Offshoots Spec Script

LAYOUT NOTE: I’m going for a parallel storytelling here. So try to have the panel layout symmetrical--mirroring each other, until IAN and HUDSON end up together.

OFF-SHOOTS
SUBMISSION SCRIPT for “Going Off to College” by Edward H. Bart IV

PAGE ONE
1. ONE/PANEL ONE: Splash Panel, takes up the top half of the first page. Bird’s eye view of a college. Large cobbled pathway leading up to a complex of buildings- 2-3 stories in height. Large green grass field to the side with a small crowd of people on it. It looks like a sporting event, but strange flashes of colors indicate otherwise.
Crowd of people on the cobbled pathway. These are parents and their kids. A lone figure is approaching them from the buildings. This is the GUIDE.

2. ONE/PANEL TWO. View of a man, woman and a 17-something teenager. The FATHER is a chubby man dressed in a business suit. He has thinning brown hair and a full beard. White streaks in his beard belied his age. His hand is on IAN’s shoulder. The MOTHER has shoulder length dark hair, and is dressed nicely in a blouse and pants. She is gripping the strap of her black purse. IAN, the teenager, is wearing a polo shirt, top button unbuttoned, clean jeans, and clean sneakers. IAN has dark brown hair, and wears glasses. He has an apprehensive look on his face. His parents are looking around the campus.

CAPTION (blue or darker background for IAN’s thoughts): I was born an OFF-SHOOT. These are my parents. They’re normal. So is my sister, and the rest of my family.

3. ONE/PANEL THREE: Similar set up, two parents and a teen. DAD is a thin, tall man, with dirty blond hair and tan skin. He is wearing a plaid shirt and khakis. MOM is an attractive middle-aged woman, wearing a flowered sundress. HUDSON is a blond teenager, as tall as his father. He’s wearing a plain white t-shirt and khaki shorts with a black belt. He has white socks and tan sandals on. He has a comfortable expression on his face.
CAPTION (Green or lighter background for HUDSON’S thoughts): I was born an OFF-SHOOT. These are my parents. They’re both OFF-SHOOTS as well. It runs in the family.

PAGE TWO
1. TWO/PANEL ONE. IAN and his parents again. They continue to glance about.

CAPTION: Graduation day’s coming up. Time to look at where to go next. That’s why we’re here...at HOUKE UNIVERSITY.

2. TWO/PANEL TWO. HUDSON and his parents looking around.

CAPTION: Almost time to graduate. Mom and Dad have been waiting for a while for this. Now they get to show me around their alma mater, HOUKE UNIVERSITY.

3. TWO/PANEL THREE. Back to IAN. MOTHER is looking over in the direction of the field to the crowd of people there. IAN and FATHER are looking there as well.

MOTHER: Look Ian, they must be holding a class outdoors.

FATHER: Looks like a training class to me...harrumph. I don’t know about that.

4. TWO/PANEL FOUR. HUDSON is looking in the field, because his DAD is pointing there.

DAD: Look, they’re holding a training class over there. I remember mine. They were hard but worth it.

MOM: It’s not for everyone though. It’s entirely up to you, Hudson.

5. TWO/PANEL FIVE. FATHER is looking at IAN. MOTHER is still looking at the field.

MOTHER: Looks dangerous. Is that really necessary?

FATHER: I doubt it. Waste of time anyway. Son, you’d be better off concentrating on the fundamentals. It’s hard out there in the real world. Especially being an OFF-SHOOT.

6. TWO/PANEL SIX. Tight shot of the GUIDE. He’s a tall brown haired young man, wearing a long sleeved button-down shirt and grey slacks and black shoes. He has a name tag on his shirt, an “Hi! My name is:” and in black marker, it says JEREMIAH.

GUIDE: Okay, people. Gather up. Hi, and welcome to Houke University. I’m your tour guide, Jeremiah. Now if you’ll follow me, we’ll be going up to Houke Hall, the main building on campus.

PAGE THREE
1. THREE/PANEL ONE. HUDSON and his parents are walking along with the crowd. DAD tilts his head towards HUDSON.

DAD: You know, you don’t really need to listen to him. I can tell you all about this place.

HUDSON: I know, but I’d rather hear it from him. It’s been while since you’ve been here. Things may have changed.

DAD: Okay. Suit yourself.

2. THREE/PANEL TWO. IAN’s MOTHER is looking over at the GUIDE, trying to see through the people in front of her. So is FATHER. IAN is rolling his eyes.

FATHER: Is he an off-shoot? Can you tell if he’s wearing a bracelet?

MOTHER: I can’t tell, he’s wearing long sleeves.

IAN: Does it matter if he’s one or not?

3. THREE/PANEL THREE. HUDSON’s MOM is nodding at him.

MOM: You know, you don’t have to wear a bracelet here if you don’t want to.

HUDSON: I know, Mom. You and Dad have been telling me all about this place all the while I was growing up. Which brings me to another point, you guys do promise to respect my decision on where I want to go to school?

4. THREE/PANEL FOUR. IAN’s FATHER is frowning slightly.

FATHER: No, not really. I was just curious. I know that quite a few of the faculty here are OFF-SHOOTS as well. I’m just curious to see them.

FATHER: By the way, why aren’t you wearing your bracelet?

5. THREE/PANEL FIVE. HUDSON’S DAD is shrugging. HUDSON is looking at him for an answer.

DAD: Of course, we’ll respect your choice. Of course, I can’t IMAGINE any place better than HOUKE UNIVERSITY for you.

6. THREE/PANEL SIX. IAN is looking at his bare left wrist, with his parents looking on.

IAN: It’s in my pocket. Besides, you don’t have to wear it here. I had it on at the airport and on the airplane because you asked me to.

FATHER: I want you to wear it on the tour.

PAGE FOUR
1. FOUR/PANEL ONE. Large panel, crowd shot, looking up at the GUIDE. They are in front of a large building, kind of old looking. Large wooden doors are behind the GUIDE. They are open, and a big banner is over the entrance. “WELCOME PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS!”

GUIDE: Okay, this is HOUKE HALL, the oldest building on campus. Now, here we’ll split up into two groups- Parents to the right, and kids to the left.

2. FOUR/PANEL TWO. A young woman is joining GUIDE. She has long red hair, and is dressed comfortably in a white T-Shirt and jeans. The T-Shirt has the logo of HOUKE UNIVERSITY. (Logo can just be stylized font spelling out ‘Houke University’)
She also has a “Hi, My name is” sticker tag on. It says ‘Rachel.’ She is smiling to the crowd. She has her hand up, waving to the crowd. You can clearly see a metallic bracelet around her left wrist. The bracelet seems scaly, and has circuitry etched all around it. It is loose, so it can jiggle up and down her wrist.

GUIDE: I’ll be conducting the introductory presentation for the parents. Here is RACHEL. She’ll be giving the introductory presentation to the kids.

RACHEL: Hi, everyone. I hope you all enjoy your tour today!

3. FOUR/PANEL THREE. The crowd starts splitting up into adults and teenagers. RACHEL is standing to the side, guiding the teens to the appropriate room. GUIDE is doing the same for the adults.

4. FOUR/PANEL FOUR. HUDSON is waving to his parents.

MOM: We’ll see you later, sweetie.

HUDSON: I’ll catch up with ya later.

5. FOUR/PANEL FIVE. IAN is waving to his parents as well. A bracelet similar to the one RACHEL is wearing is now visible on IAN’S left wrist.

FATHER: Just remember, there are plenty of other schools other than this one you can go to. Just keep an open mind.

IAN: I know, Dad. Okay?

6. FOUR/PANEL SIX. IAN and HUDSON are at the doorway. We can see an auditorium style classroom beyond them. RACHEL is standing at the door, holding it open. She is smiling at the kids.

RACHEL: Good to see you two here today. Go on in, find yourselves a seat.

HUDSON: Okay.

IAN: Thanks.

PAGE FIVE
1. FIVE/PANEL ONE. IAN and HUDSON have found two desk/seats next to each other. (Desk/seats are those seats with a surface that you can write on. They’re usually positioned at the right side for right-handed writers.) There is a large bulky teen next to IAN. This teen is BILL. He has brown crew-cut hair. He’s wearing a high-school football jersey, indicating what he probably does. He is chatting with another guy next to him. Next to HUDSON is a lanky teen with long black hair and a wispy, scraggly goatee. This teen is ZEKE. He is dressed in Goth type t-shirt and ripped black pants. A cigarette is tucked behind his ear. A chain necklace hangs around ZEKE’S neck.

IAN: (to BILL, who is not looking) Hi.

HUDSON: (to ZEKE) Hey. What’s up?

2. FIVE/PANEL TWO. HUDSON and IAN look at each other.

HUDSON: Hi. My name’s HUDSON. What’s yours?

IAN: IAN. Nice to meet you.

HUDSON: Likewise. Public or State?

3. FIVE/PANEL THREE.

IAN: Public school. You?

HUDSON: Iowa State School for Off-Shoots. Where are ya from?

IAN: Illinois. Near Chicago.

HUDSON: That’s cool.

4. FIVE/PANEL FOUR. HUDSON is glancing at IAN’S Bracelet.

HUDSON: You know, you don’t have to wear that here.

IAN: I know. My dad made me wear it.

5. FIVE/PANEL FIVE. HUDSON is frowning sympathetically. IAN is covering up his bracelet embarrassedly.

HUDSON: Let me guess, your parents are normals.

IAN: Right.

HUDSON: They never realize that we can function without the bracelets. Like we’d hurt others without it on, or something. I mean, normals are so DE-EVO. No offense.

IAN: None taken. De-evo? What’s that?

6. FIVE/PANEL SIX. HUDSON is gesturing to IAN with both hands.

HUDSON: Oh, it’s short slang for ‘de-evolved.’ It means uh, backwards thinking. Twisted thinking.

IAN: Oh I see. I’ve never heard that before.

PAGE SIX
1. SIX/PANEL ONE.

HUDSON: That’s cuz you don’t go to state schools. It’s OFF-SHOOT slang.

IAN: Oh, you guys have slang?

HUDSON: What do you mean, ‘you guys?’ You’re one of us too aren’t you?

2. SIX/PANEL TWO. IAN is grinning embarrassedly.

IAN: Well, yeah. I guess I meant, the off-shoots who go to state schools.

HUDSON: Yeah. Eh, if you go here, you’ll pick it up.

3. SIX/PANEL THREE. Wider shot, including BILL and a guy next to him. BILL is laughing and leaning backwards against IAN. IAN is looking uncomfortable.

BILL: HA HA HA! You off, man! You off!

IAN: Uh, excuse me?

4. SIX/PANEL FOUR. BILL is now looking down at IAN. IAN looks like he’s regretting attracting this attention.

BILL: Yeah?

IAN: Uh, you bumped into me.

BILL: Yeah so? You were in my way.

5. SIX/PANEL FIVE. BILL now sees IAN’S bracelet. He’s grinning maliciously.

BILL: Hey, lookit! You’re wearing your bracelet! Heh heh heh!

6. SIX/PANEL SIX. BILL reaches out to grab IAN’S bracelet, swiping it away from him

PAGE SEVEN.
1. SEVEN/PANEL ONE. BILL is holding IAN’s Bracelet up for all the others to see. IAN is reaching up for it.

IAN: Give it back!

BILL: NO! HA HA HA, didn’t you hear that bracelets ain’t allowed at HOUKE anymore? Huh yeah?

VARIOUS VOICES: Yeah! Break his bracelet! Toss it!

2. SEVEN/PANEL TWO. Tight shot on IAN with HUDSON in the background. IAN is concerned for the bracelet’s welfare. HUDSON is frowning, annoyed at the bully.

IAN: No! Give it back, please! My parents spent a lot of money on it!

3. SEVEN/PANEL THREE. Close up of BILL’s face/chest.

BILL: Normal parents? HA HA HA. They afraid of you blasting? Offing? Screw that! When I blast, I want everyone to know it!

4. SEVEN/PANEL FOUR. Wide shot of HUDSON, IAN, and BILL. HUDSON is standing now. BILL is pushing away IAN, still holding the bracelet up in the air.

HUDSON: Look, give it back to him. It’s not your property.

BILL: Oh yeah? What are ya gonna do?

5. SEVEN/PANEL FIVE. takes up the rest of the page. Dramatic angled shot. HUDSON is gesturing at BILL. Waves of transparent ENERGY seem to flow from HUDSON’S outstretched hand. They envelope BILL. BILL has a surprised expression on his face. IAN is leaning out of the way, confused and surprised as well. HUDSON’S face is calm, except for some lightly furrowed brows.

PAGE EIGHT
1. EIGHT/PANEL ONE. Another large panel, concentrating on BILL’S energy enveloped body. BILL’S hand is now open, and the bracelet is hovering over it.

2-4 EIGHT/PANEL TWO through FOUR, smaller sequential panels, set horizontally across the page. The view follows the bracelet as it floats from BILL to IAN.

5. EIGHT/PANEL FIVE. IAN has the bracelet in his hand, and is looking at it dumbfounded.

6. PANEL SIX. IAN is looking up at HUDSON. ENERGY WAVES are no longer visible now.

IAN: Uh, thanks.

HUDSON: No problem. Just a little telekinesis.

7. EIGHT/PANEL SEVEN. HUDSON leans back in his seat, looking at BILL nonchalantly. BILL leans forward angrily.

BILL: Son of a-- you’re lucky I can’t go off on ya here.

HUDSON: Bet you can’t go off yet.

BILL: Oh yeah? You wait and see!

8. EIGHT/PANEL EIGHT. HUDSON is gesturing at BILL, while IAN is trying not to get caught in the middle.

HUDSON: Oh yeah? Bring it on, big boy!

PAGE NINE
1. NINE/PANEL ONE. Large horizontal shot. We see RACHEL is cupping her hands over her mouth, and we see the auditorium seats in front of her. There is FX of a large BOOM with jagged concentric lines washing over the teenagers. We can see the smaller figures of HUDSON and BILL standing about to fight.

2. NINE/PANEL TWO. Same look as panel one, but no BOOM or lines. However word balloons are all over the teens, saying things like “My head!” “Damn!” “That was loud!” We can make out most of the teens holding their hands to their heads, like they all have headaches.

3. NINE/PANEL THREE. RACHEL is standing with her hands on her hips. She is smiling, self-satisfied.

RACHEL: NOW that I’ve got your attention... let’s start the presentation.

RACHEL: Would someone please turn off the lights?

4. NINE/PANEL FOUR. We are looking at HUDSON and IAN. BILL is partially visible, still holding his head from the pain. HUDSON is leaning over to IAN.

HUDSON: Ya better put that bracelet away. Some of these state kids will pick on you, big boy there.

IAN: Yeah, okay.

5. NINE/PANEL FIVE. Darker- the lights are off, although there’s a strange source of light coming from the left of the panel, shining on HUDSON and IAN. We see IAN putting his bracelet into his pants pocket. HUDSON is looking to his right at the light.

6. NINE/PANEL SIX. The shot widens to show that the light is coming from ZEKE’S eyes. They seem to glow like charcoal embers. HUDSON is looking at ZEKE.

HUDSON: Hey, Oedipus, mind putting your eyes out?

ZEKE: Ha ha. Like I haven’t heard that before. The name’s ZEKE, not Oedipus, ‘kay?

7. NINE/PANEL SEVEN. The light is gone. We see HUDSON and IAN looking past us, the readers, as a stream of light shines from the rear of the auditorium from a projector.

RACHEL (off panel): Ok, here’s a short reel that talks about the history of HOUKE UNIVERSITY. Enjoy.

PAGE TEN
1. TEN/PANEL ONE. Large shot of the main foyer of HOUKE HALL. We see the teens spill out of the auditorium classroom. Apparently the presentation is over.
CAPTION: LATER...

2. TEN/PANEL TWO. We zoom in to see IAN and HUDSON together, waiting for their parents.

IAN: Thanks again for the save in there.

HUDSON: No problem, really. I’m curious, have you gone off yet?

IAN: Huh?

3. TEN/PANEL THREE.

HUDSON: You know, manifested your powers yet?

IAN: Oh, no. I haven’t really trained much to try yet.

HUDSON: Well, you’ll have to learn quick if you decide to come here.

4. TEN/PANEL FOUR.
IAN: I don’t know if I will. Are you?

HUDSON: Probably. My parents went here- they’re OFF-SHOOTS like me, you know? and I guess I ought to carry on the tradition.

IAN: My father would rather I went to the local college near home. But I’m tired of being around normals.

5. TEN/PANEL FIVE. HUDSON is smiling and his hands are spread outwards. IAN is smiling as well.

HUDSON: I know the feeling. Well, if you decide to come here, you’ve already got a friend- me.

IAN: Yeah. I appreciate that.

6. TEN/PANEL SIX. HUDSON is looking over IAN’s shoulder.
HUDSON: I gotta go, I see my mom and dad. Hope to talk to you later.

IAN: Okay bye.

7. TEN/PANEL SEVEN. IAN’s parents enter the panel. HUDSON is not there now.
MOTHER: There you are.

FATHER: So how was it?

8. TEN/PANEL EIGHT. Close up on IAN’S face, which is smiling.
IAN: I think I’d like to go to this school.

END.

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