiden’s interested, wants to see photo. He asks if she gives blowjobs. Kayla responds, “Yes, I’m really good at it.”

P48–52: Kayla sits on her bed searching Google on “How to give a blowjob.” She watches on a porno video until she can’t handle it. Moments later she’s in the kitchen with a banana pointed at her mouth like a microphone. She closes her eyes, opens her mouth — -as dad enters the door. He’s surprised because she hates bananas. Kayla states that she doesn’t hate them any more and eats the banana. She can’t swallow it and spits it out. Throws banana at her father and storms out. Dad to himself, “No clue.”

P52–54: Later that night, Kayla searching Google for “things shaped like bananas.” Her phone buzzes with an instagram from Gabe. Their chatbox exchange is awkward. Dad checks in on her, as tomorrow is the High School Shadow Day. Kayla: “You don’t have to worry about me … my life is really amazing.” After Dad leaves, Kayla whispers: “Dear God. Tomorrow is a really important day for me.”

P54–55: Mr. McDaniel gives instructions to a busload of eighth grades parked outside Mile Grove High: “You will be individually paired with a student. This will be your chance to get a glimpse of what life will be like next year.” Kayla’s the only one listening.

P55- 59: She’s paired up with Olivia, who seems to know everyone. Kayla is in complete awe of her. We follow Kayla through her day while hearing her V.O of a future video posting called “Growing Up.” She takes everything in, truly happy. At the end, Olivia and Kayla exchange numbers, hug and say goodbye.

P59–62: Kayla practices calling Olivia…takes a deep breath then actually does it. They carry on a lengthy conversation with Olivia encouraging Kayla not to stress out. “I was a complete mess when I was your age.” Call ends with Olivia inviting Kayla to hang out at the mall. Kayla freaks out with excitement!

P62–66: Dad washes dishes as Kayla approaches. “Can I go out with my friends tonight?” Dad stares, “It’s a Tuesday.” Kayla pushes back until he gives in. Then asks, “Can you drive me?” In the car, Kayla is nervous, agitated. Yells at her dad for being weird and quiet. He’s annoyed, doesn’t understand her.

P66–71: Kayla finds Olivia and friends in the mall food court. She approaches, nervous. Olivia hugs her then introduces group. As they eat, Kayla sits beside Olivia, observing group dynamics. Then Trevor asks Kayla if she’s bored. Conversation quickly focuses on Kayla’s four-year age difference. Olivia defends Kayla until Aniyah warns group that some creepy ass dude has been staring at them. It’s Kayla’s dad! Angry, embarrassed, Kayla excuses herself and rushes away.

P71–74: Kayla unsuccessfully plays an arcade claw machine. She wants to scream, cry. Dad apologizes, admits he was spying. Tells her to go have fun with her friends and gives her a twenty before leaving. Kayla lowers the claw again and this time wins a stuffed elephant. She gives it to a passing mother and her toddler. Mother: “That’s so nice, thank you.” Kayla smiles.

P74: Mall sequence with Kayla and the high school kids doing silly, stupid things. Olivia makes sure Kayla is having a good time.

P75–85: Riley’s car. Olivia tells Riley to drop Kayla off first but Riley protests because they’re almost to Olivia’s house. Kayla agrees with Riley so Olivia hops out. As they drive off, Riley tells Kayla it’s awkward conversing with her in the backseat. He pulls over and joins her. Kayla isn’t sure what’s happening. Riley suggests they play Truth or Dare. Riley’s first question: “How far have you gone?” Kayla offers a jumbled response. Riley assures her it’s okay if she hasn’t done anything. Now it’s Kayla’s turn but she doesn’t know how the game works. Riley suggests a dare- take off her shirt. Kayla explodes –NO!

Riley drives in tense silence. Kayla apologizes repeatedly. Angry, Riley tells her to stop saying she’s sorry. He was just trying to do her a favor by giving tips as her first hookup. Kayla begs him not to tell Olivia.

Kayla collapses into her bedroom, sobbing. Dad rushes in and hugs her. She doesn’t hug back. Instead hugs her knees, eyes shut tight.

P85–86: We hear Kayla’s quiet voice, her usual energy gone, as she —

Applies makeup to puffy eyes: “I’m gonna take a break from videos for a while…”

Zones out in classroom: “I started making videos so I could give advice …”

Sits alone in cafeteria: “I’m probably not the best person to give advice… I’m not good at doing stuff.”

Sits on toilet, browsing phone: “I’m really nervous…. It’s sort of like when you wait in line for a roller coaster…I feel like that every day.”

Walks school hallway, eyes downcast: “You deserve somebody who knows how to get through tough times. Thanks for watching and I hope you all have good lives.”

Passes bulletin board displaying eighth grade class superlatives. Among the photos is the one for MOST QUIET. It shows a boy shushing a girl hunched over a book, face barely visible.

P87: Kayla scrolls through Instagram feed, only looking. A chat from Gabe pops in. She doesn’t want to engage. Tells him she’s got homework.

P87–91: Kayla asks Dad to help her burn the time capsule. As box burns in their patio’s fire-pit, Dad asks, “What was in there?” Kayla: “Nothing, really. Just my hopes and dreams.” Dad puts his arm around her, searching for something to say. Kayla: “Do I make you sad?” Dad leans in: “Kayla, look at me. It’s so easy to love you. It’s so easy to be proud of you.” Dad continues. Says he was really scared when her mom left because he wasn’t sure if he could care for her. But as he watched her grow up, he stopped being scared because she made him brave. Dad: “If you could see yourself like I see you…I promise you wouldn’t be scared either.” Kayla hugs dad tight as the fire burns.

P91–100: Kayla takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. Gabe answers, neatly dressed. Nervous. He helps Kayla out of her hoodie like a gentleman. Leads her into the kitchen for a romantic dinner for two. Candles, soda and chicken tenders and fries. They toast to their ‘first friend hang out.” The conversation is awkward, polite. Finally Gabe shares that he has watched Kayla’s videos. She’s embarrassed but Gabe assures her that they’re really cool. “You’re really smart about stuff.”

Later, they sit on the couch. Nervous. Gabe decides to show her something. His hands shake with adrenaline as he performs magic to heavy metal music. Kayla smiles as he struggles through his act. Someone is doing something for her.

Dad waits in his car for Kayla to hop in. Dad: “Did you have fun?” Kayla: “Yeah, it was fun.”

P100–103: Kids line up in the school hallway, dressed in caps and gowns. Kayla spots Aiden, hustling to back of the line. She makes a decision, steps out of line. She moves with confidence — past Aiden and stops in front of Kennedy. In one long breath, Kayla tells her off saying being mean isn’t cool. High on adrenaline, Kayla retakes her spot in line, smiling.

P103–104: Kayla, in her graduation robe, speaks to her laptop’s webcam. “Congrats on finishing high school! I’m so, so, so proud of you…” She pulls out a USB Koala bear and places it into a brand new shoebox full of keepsakes. On the lid are the words: “To the coolest girl in the world.”

She places her new time capsule into a freshly dug hole in the backyard. Dad holds a shovel, smiling.

P104–106: Kayla stands in front of bathroom mirror. Dressed for something special. She poses for a selfie. Later, Dad drives Kayla to the middle school year-end dance. They make small talk, happy.

Gymnasium. Kayla walks into the center of the large mob of her peers and starts to dance. We hear her V.O: “Middle school sucked for me but I’m past it now and I’m moving forward. You never know what’s going to happen next and that’s what makes things exciting and scary and fun.”

She is dancing her heart out. No one is paying attention and she doesn’t care.

Writing Exercise: I encourage you to read the script, but short of that, if you’ve seen the movie, go through this scene-by-scene breakdown. What stands out to you about it from a structural standpoint?

To download a PDF of the breakdown for Eighth Grade, go here.

Kudos to Denise Garcia for doing the scene-by-scene breakdown.

For more movie scene-by-scene breakdowns, go here.