Final Project III

Final Project II

Chapter 3, “The Gathering”

(6 Panel Grids)

Page 1

Panel A: (Wide) The scene is that of a cold suburban landscape. It’s all but abandoned. Snow covers the wreckage of a once great civilization.

Panel B:  Street level shot. We see a car degrading in the middle of the road. The walk is cluttered with fallen chunks of buildings.

Panel C: Panned back slightly from the previous panel, higher eye level. A dark figure becomes apparent against the cold white of the scene. It seems to be a running figure.

Panel D: Close up of a young man’s face. His expression is one of desperate fear as he runs away. We don’t see what he is running from.

Panel E: Low perspective, we see a clawed foot posed in a run – the man is a short distance ahead. It’s clear whatever is chasing the young man isn’t human.

Page 2

Panel A: The man’s foot catches on something.

Panel B: The man falls into the snow.

Panel C:  He looks up from the snow to see that his rifle has gotten away from him. It slid a yard ahead on a patch of ice.

Panel D: We see several shadows looming behind him. The man doesn’t turn, he lunges with his hand outstretched for the rifle.

Panel E: The young soldier, having grabbed his rifle, turns on his attackers ready to fire.

Panel F: A creature takes the gun from his hands before he can fire.

Page 3

Panel A: The creature raises its hand to strike the soldier.

Panel B: There’s a shot from an unknown source. The creature reels.

Panel C: It barks what seems to be an order to the other creatures.

Panel D: A figure in shadow pulls the bolt of a rifle back, expending a spent shell.

Panel E: There’s another shot. The monsters flee, leaving the man in the snow, visibly shaken.

Panel F: The young soldier looks in the direction of the shots.

Page 4

Panel A: A woman steps out of a building across the street.

Panel B: We see her up close – she’s wearing a scowl. “Mangy dogs.”

Panel C: The young man picks up his rifle, looking around alertly. “What were those things?” Woman: “Hell if I know – this whole world’s gone nuts.”

Panel D: Woman: “You got ammo for that rifle?” Man: “Yeah, a bit.”

Panel E: Woman: “Good, you’re coming with me.” She begins to walk. The man looks perplexed.

Panel F: After thinking it over again, the man follows.  Man: “Where are we headed?” Woman: “Closest thing to home on this planet.”

Page 5

A splash scene of the two traveling across the barren snowy waste lands.

Page 6

Panel A: They arrive at what looks like a large steel door in the middle of a snow pile.

Panel B:  The woman knocks on the door a few times, hard.

Panel C: A slot in the door opens, old eyes look out. Old man: “Arizona? That you?” Arizona: “Yes, and I’ve brought something useful.”

Panel D: The door opens. Old Man: “Come in, quickly.” He ushers both of them inside.

Panel E: (Wide) They enter a room without much non-essentials. Boxes of ammunition and canned food are everywhere. Next to the door there’s a shotgun. The two remove their coats as they come in.

Page 7

Panel A: The soldier sits, running a hand through his hair. The old man sees the look on the soldier’s face. “Nothing can get you in here, boy – we’re safe.”

Panel B: Arizona opens a bottle of water. Arizona: “This is Bill, and you heard my name. What’s your name, kid?” Carl: “Carl.”

Panel C: Arizona tosses Carl a bottle of water – he catches it. Arizona: “Why are you out there alone, Carl.” Carl: “Not by choice…”

Panel D: (wide) Carl: “They chose for me.” Carl’s face is in the corner. In the background we see a military unit being torn apart by creatures.

Page 8

Panel A: Arizona and Bill look at one another.

Panel B: Bill: Those monsters – no one knows where they came from. They showed up about the time everything went to hell.

Panel C: Arizona:  “They’re demons.” Bill: “Don’t start with that again. They’re as real as we are.”

Panel D: Bill gives Carl an examining look. “You said you brought something useful, Arizona, but all I’m seeing is another mouth to feed.” Arizona: “He’s a soldier. Aren’t you Carl.”
Panel E: Carl: “I am… I only have enough food and ammo to take care of myself, though.” Bill and Arizona look upset.

Panel F: Carl: “But I am a great shot.” He looks hopeful.

Page 9

Panel A: Arizona: “That’ll do.” Bill: “I guess we have to keep him.” 

Final Project

Synopsis

The Breakdown:

The story follows three survivors in a world fallen apart. Their stories begin individually as they survive on their own in a torn, hostile world. The Earth has grown to be a very cold place, due mostly to humans meddling with things they shouldn't. Near the end, Megacorps take over as the dominant form of government. "Gen-chem Co." begins human adaptation experiments in the face of climate change. The main focus is to give humans greater cold endurance, like a wooly animal. The test animals and humans escape during the disaster and become the enemy of the survivors. They are bestial and savage. Some think the creature's origin is super-natural - revenge from the Earth itself. The characters eventually discover Gen-Chem Co., telling us where the creatures came from and who the real enemy is. Some fragments of Gen-Chem survive, looking to rebound and take over in the absence of organized government. 

Each of the three main characters has to experience an event to define their character roll in the group and what brings them together. Each has a unique skill to bring to the group - they could not overcome the common enemy alone. The characters face their own survival challenges through the first third of the story. The story focuses around the tale of survival, conquering the common enemy, and ultimately establishing a stable community. 

The Characters: 

Bill: The first man is ex-military, a survivalist held up in the mountains. He's been hoarding weapons and ammunition for years. This man is around 45 years old. He's the old salt in the group - tough and experienced.  

Carl: The second man is smaller in stature. He is younger, in his mid 20's. In the chaos, he was separated from his unit, and was stranded in the hostile lands. He's a beta male type, but he can toughen up when it counts. 

Arizona: The third addition to the group is a woman in her 30's. She has only survived by her ferocity in the face of chaos. She figures dispensing with human morality is the best way to ensure her own survival. At the same time, she has a deep empathy for animals. 

Story note: Girl saves young soldier as his unit is torn apart by Gen-Chem Co. creatures. Her motives are entirely selfish, however. She has no weapons at this time - a soldier would supply her with weapons, ammo, and possibly rations.

The three aren't alone in the world. At the fall of all government, people have divided into groups, or fend for themselves alone. Former test subjects stalk the urban environment, killing anyone they can capture to keep themselves alive. 

Alfa female (crazy woman) beta male (young soldier) old wise-guy (Ex-military survivalist)

The two find the old survivalist. An event drives them from the survivalist's base. They are forced to relocate. 

Domes