Cinematic Script Design Doc: “Fox Hunt”
This is a practice game cinematics script I wrote based on guidance from the Pixelles’s game writing program. It is an adapted short story that I had drafted. While it has limited dialogue, I imagined it would be the possible introduction to the player character in a game. Fauna’s motivation (her family) is hinted at, but also that the relationship there is strained in some way. It also highlights her resourcefulness and potential ruthlessness.
The biggest challenge I had was avoiding doing too much in the descriptions, item interactions, and camera angles. I couldn’t stop myself in keeping a lot of descriptions, but I felt they were necessary. For item interactions, I tried to make most audio mentions off-screen beyond absolutely necessary ones.
INT. VULPES INFELIECES - CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS
The metal cabin door slides open to reveal TAZI, a human woman in a dark crimson coat and a clean, white vest. Half-raised is a snub-nosed rifle. A wave of blue energy ripples across her as she steps into the room, a kinetic shield to dampen high velocity gunfire.
TAZI surveys the room. It is lightly furnished and small, holding only a low bunk with tossed sheets, a closed foot locker, a short desk and chair, and a shelf displaying pictures. TAZI steps toward the shelf and lifts one of the pictures. It shows four people with drinks.
TAZI
Hubert, I’m in the captain’s room. The vermin isn’t here. Looks like she left in a hurry. You sure none of the crew got word out before you subdued them?
From within the duct looking down on TAZI, the main character, FAUNA, is visible. Another human woman with close-shaved hair that exposes a crescent scar on the side of her head. Noise of TAZI rummaging in the room.
The grate silently slides open above TAZI and FAUNA slinks out from the vent clad in a tank top and loose pants. A hairpin needle holds her undercut in a top bun. She draws a small holdout pistol from an underarm holster and fires it.
The shot shimmers against the kinetic shield and TAZI’s leg buckles from the force, but no additional damage. TAZI yelps in surprise and begins to swing the rifle to bear on FAUNA.
FAUNA’s bare foot cracks into TAZI’s face, a snap coming from FAUNA’s toes. TAZI’s head cracks against the edge of the retractable bunk, causing it to bounce up. FAUNA swoops down at TAZI, lifts TAZI’s head with one hand and swings the bunk with the other. TAZI hits the floor hard.
FAUNA picks up ransacked items, including a photo of her, another woman, and two small children, which is set gently on the desk.
FAUNA
Just a few more jobs, babies. Then I’ll make it right.
The earpiece in TAZI’s ear crackles, inaudible. FAUNA places the communicator in her ear.
FAUNA
This Hubert? Hey, it’s Captain Fauna. Your friend wasn’t very polite and I’d like to know what you’ve done to the rest of my crew.
HUBERT
You’re a hard one to track down, “pirate queen.” I’d suggest you surrender yourself or I’ll start putting your crew down like the pests you all are. There’s a Lord Fairfax who only wants you, so I’m happy to let the rest of yours live provided you come easy and didn’t kill my companion.
FAUNA
Sure thing, hunter. See you soon.
INT. VULPES INFELIECES - CARGO BAY
FAUNA walks slowly, hands above her head, into a cargo bay filled with contraband boxes. She now has on boots and her signature forest green jacket with a faux fur ruff. In the center opposite her is a broad man, HUBERT, who holds a shotgun to three bound figures, FAUNA’s crew. He is dressed in a suit and also has a shimmer of a kinetic shield.
HUBERT
Come now, captain. Drop your gun. And don’t do anything rash or my finger might slip and I’ll have to find a way to tow your sorry ship.
FAUNA keeps her left hand raised while drawing and dropping the pistol.
FAUNA begins to approach HUBERT. He cradles the shotgun against his stomach while offering a pair of cuffs in his off hand.
FAUNA
Congrats. Few have gotten this close, but I feel the need to remind you advice for hunting animals.
FAUNA slowly lowers her hands towards the cuffs. HUBERT’s gun dips a fraction as he extends the cuffs closer to FAUNA. FAUNA’s hair falls to one side of her head, the hairpin needle missing. FAUNA lunges. A shotgun blast fires into the floor. FAUNA raises the needle and swings it down. There’s a wet sound of stabbing and a gurgle from HUBERT. FAUNA pulls the needle out and stands.
FAUNA
An animal’s most dangerous when cornered in its den.
