The Extincts - Approaching the story

PURAN STUDIOS PRESENTS

S T C N I T X E T C JE

THE

O R P

APPROACHING THE STORY

COMING SOON 2020

A FILM BY SHREYSINGH

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Foreword 5 Stakeholder mapping 8 Rules of Script writing 10 Approaching the story 16 Story Brief 18 The first pages 24 Illustration Styles 26 Bibliography 29

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By the time I got to write this second report, a lot changed in the world.

The Corona Virus outbreak that started from China had spread all over the world. The World Health Organization(WHO) declared the virus a pandemic and it changed the ways humanity was conducting their business, probably forever.

On a personal level, now I feel obliged to be more responsible in my approach from here onwards as the lines between fiction and facts are slowly fading. In a post COVID-19 world, if there is any, we as humans need to prioritize our environmental standpoints. Ignorance can no longer be bliss. I believe such eco-fictions that I am in process of creating would be taken more seriously than they were in PreCOVID-19 era.

And hence it is of crucial importance for me to address the right issues in the right manner. Animal agriculture and trade has to be shunned immediately, if we expect to avoid the next pandemic, in my opinion.

I am approaching my story in form of a script that spans for ten episodes in the first part. I wish to finish the story in a three part webseries consisting of ten episodes each. The first part is the subject matter of this project. In my previous report I presented the research I did before writing the script. This report highlights the aspects of executing the story and its importance for us humans.

-Shrey Singh

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On 11 March 2020, WHO declared Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic and reiterated the call for countries to take immediate actions and scale up response to treat, detect and reduce transmission to save people’s lives.

-World Health Organisation

COrona VIrus Disease-2019 COVID-19 is the name given to this pandemic that relates to COrona VIrus Disease 2019 by WHO. Wuhan wet market of China was the epicenter of the outbreak and was carrying 22 animal species on their menu including endangered species.

Initial reports claim that Corona virus originated from Horseshoe bats and then jumped to an intermediate species, believed to be pangolin before jumping to humans who can transmit it within themselves that too exponentially.

It then travelled to European and middle eastern countries with Italy and Iran being the worst affected, as WHO failed to put travel restrictions on China in time.

A few countries were able to impose early lockdowns like India and the spread is comparatively lesser, but it is still inconclusive because of lesser number of tests being carried out by the Indian government.

At the moment, almost all nations are practicing lockdowns with the exception of USA, which is worst affected, surpassing all other countries. Currently, 21 out of 50 American states are under lockdown and their government is still focussing more on reviving the economy and less on preventing the spread. A lot of concerned and somewhat influential Americans voiced their concerns and are appealing to the public in their own capacity to practice self isolation and social distancing. These two terms have become the new trend of the majority of world population.

The relevance of all this information to my project is of prime importance. As the main plot of my story was that of animals obtaining evolution powers after a secret virus outbreak that did not affect humans but enabled other animals to speak, develop an opposable thumb, stand and walk on their hind legs (when they wish to)and most importantly to use technology.

A lot of concerned environmentalists had been warning of the upcoming catastrophe but no one could have predicted it happening in this manner and this early.

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D L O H E G K N A I T P S P A M If there is an end to the current pandemic situation, a majority of global population would be ready to adopt measures to avoid any future pandemics. It is of vital importance to provide such guidelines and the story will portray and establish those concepts in the viewer's minds.

Animal lovers who are actually empathetic and can not see animals as a resource for human consumption.

The true lovers of nature that need to influence others around them. The story aims to provide a powerful message and standpoint to fecilitate such mindsets.

Vegans are individuals who avoid animal products for ethical, health, or environmental reasons, mostly a combination of all the three.

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The film makers will look for content that relates to the post pandemic world.

This story can fill that void of an environmental fiction.

Developing the story as a script was a must for me.

Eco-fiction is going to be trend or would atleast emerge as one.

I plan to present the story in form of books as well as a passion project.

The viewers who would have exhausted most of their quota of audio/visual content by the end of lockdown would be interested in fresh content of current affairs.

Critics, they will be always around for it is easy to critise than to step up and create.

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F I T O I R S E TW L U R RIP C S

Example: EXT. WRITERS STORE - DAY reveals that the action takes place outside The Writers Store during the daytime.

Subheader Indent: Left: 0.0” Right: 0.0” Width: 6.0”

For writing the script I am using Studio Binder, an online service that is accepted as an industry standard for scriptwriting.

Screenplay Elements Below is a list of items (with definitions) that make up the screenplay format, along with indenting information. Again, screenplay software will automatically format all these elements, but a screenwriter must have a working knowledge of the definitions to know when to use each one.

Scene Heading Indent: Left: 0.0” Right: 0.0” Width: 6.0” A scene heading is a one-line description of the location and time of day of a scene, also known as a “slugline.” It should always be in CAPS.

When a new scene heading is not necessary, but some distinction needs to be made in the action, you can use a subheader. But be sure to use these sparingly, as a script full of subheaders is generally frowned upon. A good example is when there are a series of quick cuts between two locations, you would use the term INTERCUT and the scene locations.

Action Indent: Left: 0.0” Right: 0.0” Width: 6.0” The narrative description of the events of a scene, written in the present tense. Also less commonly known as direction, visual exposition, blackstuff, description or scene direction.

Remember - only things that can be seen and heard should be included in the action.

Character Indent: Left: 2.0” Right: 0.0” Width: 4.0” When a character is introduced, his name should be capitalized within the action.

For example: The door opens and in walks LIAM, a thirty-something hipster with

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attitude to spare.

encroach on the director’s turf!

A character’s name is CAPPED and always listed above his lines of dialogue.

Minor characters may be listed without names, for example “TAXI DRIVER” or “CUSTOMER.”

Extension Placed after the character’s name, in parentheses

Dialogue Indent: Left: 1.0” Right: 1.5” Width: 3.5” Lines of speech for each character.

Dialogue format is used anytime a character is heard speaking, even for offscreen and voice-overs.

Parenthetical Indent: Left: 1.5” Right: 2.0” Width: 2.5” A parenthetical is direction for the character, that is either attitude or actionoriented. With roots in the playwriting genre, today, parentheticals are used very rarely, and only if absolutely necessary.

Why? Two reasons. First, if you need to use a parenthetical to convey what’s going on with your dialogue, then it probably just needs a good re-write. Second, it’s the director’s job to instruct an actor on how to deliver a line, and everyone knows not to

An abbreviated technical note placed after the character’s name to indicate how the voice will be heard onscreen, for example, if the character is speaking as a voiceover, it would appear as LIAM (V.O.).

Transition Indent: Left: 4.0” Right: 0.0” Width: 2.0” Transitions are film editing instructions, and generally only appear in a shooting script. Transition verbiage includes: CUT TO: DISSOLVE TO: SMASH CUT: QUICK CUT: FADE TO: As a spec script writer, you should avoid using a transition unless there is no other way to indicate a story element.

For example, you might need to use DISSOLVE TO: to indicate that a large amount of time has passed.

Shot Indent: Left: 0.0” Right: 0.0” Width: 6.0” A shot tells the reader the focal point within a scene has changed. Like a transition, there’s rarely a time when a spec screenwriter should insert shot directions. Once again, that’s the director’s job.

Examples of Shots: ANGLE ON -EXTREME CLOSE UP -PAN TO -LIAM’S POV --

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A shot tells the reader the focal point within a scene has changed. Like a transition, there’s rarely a time when a spec screenwriter should insert shot directions. Once again, that’s the director’s job.

Examples of Shots: ANGLE ON -EXTREME CLOSE UP -PAN TO -LIAM’S POV -Spec Script vs. Shooting Script A “spec script” literally means that you are writing a screenplay on speculation. That is, no one is paying you to write the script. You are penning it in hopes of selling the script to a buyer. Spec scripts should stick stringently to established

screenwriting rules.

Once a script is purchased, it becomes a shooting script, also called a production script. This is a version of the screenplay created for film production. It will include technical instructions, like film editing notes, shots, cuts and the like. All the scenes are numbered, and revisions are marked with a color-coded system.

This is done so that the production assistants and director can then arrange the order in which the scenes will be shot for the most efficient use of stage, cast, and location resources.

A spec script should

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NEVER contain the elements of shooting script. The biggest mistake any new screenwriter can make is to submit a script full of production language, including camera angles and editing transitions. It can be very difficult to resist putting this type of language in your script. After all, it’s your story and you see it in a very specific way. However, facts are facts. If you want to direct your script, then try to go the independent filmmaker route. But if you want to sell your script, then stick to the accepted spec screenplay format.

Screenplay Formatting Software Screenwriting software makes producing an Industry-standard script simple and straightforward. Programs like Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter put your words into proper screenplay format as you type, letting you focus on a well-told story rather than the chore of margins and spacing.

There’s also a wide spectrum of outlining and development software at the ready to help you get your thoughts together before you begin writing. Popular story development software includes Dramatica Pro, a step-by-step guide to the storytelling process, Contour, a character-based structuring system, and Save the Cat!, a program centered on successful screenwriter Blake Snyder’s own proven methods.

Courier 12pt font. No graphics, no fancy pictures, only the title of your script, with “written by” and your name in the center of the page. In the lower left-hand or right-hand corner, enter your contact information. In the lower left-hand or right-hand corner you can put Registered, WGA or a copyright notification, though this is generally not a requirement.

Sample Title Page Learn how to write a screenplay with this exclusive script writing example that shows you how to properly format your title page.

Below is a list of items you need to prepare your script to be sent out: • • •

• • •

Follow these directions to properly bind your script: • •

And if you want a program that combines story development and formatting?

Check out Movie Outline, an all-in-one development package that uses step outlining to build your story, scene-byscene, and Montage, which includes both outline and submission tracking functions.

Script Presentation and Binding Just like the format of a script, there are very specific rules for binding and presenting your script. The first page is the title page, which should also be written in

Script Covers, either linen or standard card stock Three-Hole Punched Paper Screenplay Brass Fasteners (also called Brads), Acco number 5 size 1 1/4-inch for scripts up to 120 pages; Acco number 6 size 2-inch for larger scripts Script Binding Mallet (optional) Screenplay Brass Washers Script Mailers

• •

Print your title page and script on bright white three-hole punched paper.

Insert the title page and the script into the script cover. The front and back covers remain blank. They are just there to protect your script. And remember: pictures and text on script covers scream amateur.

Insert two brass fasteners in the first and third holes. Do NOT put a fastener in the middle hole.

Flip the script over, and slide the brass washers over the arms of the fasteners.

Spread the arms of the fasteners flat against the script. Use a Script Binding

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•

Mallet to ensure a tight, flat fit.

Use the flat, self-seal script mailers to send your scripts out to buyers.

Materials for Further Exploration Now that you understand screenplay basics, you’re no doubt ready to continue your exploration of the craft and go beyond learning how to write a movie script. The books listed below are some of The Writers Store’s favorite guides to screenwriting.

The Screenwriter’s Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script Wondering how to write a script? This first-rate screenwriting primer provides a concise presentation of screenwriting basics, along with query letters, useful worksheets, checklists, sample scenes and more to help you break into screenplay writing.

From Script to Screen What goes into the making of Hollywood’s greatest motion pictures? Join Linda Seger and Edward Whetmore as they examine recent screenplays on their journey from script to screen.

Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style The Hollywood Standard describes in clear, vivid prose and hundreds of examples how to format every element of a screenplay or television script.

Save the Cat! This ultimate insider’s guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a show biz veteran who’s proven that you can sell your script if you can Save the Cat.

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C A O Y R R P O P T A ES TH Punjabi, Himachali, Urdu, Haryanvi(a dialect) and of late Marathi and Gujarati.

I have always imagined this story as an action packed hyper realistic animated movie, which was the primary reason for studying 3D, animation, VFX after my graduation and later joining Visual Communication for my Masters in Design in UID, Karnavati University, Ahmedabad.

My views and opinions were shaped by watching thousands of movies, webseries and documentaries. I have been an avid reader of fiction books, global news articles relating to environmental reports and world politics and other genres. From early childhood, I had a keen interest in fictions and hence I developed a strong English language skill set. I have a keen interest in other Indian languages as well like

It all began in a dream during my graduation years, when I saw a Snow-leopard jumping from the top of a high speed metro train onto the other one coming from the other direction, cutting the steel of the train with his blades to enter inside and exit by breaking the window on the other side of the train within a split second. Ofcourse, in the dream it happened in slow motion and thankfully a knock on the door made me wake up and I found it hard to remember what I was just watching in the dream but somehow I held on to it and wrote this much information on a parchment. Everything else I built around it with my concious imagination.

When I got the opportunity to write a book for our “Design for Print” module

in UID, I was delighted to write it about the origin stories of Snowleopards, Tasmanian Tiger and the first part of the meeting scene.

I was an animal lover from early on forming plots of this story made me an environmental enthusiast.

Watching the Cowspiracy Documentary was a turning point in my life as it changed my outlook towards the environmental protection efforts forever. Earlier I was not much of a meat eater but after watching the documentary and reading a lot about the vegan movement I shunned meat from my diet.

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of now, I am a vegetarian who wishes to be a vegan soon but leaving milk products is as hard for me as leaving meat would be for a meat lover.

Regardless, I was obliged to include this message in my story and I found it

challenging but a very interesting plot when apex predators like snow-leopard and a tasmanian tiger would restrict humans from eating meat.

For the course of this project, I have decided to approach the story in form of a script intended for a webseries of seven episodes.

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Crocodiles Alligators Ghariyal Komodo Dragon Lizards Snakes

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Migrating Animals : • Lioness • Leopard • Jaguar • Cheetah • Puma • Tiger • Sphynx • Clouded Leopard • House cats

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Elephant Rhinoceros Hippo Bears

Birds: • Eagles • Hawks • Vultures • Owls

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Bevers Muskats Rabbits Mouse Rats Honey badgers

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Cow Buffalo Yak Goat Pigs Horse

Extincts Council: • Snow Leopard • Tasmanian Tiger • Dodo • Black Rhino • Passenger Pigeon • Ibex

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Wolves Hyenas Foxes Pet dogs Wild Dogs Jackals

Antelop Deers Boars Bisons Bluebulls Giraffes Zebra

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Penguins Kiwi Ducks Swans Cranes Geese

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Pigeons Crows Sparrows Peacocks Parrots Chickens

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I have been structuring the story over a period of 10 years and made several changes according to the knowledge I gradually gained in that time period. I plan to make the series in atleast 5 parts, and only the first part of the story is the subject matter of this project. Three or more parts will focus mostly on land animals including birds, one on the oceans and one on insects.

One final part will conclude the story and will feature all the survivors. Here, I have structured the 10 episodes that will form the first season.

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This story will be concluded in another episode in the next part of the series, but the last scene will include the present timeline and Yeti flying towards New York skyline with Himmys.

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A meeting is called by Yeti the snow leopard, the leader of the Extincts. All animal representatives of land and air from around the world are invited in a cave. As the animals start pouring in, a conversation starts between them as they wait for the Extincts. Leo The Lion tries to overpower others with his proud attitude. Yeti, clad with a shield, a blade and twin wooden staffs enters the cave with the council and challenges him after mocking him badly. In his several attempts to attack Yeti, Leo fails miserably and is finally knocked down

by Yeti. After which the meeting is continued and all representatives are asked to prepare for the great migration and spread the word around as the great war will begin soon. Nearby, Nomad the human sits with Himmys and Barys, the identical looking snow leopard twins who are keeping a close eye on the meeting and discussing the species that can pose a threat to their mission(like the Lions). As both the brothers prepare for a long journey to opposite ends of the world they bid each other farewell, not sure if they will meet again.

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The timeline for this episode is 7 years prior to the first episode when the last snow-leopard family is being searched for in the Himalayas by the Extincts. Ilbiris, the father is out for hunt and the eagles are his companions who guide him with vital information on the movements of the mountain goat, the best available source of food in the hardest terrain for hunting. As a herd approaches, Ilbiris who is not his best health because of lack of food, takes refuge on a tree and wait for the right opportunity to strike the weaker looking goat when they pass under that tree. His attempt falls short and he indulges in a goat-chase after secluding an lder goat who was still fast enough to run for her life. The chase took a wrong turn when Ilbiris fell off the cliff with the goat into the Indus river flowing in the valley. The eagles are alerted and Baaz the leader leaves immediately to the cave of snow leopards to alert Yeti, the mother of two new born cubs, while his two sons chase unconcious Ilbiris and brings him to the shore putting their own lives in danger and showing exceptional presence of mind. Yeti was waiting for her partner to return home with food as the cubs were really struggling with hunger. After recieving news from Baaz, she rushes to the spot to find Ilbiris lying on a rock surrounded with wolves,eagles and some unknown animals.

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Timeline : approximately 100 years before the meeting. The last female Giant Softshell Turtle is lost to humans apetite for turtles. Two of the last four surviving males are unaware of the fact and they are headed to the nearest beach to look for a suitable mate. An incredible journey stretching from Oceans to the top of French Alps forms the rest of story with best friends becoming lovers. In the end they die with one on top of the other and there love is acknowledged by nature that fused their soft shells into a convertible and unbreakable spherical shield with time and years later is found by Tasma the thylacine(Episode 4), then leader of the Extincts.

The shield now rests on the back of Yeti, a gift from her mentor Tasma. She also found twin super sharp axe like weapons that contain the canine teeth of the extinct Sabretooth Cat fitted in handles made out of bones that do not degrade.

This story will be told in the next part of the series.

The episode ends with Yeti and Himmys approaching a dark pit in the Central Park of New York with hissing sounds emanating from it.

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The story of Thyla from Tasmania who was next in line to rule the tasmanian island but not very much interested in the job. His heroic investigations of increasing human activity on the island that was starting to push every other species off the cliff, were not enough to convince his King father to take actions. By the time his father realises it was too late for him and before taking his last breaths he appointed his son as the King. Time passes and even after taking a violent stand against humans, thylacines and the Tasmanian devils were slaughtered mercilessly, and only a handful of them are rescued just in time by a group of Dodos and Rhinos. “Dod the dodo” led the Extincts at that time and his great grandson is the last Dodo on earth and a member of the current Extincts Council.

Tasma was able to carry forward his line but his latest successor Tasma would be the last Thylacine on earth, and he is old and after saving the snowleopards, he made Yeti his successor to lead the council. The episode ends with Thyla on board a plane with Barys and Nomad approaching the Moscow skyline.

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Timeline: A week before the Meeting. The humanity is slowly coming out of their quarantines and lockdowns as they were able to cultivate a vaccine for a deadly water-borne virus that was killing the humans slowly but steadily. Lupus, the Wolf (from the first and second episodes) has made a social network of pets, that were evolved by the virus.

He influenced most of them to revolt against their owners and kill them if possible or to die trying. All the cats agreed without much trouble but it were his evolutionary downgraded cousins, the dogs, who were still divided to follow his instructions. They just loved their owners too much.

With this sudden outburst of a new problem the World Leaders decide to address this issue at the annual UN General Assembly in New York.

In present timeline the Extincts team at Moscow is at ROSCOSMOS and Nomad the scientist is able to persuade the president that his special device can magnify the capacity of their secret space stations and it should be included as a part of the space mission that leaves next morning.

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Episode 6: Bar headed geese are amazing creatures of nature. They were born and evolved for one thing and one thing only, flying. It does not matter how bad the conditions are, they fly in unison with perfection. This episode shows what reasons led their entire population to come together. They cross over the Mount Everest every year to complete one of the highest and biggest migration of birds in the world. They were united by Dod the dodo before he rescued Tasma and created the first airforce which now included eagles, hawks and a lot of other birds, but the core still consist of the entire population of bar headed geese who are most patriotic towards their cause, “Serve the Dodo”. After the arrival of Nomad, they got several technological upgrades that made them exceptionally enhanced.

Episode ends in present timeline with Dodo trying to settle them down and hide wherever they can in New York outskirts.

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Timeline : present . The judgement day is here.

Yeti is struggling to address a congregation of snakes in the Central Park who are revolted by her presence as they were initially approached

by Barys and they only agreed to his leadership and no one else. When she is unable to convince them, Himmys makes an appearance behind his mother’s back to convince the snakes to help them in their mission. As Yeti came back, Dodo informed her about her missing son who followed her in the dark, ignoring all the requests made by the Dodo.

As she heads back to the dark pit, fearing for the life of her son, she met him halfway with a snake casually wrapped around his neck assuring the allegiance of the snakes to hijack the UNGA meet tomorrow. At the same time Barys is inside the Nomad’s special device that is headed for a secret Russian space station, inactive from the times of Cold War. As soon as they complete the boarding procedures to the space station, Barys breaks free from his container and kills off the three astronauts in zero gravity, who never saw him coming. Back at the UNGA meeting, snakes have infiltrated the pipelines of the building and are waiting for Himmys signal to capture their targets, every one had one target each. The head of all the nations under one roof. Yeti listens carefully to what they were saying, hoping to find a reasonable human who can speak for the planet, to no avail. (Continued on next page)

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(Continued Episode 7) She asks her son to give the first signal and the snakes storm the hall from all corners, neutralizing the security personnals first, before wrapping themselves on the necks of all participants ie the heads of all nations, ready to strike in their faces.

She gets to the podium and delivers a speech of her own warning the frightened leaders and the human population watching on their TV sets around the world, about the war that will follow from that point onwards. She still had a soft spot for humans and wanted to make a point before them. The second signal was meant for Barys, who by now had activated the Russian station that carried an EMP cannon, one out of four, but controlled from that station only, placed in the stratosphere by the Russians during the Cold War, to neutralize US machinery if they opt for a nuclear war.

At this point of time, the plot unravels and Yeti found out that her sons had made a secret pact and they both switched places. It was Barys that was with Yeti and it was Himmys on the Space station. The only thing that made em apart was their anger, as Himmys was the peaceful one and Barys was violent in his approach. She wanted Himmys to accompany her as she saw the future leader in him, but he was always more interested in gaining knowledge.

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Barys on the other hand had been interested in politics and leadership, but was discouraged by his mother because of his violent side that was developed because of childhood interactions with humans(Episode 2 story ).They switched places because both were more interested in each others missions. Barys acted really well until the point when her mother asked him to signal his brother on the station to hit the world with four EMP cannons that will cripple the humanity.

That was the point when Barys decided to betray his mother and the Extincts. Their peace loving ideals were not agreed upon by him, he cant let this opportunity pass with every world leader just a click away from their deaths, the snakes were his followers, not of Yeti.

He attacks her from behind with a single blow to knock her out and takes the stage for himself and the all her weapons and the shield. He tells the world that there is no hope for humanity now and their end is upon them. With that he clicked his fingers and the snakes striked their targets multiple times with the world watching their leaders die on a live telecast. He then signalled his brother, who was still unaware about his plans to launch the cannons making sure that it was the last thing the world watched on TV, guranteeing worldwide panic.

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These illustrations serve as a mood board for the kind of output I am aiming to have for the animated webseries.

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World Health Organisation's declaration for COVID-19 TheScriptLab article on rules of scriptwriting, also available online at:- https://thescriptlab.com/features/ screenwriting-101/8886-15-simplescreenplay-rules-you-need-to-know/

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Image credits: The Last Pharaoh on Pininterest - The Panther Warrior Grosnez on Pininterest- Red Panda Warrior Dylan Davidson - The Pirates Anonymous- High Lord Tigara H-ell at DeviantArt- The Persian War Elephant Anthony Argentin on Pininterest- Warriors of Myth

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