Initial Ideas

Episode Guide

Episode 1

-         Boy moves into new house with Mum and Dad

-         House is very old and mysterious

-         Boy begins unpacking

-         Boy explores house

-         Boy finds a room that is worn out, wallpaper ripped etc.

Episode 2

-         Boy is stood in the room from episode 1

-         Boy starts tearing off wallpaper

-         He finds a hidden door that is locked

-         Later on in the episode the boy finds the key under his floorboards

-         Boy unlocks the door in the mysterious room

Episode 3

-         Audience is shown what is behind the door for the first time. It is a tunnel with a light at the end

-         Boy crawls through the tunnel and towards the light. The light is a portal

-         Boy is transported to a new world that is like a forest

-         He hears noises and discovers that the people that live in this world are spirits

-         The spirits inform the boy that he is the only one that can save them by retrieving their bodies from a sorcerer that lives in a castle.

-         One spirit gives him a scroll, another gives him an amulet

-         Boy sets off on journey to castle

Episode 4

-         Sorcerer is preparing to fight the boy

-         Boy continues journey to castle

-         Boy finally gets to foot of hill

-         He reads the scroll and it tells him that the amulet can be used to reflect light and that this will kill the sorcerer

-         Boy sets off up the hill

Episode 5

-         Boy finds his way into castle

-         Boy encounters the sorcerer

-         Boy defeats the sorcerer

-         There is a flash and the spirits he met earlier appear in front of him in human form

-         They transport him home using magic

Episode 6

-         Boy is standing back in the mysterious room

-         He goes to lock the door and finds that it has vanished

-         Boy goes back to unpacking his belongings

-         Boy tells his parents what happened

Character Profiles

Zach

-         Average height

-         Young boy (age 13/14)

-         Only child

-         Dark hair

-         Dark clothing

Mum

-         Middle-aged

-         Long brown hair

-         Simplistic clothes

Dad

-         Middle-aged

-         Short brown hair

-         Simplistic clothing

Villain (sorcerer)

-         Male

-         Old

-         Scary

-         Mysterious

-         Vibrant clothing

-         Wears a cape

Spirit 1

-         Female

-         Young (age 11/12)

-         Old-fashioned

-         Old-fashioned clothing

Spirit 2

-         Female

-         Young (age 13/14)

-         Old-Fashioned with a modern twist

Questionnaire

Question 1) What should the protagonist’s new house look like?

                        -Big, dark and scary

                        -Small and hidden away

                        -Really old with an attic

Question 2) What characteristics should the protagonist have?

            -Normal teenage boy

            -Modern clothes

            -Blonde hair

            -Brown hair

Question 3) If the villain is a sorcerer, what physical characteristics should they have?

                        -Cape

                        -Old

                        -Mysterious

                        -Scary

                        -Tall

Question 4) Should the sorcerer be male or female?

                        -Male

                        -Female

Question 5) What should the sorcerer’s power of attack be?

                        -Ability to shoot fire

                        -Ability to turn people into stone

                        -A mixed range of spells with various powers

Question 6) Where about should the sorcerer live?

                        -Castle on the top of a hill

                        -Cave built into a hillside

                        -Cave in a cliff face

Question 7) How should the plot sequence be set out?

                        -Beginning, Middle, End

                        -End, Beginning, Middle

                        -Middle, Beginning, End

Question 8) What should the boy receive to help him on his quest?

                        -A potion to make him powerful against the sorcerer

                        -A map explaining where the sorcerer’s lair is

                        -A scroll saying what the sorcerer’s weakness is

Question 9) What should the sorcerer’s weakness be?

                        -Sunlight reflected off something

                        -Fire

                        -A physical weak spot on body

Question 10) Which is a better title for this drama?

                   -The Land Beyond

                   - Lost Souls

                   - The Civilisation

                   - Other

Internet Research Report

Slug Lines

From my Internet research, I found out how to properly format Slug Lines. They are made up of three parts.

Part 1 – Internal (INT.) or External (EXT.) Whether the scene takes place inside or outside.

Part 2 – The location of the scene

Part 3 – The time of day it is

Phone calls

From my Internet research, I found out that there are two ways to indicate that someone is on the phone. If you can hear what the other person is saying on the phone you indicate this by putting (V.O) next to the character’s name, which means Voice Over. If you cannot hear the other person on the phone, you treat it as if it was normal dialogue and use stage directions to show that the character is on the phone.

Off Screen Characters

From my Internet research I found out that if we can hear a character talking from somewhere off screen then we indicate this by putting (O.S) next to their name.

Cut Off Speech

From my Internet research I learnt that to show that a character has been cut off mid sentence I have to put a – at the end of the character’s dialogue.

Script Draft 4

LOST SOULS

1. INT. MYSTERIOUS ROOM. DAY

ZACH IS STOOD IN A ROOM. IT IS UNLIT; THE ONLY LIGHT IS COMING FROM A WINDOW. THE WALLPAPER IS RIPPED AND PEELING AWAY FROM THE WALL. THE FLOORS ARE WOODEN FLOORBOARDS AND THERE IS AN OLD FASHIONED LIGHT HANGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CEILING. ZACH WALKS TOWARDS A PIECE OF LARGE TORN OFF WALLPAPER IN THE FAR LEFT CORNER OF THE ROOM.

    

ZACH

So sad.

HE STARTS TEARING AWAY THE WALLPAPER. AS HE MOVES ROUND THE ROOM HE TEARS AWAY A PIECE OF WALLPAPER ABOUT 1.5X1.5 METRES AND DISCOVERS A DOOR BEHIND IT. THE DOOR HAS AN AWKWARD SHAPED KEYHOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE AND IS ABOUT 1X1 METRES.

ZACH

(Shocked)

What the…

HE TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR BUT IT IS LOCKED. ZACH GOES DOWNSTAIRS TO HIS PARENTS IN THE KITCHEN.

2. INT. KITCHEN. DAY

THE KITCHEN LOOKS BARE AND IS FULL OF CARDBOARD BOXES. THERE IS A CENTRAL ROUND TABLE WITH 4 CHAIRS ROUND IT. THE WALL PAPER IS DULL AND RIPPED. THE FLOOR IS COVERED IN DINGY TILES. HIS PARENTS ARE UNPACKING. MUM IS PUTTING SHOPPING AWAY IN THE FRIDGE. DAD IS FIXING A CUPBOARD TO THE WALL.

ZACH

Mum? Are you busy?

MUM

A little but what’s up?

ZACH

How many keys were you given for this house?

MUM

What do you mean?

ZACH

Well, I know you got a front door key, and I know you got a back door key. Did you get any others?

MUM

(Hesitates)

No, I don’t think so. Why?

ZACH

No reason, I’m just curious.

MUM

Ok then.

MUM TURNS BACK TO THE BOX AND CONTINUES UNPACKING.

ZACH

Want some help?

MUM

Sure, you can unpack that box of plates over there; put them in the right hand side of the cupboard.

Zach

OK.

ZACH STARTS TO UNPACK THE PLATES, STACKING THEM IN THE CUPBOARD ON THE FAR RIGHT OF THE KITCHEN.

         

ZACH

Want me to do the bowls as well?

ZACH’S DAD ENTERS THE ROOM AND STANDS LOOKING AT ZACH

DAD

Zach, have you unpacked in your room?

ZACH

No, I’ll get on it in a second, Dad.

DAD

Good, but don’t just leave the job you’re doing for your mother half finished.

ZACH FINISHES STACKING THE BOWLS AND EXITS.

3. INT. MYSTERIOUS ROOM. DAY

ZACH IS STANDING BACK IN THE ROOM WITH THE MYSTERIOUS DOOR. IT HAS GOT SLIGHTLY DARKER.

ZACH

(Disappointed)

Shame.

ZACH COVERS THE CUPBOARD BACK UP WITH THE WALLPAPER. HE GOES INTO TO HIS BEDROOM.

4. INT. ZACH’S BEDROOM. DAY

ZACH STARTS UNPACKING THE BOXES. HIS MUM COMES INTO THE ROOM.

MUM

Zach have you got the spare bedding in here?

ZACH

I don’t think so, I’ll check in a minute.

ZACH’S DAD ENTERS THE ROOM.

DAD

(To MUM)

I’ve finished in the kitchen love. Anything else you want me to do or shall I start on building the shelves for Zach’s room now?

MUM

Start building the shelves; I’m going to start on the boxes for the dining room.

MUM AND DAD BOTH LEAVE THE ROOM. ZACH BEGINS RUMMAGING THROUGH BOXES. HE PRODUCES A PILE OF FOLDED BED LINEN.

ZACH

(Shouting)

Mum, I found the bedding.

MUM (O.S)

Thanks sweetie, just put it in my bedroom please.

ZACH GOES AND PLACES THE BEDDING IN HIS MUM’S BEDROOM THEN RETURNS TO HIS OWN ROOM WHERE DAD IS STANDING, EQUIPPED WITH TOOL BELT AND TOOL BOX FULL OF TOOLS.

DAD

Where do you want these shelves?

ZACH LOOKS ROUND HIS ROOM, THEN THEY BOTH LOOK AT EACHOTHER

ZACH

Urm, far wall by the window I think.

DAD

You sure? You know what happened last time.

ZACH

Dad, I won’t change my mind and make you tear it all down at the last minute, just put them up there.

         

DAD

Yes sir! Give me a hand carrying them upstairs?

           

ZACH 

Sure thing.

ZACH AND DAD LEAVE THE ROOM AND START CARRYING PLANKS OF WOOD INTO THE ROOM AND DUMPING THEM INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR.

MUM (O.S)

Anyone hungry? I’m thinking of getting a takeaway for tea.

           

DAD:

(Shouting)

Sure am, what we getting?

MUM (O.S)

I was thinking Chinese, is that ok?

ZACH

(To DAD)

Fine with me.

DAD

(Shouting)

Yeah that’s ok, get the usual.

THE SOUND OF THE FRONT DOOR SHUTTING IS HEARD FOLLOWED BY A CAR ENGINE ROARING TO LIFE AND THEN FADING AWAY INTO THE BACKGROUND.

DAD

Pass me that drill bit son.

ZACH PICKS UP THE DRILL BIT AND HANDS IT TO DAD.

         

ZACH

Want me to get you a drink or something dad?

DAD

Yeah if you don’t mind, water’s fine.

5. INT. KITCHEN. DAY

ZACH WALKS DOWNSTAIRS AND STARTS LOOKING THROUGH CUPBOARDS FOR A GLASS.

ZACH:

(Shouting upstairs)

Dad, where are the glasses?

DAD (O.S)

Your mother hasn’t unpacked them yet, they’re in the small box by the window.

ZACH WALKS OVER TO THE WINDOW AND OPENS THE BOX. HE REMOVES A GLASS AND FILLS IT WITH WATER FROM THE TAP. HE THEN WALKS BACK UPSTAIRS.

6. INT. ZACH’S BEDROOM. DAY

DAD IS NOT IN THE ROOM.

ZACH

(Shouting)

Dad?

DAD (O.S)

I'm in the garage, be up in a sec.

ZACH

Ok

A PHONE RINGS IN ZACH'S POCKET. HE ANSWERS IT.

ZACH

(Down the phone)

Hello?

MUM (V.O)

Hiya Zach it's mum, Chinese is closed, I can go to the other one but it means that tea is gonna be an hour away I’m afraid.

ZACH

Want me to ask dad?

MUM (V.O)

Yeah, but hurry up because I’m running low on credit.

ZACH

(Shouting)

Dad, Chinese closed, Mum wants to know if you wanna wait an hour and she'll go to the other one.

           

DAD (O.S)

Which one?

ZACH

(Shouting)

The one near Tesco.

DAD (O.S)

Yeah go there, I can wait

ZACH

Yeah mum, Dad says go to the other one.

THERE IS SILENCE ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE.

ZACH

Mum?

THERE IS STILL SILENCE. ZACH CHECKS HIS PHONE AND REALIZES THAT THE PHONE CALL HAS CUT OFF. DAD WALKS BACK INTO THE ROOM CARRYING A BOX OF SCREWS.

ZACH

Dad can I borrow your phone? Mum's run out of credit and I ran out a month ago.

         

DAD

Sure, back pocket.

ZACH RETRIEVES THE PHONE FROM DAD'S BACK POCKET.

ZACH

Password?

DAD

1 4 9 5.

ZACH TYPES THE PASSWORD AND SCROLLES THROUGH THE CONTACTS UNTIL HE FINDS MUM'S NUMBER. HE DIALS IT.

ZACH

Mum? Phone cut off.

MUM (V.O):

(Impatiently)

I know, I told you to hurry up, I’m out of credit.

          ZACH

Hey, don't stress at me, Dad wasn't in the room and he was being difficult.

MUM (V.O)

Ok, Ok, well am I going to the other one or not?

ZACH

Yeah.

THE PHONE GOES DEAD.

ZACH

Here, phone Dad.

ZACH PUTS THE PHONE BACK IN DAD’S POCKET.

           

DAD

Thanks, gonna start putting these shelves up now. I'll do the first one and you can watch and do the others.

ZACH

(Whilst walking out of the room)

Yeah Dad, whatever.

7. INT. LIVING ROOM. DUSK

THE LIVING ROOM IS POORLY DECORATED WITH RIPPED WALLPAPER. THERE IS ONE SETTEE AGAINST THE BACK WALL AND A TALL LAMP IN THE FAR RIGHT CORNER. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL BOXES STACKED AROUND THE ROOM.

ZACH IS NOW DOWNSTAIRS. HE IS FACING THE STAIRS, LOOKING AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIVINGROOM.

DAD (O.S)

That doesn't look like watching.

ZACH

Yeah I am watching... TV.

DAD (O.S)

So cocky.

ZACH

I know.

DAD (O.S)

You aren't going to watch me put these up are you?

ZACH

Maybe later.

ZACH BEGINS TURNING TO WALKING INTO THE LIVINGROOM

DAD (O.S)

When's later because later I’ll be done by then.

ZACH

I dunno, like ten minutes, I wanna watch TV.

ZACH WALKS INTO THE ROOM AND SITS ON THE SETTEE

DAD (O.S)

Really, you wanna watch TV?

ZACH

Yeah.

           

DAD (O.S)

Well, I have news for you kiddo.

THERE IS A PAUSE.

ZACH

Dad, where is the TV?

DAD (O.S)

Back of your mother's car mate, now get up here and help me put these shelves up.

ZACH STANDS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS AGAIN.

ZACH

Thought I was watching you put them up, not actually helping you.

DAD (O.S)

I'm gonna need some help.

ZACH

But I'm too lazy.

           

DAD (O.S)

Oh trust me I know, now march your backside upstairs mister.

ZACH

But Dad.

DAD (O.S)

No ifs, no buts, no coconuts.

ZACH

It’s so embarrassing when you say that.

                                   

DAD (O.S)

Nobody’s around to stop me so shush your mush.

ZACH

Oh my god enough with the cheesy dad lines.

DAD (O.S)

I’m alright thanks.

ZACH WALKS UPSTAIRS AND BACK INTO HIS ROOM.

8. INT. ZACH’S BEDROOM. DUSK

ZACH

Right, how is this going to work?

ZACH PULLS OUT HIS PHONE AND STARTS DIALING NUMBERS WHILE HIS DAD SPEAKS. HIS DAD KEEPS HIS BACK TURNED.

DAD

Watch me put the first one up, then you can put the other two up.

ZACH:

(Into phone)

Hello?

DAD

Hi?

ZACH

(Into phone)

Crap.

DAD

Excuse me?

ZACH

(Into phone)

No, just sorting things out now. Putting up shelves and stuff.

DAD TURN ROUND TO SEE WHAT ZACH IS TALKING ABOUT.

DAD

Unbelievable, you’re not putting up shelves, you’re on the phone. You’re supposed to be watching, learning and helping.

ZACH

(Removes phone from ear)

Dad, do you mind?

DAD

(Raising his voice)

No, do you mind?

ZACH STARES AT DAD FOR A FEW SECONDS.

ZACH

(Into phone)

Connor, I’ll call you back later, Dad’s getting pissy.

DAD STARES AT ZACH WHILE HE ENDS THE CALL.

ZACH

Happy?

DAD

Yes, now, the first thing to do is –

MUM (O.S)

Hello, I’m home.

DAD

(Shouting)

Is this ever going to get done?

MUM (O.S)

What?

DAD AND ZACH LEAVE THE ROOM AND GO DOWNSTAIRS INTO THE KITCHEN.

9. INT. KITCHEN. DUSK

MUM IS PUTTING THE FOOD ONTO PLATES. ZACH AND DAD TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. MUM FINISHES SERVING THE FOOD AND SITS DOWN HERSELF. EVERYBODY BEGINS EATING.

MUM

So, how are the shelves going?

DAD GLARES AT ZACH.

ZACH

Not so well, we haven’t even started yet.

MUM

Oh great.

DAD

It would be done if SOMEBODY would pay attention and help me.

           

ZACH

Sorry, I’m too tired. It’s been a long day.

MUM

Let him rest tonight, love, and he’ll help you tomorrow.

DAD

He’d better, he’s done nothing today.

ZACH

I resent that, I’ve done loads today.

MUM

Oh come on love, he’s unpacked a load of boxes today, and he helped me put the fridge in this morning. It’s unfair to say he’s done nothing.

DAD

Alright, that was unfair, sorry Zach.

ZACH

It’s fine.

THE SCENE ENDS AS THE FAMILY ARE EATING.

10. INT. ZACH’S BEDROOM. NIGHT

ZACH IS IN HIS ROOM UNPACKING A BOX OF TOYS AND PUTTING THEM INTO A CUPBOARD ON HIS WALL. MUM ENTERS.

MUM

Your dad and I are going to bed now Hun; Dad will be up to say goodnight in a few minutes. Don’t stay up too late.

           

ZACH

Alright, night Mum, don’t forget that bedding is on your bed.

MUM

Oh yeah. I’ll go put that on now. Night, Zach.

MUM EXITS. ZACH CONTINUES UNPACKING VARIOUS ITEMS FROM THE BOX. HE PICKS UP A BAG OF MARBLES WHICH SPLITS AND THEY SPILL OUT ONTO THE FLOOR. ZACH NOTES AN UNLIKELY CHANGE IN SOUND AS THE MARBLES HIT ONE FLOORBOARD COMPARED TO THE OTHERS SURROUNDING IT. ALMOST LIKE IT IS HOLLOW.

ZACH

(Confused)

What?

ZACH KNOCKS ON THE FLOORBOARDS AND DECIDES THAT ONE OF THE FLOORBOARDS HAS NOTHING UNDERNEATH IT. HE PRIES IT UP. UNDERNEATHE IS A SMALL BOX. ZACH OPENS THE BOX AND IT REVEALS AN ODDLY SHAPED KEY.

DAD CAN BE HEARD COMING UPSTAIRS. ZACH HIDES THE BOX AND KEY UNDER HIS BED AND PUTS THE FLOORBOARD BACK JUST AS DAD IS WALKING INTO THE ROOM. HE STARTS PICKING UP MARBLES.

                               DAD

What are you doing?

ZACH

Bag ripped, just picking up marbles.

DAD

You want some help maybe?

ZACH

Yeah, if you don’t mind.

DAD

No problem.

DAD BENDS DOWN AND STARTS PICKING UP WITH MARBLES.

DAD

Where are we putting these?

ZACH

I’ve just been putting them in my hat, until I can get a new bag of course.

DAD

Get your mother to sew it up tomorrow, shouldn’t take too long.

    

ZACH

Good plan.

DAD CONTINUES TO PICK UP MARBLES AND PUT THEM IN THE HAT. HE PICKS UP A FINAL MARBLE, PLACES IT IN THE HAT AND STANDS UP.

DAD

Is that the last one?

ZACH LOOKS ROUND THE ROOM ON THE FLOOR.

ZACH

Looks like it, thanks for the help dad.

DAD

No problem, now I’m off to bed.

HE HEADS TOWARDS THE DOOR AND TURNS AROUND TO FACE ZACH WHEN HE GETS THERE.

DAD

Alright, don’t stay up too long.

ZACH

I won’t. Night, Dad.

DAD

Night son.

DAD EXITS THE ROOM AND THE SOUND OF HIS PARENTS DOOR SHUTTING IS HEARD.ZACH RETRIEVES THE BOX AND KEY FROM UNDER HIS BED AND EXAMINES THEM.

ZACH

What the hell is this even for, it’s such a weird shape.

ZACH PUTS THE KEY ON HIS BED SIDE TABLE AND GETS INTO BED. HE TURNS THE LAMP OFF. THERE IS 10 SECONDS OF HIM SLEEPING BEFORE THERE IS A GASP AND ZACH TURNS THE LAMP BACK ON. HE JUMPS OUT OF BED, GRABBING THE KEY AND WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM.

11. INT. MYSTERIOUS ROOM. NIGHT

ZACH IS STOOD IN THE ROOM WITH THE MYSTERIOUS DOOR. IT IS VERY DARK, APART FROM THE BEAM OF MOONLIGHT COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW. ZACH WALKS TOWARDS THE WALL WITH THE DOOR ON IT AND TEARS BACK THE WALL PAPER. THE DOOR WITH THE ODDLY SHAPED KEY HOLE IS REVEALED. ZACH PLACES THE KEY IN THE KEY HOLE AND TURNS IT CLOCKWISE. THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND. THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN. THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON ZACH’S FACE AS IT IS LIT UP BY A GLOW COMING FROM THE DOOR. THE SCREEN FADES TO BLACK. THE CREDITS ROLL.