The Script
Tears of Fire
By
A. Lynn Ferguson
2013 A. Lynn Ferguson & |
El Paso, TX |
Creative Media Institute |
Las Cruces, NM |
(CMI)@ New Mexico State |
|
University |
EXT. PROLOGUE
BLACK SCREEN
A wise and elder woman is speaking.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Listen child, and I will tell you a story. But listen closely, and it will be your heart that speaks...
FADE UP ON:
INT. SACRED WALL
NARRATOR (V.O. CONTINUOUS) It was in a time long ago, when our world was still young and Mankind but new, when the Elders say four great monsters fell from the sky
and brought with them the World’s first Great Magic. But with this power, they wrought woe and destruction, which tore the Villages of Man apart!
IMAGE: CAVE PAINTING OF MEN FLEEING MONSTERS.
NARRATOR (V.O. CONTINUOUS)
... And so, fearing the wrath of these terrible “Four Monsters”, our Elders found for Mankind the Deepest of Caves for which to hide the Tribe from the great beasts.
IMAGE: CAVE PAINTINGS grow faded and worn.
ESTABLISHING SHOT OF SACRED CHAMBER.
The ridge leading to sacred wall is crumbled. The Tribe sits in a
POV: RAY OF LIGHT COMING THROUGH HOLE IN CEILING.
Smallest Girl’s hand reaches for the light as it begins to fade away.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
2. |
NARRATOR (V.O. CONTINUOUS) It was in these Deep Caves that man remained for every generation
since. Always in darkness. Never truly knowing the light of day ever again.
MEDIUM: SMALLEST GIRL RUNS TOWARDS ADULT.
SMALLEST GIRL
Why does the light go away?
TRIBE ADULT 1 (Mumbles.)
SMALLEST GIRL (Frowns.)
WIDE SHOT:
Smallest Girl runs towards the Tribe Elders standing in the center of the room.
SMALLEST GIRL
Great Elders, Great Elders! Why does the light go away? Why can we not keep it in here with the Tribe, always?
CLOSE UP ON: ELDERS COLLECTIVELY MUMBLE.
TRIBE ELDER (GREEN) O’ Smallest Girl, so young and
innocent you are. The light exists only Outside if the caves, and fades into darkness because this is the way of the World, and the World simply can not be changed.
POV: LOOKING DOWN ON SMALLEST GIRL
SMALLEST GIRL
But wise Elders, if the light stays Outside, why can we not go Outside and bring it back in here with us?
EXTREME WIDE SHOT: THE ENTIRE TRIBE GASPS.
MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF ELDERS AND SMALLEST GIRL.
TRIBE ELDER (RED) (Irritated)
Impatient child! Do you not listen to your Elders? You must never
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
3. |
TRIBE ELDER (RED) (cont’d) leave the Deep Caves lest you be found by the Legendary "Four Great Monsters". Then they will surely curse all of the Tribe with their Magic!
PAN: TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW) POINTS TO THE SACRED WALL.
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW) We must always remember to keep these laws as they have been
recorded on the Sacred Wall by the Elders before our time. The Legendary Monsters destroyed our World once before, and they will most certainly do it again!
EXTREME WIDE: THE TRIBE MUMBLES AMONGST THEMSELVES.
HIGH ANGLE ON the Smallest Girl.
SMALLEST GIRL
You mean that you have been to the Sacred Wall? How did you climb the broken ridge? Can I go too? Oh please tell me how!
WIDE SHOT: ELDERS LOOK TO ONE ANOTHER, BAFFLED.
TRIBE ELDER (RED) Enough! No more questions from you lazy Smallest Girl! You are forbidden from asking any more questions until you finsih your chores, like the rest of us! Now get back to work!
OTS: SMALLEST GIRL WATCHS TRIBE LEAVE
REVERSE: SMALLEST GIRL GLANCES OVER HER SHOULDER AT THE SACRED WALL.
The Smallest Girl gets up and walks towards the broken ridge leading to the Sacred Wall.
IMAGE: FADED PAINTINGS OF THREE MONSTERS ATTACKING.
PAN UP: PAINTING OF A FIERCE RED MONSTER DESTROYING MANKIND.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
4. |
REVERSE: SMALLEST GIRL STRUGGLES TO KEEP BALANCE
WIDE: A TRIBE ADULT WANDERS IN. DROPS HIS BASKET
TRIBE ADULT 2 (Shouting)
What are you doing?
CUT TO: SMALLEST GIRL LOSING BALANCE. FALLS THROUGH CAVE COLUMN.
LOW ANGLE ON: Column breaking. Ceiling CRACKING open. Rocks
WIDE SHOT: The Sacred Wall is destroyed by the
HIGH ANGLE ON: THE ENTIRE TRIBE RUNNING IN
WIDE SHOT: SMALLEST GIRL REACHES A HAND OUT OF THE ROCKS.
The Elders enter from O.S. and dig her out of the rocks.
SMALLEST GIRL
I’m okay! I’m okay!
Smallest Girl dusts off her dress. The Tribe whispers around her.
TRIBE ELDER (GREEN) O.S. Smallest Girl, what have you done?
(wide shot:
REVERSE SHOT: SMALLEST GIRL NEXT TO HER TRIBE
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW)
You have destroyed the Sacred Wall!
It’s gone!
Tribe Elder (YELLOW) falls to his knees. The Tribe joins him.
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE) How dare you Smallest Girl! You
have not only destroyed our Tribe’s history, but you endangered all of the Tribe! We cannot even look at you, you are so shameful!
SMALLEST GIRL (Beginning to cry)
I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to-
OTS: ALL THE TRIBE TURNS AROUND AND LEAVES HER ALONE, CRYING IN THE RUBBLE.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
5. |
A floating ball of light gently floats down from the hole.
MEDIUM
The light floats in from O.S. to her face.
SMALLEST GIRL (Awed by light)
Wow- What are you?
MAGIC SPARK (Feintly shimmers)
SMALLEST GIRL
Are- are you Magic? My Elders say that Magic is terrible. But you don’t seem terrible to me. Are you?
MAGIC SPARK (Flickers)
SMALLEST GIRL
The Elders must be wrong! They said light cannot come inside the caves, but here you are! You’re inside, with us! Maybe you can stay?
Smallest Girl reaches towards the Spark but when she touches it, it GLOWS BRIGHTLY, turns multiple SHAPES and COLORS, then BURNS her hand.
SMALLEST GIRL (Recoiling)
OW! My hand! Why did you do that?
OTS: SMALLEST GIRL WATCHES THE SPARK FLY THROUGH THE DEEP CAVES
SMALLEST GIRL (Shouting)
Wait! Wait! Don’t leave!
INT. DEEP CAVE CHASE
Smallest Girl chases the Spark through the Deep Caves until she arrives at a Secret Cave to the Outside World.
6.
INT. SECRET CAVE OPENING
WIDE SHOT OF SMALLEST GIRL APPROACHING OPENING.
SMALLEST GIRL (Gasping)
She
SMALLEST GIRL
This can’t be? Is this really the
Outside World?
POV: THE LIGHT HOVERS JUST BEYOND HER REACH.
REVERSE: SMALLEST GIRL AT SECRET CAVE ENTRANCE.
SMALLEST GIRL
Magic Light! You have to come back in! Please! The Monsters will find you!!
MEDIUM
REACTION SHOT:
SMALLEST GIRL
Please come back! I can’t go out there! The Elders will be mad at me!
REACTION SHOT:
Spark flickers and floats away
REACTION SHOT:
SMALLEST GIRL
Wait! Please wait! We need you inside the caves! Don’t go!
REACTION SHOT:
The Spark disappears behind a boulder.
The Smallest Girl pauses. Then climbs out of the Secret Cave opening.
7.
EXT. ASH DESERT (FORBIDDEN OUTSIDE WORLD)
Smallest Girl chases after the Magic Spark through a rocky maze. When she passes by a group of gray rocks, they dissolve and turn into ash.
SMALLEST GIRL
It’s so ugly out here, and so gray. It’s even uglier than the Deep Caves.
(Looking up between two rocks)
WEATHER SHOT: THE DESERT WASTES
The Outside World is a desolate desert wasteland of rocks and brittle piles of ash. The sun cannot shine through the dusty, colorless sky. Flakes of ash float in the air.
SMALLEST GIRL (O.S.)
Is this what the Four Monsters did to the World? Did they ruin it?
REACTION SHOT: THE SMALLEST GIRL TURNS HER HEAD.
POV: THE SPARK FLOATS NEAR A BOULDER
REACTION SHOT:
SMALLEST GIRL
Wait for me!
Smallest Girl chases after the Spark. Barely able to catch up, she stops to catch her breath.
MEDIUM
She gasps then stops suddenly. She pulls her hand away from the "rocks" she is leaning on and realizes it is covered in ash.
SMALLEST GIRL (Puzzled)
What is this? Is this dirt?
She looks up at the top of the outcrop.
POV: THE OUTCROP IS ACTUALLY A MONSTROUS STATUE MADE OF ASH (THE SLEEPING FIRE DRAGON)
SMALLEST GIRL (Gasping in fright)
MONSTER! MONSTER!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
8. |
EXTREME WIDE SHOT: THE SMALLEST GIRL RUNS SCREAMING ACROSS THE ASH DESERT.
CUT TO WIDE SHOT:
Smallest GIrl runs from O.S. and rounds a rocky outcropping while screaming.
SMALLEST GIRL
I want to go home! I want to go home!
Smallest Girl climbs atop a nearby "boulder" to see if she can spot her way home.
SMALLEST GIRL
Oh no! I can’t see the caves! And I can’t find the Light! I’m so lost!
Smallest Girl sits begins to sob.
EXTREME CLOSE UP: HER TEARS HIT THE "BOULDER".
The boulder begins to rumble and speak.
REACTION SHOT:
SMALLEST GIRL (Confused)
What’s happening?
EARTH DRAGON (O.S.)
Why are you crying so?
Smallest Girl rumbles as the voice speaks. When it stops, she looks down.
PAN DOWNWARDS: EARTH DRAGON’S GREAT EYE OPENS AND LOOKS UP AT HER.
SMALLEST GIRL (Screaming)
A boulder monster is talking to me! Help!
Smallest Girl begins slamming her fists on Earth Dragon’s nose!
EARTH DRAGON (Laughing)
Ow! My dear! I am not a am not a "Monster!"
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
9. |
SMALLEST GIRL
I don’t believe you!
He begins to laugh, and all the ground rumbles, and knocks the Smallest Girl onto her butt.
TWO SHOT OF EARTH DRAGON AND SMALLEST GIRL
SMALLEST GIRL
Why are you laughing?
EARTH DRAGON
In all the years I have slept here, I have not once seen a Monster or a human! Yet here is a human, at last, and she has mistaken ME for a monster!
He laughs again. The ground shakes.
SMALLEST GIRL (Stuttering, looking down)
EARTH DRAGON
I am the Earth Dragon, a friend and mentor to Mankind! I promise I would NEVER hurt someone from the Tribe of Man, never.
SMALLEST GIRL
Do you promise?
EARTH DRAGON
I promise! But tell my, my
Smallest Girl, why were you crying?
SMALLEST GIRL (Stuttering)
I- I thought I saw a monster over there?
EARTH DRAGON
A monster? Why would you have gone near a monster?
SMALLEST GIRL
Because I was looking for my friend the Magic Light and I lost it, and now I can’t find my way home and I’m lost!
(Sniffling)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
10. |
SMALLEST GIRL (cont’d)
Have you seen it maybe? My Magic
Light?
EARTH DRAGON
A "Magic Light"? Well no, I can’t say that I have.
SMALLEST GIRL (Tearing up)
Then it really is gone!
EARTH DRAGON
Now, now, don’t cry. I’m sure it’s nearby somewhere. It could not have gone far, right?
Smallest Girl continues to sniffle.
EARTH DRAGON
My dear, what about your Tribe?
SMALLEST GIRL
My what?
EARTH DRAGON
The Tribe of Man! Why, once the Tribe had been many and spread across the land. Perhaps they can help you find your Magic Light?
SMALLEST GIRL (Frowning and angry)
They wouldn’t help me. They hate me.
EARTH DRAGON
No! That can not be true my dear! They are your Tribe, why would they hate you?
Smallest Girl sits
SMALLEST GIRL
They do! They hate me because I don’t work hard at my chores, I don’t listen right, I don’t focus, and I break things, and now they are ashamed of me! They told me so!
EARTH DRAGON
Oh no! Please do not cry my Smallest Girl. Nobody is perfect,
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
11. |
EARTH DRAGON (cont’d) and I am sure your Tribe knows this.
She continues to cry.
EARTH DRAGON
Now, now, I will help you get along with your Tribe! I can teach you to be a harder worker, and to get along better with your Tribe!
SMALLEST GIRL
That’s impossible! Things are the way they are! It’s impossible for the World to change.
EARTH DRAGON (Assertively)
Nonsense! Anybody who is brave enough can make a change! As long as they always try!
SMALLEST GIRL
Do you really think so? Even I can change?
EARTH DRAGON
I KNOW so, and I will show you how! But my Smallest Girl, you must promise me something first!
SMALLEST GIRL
What?
EARTH DRAGON
You must promise me that no matter what happens, no matter how hard things get, you will always get up and try again.
SMALLEST GIRL (With uncertainty)
I... I’ll try.
EARTH DRAGON
That’s the spirit my dear!
WIDE SHOT OF EARTH DRAGON’S GARGANTUAN FORM SLOWLY WALKING.
TWO SHOT OF SMALLEST GIRL ATOP EARTH DRAGON’S HEAD.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
12. |
EARTH DRAGON
Now, on to this business about your missing friend, this- what was it again?
SMALLEST GIRL
A Magic Light.
EARTH DRAGON
Right! A Magic Light. I believe I’ve seen a Magical floatinbg light before. Let me think. I think it was- Here!
Extreme Wide Shot of Earth Dragon stopping and pointing at a steep hill.
SMALLEST GIRL
Here?
EARTH DRAGON (O.S.) Right! At the top of this mountain here.
SMALLEST GIRL (Scared)
How are you going to get up there?
EARTH DRAGON
Me? Why certainly not! I cannot climb! Therefore, you see, you will have to do it.
POV: SMALLEST GIRL LOOKS UP THE STEEP MOUNTAIN SIDE.
REACTION SHOT
SMALLEST GIRL
NO! No, no, no! I can’t climb that!
I can’t!
WIDE SHOT OF THE SMALLEST GIRL COWERING ATOP THE EARTH DRAGON’S HEAD.
EARTH DRAGON
Now do not tell me that you’re giving up already? I thought you wanted to find your Magic Light, more than anything.
SMALLEST GIRL
No! I don’t want to climb up another wall! I can’t do it!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
13. |
Smallest Girl begins to pout.
EARTH DRAGON
Oh Smallest Girl, you do not have to be afraid! I know you can do this.
SMALLEST GIRL
No I can’t! I’ll just fall.
EARTH DRAGON
No you won’t my dear. Not if I give you something Magical to help.
SMALLEST GIRL
Magical?
EARTH DRAGON
Do you see those rocks atop my head? Well, they are much more than just mere stone! In fact they have a powerful magic within them.
POV OF STONES ATOP EARTH DRAGON’S FOREHEAD.
SMALLEST GIRL
Are they really?
MEDIUM SHOT: SMALLEST GIRL CRAWLS UP EARTH DRAGON’S HEAD TO CLAIM A MAGIC STONE.
EARTH DRAGON
Indeed, and by carrying of these Magic Stones up the steep hill, you will certainly change into a hard worker. Go on, Smallest Girl, at least give it a try.
EXT. STEEP HILL
WIDE SHOT OF SMALLEST GIRL WALKING FROM EARTH DRAGON’S HEAD AND ONTO A LEDGE OF TEH STEEP HILL.
The Smallest Girl struggles to ascend the hill. When she finally reaches the top, she is out of breath. Gasping, she sets the Magic Rock down, and it sprouts roots, then trees, and turns into an entire forest.
14.
EXT. FOREST
The entire "Steep Hill" and mountain side becomes covered with a forest.
SMALLEST GIRL
What is this? I’ve never seen so many plants, and so tall! What is this?
Earth Dragon’s eye peeps over the mountain cliff and watches her.
EARTH DRAGON
It is called a forest, and this my dear Smallest Girl, is the first Forest your world has ever seen!
AERIAL SHOT OF FOREST
MEDIUM SHOT OF SMALLEST GIRL
She begins to look around the top of the forest mountain.
SMALLEST GIRL
(While look around atop the mountain)
Oh no! Earth Dragon, the Magic Light is not here! Now what are we going to do!
Smallest Girl sits grumpily down and begins to pout.
EARTH DRAGON
Oh, I’m sure we will still find it. Cheer up my Smallest Girl. Look at it this way, you have proven yourself to be a hard worker afterall.
SMALLEST GIRL
I have?
EARTH DRAGON
Oh yes! And as a reward, I am going to grant your kind a great
gift. Close your eyes my Smallest Girl, and I will bless you with the Gift of the Belly Laugh, so that you may always find comfort, even on your hardest days of work.)
Earth Dragon and Smallest Girl give a big belly laugh together.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
15. |
SMALLEST GIRL
But how will we find my Magic
Light?
EARTH DRAGON (Ponder)
Well, let me think. Just maybe, our friend the Air Dragon may have seen it.
SMALLEST GIRL (While stepping back onto Earth Dragon’s head)
Where is this "Air Dragon"?
WIDE SHOT of Earth Dragon pointing to the other side of the mountain.
EARTH DRAGON
He lives there, at the other edge of the mountain. But he likes to hide in the thickest, dustiest of fogs.
EXTREME WIDE SHOT OF FOGGY MOUNTAIN
CUT BACK TO MEDIUM SHOT OF SMALLEST GIRL
SMALLEST GIRL (Frustrated)
But if he’s hiding, then how am I supposed to ask him about my missing Light?
EARTH DRAGON
One must be very clever, and listen very closely if they are going to beat the Air Dragon at his own game.
EXTREME WIDE SHOT OF EARTH DRAGON’S FORM BEING SWALLOWED BY THICK FOGS.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOGGY FOREST
They arrive at the other edge of the mountain. The fog is so thick that the trees appear to be milky white shapes.
WIDE SHOT of Smallest Girl hopping onto the mountain from EARTH DRAGON’s head.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
16. |
|
SMALLEST GIRL |
|
Air Dragon is hiding here? I can’t |
|
see at all! How does the Air |
|
Dragon do it? |
|
EARTH DRAGON (O.S.) |
|
I’m not very sure what Air Dragon’s |
|
secret is. |
LOW ANGLE ON THE SMALLEST GIRL AT THE EDGE OF THE MOUNTAIN. A feather flutters to the ground from O.S.
EXTREME
SMALLEST GIRL (Grabbing the feather)
Hey, what is this?
EARTH DRAGON (O.S.)
It is called a feather; one of Air Dragon’s magic trinkets. Perhaps you can give it back to him when you find him. Go on now. Off with you!
With uncertainty, the Smallest Girl wanders into the fog, calling out for Air Dragon.
A shadow cross between camera and Smallest Girl.
SMALLEST GIRL
What was that? Hello? I know I heard something! Is that you Air Dragon? I have your feather. Do you want it back?
The shadow moves again, this time in the background.
Smallest Girl waits for an answer. Silence.
SMALLEST GIRL (Sits down and pouts)
Oh! Fine! I don’t want to meet you anyways! How could anyone get through this fog.
Smallest Girl looks down at the feather.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
17. |
SMALLEST GIRL
Unless...
She waves the feather against the fog and it lifts into the air, revealing the Air Dragon wrapped around a tree.
AIR DRAGON (Surprised)
Oh my! What happened? Is that a human I see?
SMALLEST GIRL
I found you! I found you!
AIR DRAGON
And so you did! But you have also chased all of my lovely fog into the air.
Smallest Girl looks up into the sky.
SMALLEST GIRL
Oh no! I didn’t mean to chase away your fog! How do we get it back from the sky?
AIR DRAGON
It’s quite alright, Smallest Girl! We shall call them the World’s ‘First Clouds,’ created by mankind’s most clever listener!
Smallest Girl begins looking about.
AIR DRAGON
Did you lose something else?
SMALLEST GIRL
Oh, it’s NOT here. Air Dragon, have you seen my Magic Light?
AIR DRAGON
I’m afraid not.
SMALLEST GIRL (Frowning)
Oh, it feels like I’m never going to find the Magic Light again!
AIR DRAGON
Dear little human, I’m sure you will find it soon. You just have to keep trying. Dry your tears now,
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
18. |
AIR DRAGON (cont’d)
and I will bless you with the Gift of the Echo, so that mankind may always hear their own words said back to him, and reflect upon them.
SMALLEST GIRL
I’ve never had an echo before! I can’t wait to try it!
AIR DRAGON
I’m sure you will enjoy it.
SMALLEST GIRL
It’s wonderful! But Air Dragon, where could my Magic Light be?
AIR DRAGON
Well, there is someone who may know, but you see she’s-
SMALLEST GIRL (Interrupting)
There is? Where is she? Will you show me?
AIR DRAGON
She is called the Water Dragon, just beyond the chasm, across the bridge in the distance there.
OTS SHOT of the bridge and mountains.
AIR DRAGON (CONTD.) But you see, Smallest Girl, those are the Frost Peaks, some of the
most dangerous mountains in all the World. You must be very careful if-
The Smallest Girl darts towards the bridge.
SMALLEST GIRL
Don’t worry Air Dragon! I can climb anything! I know I can! Just watch me!
AIR DRAGON
But Smallest Girl, you don’t understand!
(Yelling)
The bridge is made of ice!
CUT TO:
19.
EXT. ICE BRIDGE
MEDIUM SHOT of the Smallest Girl approaching the Ice Bridge. The Frost Peaks lay in the distance.
The Smallest Girl looks down.
SMALLEST GIRL
Oh my, that’s so far down.
REACTION SHOT
SMALLEST GIRL (CONTD) This is much higher than the Sacred Wall. But, I’m not going to give up!
She darts across the Ice Bridge.
SMALLEST GIRL (Grasping the bridge)
Help! I can’t get back up! I can’t get back up!
The ice begins to crack.
WATER DRAGON (O.S.) Tiny human, what are you doing here?
SMALLEST GIRL
Help me! It’s too slippery!
WATER DRAGON
You have to take your time, and be patient. You cannot cross in haste or you will certainly fall!
Smallest Girl takes a deep breath, and slowly climbs to her feet. The ice breaks just as they cross to the other side.
SMALLEST GIRL (Gasping)
I crossed! I’m safe again! (Looking down)
Oh no! Your beautiful bridge melted and fell!
EXTREME WIDE SHOT OF THE WATER SPILLING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
20. |
WATER DRAGON
The bridge may be gone, but I think I like it better this way. Don’t you? We will call it the World’s First Waterfall!
SMALLEST GIRL
I’m looking for my Magic Light.
Have you seen it?
WATER DRAGON
No, I’m afraid not.
SMALLEST GIRL (Tearing up)
Oh no! No! I’ve checked everywhere! It’s lost!
WATER DRAGON
Well it can’t really be lost, can it?
SMALLEST GIRL
It is lost! I’m Lost! And my Tribe must be so angry at me for leaving the Caves! But all I wanted was just to have light, so we didn’t live in the dark anymore!
WATER DRAGON
There, there, my dear. I don’t like it when humans cry. What if I give you a little gift?
SMALLEST GIRL
But I want my Magic Light!
WATER DRAGON
Well, I cannot give you any light, but I can give this. I will bless your kind with the Gift of the Rainbow! So that all of Mankind may know the World’s many colors!
The World’s First Rainbow appears where the bridge once stood.
SMALLEST GIRL (Mesmerized)
Wow! It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!
FADE TO:
21.
EXT. LUSH WORLD
The Smallest Girl stands atop a rock beneath the Water Fall.
WIDE SHOT of Smallest Girl standing atop the rock, looking up. The Dragons join her from O.S.
EARTH DRAGON
I am so sorry that you never found your Magic Light.
SMALLEST GIRL
Yet I wonder; do we really need it after all?
(Voice fades away)
POV of Smallest Girl reaching for sunrays.
MEDIUM SHOT OF SMALLEST GIRL.
SMALLEST GIRL (CONTD) Earth Dragon, we don’t need the Light anymore! Don’t you see? If the Tribe comes to the Outside World, we won’t need to live in darkness!
EARTH DRAGON (Laughing)
And do you think the Tribe will come to the Outside World at last?
SMALLEST GIRL
Once I tell them that the World is safe, and that there are no Monsters afterall, they’ll just HAVE to come! I must find the Elders right away!
AIR DRAGON
It seems that you will not have to go far to find them.
OTS OF AIR DRAGON
All the Tribe and Elders appear atop the hill.
TRIBE ELDER (RED)
Smallest Girl? Is that you?
SMALLEST GIRL (Gasping) Is it really them? It is! It is!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
22. |
She runs for her Tribe.
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE) Smallest Girl! Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you the whole time!
SMALLEST GIRL (In disbelief)
You- You mean everybody left the caves? For me?
TRIBE ELDER (RED)
Of course we came to find you! You must return to the Deep Caves before the Four Monsters find us!
SMALLEST GIRL
But Wise Elders, there are no monsters! Not a single one!
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE)
She lies! Don’t listen to her! We must leave now!
SMALLEST GIRL
No! It’s the truth! You can even ask my friends, the Dragons!
TRIBE ELDERS (GREEN) (Panicking)
Friends? What friends does she speak of?
The Smallest Girl turns around.
SMALLEST GIRL (Yelling)
Come out Dragons! Come meet my Tribe!
TRIBE ELDER (GREEN) (Leaning over)
Who is she talking to?
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW)
I don’t know. She’s talking to the air!
WIDE SHOT: A "hill" in the background moves; it’s Earth Dragon. He blinks at the Elders. Air and Water Dragon fly in from O.S.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
23. |
SMALLEST GIRL (O.S.)
See! I told you! No Monsters!
REACTION SHOT: The entire Tribe shudders in fear.
TRIBE ELDER (RED)
Smallest Girl, what have you done?
MEDIUM SHOT: Smallest Girl turns around.
SMALLEST GIRL:
What do you mean?
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE)
You have led the Legendary Monsters straight to us! HIDE!
AERIAL SHOT: The Tribe scrambles to hide as the dragons approach.
MEDIUM CUT: Smallest Girl yelling.
Earth Dragon’s feet approach her from behind.
SMALLEST GIRL (Defensive)
No! It’s not true! They are NOT Monsters! You’re just afraid! Like always.
(To Earth Dragon)
Earth Dragon, why are they so afraid when they’ve never met you?
POV of Earth Dragon looking down.
EARTH DRAGON
Well, my Smallest Girl, I’m afraid that’s not entirely true.
SMALLEST GIRL (Gasps)
What do you mean?
EARTH DRAGON
Well, I’m afraid there was once a grave misunderstanding, one that nearly destroyed all of Mankind.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
24. |
EARTH DRAGON
Long ago, when we first came upon the World, we vowed to bestow upon Mankind the secrets of the elements...
The "monstrous" forms transform into more accurate depictions of the Dragons.
CUT TO: The "RED" Monster; Fire Dragon.
CROSS CUT: The mysterious monster statute.
EARTH DRAGON (V.O.)
... But the Fire Dragon brought to Mankind its most powerful magic in the form of glowing "Sparks."
CROSS CUT: Smallest Girl’s reaction
SMALLEST GIRL
Glowing Sparks? Does that mean the Magic Light I’ve been chasing after this whole time, was a- a-
CROSS CUT: The Monster Statue begins to crack open and glow.
Tribe Elder (Blue) grabs the Smallest Girl from O.S.
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE) YOU not only left the caves, and left to the Forbidden Outside
World, but you left to chase after one of the Fire Dragon’s curses? How could you? Do you care nothing for the Tribe, for the danger you’ve wrought?
EARTH DRAGON
Now, now, the Magic Sparks were meant to be a gift-
TRIBE ELDER (RED) They were meant as Seeds of Destruction! The Magic Sparks became a vicious wild fire, and
devoured all the lands! All becomes ash when the Fire Dragon is nigh!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
25. |
AERIAL SHOT:
A shadow covers the Tribe. The Smallest Girl looks up gasps.
FIRE DRAGON
Cowardly mortal! The Magic Sparks were meant as Seeds of Creation! It was a gift to Mankind!
Wide Shot of Fire Dragon approaching.
Reaction Shot: The Tribe Elder runs away, leaving the Smallest Girl alone.
Fire Dragon sneers as the Elder runs off.
FIRE DRAGON
I see the years have not changed this cowardly lot. Tribe of Man is still as pathetic as it ever was.
Fire Dragon approaches the Smallest Girl
FIRE DRAGON
You, tiny human! The Smallest Girl of your Tribe. Are you the one who sought the light of my element?
SMALLEST GIRL (Shaking to much to speak)
FIRE DRAGON
Do not be so cowardly as your Tribe. Within this Magic Spark, the very same that you sought, all of the power of creation lies in waiting. But is in need of a brave pair of hands to shape it.
SMALLEST GIRL (Stuttering)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
26. |
FIRE DRAGON (Sneering)
The disastrous creation of when a Magic Spark meets with the hands of the
Two Shot: The Spark floats closer to her.
Medium Shot: The Tribe watches on from behind rocks and trees.
Reaction Shot: The Smallest Girl screams in fear and runs away.
All the Tribe runs away with her.
FIRE DRAGON (Yelling/Roaring)
How dare you flee from me, you cowardly creatures!
Fire Dragon charges at the Tribe of Man with a roar. It’s body begins to turn into fire.
EXT. SCORCHED FOREST
As the Forest burns, Smallest Girl and her Tribe flee for the Deep Caves.
Fire Dragon spits a ball of flame.
The flame hits the Deep Cave entrance and it EXPLODES into the World’s First Volcano!
IMAGE: Thinking Spot becomes filled with lava.
Smallest Girl is alone in the fiery forest.
IMAGE: The Fire Dragon continues to burn the forest.
IMAGE: The sky fills with Smoke.
IMAGE: The water fills with lava instead.
AERIAL SHOT of Lush World turning to ash.
FIRE DRAGON
All of Man is unworthy of my Gifts! Never again shall the Tribe
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
27. |
FIRE DRAGON (cont’d) know the warmth or light of Fire! Never!
Fire Dragon flies into the sky, with a trail of Sparks behind it
SMALLEST GIRL (Sighing with relief)
He’s gone, at last.
An icy wind blows and she begins to shiver.
SMALLEST GIRL
Why- why is it so cold?
Weather Shot: The light begins to fade from the sky.
SMALLEST GIRL
Wait! What’s happening! Where is the light going? It can’t leave! It can’t!
Wide Shot: Smallest Girl runs through the scorched forest.
SMALLEST GIRL
Earth Dragon! Earth Dragon! Where are you?
Smallest Girl climbs atop a boulder to look around.
Reaction shot: Smallest Girl spots something.
Wide Shot: She runs for the edge of the Scorched forest, towards Earth Dragon’s silhouette
SMALLEST GIRL
Earth Dragon! Earth Dragon! Bring the light back! Please bring it-
(stops
Extreme Wide Shot: Earth Dragon lays down. His back is charred.
EARTH DRAGON (Coughing)
SMALLEST GIRL (To Water Dragon)
What happened to him! Why won’t he move?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
28. |
WATER DRAGON
It’s the light, my Smallest Girl. Fire Dragon has taken all of fire away, and with it all of the light. Now without any warmth or light left, the trees and plants cannot live in this icey World.
SMALLEST GIRL
What are you saying? Do you mean Earth Dragon can’t bring the light back?
WATER DRAGON (Shaking head)
AIR DRAGON
I’m afraid, my Smallest Girl, that the Earth Dragon will be-
SMALLEST GIRL (Leaning against Earth Dragon’s back)
He’ll be what?
AIR DRAGON (Sighing)
Earth Dragon is going to go to (break) sleep soon. And this, my Smallest Girl, may be the last time any of us can talk to him (break) for a very long time.
Reaction Shot: Smallest Girl tears up. She stands to walk towards Earth Dragon’s eye.
EARTH DRAGON (laughing softly)
Do you still remember the belly laugh I gave you?
SMALLEST GIRL
I do, only, I don’t think I know how to laugh right now.
EARTH DRAGON (coughing)
That is quite alright, my Smallest Girl.
SMALLEST GIRL
Are you really going away?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
29. |
EARTH DRAGON
Just sleeping, my dear. Just a little slumber, you see.
SMALLEST GIRL
When will you be back?
EARTH DRAGON (Sputters)Don’t- don’t concern yourself with that now. Just promise me one thing, my tiny human.
SMALLEST GIRL (Wiping a tear away)
Anything.
EARTH DRAGON
Promise me, that you will still work hard, and listen will. That you will be patient and focus. No matter what, my Smallest Girl, keep trying your best. Always.
SMALLEST GIRL
Oh Earth Dragon, I promise, but please don’t go to sleep. Please!
Earth Dragon’s mighty eye closes.
SMALLEST GIRL (Sobbing)
WATER DRAGON
You should find your Tribe,
Smallest Girl.
AIR DRAGON
We’ll look after Earth Dragon. We promise.
Wide Shot: Smallest Girl walks towards the forest, which has become covered in ice. A frosty wind is blowing.
EXT. DARK WINTER WORLD
The Smallest Girl spots the Tribe huddled in the Scorched Forest.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
30. |
SMALLEST GIRL
I found you, I found you! I’ll never run away from home ever again! I promise! I promise!
TRIBE ELDER (RED)
It is too late now, Smallest Girl!
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW)
We told you to never leave the Deep Caves and now you no longer have a home to run away from!
TRIBE ELDER (GREEN)
You have changed everything for the worst
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE) And now all of the Tribe will freeze to death because of you!
SMALLEST GIRL (Whispering)
I’m sorry.
The Adults huddle around her as the sky goes black.
POV: The Smallest Girl peaks through the huddle. Only the light of the Scorched Forest is still glowing.
The embers of the Forest begin to fade.
SMALLEST GIRL (Whispering to self)
It’s all fading away. This really is the end then.
Image: The embers fade- except for one.
SMALLEST GIRL (Still whispering)
That one ember won’t die... it keeps glowing.
Extreme
SMALLEST GIRL
Wait... is that. That’s it!
Wide Shot: The Smallest Girl bursts through the huddle and points.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
31. |
SMALLEST GIRL (CONTD) Look! It’s the Magic Spark! It did not leave with the Fire Dragon! We have light after all!
Smallest Girl marches off screen. The Tribe begins to follow.
TRIBE ELDER (RED) (Yelling)
Stop!
OTS: Tribe Elders overlooking the Tribe
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW) You cannot touch Fire Dragon’s terrible Magic, it is forbidden!
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE) Yes! After all that has happened, Smallest Girl, you of all people should know better! If you touch
the Spark, it will surely turn into the dreaded wild fires that ruined our World, so long ago!
Close up: Smallest Girl’s hand.
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW) Smallest Girl, do you not hear what we say? You must not pursue the Magic Spark!
Smallest Girl’s fist clenches.
SMALLEST GIRL
No! You’re just afraid!
MEDIUM SHOT: Smallest Girl turns around and confronts her Elders.
The Tribe gasps.
SMALLEST GIRL (CONTD) You’ve always been afraid, and all you do is just hide!
TRIBE ELDER (RED)
You dare shame yourself by-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
|
|
32. |
|
|
|
SMALLEST GIRL |
|
It’s not |
the World that is set in |
|
|
it’s |
ways- It’s you! You are the |
|
|
ones |
who |
don’t change! |
The Smallest Girl turns to walk away.
TRIBE ADULT 1
Smallest Girl, where are you going?
SMALLEST GIRL
To keep a promise. No matter what,
I have to try. With, or without my
Tribe.
OTS: The Tribe/Elders watch the Smallest Girl disappear into the icey woods.
Reverse Shot:
TRIBE ADULT 1
Elders! We have to stop her! She can’t go out alone!
TRIBE ELDER (RED)
Let her destroy herself! We must stay here, and take care of the Tribe.
The Tribe mumbles.
The wind picks ups, and begins blowing the trees down around the Tribe.
The Tribe screams.
TRIBE ADULT 2
The icey wind! It’s getting worse!
TRIBE ADULT 1
We must find shelt!
The Tribe Adults begin to run into the woods; followed by another; and another;
TRIBE ELDER (GREEN)
Wait! Where are they going?
CUT TO:
33.
EXT.
Extreme Wide Shot: The Magic Spark lies atop a steep,
Branches snapping O.S.
SMALLEST GIRL (Turning)
Who’s there?
Medium Shot: Tribe Elder (Green) pushes through the trees.
TRIBE ELDER (GREEN) Where is the Tribe? Did they come through here?
Reaction Shot: Smallest Girl
SMALLEST GIRL
The Tribe did leave afterall?
All the Tribe comes walking out of the icey woods.
TRIBE ADULT 2 (Pointing)
Look! Is that the Magic Spark?
SMALLEST GIRL (Nodding)
But we have to cross the chasm to get to it.
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE) We’re doomed then! Even if could control Fire Dragon’s Spark, we
could never climb such a steep hill as that!
SMALLEST GIRL
You can’t give up before you’ve even tried!
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW)
What do you expect us to do?
SMALLEST GIRL
We need to be clevera nd patient. listen very carefully.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
34. |
(looking around) Here! Listen to this!
Smallest Girl approachs the chasm edge and begins calling out.
SMALLEST GIRL (CONTD) Hello! Dragons! I need you! I need your help!
Her voice echoes down the chasm.
Tribe mumbles amongst themselves.
TRIBE ELDER (GREEN)
Did you hear that? I think I heard her voice- but it traveled in that direction.
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW)
What’s that you said?
TRIBE ELDER (RED) This is folly! We shouldn’t be doing this!
The Tribe Adults begin to point and shout.
TRIBE ADULT 1
Look!
Air and Water Dragon come flying down the chasm.
SMALLEST GIRL
Oh Dragons! I am so happy to see you!
AIR DRAGON
As are we happy to see you! Surely the most clever girl of all your Tribe, using the echo to summon us! What can we do to help?
SMALLEST GIRL
You’ll never believe what I found! Look! The Magic Spark! But we can’t get to it in all this wind and ice!
WATER DRAGON
Leave it to us, Smallest Girl!
MONTAGE: Air Dragon waves away the fog and wind. Water Dragon creates takes the ice from the air to form a new bridge. Together they clear a way to the Spark.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
35. |
TRIBE ADULT 1 |
|
Look at this! The winds! They’ve |
|
stopped! The Dragons are helping |
|
us! |
|
TRIBE ADULT |
|
The ice has stopped blowing. The |
|
Dragons, they have helped us! |
|
TRIBE ADULT 1 |
|
But why would monsters help us? |
|
SMALLEST GIRL |
|
See! I told you all! They’re not |
|
monsters! Their my teachers, and my |
|
friends. |
|
The Elders mumble amongst one another. |
|
WATER DRAGON |
|
Can you cross, Smallest Girl? Do |
|
you need us? |
|
SMALLEST GIRL |
|
(Looking over the bridge) No. |
|
I can do this. |
|
AIR DRAGON |
|
Then be careful. |
|
Smallest Girl carefully crosses the Ice Bridge. |
|
She slips. The Tribe gasps. She gets back up |
|
again. Smallest Girl reaches the top. |
|
SMALLEST GIRL |
|
(Gasping) |
|
My Magic Light! I knew it was |
|
you! I could feel it! The very |
|
last peice of light and warmth left |
|
in the whole wide World! |
|
She approaches the Spark. |
|
SMALLEST GIRL |
|
But you’re not just any light, are |
|
you. Fire Dragon’s Spark. |
|
MAGIC SPARK |
|
(flickers feintly) |
|
SMALLEST GIRL |
|
Do you think it’s true? That |
|
anything, or, maybe anyone can |
|
(MORE) |
|
|
(CONTINUED) |
CONTINUED: |
36. |
SMALLEST GIRL (cont’d) change? That the World is not just set in it’s ways?
MAGIC SPARK
(Begins to glow brighter)
SMALLEST GIRL
I changed, and that means that surely you can change too, and maybe even-
(She pauses to look into sky.) I’m going to try really hard, okay? I’m going to try!
Smallest Girl leans over to pick up the Spark. It begins to glow brightly and transform into all shapes and colors.
Extreme Wide Shot: A bright beam erupts into the sky.
OTS: The Tribe looks skywards.
TRIBE ADULT 1
What is that?
TRIBE ADULT 2
Is that wild fire?
Reverse Shot:
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW)
No- it’s much worse
Weather Shot: The Fire Dragon bursts through the clouds.
TRIBE ELDER (YELLOW)
The Fire Dragon is returning!
The glowing Fire Dragon lands near the Tribe.
TRIBE ELDER (BLUE) We’re doomed! Doomed! Run for your life! The Fire Dragon has come back to destroy us!
Montage: The Elders flee into the wintry woods.
TRIBE ADULT 1
Where are they going? They can’t leave us here?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
37. |
TRIBE ADULT 2 They- they abandoned us? They
abandoned the Smallest Girl! What will we do?
POV of Fire Dragon approaching the Tribe. Reverse Shot of Tribe looking at Fire Dragon.
FIRE DRAGON (Angry)
You unworthy creatures! How dare you touch my Spark! WHere is it? I demand you get out of my way or else!
The Tribe cowers, but refuses to move.
TRIBE ADULT 1 (Quivering)
We- we cannot move!
Fire Dragon begins to turn into a flame again.
FIRE DRAGON (Growling)
If you will not move, then you will suffer!
The Smallest Girl boldly steps through the Tribe ranks.and walks straight towards the enraged Fire Dragon.
SMALLEST GIRL
Wait! I have it! I have the Magic
Spark!
She begins to march straight towards the Fire Dragon
TRIBE ADULT 2 (Trying to grab her)
No Smallest Girl! You mustn’t-
SMALLEST GIRL
I- I... I have a gift you you, Fire Dragon. Look! Look at what I’ve made with it!
FIRE DRAGON
You unworthy, cowardly creature! I do not want your snivveling gifts! Give me back my Spark!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
38. |
SMALLEST GIRL
But look! Look what I’ve made the
Spark into! Look!
IMAGE: The Smallest Girl bravely holds up her hands.
IMAGE: She opens her hands to reveal a tiny, glowing insect.
SMALLEST GIRL
I call it a Fire Fly! The World’s First Fire Fly! It’s beautiful, and full of light just like you are, Fire Dragon!
IMAGE: Fire Dragon bows its neck to look closely at the fluttering Fire Fly.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The Smallest Girl, who held up her tiny Fire Fly in her two little hands for all the World to see, did so with such passion that it touched the very heart of the Fire Dragon, who began to cry with tears of bright flame.
Extreme
Medium Shot: Fire Dragon
FIRE DRAGON
Such passion, and such bravey. Never had I ever imagined the creativity of Mankind was so great. My Smallest Girl, I was wrong. You and your Tribe deserve the Gifts of Fire. The light of the World shall be yours again! Behold!
Fire Dragon scoops into its wings and throws them into the sky.
FIRE DRAGON (CONTD)
I give unto the Tribe my very tears to be this World’s First Stars, so that Mankind will never have another black night.
All the Tribe gasps in awe as the stars begin to fill the sky with a gentle glow.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: |
39. |
SMALLEST GIRL
Wow! Look at all of them! There are so many! (beat) Wait, why is that one falling down across the sky?
FIRE DRAGON
That, my Smallest Girl, is a special blessing for you and all of your generations still to come; the Gift of the Falling Star, so that whenever a human sees one of my fiery tears across the night sky, I will grant them a wish.
SMALLEST GIRL
Fire Dragon, may I make a wish now? I wish for all the World to turn beautiful again, as it was meant to be.
FIRE DRAGON (Nodding)
A curtain of Fire Flies fill the sky, as the Lush World is restored.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
... and true to its promise, the Fire Dragon has watched over Mankind ever since, still shedding it’s fiery tears across the sky and still granting the most
All the Tribe and Dragons watch the falling stars across the sky.
IMAGE OF STARRY SKY FADES TOO:
Black screen.
A single Fire Fly lights up, and then fades away back into darkness.
