Contents

WhatthisBookIs...andIsn'tWhyaBookaboutSeriesBibles?WhatisSeriesDevelopment?WhatToAskYourselfAboutYourSeries?WhatisaSeriesPitch?A:SeriesPitchExampleB:SeriesPitchWalkthroughWhatIsASeriesProposal?A:SeriesProposalExampleB:SeriesProposalWalkthroughWhatisaSeriesBible?A:SeriesBibleExampleB:SeriesBibleWalkthroughAFinalWordAboutUsSuggestedReading

WhatthisBookIs…andIsn’tWhatthisbookisnot,isabookthatteachesyouhowtowrite.Thisbookisaboutthebasicstructuralcompositionofwrittenseriespitches,

seriesproposalsandseriesbibles.Anyinferencestostorystructureinthisbookaresolelyincludedtoassistwiththestructuralintegrityofeachsection.Youshouldalsonote,thisbookssampleseriesisasci-fiactionadventure.

However,theconceptspresentedherearethesameforanydramaticshow,sci-fiorotherwise.Also,theterms‘seriespitch’,‘seriesproposal’and‘seriesbible’maybeused

indifferentwaysbyothersinfilmandtelevision.Thisbookisnotthebegin-allend-allofseriespitches,seriesproposalsand

seriesbibles.Thesubjectisaswidelyvariedastherearewaystowritethem.Whatthisbookis,ispartofourprocessfordevelopingseries,bothforour

companyandourclients.Infactwewouldaskyounottolimityourselftojustthisbookonthetopic,buttoinvestigateallpossibleavenuesoflearning.Thatbeingsaid,thisbookwaswritteninpartbecausewediscovered,thatthereisnosinglebookonthemarketaddressingthesubject.

WhyaBookaboutSeriesBibles?Withacombinedsixtyplusyearsintheentertainmentindustry,ourjourney

hastakenusfrombeingreaders,towriters,todevelopmentexecutives,tostoryconsultantsandfinallytobecomingproducers.Eventhougheachpositionhaddifferentresponsibilities,thefocusofallof

themwasalwaysongood,concise,grippingstory.Asthetelevisionindustrydeveloped,itbecamemoreandmoreimportantfor

allstorytellers,writersandproducersalike,to'beonthesamepage',immediatelyandconsistently.Weneedednotjustabenchmarkforeachshow,butastartingpoint,a

virtuallighthouseinthefogofunintended'artisticwander',thatoftenhappenswiththecreativeprocess.Astheindustrydeveloped,thatbenchmark,thatlighthouse,becamethe

televisionseriesbible.Originallytheseriesbiblewasanafterthought,awayofstayingconsistent

withchangingstaff.Iteventuallybecameawaytolockdownthestartingpoint,thevisionofwhattheserieswouldbecome.Later,itbecameadevelopmenttool,andeventually,atypeofpitchtool,inits

moreabbreviatedform,theTVseriesproposal.Inthepast,itbecameamuchneededandsoughtaftertool.Today,ithas

becomemoreindispensablethanever.Itissaidthattelevisionisinanewgoldenage,butwesubmitthatourentireentertainmentcultureisinanewgoldenage.Wealsobelievethatwiththeadventofe-bookseries,webseries,streaming

series,graphicnovelseries,etal,theuseofaseriesbibleismorepertinentthaneverbefore.Becauseofthiswedecidedthatabookonseriesbiblesshouldbefirstinourseriesofhow-tobooks.Whetheryouarejuststartingoutoryouareanestablishedwriter,wehope

thatthismodestbookwillactasyourlighthouseinthedark,oratleastanight

light,tokeepyoufrombumpingyourkneesontheoftenavoidableobstaclesduringaseries’creation.

First,WhatisaSeries?●Anumberofthingsoreventsthatarearrangedorhappenoneafterthe

other●Asetofregularlypresentedtelevisionshowsinvolvingthesamegroupof

charactersorthesamesubject●Asetofbooks,articles,etc.,thatinvolvethesamegroupofcharactersorthesamesubject-MerriamWebsterManybelievethatthemodernseriesstartedwiththe18thcentury’sThree

MusketeersandSherlockHolmes.However,theseriesasweknowitreallybeganwithpulpfiction.Pulpfiction

wasaphenomenonofinexpensiveshortnovelprintedoncheappulppaper.Thesebookshitthepublishingscenearound1896throughthe50’s.Pulpfictionthenledtoradiodramaserials,thatinturnledto,yes,seriestelevision.WhatisSeriesDevelopment?Seriesdevelopmentisthedevelopmentofalongformstoryfromaconcept,

intoaworkingseriesof‘episodes’.Traditionally,seriesdevelopmentbeginswithcomingupwithacompelling

concept,agood‘whatif’forashow,thenmovesforwardto:-TheSeriesArc:Themysteryorquest…thestoryenginethatpropelsandsustainstheseriesoverthelengthoftheshow.-TheEpisodeArc.Theincidentsthatpropelseachepisode.Thepatternor

patternsthatagivenepisode'sstorycouldhave.Anepisodemini-questormysterythatpropelsitsstoryengine.-Genre:Whattypeofstoryisbeingtold.Isitpoliceprocedural,sci-fi,

romanticcomedy,etc.Orsomemixofmultiplegenres?-Tone,Theme,andStyle:Isitagrittyurbandrama,showingushowtofixa

brokencity,orisitalight-heartedurbancomedythatshowsusthelightersideofpoverty?

-CharacterDevelopment:Whothecharactersare,whattheywant,whatthey

unknowinglyneedandwhattheydoabouttheirsituation?(Thisveryimportantlyincludesvillains!)-Storylines:Allthepossibledirectionsandwaysthatmakesensefortheshowtomovestorytellingforward.Thisshouldleadtoseveralepisodeconceptsforyourbibleorproposal.-Worldbuilding:Whatthesettingis,whatthepertinentbackstoryisofthe

world,howitworksandhowtheseallaffectthecharacters.-SetPieces:Whatarethelocationsoftheseries?Aretheypolicestations,

spaceships,apartmentsorcruiseships?Thenmakeaglossaryofthemforyourseries.

WhattoAskYourselfAboutYourSeries?Beforeyoubegindevelopingyourseries,pasttheinitialconcept,youshould

askyourselfseveralkeyquestions.Thesequestionswilltestyourconceptforboth‘audience’interestandmostespecially,foryourown.Thereasonsaretwofold.First,ifyoudon’thaveenoughinterestinyourseries,youwon’twriteit.If

youdon’twritethatfirstpilotscript/novel/webcomic,etal,youwon’thavethestayingpoweryourseriesneeds.Second,ifyoudon'taskthehardquestionsaboutwhyyouraudiencewilllove

theseries,theywon'tspendthetimeonyourfirstepisode,muchlesstherestoftheseries.Usethefollowingquestionsasyourlitmustestformovingyourconcept

forwardasaseries.-Whyisyourseriesinteresting?-Whatis/arethehook(s)ofyourseries?(Wesuggestthattherearealwaysthree,themainserieshook,amulti-episode

hookandahookforeachepisode)-Howismyseriesdifferentfromothershows?(Seriescanhavesimilarities,buttheycan’tbecarboncopiesorsosimilarto

anexistingseriesthatthereisnothingnewtoexploreinyour‘world’.)SeriesPitch,SeriesProposalorSeriesBible.Inthisbook,weprovidethreeexamplesofthesetypesofdocuments.Aseriespitchisshortandsweet,aseriesproposalshouldbelonger,andafull

seriesbible…well,thatcanbeaslongasneeded.Seriesreadybibleshavebeenknowtohit100pluspagesinlength.

WhatisaSeriesPitch?Aseriespitchcanbeverbal,orwritten.Averbalpitchisoftencalledan

‘elevatorpitch’.Thisisapitchthatisshort,conciseandwithenoughpunchtoconveyyourconcept,andhopefullygetthesale.Awrittenseriespitchisalittledifferent.Writtenseriespitchesareusuallyonetofivepagesinlength,preferablyno

longer.Thegoodonesusuallyhaveagreatelevatorpitch/loglineasitsfirstfewsentences.Awrittenpitchelaboratesenoughinafewpagestogiveenoughofasenseof

theseries,withoutbeingsoindepththataProducerwon’ttakethetimetoreadit.Anythinglonger,andyouaretakingachanceitwon’tbereadatall.

SeriesPitchExampleWhatfollowsisasampleseriespitch.Weneedtoremindyou,thereareso

manyformatsoutthere,thatsomeoneisboundtodisagreewiththisformat.That’sfine.Again,wearesimplysharingwhathasworkedforourcompanyandourclientsovertheyears.Fordemonstrationpurposes,wehavecreatedanhomagetoanexisting

sciencefictionfranchise.Wewillusethishomageastheexampleforeachofthethreedocuments.

A:SeriesPitchExample

FarthestStarYouareaby-the-bookStarcarrierCaptain,huntingdowndangerousrebels

knownasCorsairs,inadistantsectorofspace.It'sbeenyearssincetherebellionandthedeathofyourwifeatthehandsoftherebels.You'vebecomeobsessedwithyourwork.Allseemsquietonthebridge,uncomfortablyquietuntilahailcomesin.It'sfromaStarcontrolfacility,oneyou'veneverheardof,onekeptasecret.Sosecretevenhewasnotawareofitsexistence.Now,thefacilityisunderattack,byaCorsairraiderandisabouttobedestroyed.Thefacilityisrelativelyclose.Youarethereinminutes.Yourscreenreveals

theperpetrators.Youcan’tbelieveit,theraiderisTHEshipyouhavebeenseekingforyears.Yourbane,yourpain…theshipthattookyourwifefromyou,theraidernamedResolute.Youcallbattlestations,thenyouseeit.Amonstrouslyhugediamond-shapedship,largerthanthelargestasteroid.Yousteadyyourselfandordershieldsupandweaponspowered.Youmove

fortheattack,whenahailcomesin,fromthefacility.Youletitthrough,it’stheheadresearcher,aCommodore."Donotfire,youaretooclosetotherelicship,donotfire!"Only,yourshipisgettinghammerednow.But,youbiteyourlipandobey,

puttingyourselfbetweenthefacilityandtheattackingResolute.Thefacilityisfallingapartanditstinystaffboardsyourship,rightbeforethefacilityexplodes.Thenyourportenginetakesadamaginghit.Ordersbedamned.‘Fire!’Thetwoshipsdanceinanimpossibleballetoflightanddestruction.The

Resolutefiresthelastofitstorpedocomplement.OnehitstheArgo,blowingoutdecksofpersonnelintocoldspace,theother…hitsthealienrelicship.ThebattlecontinuesandtheArgomakesavitalblowontheResolute,killing

itenginesinagrandexplosion.Neithercrewnoticesthealienshipcomingtolife.Thatisuntiltheyhearthesound.Bothshipspersonnelareincapacitatedbyasoundthatcomesnotfromtheair,

butfrominsidetheirheads.Thenithappens.Thespacearoundthemturnswhite,blinding,andthensuddenly,itstops.Youandthecrewlookatthescreenjustasthealienshipdisappears.Thenhelminterruptswithdatathatdoesn’tmakeanysense.Youcheckandrecheck,butit’strue.Youaren’tinknownspaceanymore,youaren’teveninyourowngalaxyandyourship…hangsdeadinspace.Worse,nowyou’reunderimmediateattackandrealizetheonlypeopleyoucanturntoforhelp,areyourworstenemies.FarthestStaristhestoryoftwodiametricallyopposedcrewsfightingfortheir

lives,inanunknowngalaxy.Theyseektosolvethemysteryoftheirjourneysothattheycangetbackhome.Producer’sStatementFarthestStarisasciencefictionadventureseries.FromthemomentoftheArgosaccidentaladventure,everythingbecomes

desperate.The‘normal'intensityofthestressesacombatstarshipgoesthroughareunhingedastheyarehurledintoahyper-violentgalaxywheretheireveryactandchoiceaffectstheirchancesforsurvival.Thecoreoftheseriesiswatchingtheseenemycrewsfacedwithan

extraordinarysituationandhowtheydo,anddon’t,worktogethertosurvive.Muchofthedramaandactionoftheseriesspringsfromthis.Thecrewsare

constantlyfindingtheirmoralsandidentitiescomingintoconflictwiththeirdaytodaydesperatesituations.It’shardtofightoffattackingaliensandunknownphenomenawhenhalfthecrewisrebellingorplottingamutiny.Aprimecomponentofthisseriesisthatitisaboutinterpersonaldramaas

muchasaction.Contactismadewithoftenhostilealiens,combatisaconstantpartoftheirlives,butthenormisthatthecrewsareinaconstantstateofdiscontentandbrinkmanship.Usually,thesesequenceswillhaveanoperatictone,withtwolevelsofactionbeingplayedoutinahighadventure,highstakesenvironment.Inspiteoftheintenselydramatictoneandactionoftheepisodes,thereare

timesofbasichumanityandevenhumor.Theseoccasionsarekeytohighlightingtheseries’theme,buttheseeventsneverovershadowthestakesoftheseries.Inallsituations,the‘human’reactionsofthecharactersaredeliveredinsuchawayastoaccentuatethepressureofthecrews’moralandphysicalplight.Thisfurthersthethemeoftheshow,thatsurvivalmakesstrangebedfellows.TheoverallaimandappealofFarthestStarlieingivingtheaudience

characterstheycanrelatetoandactualcareabout,insituationsthatwillputthemattheedgeoftheirseats,andinsodoing,creatingatypeofScienceFictionshowfortoday'smoresophisticatedsci-fifansTone&StyleFarthestStarisaexerciseincontrasts.Establishmentvs.Commoners,

disciplinevs.disorder,positivevs.negative,goodvs.evil,conventionalvs.unconventional.Thestyleoftheserieswillreflectthesecontrasts.FarthestStarwillhaveadistinctivecinematicstyletohighlightthelivesthe

crewsareliving.IntheArgosandonmissions,thevisualstylewillbegritty,withdramaticlighting,energeticeditingand'youarethere'cameramovements,toexpressthe'realworld'theyarein.Scenesaretobenaturalisticandutilitarian,militaristic.TheArgoisakintomodernsubmarines.Thewordscavernous,gloomy,

gothicandclaustrophobicareappropriate,dependingontheareaofthechip.Dulllowlightpervadestheshipmostofthetime.Onlytheship'shydroponicparksitsinthemiddleofthewarship,asanoasisofhumanity.Aplacewherepeopleconnect,play...andscheme.TheFighterlandingbay,Fighterships,reconships,andeventhedisabled

ResoluteareotherkeypiecesoftheArgos’worldthatwillfeatureheavilyintheseries.TheStarcontrolgearwillallhaveadistinctivemilitaristiclookgunmetalgraysandblacks,angularedges,slightlybulky'dangerous'look.ThesamecanbesaidoftheCorsairgear,exceptitlooksmoreweathered,

withdarkerbrownsinsteadofgrays,withanedgeofoldfashionedwesternmeetsbarbaricdesignflair.Heavyonthepersonalizedgear,whereStarcontrolisallhomogenizedandgeneralissue.

Withthisblendofdesignandshootingstyle,FarthestStarwillhaveauniqueandatmosphericlookthatwillcomplementandenhanceitsuniqueanddramaticthemes.Thefollowing‘walkthrough’shouldhelpyouforgeyourownproject’spitch.

Remember,sticktothetemplatebeforedivergingorexpanding.Thiswillkeepthingsclearerandspeeduptheprocess.

B:SeriesPitchWalkthrough(Establishingshotoftheincitingincidentlocation,establishtime,mood

andmindset)Youareaby-the-bookStarcarrierCaptain,huntingdowndangerousrebels

knownasCorsairs,inadistantsectorofspace.It'sbeenyearssincetherebellionandthedeathofyourwifeatthehandsoftherebels.You'vebecomeobsessedwithyourwork.Allseemsquietonthebridge,uncomfortablyquietuntilahailcomesin.It'sfromaStarcontrolfacility,oneyou'veneverheardof,onekeptasecret.Sosecretevenhewasnotawareofitsexistence.(Lastsentencerevelation‘punch’)Now,thefacilityisunderattack,byaCorsairraiderandisabouttobe

destroyed.(Furtherexplorationandclarificationofthesituation,theemotion,

tension,realizationandreactionof…)Thefacilityisrelativelyclose.Youarethereinminutes.Yourscreenreveals

theperpetrators.Youcan’tbelieveit,theraiderisTHEshipyouhavebeenseekingforyears.Yourbane,yourpain…theshipthattookyourwifefromyou,theraidernamedResolute.Youcallbattlestations,thenyouseeit.(Specific,evenjaw-droppingrevelationand/orrealization)Amonstrouslyhugediamond-shapedship,largerthantheCeresasteroid.(Thereactionactiontotherevelation/realization)Yousteadyyourselfandordershieldsupandweaponspowered.Youmove

fortheattack,whenahailcomesup,fromthefacility.Youletitthrough,it’stheheadresearcher,aCommodore.(Thesurprisingreactionfromtherevelationobjectorperson)‘Donotfire,youaretooclosetotherelicship,donotfire.’

(Tensionbuilds,movesaremadetodotheselfless,braveor‘right’thing.)Only,yourshipisgettinghammerednow.But,youbiteyourlipandobey,

puttingyourselfbetweenthefacilityandtheattackingResolute.Thefacilityisfallingapartanditstinystaffboard,rightbeforeitsdestruction.(Dangerisimminentorresulting.Decisiveoftenrisky,bold

confrontationalactionmadeinregardstothescenario)Thenyourportenginetakesadamaginghit.Ordersbedamned.‘Fire!’Thetwoshipsdanceinanimpossibleballetoflightanddestruction.The

Resolutefiresthelastofitstorpedocomplement.OnehitstheArgo,blowingoutdecksofpersonnelintocoldspace,theother…hitsthealienrelicship.(Thedecisiveactionbeginsthetickingclockofthe‘setsail’event.)ThebattlecontinuesandtheArgomakesavitalblowontheResolute,killing

itenginesinagrandexplosion.Neithercrewnoticesthealienshipcomingtolife.Thatisuntiltheyhearthesound.(ThebeginningoftheSpringboardevent.)Bothshipspersonnelareincapacitatedbyasoundthatcomesnotfromtheair,

butfrominsidetheirheads.Thenithappens.Thespacearoundthemturnswhite,blinding,andthensuddenly,itstops.(RealizationandreactiontotheSpringboardEvent.Theshowhas‘Set

Sail’andthestakesandemotionaredrivenhome.)Youandthecrewlookatthescreenjustasthealienshipdisappears.Then

youhearit,helminterruptswithdatathatdoesn’tmakeanysense.Youcheckandrecheck,butit’strue.Youaren’tinknownspaceanymore,youaren’teveninyourowngalaxyandyourship…hangsdeadinspace.Worse,nowyourealizetheonlypeopleyoucanturntoforhelp,areyourworstenemies.(Closingsentence(s),thatestablishwhatthecoreoftheshowisandisall

about.)FarthestStaristhestoryoftwodiametricallyopposedcrewsfightingfortheir

lives,inanunknowngalaxy.Theyseektosolvethemysteryoftheirjourneyso

thattheycangetbackhome.(Genrestatement,resultofthe‘SetSail’momentonthetoneoftheshow.Thereactionofthesituationonnormallife.Whatkindofsituationtookplace?Whatconsequencesactionsmeaninthenewsituation?)Producer’sStatementFarthestStarisasciencefictionadventureseries.FromthemomenttheArgosaccidentallysetssail,everythingbecomes

desperate.The‘normal'intensityofthestressesacombatstarshipgoesthroughareunhingedastheyarehurledintoahyper-violentgalaxywheretheireveryactandchoiceaffectstheirchancesforsurvival.(Whatdoesthemaindramaofcharactertocharacterinteractionspring

from?)Thecoreoftheseriesiswatchingtheseenemycrewsfacedwithan

extraordinarysituationandhowtheydo,anddon’t,worktogethertosurvive.(Whatisthespecificallydefinedcoreofthedramaintheseries?)Muchofthedramaandactionoftheseriesspringsfromthis.Thecrewsare

constantlyfindingtheirmoralsandidentitiescomingintoconflictwiththeirdaytodaydesperatesituations.It’shardtofightoffattackingaliensandunknownphenomenawhenhalfthecrewisrebellingorplottingamutiny.(Whataretheexternalchallengesandhowdotheyaffectthedramatic

core?)Aprimecomponentofthisseriesisthatitisaboutinterpersonaldramaas

muchasaction.Contactismadewithoftenhostilealiens,combatisaconstantpartoftheirlives,butthenormisthatthecrewsareinaconstantstateofdiscontentandbrinkmanship.Usually,thesesequenceswillhaveoperatictone,withtwolevelsofactionbeingplayedoutinahighadventure,highstakesenvironment.

(Whatisthedichotomyofthetone?Isthereanother,lighterside?)Inspiteoftheintenselydramatictoneandactionoftheepisodes,thereare

timesofbasichumanityandevenhumor.(Howdoesthisdichotomyaccentuatetheseriesmainthrustofthe

show?)Theseoccasionsarekeytohighlightingtheseries’theme,buttheseevents

neverovershadowthestakesoftheseries.Inallsituations,the‘human’reactionsofthecharactersaredeliveredinsuchawayastoaccentuatethepressureofthecrews’moralandphysicalplight.Thisfurthersthethemeoftheshowofsurvivalmakesstrangebedfellows.(Whatisthevisceralappealoftheshow?)TheoverallaimandappealofFarthestStarlieingivingtheaudience

characterstheycanrelatetoandactualcareabout,insituationsthatwillputthemattheedgeoftheirseats,andinsodoing,creatingatypeofScienceFictionshowfortoday'smoresophisticatedsci-fifans.(Whatarethetheme’sdynamics?Whatarethemoraldynamics?)Tone&StyleFarthestStarisanexerciseincontrasts.Establishmentvs.Commoners,

disciplinevs.disorder,positivevs.negative,goodvs.evil,conventionalvs.unconventional.Thestyleoftheserieswillreflectthesecontrasts.(Whatisyourstatementofthemoral/themepush?)Thestyleoftheserieswillreflectthesecontrasts.(Whatisthevisualthemeandtonethatyouwanttoconvey?)

Visually,theArgoswillechothestyleofFarthestStarwillhaveadistinctivecinematicstyletohighlightthelivesthecrewsareliving.IntheArgosandonmissions,thevisualstylewillbegritty,withdramaticlighting,energeticeditingand'youarethere'cameramovements,toexpressthe'realworld'theyarein.Scenesaretobenaturalisticandutilitarian,militaristic.(Whatkindofproductionstyledoyouvisualizetheshowhaving?)FarthestStarwillhaveadistinctivecinematicstyletohighlightthelivesthe

crewsareliving.IntheArgosandonmissions,thevisualstylewillbegritty,withdramaticlighting,energeticeditingand'youarethere'cameramovements,toexpressthe'realworld'theyarein.(Whatarethreewordsthatcandescribethelookofacommonscene?)Scenesaretobenaturalisticandutilitarian,militaristic.(Whatisyourdescriptionofthemainsetpiece?<City,Hospital,etc>)TheArgoisakintomodernsubmarines.Thewordscavernous,gloomy,

gothicandclaustrophobicareappropriate,dependingontheareaofthechip.Dulllowlightpervadestheshipmostofthetime.Onlytheship'shydroponicparksitsinthemiddleofthewarship,asanoasisofhumanity.Aplacewherepeopleconnect,play...andscheme.(Whataresomeofthelessersetpiecesandtheirdescriptions?)TheFighterlandingbay,Fighterships,reconships,andeventhedisabled

ResoluteareotherkeypiecesoftheArgos’worldthatwillfeatureheavilyintheseries.TheStarcontrolgearwillallhaveadistinctivemilitaristiclookgunmetalgraysandblacks,angularedges,slightlybulky'dangerous'look.(Whatisthebasisofthelookofcharacterclothing,accoutermentsand

howdoesitreflecttheirstation?)ThesamecanbesaidoftheCorsairgear,exceptitlooksmoreweathered,

withdarkerbrownsinsteadofgrays,withanedgeofoldfashionedwesternmeetsbarbaricdesignflair.Heavyonthepersonalizedgear,whereStarcontrolisallhomogenizedandgeneralissue.

(Howwillsetpiecesandaccoutermentsaccenttheseriestheme(s)?)Withthisblendofdesignandshootingstyle,FarthestStarwillhaveaunique

andatmosphericlookthatwillcomplementandenhanceitsuniqueanddramaticthemes.

WhatIsASeriesProposal?Likeapitch,aseriesproposalcanbeverbal,orwritten.Wearefocusingon

thewrittenproposalhere.Writtenseriesproposalsareusually6to15pagesinlength,preferablyno

longer.AwrittenproposalisusuallyprovidedwhenaninterestedProducerwants

moredetailsafterasuccessfulpitch.Itgivesamuchmoredetailedlookattheseriesforthemtomakeabetterdecision.Itcanalsoprovetobeagooddevelopmenttoolforanywriterdevelopinghisorherseries.

A:SeriesProposalExampleFarthestStarproposalforaone-houractionseries

writtenbyWadeT.Pena&PhilZizzacreatedbyWadeT.PenaTakeaclean-cutbythebookStarcarrierCaptainandhiscrew.Without

warning,throwthemtothefarendoftheuniverseinanunknowngalaxy,theirshiphalfdestroyed.Theyimmediatelycomeunderattack.Theirmortalenemiestheyweretrackingdown,theironly'friends'inthisnewgalaxy,wheretheyareforcedtojoinforces.Tosurvive,evenworktogetherandsomehow,someway,trackdowntheancientshipthatcantransportthembackhome.ThisistheSci-fidramaof"FarthestStar.""FarthestStar"isthestoryofabythebookStarcarrierCaptainwhodiscovers

thelocationoftherebelsresponsibleforthedeathofhiswife,butwhentheirshipsareaccidentallytransportedtoanothergalaxy,hemustdotheunthinkableandpartnerwiththerebelsinadesperateattempttogetbackhome.FarthestStaris:-CAPTAINGRAY,ahandsomehardened40somethingwhothinksthe

Corsairrebelsarethelowestformoflifeuntilherealizestheyarehiscrew’sonlyhopebackhome.Now,hemustfighthisownurgeseveryday,nottopushthemalloutanairlock,forthegreatergood.-KEKOA,theCorsairCaptainthatGrayblamesforthedeathofhiswife.

OnlyKekoaknowstherealtruth.-LARACOLTON,theleaderofthesecretfacilitythatheldthealienshipthat

strandedthem.Sheisinchargeoftrackingdownthelocationoftheshipandgettingthembackhome.OnlysheiskeepingasecretaboutthealienshipfromtheCaptainandcrew.-BETORR,thecrustychiefwithapastheleftbehindwhenhejoined

Starcontrol.Onlynow,hispasthascaughtupwithhimintheformofaCorsaircrewmanthatknowshisterriblesecret.-AMONKIN,acareercriminalthatjoinedtheCorsairsforpersonalgain.

Now,hesecretlyplotsmutinyandhasadisturbingnumberoffollowers.-CASSLEE,abeautifulyoungStarcontrolofficerwhoisaclosetmanipulator

withapenchantforAmonandhelpinghisplansformutiny.-T’ARAROARK,abeautifulhalf-Crujaanfemale,andformercrewmanof

theArgos,beforequittingtojointheCorsairs.ShestillfindsherselfsecretlyattractedtotheCaptainandconfidesinheroldfriend,Betorr.Kekoa'sconfidante,shekeepsthesecretofCaptainGray'sdeadwife.-DANIELPEREZ,freshoutofStarcontrolAcademy,hehasbeenseducedby

Casstohelpthemutineercause.Hisgeniuswiththeship'ssystemsmakeshimanimportantpawninherplansBothcrewssoonlearnthatfromnowonthey'llbelivinginconflict—with

theirfellowcrewmemberswhovieweachotherwithsuspicion,andwiththenewalienspeciesthatseektodestroythemateveryturn.Theadventurestheshipgetsinvolvedwilltakethemfromthelowest

backwaterplanetstothegleamingspiresofpowerhungrystarempires.Eachepisodeof"FarthestStar"focusesonthesecretseachcrewmankeeps,internalpowerplayswhileatthesametimestrugglingforsurvivalamongthestarsallwhileseekingawayhome.

CAPTAINJOHNGRAY

Isahandsomehardened40somethingStarcontrolCaptainwith25yearsofnonterrestrialservice.CaptainJonGrayisacareerStarcontrolCaptainthathaslosthisway,since

thedeathofhiswife.Foryearshehastrackeddowntherebelshipthatcausedherdeath.Whenhefinallycornerstheship,attackingasecretFederacyoutpost,bothshipsareflungacrosstheuniversetoanunknowngalaxy.Now,hehastomakeatrucewithhismosthatedenemies,tosurviveinadesperatebidtofindthealienshipresponsiblefortheirpredicamentandgetthemallhome.

KEKOA

KekoaistheleaderoftheCorsairsandformerStarcontrolCaptain.HewasfriendswithCaptainGrayduringhistimewithStarcontrol.Aftertheirtwocrewsbecamestranded,heandGraywereimmediatelyatodds,butbothrealizedtheyhadtojoinforcesordie.Grayblameshimforthelossofhiswife,butonlyKekoaandT'araknowthetruthaboutherdeath.Asecret,ifdiscovered,coulddestroytheirallianceandthreatentheirsurvival.

BETORR

BetorristhecrustySecurityChiefwithapast,apastheleftbehindtojoinStarcontrol.Onlynow,hispasthascaughtupwithhim,intheformofaCorsaircrewmanthatknowshisterriblesecret.Nowhemustdecidebetweenthedemandsofthemysterycrewman,orfacethetruthandthelossofhislifeinStarcontrol.

DANIELPEREZ

DanielPerezisthenewestadditiontotheArgosandalongtimefanofCaptainGray.Restlessforadventure,hewoundupwithmorethanhecouldimagine.Feelinglostandoutofplaceamongsthiscrew,muchlesstheCorsairs,hefallsforandisseducedbyCasstohelpthemutineercause.Hisgeniuswiththeship’ssystemsmakeshimanimportantpawninherplans.Hesoonrealizeshemustchoosebetweenloveandhonor.T’ARAROARKT'araRoarkistheattractivehalfalienintheroom.Alwaysstuckbetween

worldsandcultures,shenevercompletelyfitinwhenshewasaStarcontrolofficer.WhenhercolonycameunderattackintheDemilitarizedzone,shejumpedatthechancetojointhemorespeciesdiverseCorsairs.Butwhentheybecamestrandedwithheroldship,theArgos,oldfeelingsofallegianceemerge.Now,shefindsherselfstuckbetweenworldsagain,andwhenrumorsofmutinysurface,shemustdecidewhichworldshelovesmost.CAPTAINLARA‘DOC'COLTON;Ph.D.QUANTUMMECHANICSDoctorLaraColtonwastheleadresearcherontheancientaliencraftthattook

themfromtheirhomegalaxy.OnceahighlyrespectedmemberofStarcontrol’sarchaeologicaldivision,sheisnowrelegatedtotrackingdownthelocationoftheshipandgettingthembackhome.Onlysheknowstherealtruthbehindtheattackonherfacility.Atruththatneithercrewknowsabout,orherhiddenagenda.EverydayshebecomesmoreattachedtoCaptainGrayandhiscrew,whichmakeswhatshemustdo,evenmoredifficult.

AMONKIN

AmonKinisacareercriminalthatoriginallyjoinedtheCorsairsforpersonalgain.HeistheoriginalsourceofinformationfortheCorsairsontheoriginsoftheancientalienship,buthehasnotdivulgedeverythingtothem.Onlyheknowsifhedoesn’ttakecommand,theirchancesofreturningaredimatbest.Now,heseekstocreateasuccessfulmutinyandstakeseverythingontheseductionofayoungStarcontrolofficer.But,whathedidn’texpect,wastofallinlovewithher.LT.COMMANDERCASSLEECassLeeistheArgos’communicationscommander.Alwaysdiplomaticand

loyal,toafault,shefindsherbeliefschallengedbythebarbaricAmonKin.Atfirstrefusingherattractiontotherogue,shesoonfallsforhimandbecomeshislover.Now,shehasbecomehisprimaryconspiratorinhisplannedmutiny.But,shefallsforyoungDanielPerezaswellandistornbetweenthetwo,untilAmonforceshertouseDaniel’sfeelingsforher,totheiradvantage.Nowsheissecretlytornbetweenbothfactionsandbothmen.

GENERALBIBLEBIOQUESTIONS

CHARACTERTITLENAMEINCAPS,age,howthecharacterappearsandyearsofdutyjob.Earlylifeandfamily'seconomicstanding.His/hermentalcapacity,howhe/sheaddresseshiswork,personalcost,and/or

side.Personalproblem(s)andhowhespendshistime.Demeanorandhowitdoesordoesn'tchange,dependingonthesituation.Whathe/shethinksofthecurrentsituation,howhispersonalhistoryaffects

thatviewandwhatemotionalgutinstinctisabouthisopiniononthecurrentsituation.Whatworrieshimandwhathedoestocompensateorfixit.Howhetestsothersand/ortheirresolvetoprovethemselves.Howthecharacterwillevolveoverthecourseoftheseriesandwhattraits

staystatic.

PILOTEPISODE

Noteforthissection:Inthissection,ashortfourpluspageepisodesummary

isusuallyprovidedforproposals.Thissummaryshouldnotbetakenasadefinitivetemplateforallstories.Itisnot.Thisismerelyanexampleofonetypeofstoryandwhatit'stypeofstructureentailsinabasicproseformat.

ACTI

In2507CaptainJonathanGrayoftheStarcontrolStarcarrierArgo,isatthe

endofathreeyearmissiontohuntdowndangerousinterstellarrebelsknownasCorsairs.It’sbeenyearssincethedeathofhiswifeatthehandsoftheCorsairs,andheisstillobsessedwithfindingtheshipresponsible.Unexpectedly,Inthemiddleoftheirfinaljourneyhome,Anemergencyhailcomesin.It’sfromaStarcontrolfacility,afacilitysosecrethewasnotawareofitsexistence.Uponarrival,Gray'sscreenrevealstheperpetrators.Hecan’tbelieveit,the

raidertheResolute,THEshiphehasbeenseekingforyears.Hecallsbattlestations,thenheseesit.Amonstrouslyhugediamond-shapedalienship,largerthananasteroid.Thesecretfacilityisfallingapartanditstinystaffejectsinlifepodsand

boardstheArgo,rightbeforethefacilityexplodes.Thetwoshipsdanceinanimpossibleballetoflightanddestruction.TheResolutefiresthelastofitstorpedocomplement.OnehitstheArgo,blowingoutdecksofpersonnelintocoldspace,theother…hitsthealienship.Neithercrewnoticesthealienshipcomingtolife.Thatisuntiltheyhearthesound.Bothshipspersonnelarestunnedbyasoundthatcomesnotfromtheair,but

frominsidetheirheads.Thenithappens.Thespacearoundthemturnswhite,blinding,andthenwithoutwarning,itstops.Thecrewslookattheirscreensjustasthealienshipdisappears.Thecrewscheckandrecheck,butit’strue.Theyaren’tinknownspaceanymore,notevenintheirowngalaxyandbothshipsaredeadinspace.Worse,bothshipscomeunderimmediateattackfromunknownhostilefire.Alienfightershipsdescendonthetwoshipsinahailofblasterfire.TheArgo

andResolutedesperatelyfireallremaininglasersasbesttheycanonthestrafingenemy.Kekoa,theResolute'sCaptainhailstheArgo.Graydoesn'twanttorespondbutiscompelledbyhisSecurityChiefBetorr.KekoarecommendsabacktobackmaneuverthattheyusedbeforewhenheservedasGray’sformerFirstofficer.MemoriesfloodinandGraybeginstoprotestuntilKekoaasksifhewantstoberighteousanddead,orrealisticandalive.Grayagreesandthetwo

shipsdefendthemselves,backtoback.Withinminutes,theMaraudersturntail,butnotbeforetractorbeamingthe

alienshipawaywiththem.Thetwoshipsaretoodamagedtomove,buttheyarealive.

ACTII

ThetwocrewsareinaweattheircircumstancesandCaptainKekoainitiatesa

“Parle’,foratruce.Meantime,Kekoa’sfirstofficer,AmonKin,secretlyplanstomutinybutputshisplansonholddespitecallsbyhisconfederatestoinitiatethemutinynow.ThemeetingbetweenCaptainsandtheircommandcrewstakesplaceon

dockedshuttlesbetweentheships.PresentatthemeetingfromtheArgoareCaptainGrayashisfirstofficer,Lt.CommanderCassLeeandChiefBetorr.FromtheResoluteareCaptainKekoa,AmonKinandT’araRoark,alsoaformerStarcontrolofficer.ThetwocautiousCaptainsgreeteachother.Kekoasuggestsanextended

truce,atleastuntiltheycanfindtheirrespectivecrews...andthealienship.WhilethetwoCaptain’sspeak,LeeisstaringatAmon,whoisatfirstunaware.Whenhenotices,hegivesaroguishsmileandwinks.ThestartledLeeturnsherattentionbacktotheCaptain.Grayishesitantabouttheofferofextendedtruce,asangerdancesinhis

expression.Kekoalaysitallout.Hisengine’shypercoilsarefriedandStarcontrolalwayskeepsextras.Argo’ssensortransducersareshotandtheResolutehasspares.Therearetoomanyunknownsforusnottoworktogether.Graynods.AmongoestoprotestandhestopsasKekoaraisesahand.Theyagreetosendoversupplyshuttleswithsixtechnicianseach.Alltobeescortedbysecurityonbothships.Kekoaextendshishand.ButGraydoesnottakeit.“YouhaveyourtruceCaptain,fornow,”andtheydepart.Elsewhere,theMarauderandhumancraftsfromearlierareinahugelanding

bay.Hoardsofarmoredalienwarriorsswarmthehumanfightercrafts,gunsattheready.Humansarebeingtakenprisoner,somebeingshotiftheyshowresistance.ThedefeatedmenandwomenfilterbyagroupofMarauderofficers.ThelargestoftheofficersistheirFieldMarshal.AjuniorofficerwalksuptothegroupandaddressestheFieldMarshal.“Excellency,thereisnosignofthealiensfollowing.”TheFieldMarshalsmiles,turning.“Butweknowtheywillcome,don’twe?Theywillcome.”

Later,backontheArgo,teamsandequipmenthavebeensenttoeachshipto

effectrepairsontheResolute’senginesandtheArgo’ssensors.CaptainGraysummonsDoctorColton,theheadoftherescuedalienshipresearchteam.TheCaptainwantsanswersabouttheship.Shesaysshehasnonebutmaybeabletotrackandfindthealienshipwhentheirsensorsarebackonline.TheCaptaingiveshereveryresourcetomakeithappen,buthedoesnottrusther.GraycallsonChiefBetorrtowatchher.OnboardtheResolute,Lt.DanielPerezassistswiththerepairsofthe

Resolute’senginesbutgetshisfirsttasteoftheCorsairsdislikeofStarcontrol.Lt.CommanderLeehastoworkwithAmonKintorepairtheArgo’sengines.Sherebuffshisadvances,whilehesecretlyplantsacovertdeviceintheirengineeringsection.TheenginesgoliveontheResolute,provingPerez’sworthtotheirnewallies,

rightbeforetheArgo’ssensorsaresuccessfullyrepaired.Dr.Coltonscansforandfindsthealienship’ssignature.It’slocatedinadistantnebula.Bothshipsgetunderwayimmediatelyforthecoordinates,withoutknowingexactlywhattheyareupagainst.

ACTIII

Telemetrycomesinandtheydiscoverthemaraudersareatahugering

shaped-spacestationthesizeofaworld,thatwouldbesuicideasadirectassault.Theydecideonatwoteamcovertinsertion.Oneteamtofindthecrew,oneteamtofindthealienship.TensionstillrunshighbetweenGrayandKekoa,butwhenconfrontedby

Kekoa,Grayconfirmsthetrucewillholduntilaftertheoperation.AmonandLtCommanderLeegatherattheArgomeetingroomforassault

planning.AmonamorouslymovesonLeeagainandsherebuffshisadvances.Later,theArgoandResoluteattackcrewsmeetattheArgo'spilotready

room.Thebriefingisgivenandtheteamsareestablished.Bravoteamforcrewrescueconsistsof,AmonKin,CassLeeandAlphateamforfreeingthealienshipfromitsberthmadeupofDr.Colton,Betorr,andLt.Perez.ThetwoCaptainsareoversightbackontheArgo.ThedualcrewteamsrunthroughsimulationsonArgo’ssimulationdeck,but

allgoeslessthansmooth.ThediametricallydifferentapproachesillustratethattheCorsairsmusttakeStarcontrol’sleadonthemissions.AmonandtheResolutecrewpushbackbuttheformerStarcontrolofficer,Kekoa,approves.Thiscreatesmoreanimositytowardhimandbetweenthecrews.Withrelentlesspractice,theteamsimulationsgetbetterbutnottothelevel

thatmakestheCaptainscomfortable.TheyarriveattheoutskirtsofthenebulanowandbothCaptainsdecidetheymustbeonthemissions,tomakesurethemissionsaresuccessful.

ACTIV

PartoneoftheplanisfortheResolute’screwtocapturetwoalienships,en

routetothestation,thenusethemfortheassaultteams.TheResolutecrewwatchesindistasteasthepiraterebelsdotheunpalatabletaskthatisnecessaryfortheirsuccess.BeforeAlphateamtakesoff,AmonplanstoshootKekoaonthemissionand

takecommand.Bothshipsfindnon-regulardockstothestation,andcarrydimensionalbridgers,totransportthembacktotheirshipsthroughdimensionalportals.Oncetheygettotheholdingcells,afirefightbreaksout.AlthoughAmonplannedtoshootKekoa,hehastomakeachoice.DoeshekillKekoa,orsaveCass?TheBravoteamhastosilentlykillmultiplealiensbeforefindingtheirquarry,

thealienship.Butcutoffbyaguardedwalkway,Dr.Colton,BetorrandGrayhavetospacewalktoit.BackwithAlphateam,AmonsavesCassinsteadofkillingKekoa.They

releasethecrew,buttheynowhavetogetthemtotheirfighterships,becausetheirdimensionalbridgerwasdestroyed.Dr.GrayandBetorrmovetowardsthealienshipintheirsuits,butshesays

shehastogoaloneortheshipmightactivate.Theystandwatch,slightlyoutofsight.Butwhenafirefightstartstobreakoutattheirairlock,Betorrgoestotellhertheyhavetoleavenow.Itisthenthatheseesherdoingsomethingtotheship,insertingapyramidintotheside,insteadofjustputtingonatransponder,theninaflashofblindinglight,thealienshipdisappears.AlphaTeamisawaywithallfighters,firingtheirwayoutofthestation.

BravoteamusestheirdimensionalbridgertogetbacktotheResolute.GrayisfuriousandmystifiedatColton,buttheyhavenotimeforquestions.TheArgoandResolutemovetowardthestationtoretrievethefightersastheyarepursuedbyenemyships.KekoaandthefightersgetbacktotheArgo’slargerintactlandingbays,but

nowtheirshipsareunderheavyattack.TheResolute’smainenginestakeaheavyblowandcan’thyperdriveaway.KekoaordershiscrewtoabandonshipbutnowhastoprotecttheArgosasitpicksupthecrews’lifepods.Kekoafightstotheendtosavehiscrew,thentheArgo,fullyexpectingtobeleftbehindashekamikazeshisshipintoanalienbaseship.Butatthelastmoment,GraytakesthechanceofinsertingadimensionalbridgertotheResolutebarelysavingKekoa.But,theResoluteislost.Asurprisedcrewseesthealienarmadahaltpursuit,givingthemprecioustime

tospooltheirhyperdriveandescape.GrayandhiscommandcrewgotosickbaytoseeKekoa,whoisbeingtreated

forinjuriesfromthebattle.Hethankshim,suggeststheymergecrewstosurviveandinfershewilllooktheotherwaywhentheygetbacktoletthemescape.ThenheextendshishandandthetwoCaptain’sfinallyshake.Totheside,T’araasksAmonwhatwouldhappenifGrayeverfoundoutwhat

reallyhappenedtohiswifewhentheResolutekilledher.Amonsmiles,thenseesCassatthedoornodforhimtofollowher.Heexitsandshetakeshimtoasideoffice.Shethankshimforsavingher,hebeginstoleave,butshegrabshimandsurprisingly…kisseshim.Dr.Coltonleavestheroom,Betorrseesandfollows,thenconfrontsher.He

sawwhatshedidandnowsheneedstoexplainherself.Meanwhile,backatthealienstation,thealienCommanderistoldthatthe

Argohasescaped,perhisorders.“Good,theprophecyhasbegun.”Andweseeonhisdesk,anancientlookingrepresentationoftheArgo.

EPISODESTORYCONCEPTS

COLONY

TheArgosisattackedbyamysteriousenemythatcandimensionallyteleportaboardtheirship.Theyareimprisonedonapenalcolony,foraccidentallytrespassingthroughtheattacker'ssystem.Now,theymustengineeranescapebyovercominganenigmatic,impenetrableprison.Also,iftheydon'tescapequickly,theenemiesreinforcementswillpreventtheirescapeforever.StarcontrolandCorsaircrewalikemustputasidedifferencestosurviveandescape.

STARSHIPLOST

TheArgoscomesacrossa'ghost'starship,missingitscrew,butonlyrecently.Ontheheelsoftheirrecentprisonescape,thetwocrewsworktogethertosolvethemystery,butoldhabitsdiehard.Soonafterdocking,theArgoslosespowerandtensionsrise.Onlyacomatosecrewmancananswerthemysteryoftheship,butisincriticalconditionanddying,quickly.Theyhavelittletimetosolvetheriddlebeforetheymeetthesamemysteriousfateoftheghostship.

PLANETSIDE

Duringthejointcrew'sfirstmissiontoretrieverareelementsfortheirengines,andgetalittleshoreleave,aloneobelisk,withsimilarmarkingstotheAlienrelicshipisfound.Wheninvestigated,itkillsoneofthecrew.Now,spatialphenomenaontheplanetandinspace,threatentheshipandcrew.But,theyhavelittletimelefttouncovertheanswer,whentheirsensorsdiscoveranenemyship,justhoursout.

ARTIFACT

GuidedbytheDoctor'snewscannerupgrade,theArgosfindsaplanetoidwithasmallancientoutpost.Accidentallyactivatingaself-destructmechanism,theydoretrievewhattheybelievetobeadatastoragecrystal.Withinminutesoftheirescape,theyareattackedbyasavageenemyoflessertechnology,butmassivenumbers.Numberssogreat,thattheywouldnotbeabletoleavewithoutpossibledestruction.Theywantthecrystalback,inexchangeforallowingtheirsafepassage.But,atthesametime,theDoctorfindsoutthatthecrystalisthesametechasthatoftheRelicship.Theyneedittofindtheshipandgethome.Now,theymustfendofftheattackers,decodethesecretofthecrystalandgiveittotheirattackers,beforetheirshipisdestroyed.

B:SeriesProposalWalkthroughFarthestStarproposalforaone-houractionseries

writtenbyWadeT.Pena&PhilZizzacreatedbyWadeT.Pena(Whattypeofheroandaccompanyingcharacters,theincitingincidentof

thestory,theinternaldramaticconflictoftheseries,theexternaldramaticconflictoftheseries,thequestoftheseries.)Takeaclean-cutbythebookStarcarrierCaptainandhiscrew.Without

warning,throwthemtothefarendoftheuniverseinanunknowngalaxy,theirshiphalfdestroyed.Theyimmediatelycomeunderattack.Theirmortalenemiestheyweretrackingdown,theironly'friends'inthisnewgalaxy,wheretheyareforcedtojoinforces.Tosurvive,evenworktogetherandsomehow,someway,trackdowntheancientshipthatcantransportthembackhome.ThisistheSci-fidramaof"FarthestStar."(Whattypeofhero,thediscovery/impetusthatleadstotheinciting

incident,theincitingincident,theironicdramaticpushoftheseriesandtheseriesquest)"FarthestStar"isthestoryofabythebookStarcarrierCaptainwhodiscovers

thelocationoftherebelsresponsibleforthedeathofhiswife,butwhentheirshipsareaccidentallytransportedtoanothergalaxy,hemustdotheunthinkableandpartnerwiththerebelsinadesperateattempttogetbackhome.(Nameofcharacter,Typeofcharacter,mainemotionalpush,ironicpush

oftheseries,Internalstruggleduetotheironicpush)FarthestStaris:-CAPTAINGRAY,ahandsomehardened40somethingwhothinksthe

Corsairrebelsarethelowestformoflife,untilherealizestheyarehiscrew’sonlyhopebackhome.Now,hemustfighthisownurgeseveryday,nottopushthemalloutanairlock,forthegreatergood.(Charactername,typeofcharacterandstationinlife,howthemain

characterfeelsabouthim/her,ironicmysterythatrelatestobothcharacters)-KEKOA,theCorsairCaptainthatGrayblamesthedeathofhiswifeon,only

Kekoaknowstherealtruth.(Charactername,relationshiptotheseriesquest/mystery,jobduringthe

series,thedramaticsecretthathe/shekeepsfromtheothercharactersthatpertaintothequest/mystery)-LARACOLTON,theleaderofthesecretfacilitythatheldthealienshipthat

strandedthem.Sheisinchargeoftrackingdownthelocationoftheshipandgettingthembackhome.OnlysheiskeepingasecretaboutthealienshipfromtheCaptainandcrew.(Charactername,typeofcharacter,hintofashadowypast.Establish

thatthepastisthreateningtoberevealedbyanew,threateningcharacter)-BETORR,thecrustychiefwithapastheleftbehindwhenhejoined

Starcontrol.Onlynow,hispasthascaughtupwithhimintheformofaCorsaircrewmanthatknowshisterriblesecret.(Charactername,typeofcharacter,reasonforhis/herstationinlife,

hidden/secretplotthatcanaffecttheseriesmystery/quest)-AMONKIN,acareercriminalthatjoinedtheCorsairsforpersonalgain.

Now,hesecretlyplotsmutinyandhasadisturbingnumberoffollowers.(Charactername,typeofcharacter,stationinlife,typeofperson,

relationshiptomaliciouscharacterandhowhe/shehelpsthatcharacter)-CASSLEE,abeautifulyoungStarcontrolofficerwhoisaclosetmanipulator

withapenchantforAmonandhelpinghisplansformutiny.(Charactername,typeofcharacter,characterpast,connectionwiththe

maincharacter,whatsupportingcharacterhe/sheconfidesin,secrethe/shekeepsthatcanaffectrelationshipwiththemaincharacter.)-T’ARAROARK,abeautifulhalf-Crujaanfemale,andformercrewmanof

theArgos,beforequittingtojointheCorsairs.Shestillfindsherselfsecretly

attractedtotheCaptainandconfidesinheroldfriend,Betorr.Kekoa'sconfidante,shekeepsthesecretofCaptainGray'sdeadwife.(Charactername,stationinlife,his/herrelationtoasupporting

characterandtheirdesigns,character'sabilitiesthatcanaffectthosedesignsandtheseriesquestsuccess/failure)-DANIELPEREZ,freshoutofStarcontrolAcademy,hehasbeenseducedby

Casstohelpthemutineercause.Hisgeniuswiththeship'ssystemsmakeshimanimportantpawninherplans.(Establishthedramaticandironicconditionsthatthecharacters,the

tensionsthiscausesandtheexternalthreatsthatthemystery/questbringsthem)Bothcrewssoonlearnthatfromnowonthey'llbelivinginconflict—with

theirfellowcrewmemberswhovieweachotherwithsuspicion,andwiththenewalienspeciesthatseektodestroythemateveryturn.(Descriptionoftherangeofseriesstorieslocations,descriptionofthe

threetofourdramaticfocalpointsoftheseries,endingwiththeprimarymystery/quest)Theadventurestheshipgetsinvolvedwithtakesthemfromthelowest

backwaterplanetstothegleamingspiresofpowerhungrystarempires.Eachepisodeof"FarthestStar"focusesonthesecretseachcrewmankeeps,internalpowerplayswhileatthesametimestrugglingforsurvivalamongthestarsallwhileseekingawayhome.(Charactername,characterdescription,stationinlife,anypersonal

internalloss,howthatloss/painhasaffectedthecharacter,howthatledtotheincitingincident,howtheincitingincidentledtothedramaticironyoftheseries,andtheseriesmysteryand/orquest)

CAPTAINJOHNGRAY

Isahandsomehardened40somethingStarcontrolCaptainwith25yearsofnonterrestrialservice.CaptainJonGrayisacareerStarcontrolCaptainthathaslosthisway,since

thedeathofhiswife.Foryearshehastrackeddowntherebelshipthatcausedherdeath.Whenhefinallycornerstheship,attackingasecretFederacyoutpost,bothshipsareflungacrosstheuniversetoanunknowngalaxy.Now,hehastomakeatrucewithhismosthatedenemies,tosurviveinadesperatebidtofindthealienshipresponsiblefortheirpredicamentandgetthemallhome.(Charactername,stationinlife,paststationinlife.Mutualpastwith

maincharacter,currentrelationshipwiththemaincharacter,how/whytheyworktogether.Whatthemaincharacterthinksofhim/her,whatrelationshiphe/shehaswithadifferentcharacterthatcould/ordoesimpacthis/herrelationshipwiththemaincharacter)

KEKOA

KekoaistheleaderoftheCorsairsandformerStarcontrolCaptain.HewasfriendswithCaptainGrayduringhistimewithStarcontrol.Aftertheirtwocrewsbecamestranded,heandGraywereimmediatelyatodds,butbothrealizedtheyhadtojoinforcesordie.Grayblameshimforthelossofhiswife,butonlyKekoaandT'araknowthetruthaboutherdeath.Asecret,ifdiscovered,coulddestroytheirallianceandthreatentheirsurvival.(Name,Rank/stationandpast,whatthepastmeanstohim/hernow.How

thatpasthascaughtuptothecharacter.‘RockandaHardPlacedecisionoverhis/herpast)

BETORR

BetorristhecrustySecurityChiefwithapast,apastheleftbehindtojoinStarcontrol.Onlynow,hispasthascaughtupwithhim,intheformofaCorsaircrewmanthatknowshisterriblesecret.Nowhemustdecidebetweenthedemandsofthemysterycrewman,orfacethetruthandthelossofhislifeinStarcontrol.(Thecharacter'sname,howheorshefitsintheteam/show,Whathe/she

thinksofthemaincharacter,Whatthecharacter'smaingoalis/was.Howdoesthecharacterfeelnow,afterthe‘setsail'incident?Whatspecialrelationshiphe/shehaswithanothercharacter,thatcouldcauseproblems.Whatisthecharacter'sspecialgiftthatmakeshim/hervaluable?Whatisthedramatic‘Rockandahardplace'decisionhe/shemustmake?)

DANIELPEREZ

DanielPerezisthenewestadditiontotheArgosandalongtimefanofCaptainGray.Restlessforadventure,hewoundupwithmorethanhecouldimagine.Feelinglostandoutofplaceamongsthiscrew,muchlesstheCorsairs,hefallsforandisseducedbyCasstohelpthemutineercause.Hisgeniuswiththeship’ssystemsmakeshimanimportantpawninherplans.Hesoonrealizeshemustchoosebetweenloveandhonor.(Character'sname,visualaestheticanduniquenessamongstthe

team/crew?Howandwhyhe/shedoesn'tfitin.Howdidthecharacterbecomewhotheyarenow?Howdoestheircurrentpredicamentaffecttheirmindsetnow?Whatisthecharacter's‘rockandahardplace'dramaticchoice?)T’ARAROARKT'araRoarkistheattractivehalfalienintheroom.Alwaysstuckbetween

worldsandcultures,shenevercompletelyfitinwhenshewasaStarcontrolofficer.WhenhercolonycameunderattackintheDemilitarizedzone,shejumpedatthechancetojointhemorespeciesdiverseCorsairs.Butwhentheybecamestrandedwithheroldship,theArgos,oldfeelingsofallegianceemerge.Now,shefindsherselfstuckbetweenworldsagain,andwhenrumorsofmutinysurface,shemustdecidewhichworldshelovesmost.(Character’sname,rankand/orposition,whathe/shedid/doesthat

pertainstothecentralmysteryand/orquest.Whathis/herpurposeisnow.Whatsecretand/oragendathecharacterholdsthatcanaffecttheothercharacters.Howdoesthissecretand/oragendaweighonthecharacter?)CAPTAINLARA‘DOC'COLTON;Ph.D.QUANTUMMECHANICSDoctorLaraColtonwastheleadresearcherontheancientaliencraftthattook

themfromtheirhomegalaxy.OnceahighlyrespectedmemberofStarcontrol’sarchaeologicaldivision,sheisnowrelegatedtotrackingdownthelocationoftheshipandgettingthembackhome.Onlysheknowstherealtruthbehindtheattackonherfacility.Atruththatneithercrewknowsabout,orherhiddenagenda.EverydayshebecomesmoreattachedtoCaptainGrayandhiscrew,whichmakeswhatshemustdo,evenmoredifficult.

(Character'sname,careerandtheoriginalpurposeforbeinginhis

position.Howhispastconnectswiththecentralmysteryand/orquestandwhathe/sheholdsback.Whathis/hernewhiddenpurposeisandhowthatconnectswiththecentralmysteryand/orquest?Howhe/sheactstocontrolotherstothatpurpose?Whatunexpectedthingresultsfromthatstrategythatputsthisplaninjeopardy?)

AMONKIN

AmonKinisacareercriminalthatoriginallyjoinedtheCorsairsforpersonalgain.HeistheoriginalsourceofinformationfortheCorsairsontheoriginsoftheancientalienship,buthehasnotdivulgedeverythingtothem.Onlyheknowsifhedoesn’ttakecommand,theirchancesofreturningaredimatbest.Now,heseekstocreateasuccessfulmutinyandstakeseverythingontheseductionofayoungStarcontrolofficer.But,whathedidn’texpect,wastofallinlovewithher.(TheCharacter’sname,rank/position?Thecharacter’skeypersonality

traitsandhowanewcharacteraffectsthosetraits?Howhe/shefirstreactstothatcharacterandhowthatreactionchanges?Howshehelpsthenewcharacterwithhis/herplansand/orulterior

motives?Whatistheothercharacterhe/sheengagesthatmakeshis/hernew

relationshipmorecomplicated?Howishe/shecoercedbyacharactertouse/abusehis/herrelationship

withakeycharacter?)LT.COMMANDERCASSLEECassLeeistheArgos’communicationscommander.Alwaysdiplomaticand

loyal,toafault,shefindsherbeliefschallengedbythebarbaricAmonKin.Atfirstrefusingherattractiontotherogue,shesoonfallsforhimandbecomeshislover.Now,shehasbecomehisprimaryconspiratorinhisplannedmutiny.But,shefallsforyoungDanielPerezaswellandistornbetweenthetwo,untilAmonforceshertouseDaniel’sfeelingsforher,totheiradvantage.Nowsheissecretlytornbetweenbothfactionsandbothmen.

GENERALBIBLEBIOQUESTIONTEMPLATE

CHARACTERTITLENAMEINCAPS,age,howthecharacterappearsand

yearsofdutyjob.Earlylifeandfamily'seconomicstanding.His/hermentalcapacity,howhe/sheaddresseshiswork,personalcost,and/or

side.Character'spersonalproblem(s)andhowhespendshistime.Demeanorandhowitdoesordoesn'tchange,dependingonthesituation.Whathe/shethinksofthecurrentsituation,howhispersonalhistoryaffects

thatviewandwhatemotionalgutinstinctisabouthisopiniononthecurrentsituation.Whatworrieshimandwhathedoestocompensateorfixit.Howhetestsothersand/ortheirresolvetoprovethemselves.Howthecharacterwillevolveoverthecourseoftheseriesandwhattraits

staystatic.

PILOTEPISODE

Noteforthissection:Inthissection,ashortfourpluspageepisodesummary

isusuallyprovidedforproposals.Thissummaryshouldnotbetakenasadefinitivetemplateforallstories,itisnot.Thisismerelyanexampleofonetypeofstoryandwhatit'stypeofstructureentails.

ACTI

(EstablishestheCurrentWorldoftheSeries:When,Who,Where&Whyofthestory.TheWhyshouldbethephysicalmotivationquestandtheemotionalquest,atthebeginning.TheCatalystmomentthatteasesandcreatesthefirstdramaticquestion.)In2507CaptainJonathanGrayoftheStarcontrolStarcarrierArgo,isatthe

endofathreeyearmissiontohuntdowndangerousinterstellarrebelsknownasCorsairs.It’sbeenyearssincethedeathofhiswifeatthehandsoftheCorsairs,andheisstillobsessedwithfindingtheshipresponsible.Unexpectedly,Inthemiddleoftheirfinaljourneyhome,Anemergencyhailcomesin.It’sfromaStarcontrolfacility,afacilitysosecrethewasnotawareofitsexistence.(Theanswertothefirstdramaticquestionisoneormorerelated

surprise(s).Usually,involvesconflictand/oractionand/orimminentconflictand/oraction.)Uponarrival,Gray'sscreenrevealstheperpetrators.Hecan’tbelieveit,the

raidertheResolute,THEshiphehasbeenseekingforyears.Hecallsbattlestations,thenheseesit.Amonstrouslyhugediamond-shapedalienship,largerthananasteroid.(Thedramatictruthofthesurprise(s)fullyeruptinconflictand/or

action.Oneormoreearlierforeshadoweddramaticsurprise(s)engagesdramatically.)Thesecretfacilityisfallingapartanditstinystaffejectsinlifepodsand

boardstheArgo,rightbeforethefacilityexplodes.Thetwoshipsdanceinanimpossibleballetoflightanddestruction.TheResolutefiresthelastofitstorpedocomplement.OnehitstheArgo,blowingoutdecksofpersonnelintocoldspace,theother…hitsthealienship.Neithercrewnoticesthealienshipcomingtolife.Thatisuntiltheyhearthesound.(CharactersbecomeawareofthedramaticeventknowastheInciting

Incident,whichisdefinedasaneventordecisionthatbeginsastory'sproblem.Thecharacter(s)realizewhathasnowoccurred.)

Bothshipspersonnelarestunnedbyasoundthatcomesnotfromtheair,butfrominsidetheirheads.Thenithappens.Thespacearoundthemturnswhite,blinding,andthenwithoutwarning,itstops.Thecrewslookattheirscreensjustasthealienshipdisappears.Thecrewscheckandrecheck,butit’strue.Theyaren’tinknownspaceanymore,notevenintheirowngalaxyandbothshipsaredeadinspace.Worse,bothshipscomeunderimmediateattackfromunknownhostilefire.(Conflictand/orActionbeginsduetotheIncitingIncident.Alliancesare

decidedordecision(s)toembarkonaphysicaljourneyis/aredecided)Alienfightershipsdescendonthetwoshipsinahailofblasterfire.TheArgo

andResolutedesperatelyfireallremaininglasersasbesttheycanonthestrafingenemy.Kekoa,theResolute'sCaptainhailstheArgo.Graydoesn'twanttorespondbutiscompelledbyhisSecurityChiefBetorr.KekoarecommendsabacktobackmaneuverthattheyusedbeforewhenheservedasGray’sformerFirstofficer.MemoriesfloodinandGraybeginstoprotestuntilKekoaasksifhewantstoberighteousanddead,orrealisticandalive.Grayagreesandthetwoshipsdefendthemselves,backtoback.(Anotheractionoreventhasoccurredthatcompoundstheeffectofthe

IncitingIncident.)Withinminutes,theMaraudersturntail,butnotbeforetractorbeamingthe

alienshipawaywiththem.Thetwoshipsaretoodamagedtomove,buttheyarealive.

ACTII

(Characterstakestockofwhathashappened.)ThetwocrewsareinaweattheircircumstancesandCaptainKekoainitiatesa

“Parle’,foratruce.Meantime,Kekoa’sfirstofficer,AmonKin,secretlyplanstomutinybutputshisplansonholddespitecallsbyhisconfederatestoinitiatethemutinynow.(Tensely,CharactersstrategizeonhowtorecuperatefromtheInciting

Incident.)ThemeetingbetweenCaptainsandtheircommandcrewstakesplaceon

dockedshuttlesbetweentheships.PresentatthemeetingfromtheArgoareCaptainGrayashisfirstofficer,Lt.CommanderCassLeeandChiefBetorr.FromtheResoluteareCaptainKekoa,AmonKinandT’araRoark,alsoaformerStarcontrolofficer.(Characterstenselyinteractandinitiatethelayoutoftheplanofactionto

recuperatefromtheIncitingIncident.)ThetwocautiousCaptainsgreeteachother.Kekoasuggestsanextended

truce,atleastuntiltheycanfindtheirrespectivecrews...andthealienship.WhilethetwoCaptain’sspeak,LeeisstaringatAmon,whoisatfirstunaware.Whenhenotices,hegivesaroguishsmileandwinks.ThestartledLeeturnsherattentionbacktotheCaptain.(Planofactionistenselyagreedto,butnotallcharactersagreeorare

happyaboutthedecisionand/ordirection.)Grayishesitantabouttheofferofextendedtruce,asangerdancesinhis

expression.Kekoalaysitallout.Hisengine’shypercoilsarefriedandStarcontrolalwayskeepsextras.Argo’ssensortransducersareshotandtheResolutehasspares.Therearetoomanyunknownsforusnottoworktogether.Graynods.AmongoestoprotestandhestopsasKekoaraisesahand.Theyagreetosendoversupplyshuttleswithsixtechnicianseach.Alltobeescortedbysecurityonbothships.Kekoaextendshishand.ButGraydoesnottakeit.“YouhaveyourtruceCaptain,fornow,”andtheydepart.

(ThehighstakesthathaveresultedfromtheIncitingIncident

(Ex.endangeredperson(s),item(s),etc.>isindirejeopardy.)Elsewhere,theMarauderandhumancraftsfromearlierareinahugelanding

bay.Hoardsofarmoredalienwarriorsswarmthehumanfightercrafts,gunsattheready.Humansarebeingtakenprisoner,somebeingshotiftheyshowresistance.ThedefeatedmenandwomenfilterbyagroupofMarauderofficers.ThelargestoftheofficersistheirFieldMarshal.AjuniorofficerwalksuptothegroupandaddressestheFieldMarshal.“Excellency,thereisnosignofthealiensfollowing.”TheFieldMarshalsmiles,turning.“Butweknowtheywillcome,don’twe?Theywillcome.”(Character'splantolicktheirwoundsand/orseekwaystofindthe

jeopardizedperson(s),item(s)orsituation(s))Later,backontheArgo,teamsandequipmenthavebeensenttoeachshipto

effectrepairsontheResolute’senginesandtheArgo’ssensors.CaptainGraysummonsDoctorColton,theheadoftherescuedalienshipresearchteam.TheCaptainwantsanswersabouttheship.Shesaysshehasnonebutmaybeabletotrackandfindthealienshipwhentheirsensorsarebackonline.TheCaptaingiveshereveryresourcetomakeithappen,buthedoesnottrusther.GraycallsonChiefBetorrtowatchher.(Characterscomeupagainstconflictwitheachotherwhilelickingtheir

wounds.Canandshouldinvolvesubtleoroversubterfuge.)OnboardtheResolute,Lt.DanielPerezassistswiththerepairsofthe

Resolute’senginesbutgetshisfirsttasteoftheCorsairsdislikeofStarcontrol.Lt.CommanderLeehastoworkwithAmonKintorepairtheArgo’sengines.Sherebuffshisadvances,whilehesecretlyplantsacovertdeviceintheirengineeringsection.(Againsttheodds,woundshavebeensufficientlyfixed,andthe

jeopardizedperson(s)and/oritem(s)locationshasbeenfound/discovered.Nowthecharacter(s)areunderwaytoretrievethejeopardized.)TheenginesgoliveontheResolute,provingPerez’sworthtotheirnewallies,

rightbeforetheArgo’ssensorsaresuccessfullyrepaired.Dr.Coltonscansfor

andfindsthealienship’ssignature.It’slocatedinadistantnebula.Bothshipsgetunderwayimmediatelyforthecoordinates,withoutknowingexactlywhattheyareupagainst.

ACTIII

(Thesituationandstakestoobtain,fixand/orrescuethejeopardizedareestablishedandaroughplanishatched.)Telemetrycomesinandtheydiscoverthemaraudersareatahugering

shaped-spacestationthesizeofaworld,thatwouldbesuicideasadirectassault.Theydecideonatwoteamcovertinsertion.Oneteamtofindthecrew,oneteamtofindthealienship.TensionstillrunshighbetweenGrayandKekoa,butwhenconfrontedby

Kekoa,Grayconfirmsthetrucewillholduntilaftertheoperation.(Moretension(s)/problem(s)is/arerevealedinplanningtheundertaking

toobtain,fixand/orrescuethejeopardized.)AmonandLtCommanderLeegatherattheArgomeetingroomforassault

planning.AmonamorouslymovesonLeeagainandsherebuffshisadvances.(Character(s)practiceand/ormovefor/totheundertakingandtension(s)

runhigh.Thisisusuallyduetoeitheroverwhelminglybadodds,internalpersonalstrifeand/orintercharacterstrife...oralloftheabove.)Later,theArgoandResoluteattackcrewsmeetattheArgo'spilotready

room.Thebriefingisgivenandtheteamsareestablished.Bravoteamforcrewrescueconsistsof,AmonKin,CassLeeandAlphateamforfreeingthealienshipfromitsberthmadeupofDr.Colton,Betorr,andLt.Perez.ThetwoCaptainsareoversightbackontheArgo.ThedualcrewteamsrunthroughsimulationsonArgo’ssimulationdeck,but

allgoeslessthansmooth.ThediametricallydifferentapproachesillustratethattheCorsairsmusttakeStarcontrol’sleadonthemissions.AmonandtheResolutecrewpushbackbuttheformerStarcontrolofficer,Kekoa,approves.Thiscreatesmoreanimositytowardhimandbetweenthecrews.(CharactersarriveattheUndertaking,resolutebutworried.)Withrelentlesspractice,theteamsimulationsgetbetterbutnottothelevel

thatmakestheCaptainscomfortable.Theyarriveattheoutskirtsofthenebula

nowandbothCaptainsdecidetheymustbeonthemissions,tomakesurethemissionsaresuccessful.

ACTIV

(FirstpartoftheUndertakingplanbegins.)PartoneoftheplanisfortheResolute’screwtocapturetwoalienships,en

routetothestation,thenusethemfortheassaultteams.TheResolutecrewwatchesindistasteasthepiraterebelsdotheunpalatabletaskthatisnecessaryfortheirsuccess.(TheUndertakingbringsconflictand/oraction.Duringthissequence,a

surpriserevealsacharacter'sharddecision...selfishnessorselflessnessforanothercharacterand/orcause.)BeforeAlphateamtakesoff,AmonplanstoshootKekoaonthemissionand

takecommand.Bothshipsfindnon-regulardockstothestation,andcarrydimensionalbridgers,totransportthembacktotheirshipsthroughdimensionalportals.Oncetheygettotheholdingcells,afirefightbreaksout.AlthoughAmonplannedtoshootKekoa,hehastomakeachoice.DoeshekillKekoa,orsaveCass?(Anothercharacterfindsanunforeseenwrinkleintheplan.He/she/they

mustadjustandtakeaction.)TheBravoteamhastosilentlykillmultiplealiensbeforefindingtheirquarry,

thealienship.Butcutoffbyaguardedwalkway,Dr.Colton,BetorrandGrayhavetospacewalktoit.(Thecharacterwiththesurpriseharddecisionbetweenselfishnessand

selflessnessmakesadecision,thatmaybeuncharacteristicforhim/her.)BackwithAlphateam,AmonsavesCassinsteadofkillingKekoa.They

releasethecrew,buttheynowhavetogetthemtotheirfighterships,becausetheirdimensionalbridgerwasdestroyed.(Theadjustedplanrevealsmorecomplicationsandacharacterquestions

hisorothers'abilityand/ormotives.Thecomplicationsetsactionsinmotionthatestablishthemaindramaticquestfortheentireseries.)

Dr.GrayandBetorrmovetowardsthealienshipintheirsuits,butshesaysshehastogoaloneortheshipmightactivate.Theystandwatch,slightlyoutofsight.Butwhenafirefightstartstobreakoutattheirairlock,Betorrgoestotellhertheyhavetoleavenow.Itisthenthatheseesherdoingsomethingtotheship,insertingapyramidintotheside,insteadofjustputtingonatransponder,theninaflashofblindinglight,thealienshipdisappears.(Theundertakingseemstobeworking,ifimperfectlyand/orwithlosses.)AlphaTeamisawaywithallfighters,firingtheirwayoutofthestation.

BravoteamusestheirdimensionalbridgertogetbacktotheResolute.GrayisfuriousandmystifiedatColton,buttheyhavenotimeforquestions.TheArgoandResolutemovetowardthestationtoretrievethefightersastheyarepursuedbyenemyships.(TheUndertakingand/oroneofitsmaincharactersisinjeopardy.The

Undertakingissuccessful,butatacostofeitherlife,limb,resources,oracombinationthereof.)KekoaandthefightersgetbacktotheArgo’slargerintactlandingbays,but

nowtheirshipsareunderheavyattack.TheResolute’smainenginestakeaheavyblowandcan’thyperdriveaway.KekoaordershiscrewtoabandonshipbutnowhastoprotecttheArgosasitpicksupthecrews’lifepods.Kekoafightstotheendtosavehiscrew,thentheArgo,fullyexpectingtobeleftbehindashekamikazeshisshipintoanalienbaseship.Butatthelastmoment,GraytakesthechanceofinsertingadimensionalbridgertotheResolutebarelysavingKekoa.But,theResoluteislost.(Thecharacter(s)havesucceededandleave/retreatfromthe

undertaking.)Asurprisedcrewseesthealienarmadahaltpursuit,givingthemprecioustime

tospooltheirhyperdriveandescape.

(Thecharactersembracetheirsuccesses,aloneand/orwitheachother.)GrayandhiscommandcrewgotosickbaytoseeKekoa,whoisbeingtreated

forinjuriesfromthebattle.Hethankshim,suggeststheymergecrewstosurviveandinfershewilllooktheotherwaywhentheygetbacktoletthemescape.ThenheextendshishandandthetwoCaptain’sfinallyshake.(Secondarycharactersponderand/orshowtheresultsoftheiractions

and/orsuccesses.)Totheside,T’araasksAmonwhatwouldhappenifGrayeverfoundoutwhat

reallyhappenedtohiswifewhentheResolutekilledher.Amonsmiles,thenseesCassatthedoornodforhimtofollowher.Heexitsandshetakeshimtoasideoffice.Shethankshimforsavingher,hebeginstoleave,butshegrabshimandsurprisingly…kisseshim.(Character(s)confronteachotherovertheiractions,oranalyzethenew

realitytheirsuccesshasbrought.)Dr.Coltonleavestheroom,Betorrseesandfollows,thenconfrontsher.He

sawwhatshedidandnowsheneedstoexplainherself.(TheEpiloguepointthatrevealsthemysteryoftheseriesantagonist.)Meanwhile,backatthealienstation,thealienCommanderistoldthatthe

Argohasescaped,perhisorders.“Good,theprophecyhasbegun.”Andweseeonhisdesk,anancientlookingrepresentationoftheArgo.

EPISODESTORYCONCEPTS

(Whatistheepisode’sproblem/teaser?Whatpredicamentdoestheproblem/teaserplacethecharactersin?Whatmustthecharactersdotofixtheirpredicament,against

overwhelmingodds?Whatsecondaryproblem/dangerisdiscoverediftheydon’tfixtheir

situationsoon?(tickingclock)Whatpersonalproblemsmustoneormorecharactersovercometo

succeed?)

COLONY

TheArgosisattackedbyamysteriousenemythatcandimensionallyteleportaboardtheirship.Theyareimprisonedonapenalcolony,foraccidentallytrespassingthroughtheattacker'ssystem.Now,theymustengineeranescapebyovercominganenigmatic,impenetrableprison.Also,iftheydon'tescapequickly,theenemiesreinforcementswillpreventtheirescapeforever.StarcontrolandCorsaircrewalikemustputasidedifferencestosurviveandescape.(Whatistheepisode’sproblem/teaser?Whatpersonalproblemsmustoneormorecharactersovercometo

succeed?Whatsecondaryproblem/dangeroccurs/isdiscovered?Whatmysteriouspuzzlepiecemustbedeciphered,quickly(tickingclock)

beforetheirproblem/dangerbecomespermanent?)

STARSHIPLOST

TheArgoscomesacrossa'ghost'starship,missingitscrew,butonlyrecently.Ontheheelsoftheirrecentprisonescape,thetwocrewsworktogethertosolvethemystery,butoldhabitsdiehard.Soonafterdocking,theArgoslosespowerandtensionsrise.Onlyacomatosecrewmancananswerthemysteryoftheship,butisincriticalconditionanddying,quickly.Theyhavelittletimetosolvetheriddlebeforetheymeetthesamemysteriousfateoftheghostship.(Whatisthebenignbeginningpurposeofthecharacters?Whatisdiscoveredthatseems/isconnectedtothecentralmystery/quest?Howorwhatdoesthediscoverydotothreatenthecharacters?Whatsecondarydangerhasmadefixingthesituationwiththediscovery,

timesensitive?(Tickingclock)

PLANETSIDE

Duringthejointcrew'sfirstmissiontoretrieverareelementsfortheirengines,andgetalittleshoreleave,aloneobelisk,withsimilarmarkingstotheAlienrelicshipisfound.Wheninvestigated,itkillsoneofthecrew.Now,spatialphenomenaontheplanetandinspace,threatentheshipandcrew.But,theyhavelittletimelefttouncovertheanswer,whentheirsensorsdiscoveranenemyship,justhoursout.(Howdoesthenavigatingthecentralmystery/questrevealaclue/setpiece

atanewlocation?Howdoesthatnewsetpieceputtheminimmediatedanger?Howdoesthatsetpieceputthematoddswithanewthreatthatwantsto

retrievethesetpiecefromthem?Whatmakesitimpossibleforthemtogiveanewthreatwhattheywant,

inthetimethattheywant?(tickingclock)Whatarethreethingstheymustaccomplishbeforeanestablishedthreat

totheirsurvivaloccurs?)

ARTIFACT

GuidedbytheDoctor'snewscannerupgrade,theArgosfindsaplanetoidwithasmallancientoutpost.Accidentallyactivatingaself-destructmechanism,theydoretrievewhattheybelievetobeadatastoragecrystal.Withinminutesoftheirescape,theyareattackedbyasavageenemyoflessertechnology,butmassivenumbers.Numberssogreat,thattheywouldnotbeabletoleavewithoutpossibledestruction.Theywantthecrystalback,inexchangeforallowingtheirsafepassage.But,atthesametime,theDoctorfindsoutthatthecrystalisthesametechasthatoftheRelicship.Theyneedittofindtheshipandgethome.Now,theymustfendofftheattackers,decodethesecretofthecrystalandgiveittotheirattackers,beforetheirshipisdestroyed.

WhatIsASeriesBible?Unlikeaseriespitchorseriesproposal,aseriesbibleiscreatedfororduringa

seriesproduction.Theyareusuallymoredetailedandareusually50to100pluspagesinlength.

(Note:ProductionSeriesBiblesareoftendoublespacedorat1.5)Formany,thisisnotjustaguide,buttheultimatedevelopmenttoolfora

series.However,itisgoodtonotethatwhenwritingaseries,itsdirectionmayveerinunexpectedandbetterdirectionsthanthebible.

A:SeriesBibleExampleFARTHESTSTARfollowstheadventuresofaStarcontrolvesselwhichmust

finditswaybacktoFederacyspacefromadistantgalaxy.(Whatisasinglesentenceexplanation/descriptionoftheseries.)

THEBACKSTORY

Lessthanfiveyearshavepassedsincetherebellionofthefrontierplanetno

man'sland,toformtheirownConfederation.SincethefrontieristheagreeddemilitarizedzonebetweenFederacyandtwoopposingEmpires,Starcontrolwasforcedtoputdowntherebellion,tokeepthedétente'.However,theremainingfrontierrebelscontinuetofightaguerrillawarforindependence,callingthemselves,Corsairs.OurstorybeginswhentheStarcontrolshipArgosisdispatchedtosearchfora

CorsairshipthatattackedatopsecretFederacyfacility,whereahugemysteriousalienshipisdocked.TheCorsairsarestoppedandincarceratedaboardtheArgos.But,thentheArgosfindsitselfpulledintoawormholecreatedbythemysteriousship.Thisultimatelyleavestheshipinanunknowngalaxy,withnoideahowtogethome.Eventually,anuneasyalliancewiththeCorsairsisformedtoimprovetheir

chancesoffindingthealienshipandgettingbacktoFederacyspace.Todothis,thetwoships'captainsnegotiateforcommissions.Tothispoint,

theCorsairsinsistonCommandrolesfortheirseniorstaff.Anarrangementismade,however,theArgoscaptaininsistedthattheybehaveasaStarcontrolcrew.Thisdoesn’tsitwellwithalloftheCorsairs.

THESTARCARRIERARGOS

Thesizeofasmallcity,theArgosisacombatvesselthatholdsacrewofhundreds.

THECORSAIRS

Theyareidealisticnonconformists,mixedwithcutthroatsandcriminals.SomeareformerStarcontrolofficersorAcademydropouts.TheyareoftenindividualswithperhapsafewmoreroughedgesthanwemightseeinatypicalStarcontrolcrew.

CONTINUINGCHARACTERS

CAPTAINJOHNGRAY

Isahandsomehardened40somethingStarcontrolCaptainwith25yearsofnonterrestrialservice.Thesonofageneticistfatherandaphysicistmother,Graywasonapathfora

careerinscience.But,hisnaturalleadershipmanifestedattheAcademyandhewascontinuallypromotedtohigherpositionsofresponsibility.GrayisgenerallyacknowledgedthatheisamongthebestCaptainsin

Starcontrol.HeembodiesallthatisthatwouldbeexpectedofaseniorStarcontrolofficers:intelligent,toughandnotafraidtotakechances.Aconsummateprofessional,Graydoesn’tusuallyletpersonalfeelingscloud

hisjudgment.However,thelossofhiswifeduetoaCorsairattackfiveyearsagohasmadehimanobsessedman.Thishasresultedinisolatinghimselfinhisquarters,whennotonduty,pouringoverintelligencereportsanddrinkingalittletoomuch.Becauseofthelossofhiswife,hethinkstheCorsairrebelsarethelowest

formoflife.Everydayhefightshisownurgesnottolockthemup,orpushthemalloutanairlock.But,herealizestheyarehiscrew’sonlyhopebackhome.Althoughhekeepsastiffupperlipaboutgettingbackhome,herealizesthat

hemayneverreachFederacyspaceinhislifetime.Thesethoughts,atcheckbyday,tendtoeruptinnightmarishdreamsatnight.Heconstantlytestshisnew‘crewmembers',bypushingtheirabilities,their

willingnesstofollowordersandevenunfairlyputtingtheminharm'swaymorethanhiscrew.However,themorehedealswiththeCorsaircrew,hecomestohaveagrudgingrespectforthemormostofthem.Duringtheseries,GraywillstarttoseethetruthbehindtheCorsaircause,and

gaintherespectofhisformerenemies.HewilldiscoverthetruthbehindtheAlienshipandespeciallythehiddentruthbehindhiswife’sdeath.

KEKOA

TheFirstOfficer’sbackgroundisunique.HisancestorswereHawaiiansthatcolonizedaplanetintheinfamousDemilitarizedZone.Kekoawasalwayswhathispeoplecalla“seeker;"hehadamindofhisown,

anindividualist.Proudofhisheritageandtraditions,hewasnotsatisfiedtoignoretheuniverse,auniverseteemingwithalienworldsandincredibletechnology.Helefthisworld,educatedhimself,andattendedStarcontrolAcademy.ButhewasstilltooindividualisticattheAcademy,hehaddifficultyadhering

totherules.But,hewascommissionedandpostedtotheDenebaftertheendoftheImperialWars.WhenhelearnedthathispeoplewerebecomingvictimsofattacksbyMaraudersandtheEmpires,sheleftStarcontroltodefendthem,joiningthethen-fledglingrebels,thatbecameknownastheCorsairs.Kekoanevergaveuphispracticeoftraditionalrituals,andhepreservesthem

aboardArgos.Heoftenretreatsintovirtualrealitytoconnectwithpastmemories.Memoriesthatoftenprovideinsightintoaddressingcurrentproblems.Asaleader,heisasfirm,fearless,asheiscaptivating.HecameontoArgos

byduress,buthehasinspiredtherespectofmanyofthemosthardenedoftheStarcontrolcrew.HeandGraywereimmediatelyatodds,butbothrealizedtheyhadtojoin

forcesordie.Grayblameshimforthelossofhiswife,butonlyheandT'araknowthetruthaboutherdeath.Asecretthatifdiscovered,coulddestroytheirallianceandthreatentheirsurvival.

BETORR

TheUulbeSecurityChiefistheelderwarriorofthecrewbutisasphysicallycapableashisyoungerCaptain.Heisapowerfulcombinationofmaturity,experience,andstubbornparanoia.HisUulbenpatiencedoeslittletokeeptheshipatpeace,especiallywhentheCorsairsbecomepartofthecrew.But,hiscrustypresenceiscomfortingtomany,ironicallyespeciallytheyoungandheadstrongT'ara.Heisknownforgivinghisopinion,whetheritisaskedforornot.Betorrhaslivedlong,maybetoolong.Heisaserialmonogamist.Hehas

beenthroughseveralwives,butnochildren…thatheknowsof.Hehasworked'withGrayforsometime;theyknoweachotherwellandhave

achievedthekindofrelationshipthatcomeswithwar.Grayturnstohimasarockofwisdom;Betorristhepersonheturnsto…whenheneedsone.ButitiswithT’arathatBetorrhasthemostintenserelationship.Hisbrusque

demeanorisoddlyreassuringtoher,maybeit’sthehonesty.ItisBetorrandT’ara’soddrelationshipthatstartstobringthecrewshesitantlytogether.

DANIELPEREZ

Daniel,theOps/Communicationofficer,isahumanofSpanishdescentandhadthehappiestdayofhislifewhenhereportedtodutyaboardArgos.Hisparentswereproudandembarrassinglyshowedit,inawayonlyLatinparentscan.(Name,position,ethnicbackgroundandpersonalpositionbeforetheseries

springboardincident?Howhisclosestpersonalrelationsfelttowardshimbeforetheseries

springboardincident?)Danielgrewupwithacoddledtypeofsupportthatmadetheassumptionhe

wouldacewhateverheputhismindto.Morethananything,hewantedtofulfillthatbeliefandmakehisparentsproud.HedidsobygraduatingwithhonorsfromtheAcademy.AfterArgoswasswepttothefarreachesofanothergalaxy,herealizedhe

wouldneverseehisparentsagainandtheywouldbelievehimdead,hisgrowthintoamanbegan.Beingpamperedthroughhisyouth,Danielhadsomegrowinguptodo.

Havingneverexperiencedtrueadversity,hefoundhimselflesscapableofhandlingitthanothers.Hefeelslikeheisoutofhisdepthnow.Whatwassupposedtobea3-monthstinthasturnedintotheunthinkable.Hegoesabouthisdutieswithintensity,findingtheconstantworkandgood

waytokeephismindoffofthepainhepushesaside.Theothersknowthis,andintheirvaryingways,trytogivetheyoungmana

helpinghand.TheirmethodsrangefromKekoa'ssterninsistenceondutytoGray'scomfortingpaternalpresence,butamongthecrew,thereisnotonewhodoesn'tlikeDanielPerez.T’ARAROARKTheChiefEngineerhasafacadethat'sworkedwellforher:tough,

knowledgeable,abletotakecareofherself.However,beneaththesurface,dwellsapersonconfusedandatwarwithherself.

(Character’sname,position,demeanor,ability…andpersonaldemonand/orstruggle?)T'arahasamixedheritageCrujaanandhuman,thatsheabhors.HerCrujaan

sideisdistressingtoher,andshemakeseveryefforttosuppressit.ShedistruststhefeelingsherCrujaanheritagebringsandwishesthat,likeBetorr,shecouldachievecontroloverthem.T’ara'sattitudestartedwhenherhumanfatherneverreturnedtoherfamilyas

achild.Hisfinalwhereaboutsstillunknowntohisday.So,asachild,shefantasizedhimintoanidealfigure,someonetolookupto,tobelike.Sheandhermotherlived,notontheCrujaanHomeWorld,butonaremote

colonyinthedemilitarizedzone,whichwaslargelyhuman,andwheretheyoungchildinevitablygrewupfeelinglikethealien.Asshegrewolder,shesawbeingCrujaanasshamefulandhumanaswhoshereallyis.ThisfeelingwassolidifiedwhenshewasacceptedatStarcontrolAcademy

wheresheexcelled.Buteventhenshestruggledwiththestructureanddisciplinedemandedofthestudents.Aftergraduation,shejoinedtheStarcontrolEngineers,butherstrugglewithStarcontrollifecontinued.Hercareerwasrocky,puttingherinconflictwithcolleaguesoverthingsbigandsmall.Shequit,withgreatregret,feelingthatshedidn'tfitin,blamingthis,again,onherCrujaanside.AsamemberoftheCorsairs,T’arahadfinallyfoundanoutletformanyof

herfrustrationsandaphysicalenemyagainstwhomshecouldfight.Shewasacourageoussoldier,andeitherdidn'trealizeordidn'tacknowledgethefactthatwarringontheMaraudersallowedherCrujaanwarlikebloodfree.Now,onArgos,herowninnerfrustrationsareagainemerging.T’araisforced

todealwithangrypartsofherselfthatnolongerhaveanappropriateoutlet.ItisthroughBetorr'sinyourfacefairandsquarecounselthatsheislearningtoacceptherself.T'araturnsmanyheads,butthepersonshehasdesignsonistheCaptainbut

forcesherselftocontrolherfeelings.CAPTAINLARA‘DOC'COLTONDocisnotamonikershehaseverbeenknownby,butaderisiveonethrust

uponherbytheCorsairs.HershasbeenafastrisetothetopinStarcontrol,butonlyduetoherresearchandsuccesses,notfromhands-onleadership.Theonlypreviouscommandisthatofthesecretfacilitythatsheandthreeofherstaffwererescuedfrom.Docisfarfromcomfortableinunforeseensituations,situationssheisnot

readyfororcan'tcontrol.Raisedamilitarybrattotwomilitaryscientists,onthetechdevelopmentfields.Shewasthepersonthatuncoveredtherestingplaceoftherelicship.Onlysheknewhowtofindit,founditandnowshewillattemptagaininanincrediblyhostilenewgalaxy.However,sheholdsasecretbackfrombothcrewsonthehiddenhistoryoftheship,andwhatitwilltaketogethome.

AMONKIN

Amonisacareerpirateinhismid-thirties.HeispartoftheCorsairs,notforaltruisticreasons,andhiscrewmenknowit.Heis,toputitnicely,acivilizedbarbarian,withaquietcunningthatunnervesmany.He'sascavenger,trader,conman,procurer,andofcourse,warrior.Hislifehasnotbeenaneasyone,buthehastougheditout--survivingbyhiswitsandinstinctsindangerouspartsofspace.Amonhas,throughnecessity,becomeaninterstellarjackofalltrades.But,to

theArgos,heistheirscout,theircartographerwherescannerscan’treach.But,whatisn’tknowntomostofthecrew,isthatheisplottingmutiny.He

quietlyplots,growinghisnumberoffollowers,biddinghistime.LT.COMMANDERCASSLEECassLeeistheArgos’communicationscommander.Alwaysdiplomaticand

loyal,toafault,shefindsherbeliefschallengedbythebarbaricAmonKin.Atfirstrefusingherattractiontotherogue,shesoonfallsforhimandbecomeshislover.Now,shehasbecomehisprimaryconspiratorinhisplannedmutiny.But,shefallsforyoungDanielPerezaswellandistornbetweenthetwo,untilAmonforceshertouseDaniel’sfeelingsforher,totheiradvantage.Nowsheissecretlytornbetweenbothfactionsandbothmen.

LOCATIONS

MAINBRIDGE

ThecommandpostandbraintrustoftheStarcarrierUS.S.Argos,thisareaservesthelocationtoviewstarshipsindistressorposingthreats,tonegotiatewithleadersofrivalraces,andtolearnabouttheunfamiliargalaxyintowhichtheStarcarrierhasbeenthrust.CaptainGrayisincommandofthiscommunicationshub.

BRIEFINGROOM

Insidethebriefingroom,theentirestaffwillgathertomakeimportantdecisionsregardingthefateoftheStarcarrierUSS.Argosandboldnegotiationswithopposingforces.

ENGINEERING

EngineeringisthehomeoftheStarcarrierU.S.S.Argos'sQuantumenginesystem,whichismademoreadvancedandefficientsystemwitheachalienencounter.

DININGHALL

Thedininghallprovidesasocialatmosphereaswellasadiningfacilityforthecrew.ItiswithinthesewallsthecrewoftheStarcarrierUS.S.Argos,eats,blowsoffsteamandengagesin‘friendly’gamesofchance.

SICKBAY

Sickbayisafullyequippedmedicalfacility,preparedforanychallenge.Theonlyproblem,thesurgicalAIhasbeendamagedandmustbeoverseen,manually,butallmedicalpersonnelwerekilledduringthequantumevent.CAPTAIN'SREADYROOMThequarterswherethecaptainconferswithhisofficersandcontemplateshis

decisions.

B:SeriesBibleWalkthroughFARTHESTSTARfollowstheadventuresofaStarcontrolvesselwhichmust

finditswaybacktoFederacyspacefromadistantgalaxy.(Whatisasinglesentenceexplanation/descriptionoftheseries.)

THEBACKSTORY

(Whatcatalysthasoccurredoveragivenamountoftimethathasledto

thecurrent‘world’?Whatconflict(s)hasthisworldcreatedduetothecatalyst?Howdotheauthoritiesinthisnewworldactduetothecatalyst?Howdoesthepopulaceinthisworldactduetothecatalystandthe

authorities?Lessthanfiveyearshavepassedsincetherebellionofthefrontierplanetno

man'sland,toformtheirownConfederation.SincethefrontieristheagreeddemilitarizedzonebetweenFederacyandtwoopposingEmpires,Starcontrolwasforcedtoputdowntherebellion,tokeepthedétente'.However,theremainingfrontierrebelscontinuetofightaguerrillawarforindependence,callingthemselves,Corsairs.(Whatistheeventthatinitiatestheseries,thatbridgesbetweenthe

catalystfortheexistingworldandincitingincident?Whatleadstotheincitingincidentandhowdoestheseries’“setsail”

momentoccur?Whatisthenewpredicamentthatleadsthecharacterstotheirnew

world?Howdoesthiscreate/exposethecentralmysteryand/orseriesquest?)OurstorybeginswhentheStarcontrolshipArgosisdispatchedtosearchfora

CorsairshipthatattackedatopsecretFederacyfacility,whereahugemysteriousalienshipisdocked.TheCorsairsarestoppedandincarceratedaboardtheArgos.But,thentheArgosfindsitselfpulledintoawormholecreatedbythemysteriousship.Thisultimatelyleavestheshipinanunknowngalaxy,withnoideahowtogethome.Eventually,anuneasyalliancewiththeCorsairsisformedtoimprovetheir

chancesoffindingthealienshipandgettingbacktoFederacyspace.(Howmustthecharactersmust/oragreetoworktogether?Isitatensedétente,ortenseworkingrelationship?Whoishappywiththearrangement?Whoisnot?Why?)

Todothis,thetwoships'captainsnegotiateforcommissions.Tothispoint,theCorsairsinsistonCommandrolesfortheirseniorstaff.Anarrangementismade,however,theArgoscaptaininsistedthattheybehaveasaStarcontrolcrew.Thisdoesn’tsitwellwithalloftheCorsairs.(Descriptionofthemainseriessetpiece/location)

THESTARCARRIERARGOS

Thesizeofasmallcity,theArgosisacombatvesselthatholdsacrewofhundreds.(Descriptionofthemainantagonistgroup?Howtheantagonistgroupconnects/correspondstotheprotagonist

group?Attributesandfeaturesofthemainantagonistgroup?)

THECORSAIRS

Theyareidealisticnonconformists,mixedwithcutthroatsandcriminals.SomeareformerStarcontrolofficersorAcademydropouts.TheyareoftenindividualswithperhapsafewmoreroughedgesthanwemightseeinatypicalStarcontrolcrew.

CONTINUINGCHARACTERS

(Physicaldescription,age,positionofthemainprotagonist)

CAPTAINJOHNGRAY

Isahandsomehardened40somethingStarcontrolCaptainwith25yearsofnonterrestrialservice.(Personalbackgroundofthemainprotagonist’sfamily?Originalplansforthefuture?Whatledtohis/hercurrentposition?)Thesonofageneticistfatherandaphysicistmother,Graywasonapathfora

careerinscience.But,hisnaturalleadershipmanifestedattheAcademyandhewascontinuallypromotedtohigherpositionsofresponsibility.(Howtheprotagonistisseen/perceivedbyhis/herpeers.Whataretheattributesand/orfeaturesofhis/hercharacter?)GrayisgenerallyacknowledgedthatheisamongthebestCaptainsin

Starcontrol.HeembodiesallthatisthatwouldbeexpectedofaseniorStarcontrolofficers:intelligent,toughandnotafraidtotakechances.(Whatkeyattributeformshis/herdecision-makingstandards?Whathasoccurredinthepastthathasorcouldchangethatstandard?Howhasthatpastoccurrencechangedtheprotagonistandhisactions

andbearing?)Aconsummateprofessional,Graydoesn’tusuallyletpersonalfeelingscloud

hisjudgment.However,thelossofhiswifeduetoaCorsairattackfiveyearsagohasmadehimanobsessedman.Thishasresultedinisolatinghimselfinhisquarters,whennotonduty,pouringoverintelligencereportsanddrinkingalittletoomuch.(Howdoestheprotagonist’spastaffecthowhe/shefeelsaboutthe

antagonistgroup?Howdoestheprotagonistdealwiththeantagonistonadailybasis?Howandwhydoestheprotagonistdealwiththeantagonistgroup?Howdoesthisdynamicaffecttheprotagonist’spsyche?)

Becauseofthelossofhiswife,hethinkstheCorsairrebelsarethelowestformoflife.Everydayhefightshisownurgesnottolockthemup,orpushthemalloutanairlock.But,herealizestheyarehiscrew’sonlyhopebackhome.Althoughhekeepsastiffupperlipaboutgettingbackhome,herealizesthat

hemayneverreachFederacyspaceinhislifetime.Thesethoughts,atcheckbyday,tendtoeruptinnightmarishdreamsatnight.(Howdoestheprotagonisttreattheantagonists?HisTeam?Howdohis/herfeelingschangetowardstheantagonists?Histeam?)Heconstantlytestshisnew‘crewmembers',bypushingtheirabilities,their

willingnesstofollowordersandevenunfairlyputtingtheminharm'swaymorethanhiscrew.However,themorehedealswiththeCorsaircrew,hecomestohaveagrudgingrespectforthemormostofthem.(Howdohis/herfeelingstowardstheantagonistschangeduringthe

series?Generally,whatthingswilltheprotagonistdiscoverduringthecourseof

theseriesabout;Thecentralmystery,thecentralquest,histeam,hisantagonists?)Duringtheseries,GraywillstarttoseethetruthbehindtheCorsaircause,and

gaintherespectofhisformerenemies.HewilldiscoverthetruthbehindtheAlienshipandespeciallythehiddentruthbehindhiswife’sdeath.(Therecurringcharacter’spersonalbackground.His/herculturalbackgroundandhowthatconnectswiththemain

protagonistsand/orantagonists?Whatkindofpersonisthecharacteratheart?Whatmotivatesthecharacterincontrastwithhis/herbackground?)

KEKOA

TheFirstOfficer’sbackgroundisunique.HisancestorswereHawaiiansthatcolonizedaplanetintheinfamousDemilitarizedZone.Kekoawasalwayswhathispeoplecalla“seeker;"hehadamindofhisown,

anindividualist.Proudofhisheritageandtraditions,hewasnotsatisfiedtoignoretheuniverse,auniverseteemingwithalienworldsandincredibletechnology.Helefthisworld,educatedhimself,andattendedStarcontrolAcademy.(Howdidthecharacter’spersonalityaffecttheirearlyprofessional

years?Whatoccurredthatledthecharactertohis/hercurrent

position/situation?Whatkeymomentledtohis/hercurrentplaceintime?)ButhewasstilltooindividualisticattheAcademy,hehaddifficultyadhering

totherules.But,hewascommissionedandpostedtotheDenebaftertheendoftheImperialWars.WhenhelearnedthathispeoplewerebecomingvictimsofattacksbyMaraudersandtheEmpires,sheleftStarcontroltodefendthem,joiningthethen-fledglingrebels,thatbecameknownastheCorsairs.(Whatculturaltraditionsdoesthecharacterobserveorignore,andwhy?Howdoeshe/shedealwiththis,andwhy?)Kekoanevergaveuphispracticeoftraditionalrituals,andhepreservesthem

aboardArgos.Heoftenretreatsintovirtualrealitytoconnectwithpastmemories.Memoriesthatoftenprovideinsightintoaddressingcurrentproblems.(Whattypeofleadershipskillsdoesthecharacterhaveornot?Howdoothercharactersrespondtotheseskillsorlackthereof?)Asaleader,heisasfirm,fearless,asheiscaptivating.HecameontoArgos

byduress,buthehasinspiredtherespectofmanyofthemosthardenedoftheStarcontrolcrew.

(Howdoesthecharacterandthemainprotagonistdealwitheachother,

andwhy?Howdoesthemainprotagonistfeelaboutthecharacter,andwhy?Whatothercharacterplaysintotheirinterplay?Howdothesecharactersintersectwiththecentralmysteryand/orcentral

quest?)HeandGraywereimmediatelyatodds,butbothrealizedtheyhadtojoin

forcesordie.Grayblameshimforthelossofhiswife,butonlyheandT'araknowthetruthaboutherdeath.Asecretthatifdiscovered,coulddestroytheirallianceandthreatentheirsurvival.(Theethnicity,position,ageandphysicalabilityoftherecurring

character?Whatarethepersonalitymarkersofthecharacter?Howdoeshis/herpersonalityaffectdealingswiththemainantagonists?Howdoeshis/herpresenceaffectoneormorekeycharacters?Whatmainpersonalityquirkishe/sheknowfor?)

BETORR

TheUulbeSecurityChiefistheelderwarriorofthecrewbutisasphysicallycapableashisyoungerCaptain.Heisapowerfulcombinationofmaturity,experience,andstubbornparanoia.HisUulbenpatiencedoeslittletokeeptheshipatpeace,especiallywhentheCorsairsbecomepartofthecrew.But,hiscrustypresenceiscomfortingtomany,ironicallyespeciallytheyoungandheadstrongT'ara.Heisknownforgivinghisopinion,whetheritisaskedforornot.(Whatistheageofthecharacter,qualityofhis/herpersonal

relationships?)Betorrhaslivedlong,maybetoolong.Heisaserialmonogamist.Hehas

beenthroughseveralwives,butnochildren…thatheknowsof.(Whatisthecharacter’srelationshipwiththemainprotagonistand

how/wherediditcomeabout?Howdoesthemainprotagonistrelyonthecharacter,andhow

frequently?)Hehasworked'withGrayforsometime;theyknoweachotherwellandhave

achievedthekindofrelationshipthatcomeswithwar.Grayturnstohimasarockofwisdom;Betorristhepersonheturnsto…whenheneedsone.(Whatothercharactermostrelatestothecharacter?Whatmannerism(s)mostattracts/detractstheothercharacterfrom

him/her?Howdoestheirrelationshipaffectother

characters/antagonist/protagonist,relations?)ButitiswithT’arathatBetorrhasthemostintenserelationship.Hisbrusque

demeanorisoddlyreassuringtoher,maybeit’sthehonesty.ItisBetorrandT’ara’soddrelationshipthatstartstobringthecrewshesitantlytogether.(Whatkindofbackgroundwasthecharacterraisedin?

Whatexpectationswereplacedonthecharacterbyhim/herselfand/orothers?Whatmotivatedhim/hertoachievehis/hercurrentposition?)

DANIELPEREZ

Daniel,theOps/Communicationofficer,isahumanofSpanishdescentandhadthehappiestdayofhislifewhenhereportedtodutyaboardArgos.Hisparentswereproudandembarrassinglyshowedit,inawayonlyLatinparentscan.(Name,position,ethnicbackgroundandpersonalpositionbeforetheseries

springboardincident?Howhisclosestpersonalrelationsfelttowardshimbeforetheseries

springboardincident?)Danielgrewupwithacoddledtypeofsupportthatmadetheassumptionhe

wouldacewhateverheputhismindto.Morethananything,hewantedtofulfillthatbeliefandmakehisparentsproud.HedidsobygraduatingwithhonorsfromtheAcademy.(Aftertheadventoftheseriesspringboardevent,howdidthisaffect

his/herpsycheandgrowth?)AfterArgoswasswepttothefarreachesofanothergalaxy,herealizedhe

wouldneverseehisparentsagainandtheywouldbelievehimdead,hisgrowthintoamanbegan.(Howdidthisgrowthcontrastwithhis/herpast?Howdoesthiscontrastmakehim/herfeelintheircurrentstate?)Beingpamperedthroughhisyouth,Danielhadsomegrowinguptodo.

Havingneverexperiencedtrueadversity,hefoundhimselflesscapableofhandlingitthanothers.Hefeelslikeheisoutofhisdepthnow.Whatwassupposedtobea3-monthstinthasturnedintotheunthinkable.(Whatdoesthecharacterdoonadailybasistodealwithhis/hercurrent

predicament?)Hegoesabouthisdutieswithintensity,findingtheconstantworkandgood

waytokeephismindoffofthepainhepushesaside.

(Howdoothersviewthischaracter?Howdoothersassistand/orhinderthischaracter?)Theothersknowthis,andintheirvaryingways,trytogivetheyoungmana

helpinghand.TheirmethodsrangefromKekoa'ssterninsistenceondutytoGray'scomfortingpaternalpresence,butamongthecrew,thereisnotonewhodoesn'tlikeDanielPerez.(Character’sethnicbackgroundandhowitaffectshis/herdemeanor?Whatcharacterdoeshe/sheconnectwithand/oraffectshis/heroutlook

onapersonallevelandwhy?)T’ARAROARKTheChiefEngineerhasafacadethat'sworkedwellforher:tough,

knowledgeable,abletotakecareofherself.However,beneaththesurface,dwellsapersonconfusedandatwarwithherself.(Character’sname,position,demeanor,ability…andpersonaldemonand/or

struggle?)T'arahasamixedheritageCrujaanandhuman,thatsheabhors.HerCrujaan

sideisdistressingtoher,andshemakeseveryefforttosuppressit.ShedistruststhefeelingsherCrujaanheritagebringsandwishesthat,likeBetorr,shecouldachievecontroloverthem.(Howhasthecharacter’sdemeanorbeenshapedbychildhoodandwhy?Wheredidhe/shespendtheirchildhood?Howdidthataffecthis/herchildhoodandwhy?)T’ara'sattitudestartedwhenherhumanfatherneverreturnedtoherfamilyas

achild.Hisfinalwhereaboutsstillunknowntohisday.So,asachild,shefantasizedhimintoanidealfigure,someonetolookupto,tobelike.Sheandhermotherlived,notontheCrujaanHomeWorld,butonaremote

colonyinthedemilitarizedzone,whichwaslargelyhuman,andwheretheyoungchildinevitablygrewupfeelinglikethealien.Asshegrewolder,shesawbeingCrujaanasshamefulandhumanaswhoshereallyis.(Howdidthebeginningofhis/herprofessionallifechangehim/her?Whatstrugglesdidthecharacterhaveandwhy?

Whatwashis/herfirstprofessionaljobandwasitsmoothorrockyandwhy?)ThisfeelingwassolidifiedwhenshewasacceptedatStarcontrolAcademy

wheresheexcelled.Buteventhenshestruggledwiththestructureanddisciplinedemandedofthestudents.Aftergraduation,shejoinedtheStarcontrolEngineers,butherstrugglewithStarcontrollifecontinued.Hercareerwasrocky,puttingherinconflictwithcolleaguesoverthingsbigandsmall.Shequit,withgreatregret,feelingthatshedidn'tfitin,blamingthis,again,onherCrujaanside.(Howdidshecometobeinhis/hercurrentsituation,andhowdoesit

complementhis/herdemeanor?Howdidhis/hernewpositionrevealhis/herpersonalstrengthsor

weaknesses?)AsamemberoftheCorsairs,T’arahadfinallyfoundanoutletformanyof

herfrustrationsandaphysicalenemyagainstwhomshecouldfight.Shewasacourageoussoldier,andeitherdidn'trealizeordidn'tacknowledgethefactthatwarringontheMaraudersallowedherCrujaanwarlikebloodfree.(Howdidtheseriesspringboardevenaffecthis/herpersonalchallenges?Whatcharacter(s)helporhinderthecharactersabilitytodealornot?)Now,onArgos,herowninnerfrustrationsareagainemerging.T’araisforced

todealwithangrypartsofherselfthatnolongerhaveanappropriateoutlet.ItisthroughBetorr'sinyourfacefairandsquarecounselthatsheislearningtoacceptherself.(Howisthischaracterseenbyothersoftheoppositesexandwhat

characterdoeshe/shefindattractive,butproblematic?)T'araturnsmanyheads,butthepersonshehasdesignsonistheCaptainbut

forcesherselftocontrolherfeelings.(Name,rankandnicknameofcharacter?His/herbackgroundtomovingupintheranks,anditspitfalls?Whyhis/herpositionduringtheseriesspringboardeventwaskeyand/or

monumental?)

CAPTAINLARA‘DOC'COLTON;Ph.D.QUANTUMMECHANICSDocisnotamonikershehaseverbeenknownby,butaderisiveonethrust

uponherbytheCorsairs.HershasbeenafastrisetothetopinStarcontrol,butonlyduetoherresearchandsuccesses,notfromhands-onleadership.Theonlypreviouscommandisthatofthesecretfacilitythatsheandthreeofherstaffwererescuedfrom.(Howdoesthecharacterreacttosituationsinoroutofhercontrol?Whatisthecharacter’spersonalbackgroundandhowwashe/sheraised?Howdidthisbackgroundleadtoherpositionbeforetheseries

springboardevent?Howdoesthisbackgroundmakehim/herkeyinaddressingtheseries

centralmysteryand/orcentralquest?Whatgeneralsecretsdoeshe/shehavethatrelatestothemysteryand/or

quest?)Docisfarfromcomfortableinunforeseensituations,situationssheisnot

readyfororcan'tcontrol.Raisedamilitarybrattotwomilitaryscientists,onthetechdevelopmentfields.Shewasthepersonthatuncoveredtherestingplaceoftherelicship.Onlysheknewhowtofindit,founditandnowshewillattemptagaininanincrediblyhostilenewgalaxy.However,sheholdsasecretbackfrombothcrewsonthehiddenhistoryoftheship,andwhatitwilltaketogethome.(Nameofne’erdowellcharacterandhis/herposition?Whatishis/herreason(s)forbeingintheirposition?Whatisthemostaccurateassessmentofthecharacter’snegativetraits

andhowothersperceivethosetraits?)

AMONKIN

Amonisacareerpirateinhismid-thirties.HeispartoftheCorsairs,notforaltruisticreasons,andhiscrewmenknowit.Heis,toputitnicely,acivilizedbarbarian,withaquietcunningthatunnervesmany.He'sascavenger,trader,conman,procurer,andofcourse,warrior.(Whatisaonesentencedescriptionofthecharacter’swaythroughlife

andhowtheyhavehandledthehandtheyweredealt?)Hislifehasnotbeenaneasyone,buthehastougheditout--survivingbyhiswitsandinstinctsindangerouspartsofspace.(Whatis/arethecharacter’strade/positionsheld?Whatisthecharacter’spositionwiththecurrentprotagonistsand/or

antagonists?Whathasoristhecharacterplanningthatisormightbecontrarytothe

statusquo?)Amonhas,throughnecessity,becomeaninterstellarjackofalltrades.But,to

theArgos,heistheirscout,theircartographerwherescannerscan’treach.But,whatisn’tknowntomostofthecrew,isthatheisplottingmutiny.He

quietlyplots,growinghisnumberoffollowers,biddinghistime.(TheCharacter’sname,rank/position?Thecharacter’skeypersonalitytraitsandhowanewcharacteraffects

thosetraits?Howhe/shefirstreactstothatcharacterandhowthatreactionchanges?Howshehelpsthenewcharacterwithhis/herplansand/orulterior

motives?Whatothercharacterhe/sheengagesthatmakeshis/hernewrelationship

morecomplicated?Howishe/shecoercedbyacharactertouse/abusehis/herrelationship

withakeycharacter?)LT.COMMANDERCASSLEECassLeeistheArgos’communicationscommander.Alwaysdiplomaticand

loyal,toafault,shefindsherbeliefschallengedbythebarbaricAmonKin.Atfirstrefusingherattractiontotherogue,shesoonfallsforhimandbecomeshislover.Now,shehasbecomehisprimaryconspiratorinhisplannedmutiny.But,shefallsforyoungDanielPerezaswellandistornbetweenthetwo,untilAmonforceshertouseDaniel’sfeelingsforher,totheiradvantage.Nowsheissecretlytornbetweenbothfactionsandbothmen.

LOCATIONS

MAINBRIDGE

ThecommandpostandbraintrustoftheStarcarrierUS.S.Argos,thisareaservesthelocationtoviewstarshipsindistressorposingthreats,tonegotiatewithleadersofrivalraces,andtolearnabouttheunfamiliargalaxyintowhichtheStarcarrierhasbeenthrust.CaptainGrayisincommandofthiscommunicationshub.

BRIEFINGROOM

Insidethebriefingroom,theentirestaffwillgathertomakeimportantdecisionsregardingthefateoftheStarcarrierUSS.Argosandboldnegotiationswithopposingforces.

ENGINEERING

EngineeringisthehomeoftheStarcarrierU.S.S.Argos'sQuantumenginesystem,whichismademoreadvancedandefficientsystemwitheachalienencounter.

DININGHALL

Thedininghallprovidesasocialatmosphereaswellasadiningfacilityforthecrew.ItiswithinthesewallsthecrewoftheStarcarrierUS.S.Argos,eats,blowsoffsteamandengagesin‘friendly’gamesofchance.

SICKBAY

Sickbayisafullyequippedmedicalfacility,preparedforanychallenge.Theonlyproblem,thesurgicalAIhasbeendamagedandmustbeoverseen,manually,butallmedicalpersonnelwerekilledduringthequantumevent.CAPTAIN'SREADYROOMThequarterswherethecaptainconferswithhisofficersandcontemplateshis

decisions.Ifyoufoundthisbookuseful,visitusatsavethewriting.comandjoinourmailinglistforfreetoolsandupcomingbooks.

AFinalWordTherehasalwaysbeenunspokeninformationonhowtoaccomplishspecific

tasksforwriting.Unfortunatelythesetaskshavebeenconcealed,onpurposeornot,bythe

publishers,studios,andcompaniesthatusethemasindustry“tradesecrets”.TheSavetheWriting!seriesaimstochangethat.AtSavetheWriting!,we’rebusywritingmorebooksinthisseriestohelp

writersinallformsoffiction.Wehopeyouwillsignupforourupdates,informingyouofourlatestbooks

intheseriesat:savethewriting.comWhenyousignup,youwillreceiveaFREE“CreatingaDramaticSeries

CheatSheet”!Ifliketheinformationprovidedinthisbook,pleaseconsiderleavingareview.

Itwillonlyhelpuswithmakingourupcomingbooksthatmuchbetterforyou.Feelfreetocontactusatcontact@savethewriting.com

OrReachouttousattheSaveTheWriting!Facebookpage

AboutUsPhilZizzaandWadePeñahavebeenactiveintheentertainmentand

productionbusinessforoversixtycombinedyearsinLA,NYandOrlando,workinginboththeWriting,Consulting,andProducingsidesofdevelopmentandproduction.Collectivelytheyhavepitchedanddevelopedfororbeenassociatedwith

someofthetopentitiesinTV,FilmandAnimatedentertainment.

SuggestedReadingAGuidetoScreenwritingSuccessbyStephenV.DuncanConflictandSuspensebyJamesScottBellDialogueSecretsbyWilliamC.MartellFictionWritingDemystifiedbyThomasB.SawyerHowNottoWriteaScreenplaybyDennyMartinFlinnHowToGrowANovelbySolSteinHowtoWriteaDamnGoodNovelbyJamesN.FreyMakingaGoodScriptGreatbyLindaSeger

PoeticsbyAristotleSaveTheCat!byBlakeSnyder

ScriptshadowSecretsbyCarsonReevesSomethingStartlingHappensbyToddKlick

StorybyRobertMcKee

StoryEngineeringbyLarryBrooksStoryStructureBasicsbyAlexandraSokoloffTechniquesoftheSellingWriterbyDwightV.SwainTheArtofDramaticWritingbyLajosEgriTheMini-MovieMethodbyChrisSothTheScreenwriter’sBiblebyDavidTrottierTheSecretsofActionScreenwritingbyWilliamC.MartellTheSuccessfulNovelistbyDavidMorrellTheWriter’sJourneybyChristopherVoglerWritingNovelsThatSellbyJackM.BickhamWritingScreenplaysThatSellbyMichaelHaugeWritingtheBlockbusterNovelbyAlbertZuckermanWritingtheNovelfromPlottoPrinttoPixelbyLawrenceBlock