Single Image Storyboard - Napoleon's coronation

"Dinosaurs on a Train" 1,500 word story assignment

Dinosaurs on a Train

Original Story

by Dimitri Kourouniotis

CCSF Spring 2012

*note this story is altered from the original submission:  our protagonists friends are no longer trying to “mess with him” on his train journey. They are instead replaced by a mad scientist and dinosaurs on the train shifting the genre from romantic comedy to the B-movie realm with FX.

Act 1 – The Break Up

“You are SO self-centered!” echoed as she slammed the bathroom door in Stanley’s face. He stood there, shaken, absorbing the statement, feeling isolated and extremely insecure. He tried to compose a defensive response as usual but hearing her sobs, he decided silence was a better choice. His chest tightened and a panic started setting in. Sitting down, he eventually realized this was the last straw and having nothing to offer, he left her apartment for the last time.

At the office the next day he couldn’t concentrate after losing so much sleep in reflective, anguished thought. His inner voice was full of remorse and self-pity, cursing him for being unable to act or look beyond his own comfort zone. He went out for drinks with his friends to cheer himself up once the break up was official through the social network channels.  Though he was glad to see his friends, they were annoying him with sympathy and failing to empathize. They launched into their own version if “I were you…” and started plying him with suggestions and solutions to help him move on. One which made his ears perk was to re-locate, or at least take an adventure out of town the next weekend.

After so much cajoling from his friends, when he got home he started following the advice that took the least effort, such as Facebook status checking and calling and emailing old girlfriends (which yielded nothing but more isolation and dread). However he did reconnect with an old schoolmate who seemed to have experience getting over relationships and lived in Metropolis - only a couple hours’ flight away - and Stanley wrangled a place to stay and some companionship, at least.

At the office the situation deteriorated. He was reprimanded for his sloppy paperwork and poor performance; this was compounded by the issue of his now ex-girlfriend working in the same building. He was at risk of losing his job now (as a root canal bill was due) and was feeling miserable being there.

That night he started shopping for flights but kept being distracted by long-ignored trivial household chores that now were a good diversion. He was reminded of the multiple times he flew long distance to see female friends who ended up unavailable: they were married, living with their boyfriends, too involved with their work to spend time or just plain weird or suddenly boring. He kept a brave face but did feel increasingly desperate at the turn of events and developed an aversion to airports and flying.

As the weekend got closer, his chance of finding flights he could afford fell to zero and he initiated an attempt to cancel. His attempt at cancelation was rebuffed by the new information that the Metropolis Natural History Museum had a new dinosaur exhibit and he loved dinosaurs since he was a kid. His friend continued to encourage him and suggested the intercity high speed train, which had plenty of seats left.

He packed his bag with his iPad 2 and re-read some of his favorite dinosaur books on his Kindle app with wonderfully illustrated new theories. He asked Siri to remind him to buy souvenirs for his nieces and nephews.

In a dream the night before his departure he finds himself running out of a church into the rain being chased by his mother with his father driving away in the distance. He flees her by grabbing an umbrella from a passerby and she is confused long enough for him to blend away into the crowd.

Act 2 – The Train Ride

After another miserable and ominous day at work the next day, he arrives at the railway station excited about the long train ride ahead. As a thunderstorm approaches, he is glad he did not fly after all.

His ticket has him at car #7. On the platform he notices large metallic crates being loaded into the luggage car and onto other trains too. He walks down the platform past the restaurant car - he loves the idea of dining on a train. His carriage is just behind the first class car and the engine. Once aboard, he finds his reserved seat and sits down, noticing the other passengers, and rehearses in his head deflective remarks so he will be able to avoid talking to them. Opposite him sit a mother and her 12 year son. Across the aisle sit a Catholic priest and a pretty girl (Pam) with a dog eared copy of Grey’s Anatomy and other textbooks. In seats further down are a well dressed, hurried older woman (the scientist) carrying a clipboard with a stuffed briefcase and her male assistant. Toward the end of the carriage are a man and a woman with sidearms, clearly federal marshals transporting a man, Craig, in handcuffs, who is a computer hacker, convicted of trying to hack into military computers.

Once the train is en route and the chatty conductor comes through and checks the tickets, he makes his way to the dining car - only to find he has to share his dining table with Pam. The waiter and bartender turned out to be characters with tales to tell and a good time was had by all throughout diner. Except for the older woman with her assistant, who were busy scheming and fiddling with their iPads.

During the dessert a commotion at the back caused panic in the train. Some of the crates had been apparently been holding live animals had managed to come open. The animals were part of a secret genetic experiment (by the scientist) to re-introduce dinosaurs.

The conductor runs through the dining car to the front of the train to get the armed marshals to help; the engineer is trying to stop the train but apparently the engine and brakes have been sabotaged and there is radio and cellphone interference affecting the vicinity of the train. The scientist and her assistant run towards the back of the train as the passengers from the rear coaches evacuate to the front and the bartender secures the door between the dining car and the rear of the train.

The tally of casualties is high with several passengers killed or wounded, and the medical student and marshals offering first aid with the priest offering last rites to those that did not survive.

The marshals both go to the back of the train but only one survives returning with tales of horror and dinosaurs , the other being ambushed and killed (and eaten).

The conductor, the remaining marshal, Pam, and our hero Stanley go to the back of the train to try to decouple the last cars of the train and rescue the injured passengers, where they discover the scientist and her assistant are trying to release the dinosaurs. Our heroes rescue efforts are thwarted by the scientist and her assistant, Geoff, who is armed, but is injured in the scuffle. The group retreats back to the dining car to report that the dinosaurs have control collars the scientist is using to command the dinosaurs.

Act 3 Arrival

They recover and try a flanking maneuver, with Stanley and Pam going along the roof and the marshal and the conductor distracting them through the conventional frontal assault route along the center of the train.

The plan almost succeeds, but the marshal is wounded in the fracas and the scientist’s assistant is killed. The group recovers the scientist’s notes and plans while the scientist escapes back to the luggage compartment to hole up with the dinosaurs.  They find that the scientists’ iPad has controls that helped sabotage the engine controls and that the scientist and assistant had placed signal jamming devices throughout the train and with the 12 year old boy’s help they de-activate them and are able to summon help.

They are also able to tamper with and immobilize the dinosaurs temporarily in order to get through and have a last fight with the scientist who is trying to re-control the dinosaurs with her back-up app on her iPhone 4S. Ultimately Stanley is able to distract the smaller dinosaurs using an open umbrella much like a lion tamer would use a chair and turn them on the scientist. They enlist Craig’s help in disabling the automatic release mechanisms on the other luggage compartments on the other trains. The engineer is able to re-take control and as they arrive at their destination, Siri reminds Stanley to get some souvenirs for his nieces and nephews.

###

Storyboard moment Visual Shot list #01-#12

Dimitri Kourouniotis
MMSP 145 ; Spring 2012

2/20/12

Visual Shot List with storyboard shots 1-8, shots 9-12 to follow

Storyboard Moment

Featuring: Princess, Albert and Bob

SHOT #01	Exterior daytime establishing shot high angle from bank roof on SW corner facing NE street corner.  Present day. ALBERT stands, dressed as a hipster, on NE street corner looking west. To his right parked on the East side of the street is parked a WHITE VAN. Very little traffic.
SHOT #02	High angle mid shot from van roof showing Albert waiting at pedestrian traffic. Van roof is visible in bottom of shot.
SHOT #03	Over shoulder static shot from Albert looking across the street West towards coffee shop. Back of van is on right side of frame. Exiting from the coffee shop is BOB with PRINCESS on leash in his right hand. Princess is excited.
SHOT #04	Hand held from Princess's point of view (dog height) exiting coffee shop and panning, erratically, from bank across street to the left, pausing on FIRE HYDRANT on SE corner coming to rest on Albert and Van and continuing to street corner. Bob's left leg is visible in some frames.
SHOT #05	Close up from north street of street corner Bob with Princess the dog on his right @ 3/4 angle panning left as go to crosswalk. View of bank opposite street in background. Zoom up to bank exterior with close up of digital clock going from 11:59 to 12:00
SHOT #06	Static close up low angle shot of Bob from waist up with pedestrian crossing signal over his right shoulder changing from Red man standing to Green man walking.
SHOT #07	Hollywood western knee height shot from behind Princess and Bob of Albert across street. Tumbleweed blows across street as Bob and Princess start to cross while Albert steps back to lean against building behind him. In shot is Bob’s cell phone holster. Shot steady cams behind Bob and Princess as they approach the opposite curb focusing on Albert watching them.
SHOT #08	High angle mid shot from van roof showing Albert looking towards Bob and Princess crossing the street and come into camera frame from right. Van roof is visible in bottom of shot. Bob hands Albert the leash for Princess with his right hand.
SHOT #09	Static close up shot from side walk of Albert’s right hand side receiving Princess’s leash. Princess moves to Albert’s right. Pan right as Albert and Princess approach van at curb side. Van side fills frame, Van side door starts sliding open.
SHOT #10	Car mounted shot of driver’s seat and dark interior of Van with side door being opened and Albert and Princess coming into van. Only driver’s shoulder is visible.
SHOT #11	Static south view of Street from sidewalk with back half of Van in r.h.s. of frame. Bob turns and starts walking to south facing curb as van door slides shut just visible on right hand of frame.
SHOT #12	Low angle shot framed on left by south east fire hydrant as Bob crosses street and van left turn signal comes on. Van pulls out into street as Bob camera approaches near curb. Bob turns left (east) and walks behind building as Van disappears in the distance. Tumbleweed rolls past empty street.

Overhead Schematic of Story Board assignment. Shots #01-#12

Overhead Schematic of Story Board assignment. Shots #01-#12

Visual Shot List from Vertigo (20 SHOTS)

Dimitri Kourouniotis
MMSP 145 ; Spring 2012

2/13/12

Visual Shot List

VERTIGO (1958) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock; Starring James Stewart and Kim Novak

video shows SHOT #14 - #20


http://www.metacafe.com/watch/an-7JKObnJ7YhbJmm/vertigo_1958_talking_to_the_hotel_owner/

SHOT #01	Car Mounted shot from hood of car into driver’s seat. Close up of JOHN FERGUSON having just parked the car with hands off steering wheel following path of MADELIENE off screen with his eyes. He shifts to his right towards the passenger side moving off frame.
SHOT #02	Static shot of open car window ¾ angle at car window height from curbside, close up of JOHN moving into frame from driver seat to look ahead past camera out of the open window.
SHOT #03	Point of View shot from John of McKitterick Hotel and lawn at ¾ angle on right through ornate metal fence. Madeline full figure walking up pathway to hotel and starting to climb stairs.
SHOT #04	Medium shot of car at ¾ angle at car window height of passenger door with John looking out open passenger window. John starts frame continuing view from SHOT #02 then looks further to his right up at the Hotel building. John exits car from passenger door and closes door to stand on street. Camera pans up to match his standing on street. He is framed from ankles up and walks a few steps towards camera looking to his right. Camera pans up to end on a low angle medium shot of John looking at Hotel.
SHOT #05	Point of View of whole Hotel building filling frame from street with only part of lawn and ornate fence showing in lower edge of screen. Wind is blowing the leaves on a lone palm tree in front of hotel.
SHOT #06	Handheld tracking backward ¾ angle medium up shot of John from chest upwards walking towards camera (towards hotel gate).
SHOT #07	Tracking point of view shot of Hotel continuation from Shot #05 approaching gate.
SHOT #08	Continuation of tracking Shot #06 ¾ angle medium up shot of John walking (off center in frame) looking back over his shoulder once.
SHOT #09	Tracking point of view shot of Hotel continuation from Shot #05 approaching gate now with Hotel stairs, door and hotel sign in shot.
SHOT #10	Continuation of tracking Shot #06 ¾ angle medium up shot of John walking (off center in frame) looking up off screen towards hotel. John stops walking suddenly looking up at hotel.
SHOT #11	Point of view shot of upper left corner of hotel on a group of 3 adjacent windows. The center window blind is lifted to halfway point by Madeleine viewable from the waist up. She takes her suit jacket off looking out and then walks away from window.
SHOT #12	Static close up continuation from Shot #10 of John @ ¾ angle looking up at hotel, looking down then rushing off frame to his right – ending on view of intersection with view of part of John’s parked car in LRH corner of shot.
SHOT #13	Low angle wide shot of right side of hotel and gate and courtyard with sign visible and lower floor of hotel. ¾ rear angle of John walking up path.  Pan left as John walks  along hotel path and up hotel stairs. John slows down as he reaches tops of stairs and stops, reaching for door handle.
SHOT #14	Static shot interior close up ¾ angle of hotel door with shadow of Johns silhouette visible through the smoked glass. John opens left door enters, stops closes door as he looking around. Camera elevation is slightly above John
SHOT #15	Point of view of narrow plush hotel lobby with empty reception desk on left, staircase on right.
SHOT #16	Static shot continuation from Shot #14 of John looking up.
SHOT #17	Point of view continuation of Shot #15 pan up and overhead including top of stairs, chandelier ending on decorative element in hotel ceiling. Voice of Hotelier off screen at end of shot.
SHOT #18	Point of view continuation of Shot 15 of hotel lobby with hotelier appearing up from behind reception desk with sponge in hand looking at doorway.
SHOT #19	Static shot continuation from Shot #16 of John still looking up and looking past camera to hotelier and walking forward past camera on left side of frame.
SHOT #20	Static medium shot of lobby from side with reception desk in front and staircase on RHS. Reception desk taking up left half and lower part of frame. John enters frame from right walks past desk briefly then turns and side steps back to be face to face with hotelier at desk. He points to ceiling corner where upstairs room is and shows hotelier his detective badge from his rear pocket.

One paragraph story outline, 3 words, 3 settings, 3 scenes

Three words 

Procastination

Luck

Dependency

Settings

Bar, Train, City Square

Scenes

Act 1 Bar, Act 2 Train, Act 3 City Square

Our character is procrastinating and dependent on his girlfriend, who breaks up with him. He has a fear of spontaneity. Encouragement (and Pressure) from his peers coerce him have an adventure to another city to distract himself and challenge himself to meet people on the way. His procrastination eventually leaves him him stuck with choosing an unfavorable destination via train, rather than plane. Stuck on the train the he meets all sorts of unpleasant characters (from his point of view). His train ride becomes a mis-adventure on how to avoid these people who are either out to sell him something, scam him, become unwanted friends or annoy him. He is continually forced to confront the edge of his comfort zone and the setting takes on a suspense thriller environment for him. A game of hide and seek ensues with his peers trying to keep hidden from him and the main character trying to avoid the aforementioned passengers. Arriving in the new city all the hotels and hostels are booked and he is now dependent upon the contacting the from the passengers from the train and makes new friends of them.

Overhead Camera Shot Locations KITE RUNNER

Camera Shot Editorial Storyboard; KITE RUNNER