Your Big Break

To Earn A Crust

FADE IN

INT. CENTRE OF THE EARTH – DAY

We see the door of a boardroom meeting. From behind, there emits a red glow.

CAPTION – CENTRE OF THE EARTH

In the background we hear an indistinct rumbling sound. As we move closer to the door, we start to hear the snotty voice of the MANAGER.

CAPTION – RE-LOCATION TEAM MEETING

THE MANAGER
…and since Frank brought back such dismal stats and figures …

CUT TO

INT. BOARDROOM – DAY

The whole room is aglow with a fiery red. Outside the boardroom window, we see rivers of lava and molten rock.

The MANAGER is stood before a board with a map of the World displayed on it. THE MANAGER is a rock-man. His skin is a dark reddish-brown, his hair is a long blonde mullet and he has very thick eyebrows. He has a pointer in one hand and a marker pen in the other. He is in the process of putting a big black X on the map.

THE MANAGER
...I think we can conclusively say that we will NOT be moving to Alaska.

THE MANAGER straightens up

THE MANAGER
So, any questions?

In the boardroom, we see 6-8 other rock-men, all identical, sat down, facing the MANAGER. The room is silent apart from some low whispering at the back.

THE MANAGER
No?.. Good. Then I’ll proceed. This now leaves us with just 22 countries...

The whispering continues. The MANAGER’s eyes flitter to the back of the room where we see STEVE and RON whispering between themselves. The MANAGER tries to continue unabated.

THE MANAGER
..And management would like a relocation decision by the end of next millennia.

Still whispers. The MANAGER grits his teeth

THE MANAGER
So for our next scouting mission, I think we’ll have...

The MANAGER glances at his clipboard

THE MANAGER
Stephen Bays and Ronald Potwood.

STEVE and RON immediately straighten in their chairs. The MANAGER turns to a small bingo wheel on the table next to him.

THE MANAGER
(louder)
Let’s see you 2 morons handle this next assignment!

The other rock-men laugh

THE MANAGER
...which is...

THE MANAGER whips a ball from the bingo wheel.

THE MANAGER
New Zealand!

His pointer snaps to the board directly on New Zealand. STEVE and RON stand up and skulk slowly out of the room.

THE MANAGER
And if you 2 idiots could refrain from starting a war this time, we would really appreciate it!

The room fills with laughter

CUT TO

EXT. NEW ZEALAND – DAY
An idyllic scene. A empty grassy plain with awe inspiring mountains in the background and a crystal blue sky.

CAPTION – NEW ZEALAND, 1010AD

We hear the sound of a rusted wheel being turned. Suddenly in the middle of this grassy plain we see a small submarine hatch opening. STEVE climbs out.

RON
Ok. Here’s your board. Here’s your pen.

RON hands STEVE the items.

STEVE
Thank you

RON
Note down what you can and I’ll see you in...say, 200 years?

STEVE
Fine by me

RON
Ok, same place, by the rock...

RON points at a large rock just off to the side

RON
... on this day, 1210 AD?

STEVE
Gotcha.

RON pulls shut the hatch and disappears into the earth. STEVE turns away and walks off, whistling contently to himself.

CUT TO

EXT.NEW ZEALAND – DAY

The same idyllic scene.

CAPTION – NEW ZEALAND. 1210 AD

We see STEVEN sat on the rock waiting. We hear the rusted wheel turning again and the hatch opens. RON pulls himself up from the hole.

RON
Hey

STEVE
Hey

RON
So, had fun?

STEVE
Well, not really. There’s no one here!

RON
What?!

STEVE
Nobody. Zero population. Zip

RON
But there’s people all over this planet?!

STEVE
I know!

RON
Ok, Let’s give it another um...400 years?

STEVE
Sure thing

RON
Ok, see ya

STEVE
See ya

RON jumps back into the hole and slams the hatch shut. STEVE walks off into the distance once more.

CUT TO

EXT. NEW ZEALAND – DAY

The same idyllic scene.

CAPTION – NEW ZEALAND. 1610 AD

We see STEVEN sat on the rock waiting but this time he is dressed in a distinct Moari outfit and facepaint. We hear the rusted wheel turning again and the hatch opens. RON pulls himself up from the hole.

RON
Hey

STEVE
Hey

RON
So, anyone here yet?

STEVE
Oh Yes

RON
Did they do that to your face?

STEVE
Yeah

RON
I like it

STEVE
And they also taught me to dance. Wanna see?

RON
Sure

CUT TO

EXT. NEW ZEALAND – DAY

CAPTION – 58 seconds later

We see STEVE performing the last few moments of the Haka.

STEVE
A UPANE KAUPANE WHITI TE RAI HI!

STEVE jumps in the air. RON sits there stunned for a moment

RON
And that’s dancing is it?

STEVE
Yeah

RON marks his clipboard

RON
Ok. Very good. Right, we need to do 3 reports in total so let’s give it say, another... 400 years?

STEVE
Sure

RON closes the hatch and STEVE walks away

CUT TO

EXT. NEW ZEALAND – DAY

The same idyllic scene

CAPTION – NEW ZEALAND. 2010 AD

RON opens up the hatch. We hear the rumbling of an engine. RON looks up and sees STEVE, decked head to toe in shades, t-shirt and shorts sat astride a huge quad bike.

RON
Woah!

STEVE
Yeah and this is just the start of it.

RON
All good then?

STEVE
Yeah, this place is great!

RON
(looking around)
It doesn’t look very.... busy?

STEVE
Nah, that’s the best bit. You’ve got ALL this..

STEVE waves his arm in a wide circle

STEVE
..and about 10km that way you’ve got this huge city with all kinds of crazy stuff happening.

RON
So, is it worth staying?

STEVE
Well worth it!

RON
Ok, I’d best get back and let the bosses know.

STEVE
Bosses?

We see a faint dissolve of THE MANAGERS face over the shot

THE MANGER
Let’s see you 2 MORONS handle the next ... And if you 2 IDIOTS could refrain from starting a war...

We hear their colleagues’ laughter as the managers’ face dissolves away. STEVE and RON look at each other as they both reach the same conclusion.

CUT TO

EXT. NEW ZEALAND – DAY

STEVE and RON are pushing the large rock over the hatch. As the rock lands on top there is a big CLANG!

An engine revs and we see the two rock men sitting aside the quad bike riding off into the distance

RON
What shall we do first?

STEVE
Ron, my friend. I am going to introduce you to a little thing called... bungee jumping.

FADE OUT

_____________________________

Hello. My Name is Owain Hopkins and this is my entry for the Big Break Competition.

I have been making films for the past 15 years. Mostly with friends in my home town but also in University. Here is a Trailer giving you a brief insight into everything I have done:- http://vimeo.com/8174313

I am currently starting my own company so that I can pursue my dream of making films professionaly as well as personally.

I went to New Zealand in 2007 and have never forgotten it. I rode around in a wicked camper van and was amazed and stunned daily by it's beautiful scenery. Here is a facebook album detailling my journey: - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57888&id=794205709&l=62b4694b98

I have always longed to return one day and hope that this idea can help me achieve that.