Boyhood · written by Richard Linklater · 2014

Mason and Nicole talk about her dance teaching and creative freedom as their group walks through Big Bend at sunset.

Scene 159 of 160 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Mason
Nicole

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 2:59 into a 3:02 film

The story so farBefore scene 159

As his mother’s homes and relationships change, Mason grows from a restless child into a young photographer learning to choose his own direction before leaving for college.

Scenes 1–11
Mason’s world is a child’s local orbit of school, siblings, play, and a family not yet displaced.
Scenes 12–23
The move exposes Mason’s wish to keep his friends and stay connected to his absent father while Olivia seeks a more secure life.
Scenes 24–74
Mason enters successive new family arrangements: Dad’s return, Olivia’s marriage to Bill, and finally escape from Bill’s house.
Scenes 75–123
He adapts to new homes and schools, tests independence with friends and work, and develops an eye for photography.
Scenes 124–138
Mason names what makes him feel alive, draws closer to Sheena, and reaches a first sustained intimacy with her.
Scenes 139–154
The relationship ends, graduation loosens his last school ties, and Olivia’s grief makes the cost of leaving visible.
Just before
Scene 156
At a gas station, Mason fills his truck and takes photographs while he waits.
Scene 157
Mason pulls into the university parking lot and parks.
Scene 158
Mason meets roommate Dalton, then accepts a brownie and joins Dalton, Barb, and Nicole for an impromptu hike.
Scene 159
This scene

159EXT. BIG BEND - LATE AFTERNOON

Mason, Nicole, Dalton and Barb hike through a BIG canyon. Nicole talks to Mason about teaching dance.

MASON

Do they let you major in that here?

NICOLE

Well, it's not that serious here, so

I kinda like train outside the

university, but I'm taking all my

basics like History of Dance and all

that.

MASON

Nice.

NICOLE

Yeah.

MASON

What do you teach?

NICOLE

Oh, gosh. Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical,

hip-hop...

MASON

Wow. Which one's your favorite?

NICOLE

Tap.

MASON

Yeah?

NICOLE

Yeah. You can make up all your own

sounds and there's no rules.

MASON

Right...

NICOLE

Just, like, creative freedom.

MASON

That's great.

NICOLE

Yeah.

MASON

Right.

NICOLE

... So to be a part of bringing it

back to the kids...

MASON

Right, keep it going.

NICOLE

... Is really rewarding. Yeah.

MASON

How old are they?

NICOLE

Six to eight.

MASON

(laughs)

Wow.

NICOLE

(laughing)

Yeah. They have like no fear, and

they're not self-conscious at all.

MASON

They haven't reached the awkward