Extended Practice: Scripting the Cut Scenes

Creating the Script
I then moved onto creating the script for the games cut scenes and the dialog that is going to appear in the game. This was important to get right as it was going to be the final part to our project. We wanted to bring in a humourous aspect to it as well as ensuring that the story is fully told as well. As previously discussed we want to go with the traditional Nintendo style words coming up on the screen so we wanted to plan for all that dialog that is going to appear.

I was doing the main scripting for the story and wanted to ensure that it covered as much information as possible and also still kept the characters movements in mind as well. It was also important to know what each character is going to say when interacted with so that when Keith goes back to the hub world they always have different things to say.

Before scripting I first wanted to get a full list of every scene that needs to be in our demo from start to finish so me and Sophie went through what would be happening in the entire game to be able to create a structure for the different scenes.

Cutscene List
- Start Menu
- Keith's background cutscene
- Introduction to the Ancients
          - Proper cutscene with them in the hub world
- Gameplay of the hub
          - Interactions and talking with character
          - Special interactions with Amita as she is stood by her portal
- Cutscene for India
          - Whats happening in India
- Gameplay in India
- Cutscene for India
          - Defeat of Honey - walks through portal
- Hub world cutscene
          - Dialog like woohoo you did it!
          - Menes has a problem in Egypt!
- Gameplay hub world
          - Interactions and talking with character
          - Special interactions with Menes as he is stood by his portal
- Cutscene for Egypt
          - Whats happening in Egypt
- Gameplay in Egypt
- Cutscene for Egypt
          - Defeat of Honey - walks through portal
- Hub World cutscene
          - Dialog like woohoo you did it!
          - She's not going to stop anytime soon!
- Start Menu

Below is then the final script that we created for the entire game showing the different interactions at the different stages and what happens if different people are interacted with throughout the game environment. I have written out everything below apart from 'trouble in India' and 'Defeat of Honey in India', which Sophie wrote as these are her scenes.

CUT SCENES AND DIALOG LIST

GAME START  - MAIN MENU

CUT SCENE -VOICE OVER -  KEITH'S BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION
Legend tells the story of Ancient Koalas that live separate to the world in an Ancient Forest. Their lives revolve around guarding the Wonders of the World, keeping them safe and ensuring no harm comes to them.

But threat looms in the air and a group have been marking their targets, getting ever closer to their goal of getting rid of them once and for all. The group have tried many times before and this time they send out a lone rogue, on her own mission to get rid of the wonders once and for all.

The Ancients grow tired and old, no longer able to defeat the threat, they need help, they need Keith.

Keith grew up in a small zoo in England but has Australian origins from his ancestors and has always dreamed of finding the Ancients and becoming one of them, just like his great-great-grandfather. He is determined to succeed and claim his place amoungst them.

His journey took him deep into the heart of an Ancient forest where he wandered for days on end looking for the legendary tree. Then he found it and four Koala's from all around the world welcomed him in and explained the threat that is looming over the world.

CUT SCENE - HUB WORLD - INTRODUCTION TO THE ANCIENTS
The shot open with Keith walking into the hub world to stand in front of four Ancient Koala's who are all dressed in different outfits that correspond with a location around the world. The atmosphere is very quiet and relaxed but the Ancients look worried, something is wrong.

MENES:
Oh thank goodness you've arrived, it must have been a long journey for you but we are in dire need of your help!

AMITA:
We've been watching your life for a while now Keith and we can see your worthy of joining us, but you have to prove it first. We have a problem, and it's not going away quickly!

KEITH:
What can I do to help? I will do anything to prove I can be part of the Ancients!

CHENG:
Honey... she's a Honey Badger who has been plotting against us for a while now, but we have just started to see the damage she can do.

AMITA:
She's running wild in India and we need to stop her before she gets to the Taj Mahal and does anything to it!

BRIAN:
She's already been here and stolen all of our precious relics. We need to get them back!

CHENG:
The relics are only our first problem, if we don't get to her quickly and stop her plans, she's going to get to all the wonders in the end.

KEITH:
Not if I have anything to do with it!

GAMEPLAY - HUB WORLD - FIRST TIME
The gameplay begins in the hub world, Keith is positioned in the middle to begin with but is then free to wander all around and go up to any of the Ancients to be able to talk to them and see what they have to say. At this time the Ancients only have one line that they can say each and it relates to the current problems in India.

MENES:
Oh you have to help us, we just don't know how to stop her!

CHENG:
Everyone can calm down now your here, I know you're going to stop her.

BRIAN:
Amita's got something to tell you before you go to India, she's waiting by the portal.

Conversation with Amita by the Indian portal is slightly different as she explains the collectibles and power ups.

AMITA:
Here's the portal to India, it will take you to the last location we knew Honey was in, but you will need to explore to find her.

There are many things that will help you in your journey and if you find any eucalyptus leaves, be sure to keep them safe, you never know when they're going to come in handy.

Pop drinks can give you energy, be sure to collect these when you can to give yourself a boost, collecting three many even make you invincible for a while!

Lastly, don't forget about the relic either, bring it back so that we can keep it protected and safe.

CUTSCENE - INDIA - TROUBLE IN INDIA
The shot opens with an angled birds-eye-view showing the environment and shape of the maze, the shot pans down to the beginning of the maze to show Honey stood there waiting. Keith appears out of the portal.

HONEY:
Those Ancient rats sent you to stop me?

HONEY LAUGHS:
That will never happen!

The camera looks at Keith at a low angle as he adjusts his position, trying to look somewhat intimidating, he points at Honey with a determined look on his face.

KEITH:
You aren’t going to destroy the Taj Mahal Honey, I won’t let you!

The camera turns to honey, a mid-shot showing her waist upwards, a smug look is settled on her face.

HONEY:
Who said anything about destroying? I want to disguise it, hide its value, its existence!

The camera zooms in on Keith’s face.

KEITH:
And how exactly are you going to do that?

The camera zooms in on Honey’s face.

HONEY:
Well I’m going to… Wait! I’m not going to tell you. Besides, you’ll have to get through this maze before me, and you, you silly bear, can’t outrun me with your laziness!

Camera transitions to a full body shot of Keith.

KEITH:
My cans of pop will help me. I can stop you!

The camera zooms in on Honey’s face.

HONEY:
Good luck finding the levers to unlock the doors and most importantly the relic, you can’t get to me without it!

The camera shows a long shot of Honey as she runs into the maze.

GAMEPLAY - INDIA

CUT SCENE - INDIA - DEFEAT OF HONEY IN INDIA
The scene opens with a long shot, showing Honey standing on the base of the Taj Mahal, jumping up and down trying to reach the top of the door to hang her B&B sign, she is struggling to reach it. Keith walks into the shot, the camera being just behind his shoulder.

KEITH:
You can’t get rid of me that easily! I got here in one piece, and I have the relic.

Honey turns around to face Keith.

HONEY:
Hmm… Maybe you’re smarter than you look. It seems as though those Ancient rats know what they’re doing.

The camera changes to a long shot of Keith, to show the distance between him and Honey.

KEITH:
You won’t get away with this, you might as well as stop now.

The camera transitions to a mid-shot of honey, showing her from the waist up.

HONEY:
I won’t be doing that anytime soon.

Honey throws the B&B sign down, the camera changed to a close-up of the sign to show how poorly made it is. It then goes back to a long shot of Honey.

HONEY:
I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.

Honey runs out of shot. Keith quickly goes through to portal to return to the hub world.

CUT SCENE - HUB WORLD - RECOVERING THE INDIAN RELIC
The shot opens with Keith walking into the hub world to stand in the centre part of the hub world, coming out of the India portal. He walks into this middle to see the three Koala's that are waiting for him. The atmosphere is happier and the character appear happy to see him.

AMITA:
Oh Keith, well done you did it! That ought to have put an end to her ways, and the wonder is still in perfect!

BRIAN:
Oh look, you recovered the relic! If you ever want to look at it again, and others that you collect, you can find them on display in the show room downstairs.

CHENG:
Lets just hope that's that last of it, and she learns not to mess with us!

Menes comes rushing into shot from the direction of his portal.

MENES:
Quick! She's got to Egypt! She's not stopping and is going to get rid of the pyramids!

GAMPLAY - HUB WORLD - SECOND TIME
The gameplay continues in the hub world, Keith is positioned in the middle to begin with but is then free to wander all around and go up to any of the Ancients to be able to talk to them and see what they have to say. At this time the Ancients only have one line that they can say each and it relates to the current problems in Egypt.

AMITA:
Thank you for all your help in India Keith! I hope we can stop her soon.

BRIAN:
Zzzzzzzzz......

CHENG:
Menes has got something to tell you before you go to Egypt, he's waiting by the portal.

MENES:
Keith, Honey is continuing her evil plans and now she's in Egypt. She wants to erase the pyramids and we need to stop her! She can't continue these horrible plans!

Again don't forget about the relic, and if you're going into the Tombs, watch out for traps!

CUT SCENE -  EGYPT - TROUBLE IN EGYPT
Shot opens to show an Egyptian setting with 3 pyramids, a small town and trees in the surrounding area.

The shot zooms in and down to show one of the pyramids with a large board in front of it with a blank scene of the ground and sky painted badly on it trying to hide the fact that the pyramid it behind it.

Honey is propped up against the side of it against one of the hinges that is holding it upright.

Keith walks into the scene and the camera moves with him as he walks towards Honey and the board.

Zoom in on enemy character.

HONEY:
Haha! You silly bear! You'll never stop me! I'm going to get rid of all of the wonders, and you can't do anything about it! India was only the warm up round, now I mean business!

Cuts back to Keith.

KEITH:
What have you done with the Pyramid's!

Cuts back to honey who slowly turns to look at Keith in the end.

HONEY:
Oh nothing that you need to worry yourself with.... and you better not go snooping around the Tombs either looking for that relic!

Cuts back to Keith looking more angry and determined.

KEITH:
I'm going to stop you Honey! What you're doing is wrong!

Cuts back to Honey, mid shot.

HONEY:
HAHA! You'll never stop me! Besides I've got help in bringing down those Ancient bears! Nothing will stop us!

Camera cuts to a more zoomed out shot, above Keith's head, as Honey runs out of shot to the left and down into the small town.

KEITH:
Just watch me...

Camera zooms to a trap door in the floor, next to the floor, thats open. The camera locked on for a moment.

Camera moves out slightly as Keith jumps down the hole into the level.

GAMEPLAY - EGYPT

CUT SCENE - EGYPT - DEFEAT OF HONEY IN EGYPT
The shot opens with Keith walking out of the portal that is in the outside Egyptian location, next to where the previous cut scene took place. The board is still in shot and Keith has to bring the pyramids back somehow. Honey is painting the finishing touches to the corner of the board when Keith steps out and confronts her again.

KEITH:
Honey! This needs to stop, I've got the relic back and you need to bring the pyramids back now!

Honey laughs and looks at him, dropping the brush to the floor and it rolls towards Keith. Keith still doesn't understand that it is just a painting.

HONEY:
I can't bring them back there gone forever! You can't stop me, I will get rid of all of the wonders eventually!

The camera looks back at Keith as the brush rolls towards him. she picks it up and throws it at her to try and stop her.

Honey bats the paint brush away into the hinge that is keeping the trap door open, it bounces off and the trap door bangs shut, making the ground shake and the board wobble and fall down onto Honey.

Keith:
HAHA! I knew I could bring the pyramid's back and stop you Honey! You're not going to do any more damage.

Keith turns around and walks back through the portal as Honey tries to scramble out from underneath the board that has fallen onto her.

CUT SCENE - HUB WORLD - SHE'S NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT
The shot opens with Keith walking into the hub world to stand in the centre part of the hub world, coming out of the Egypt portal. He walks into this middle to see the four Koala's that are waiting for him. The atmosphere is happier and the character appear happy to see him but there is worry in the air.

MENES:
Thank you, thank you. I can't say that enough, you have helped me out so much in Egypt!

AMITA:
Do you think that's it then? She has been stopped twice now, she can't do anything else can she? We've got the relics back for now.

MENES:
But the other's are still missing, we will need to get them back!

AMITA:
Yes, but hopefully without her interfering.

BRIAN:
I don't know, she's a wild character and doesn't appear to be slowing down, what do you think Cheng?

Camera zooms in on Cheng slightly.

CHENG:
I don't think this is the last we'll hear about her, she's not going to go down without a proper fight...

GAME END - MAIN MENU