Astro Bandits: An Audio Drama By Ashley M. Jimenez A capstone project submitted for Graduation with University Honors May 31st, 2020 University Honors University of California, Riverside APPROVED _______________________________________________ Dr. Stuart Krieger Department of Screenwriting _______________________________________________ Dr. Richard Cardullo, Howard H Hays Jr. Chair, University Honors Abstract For many, adults and children alike, animation and cartoons have played a large role in the development of their creativity and imagination. Some have even become inspired to create their own stories with the same tropes and aesthetics of the cartoons and other creative media that has inspired them. With creative technology becoming more accessible, non-professional creators have a chance at bringing their stories to life through a variety of means such as webcomics, short films or web series. Creative media has similarly inspired me to design stories and characters that affect others in the same manner that beloved cartoons and childhood media has affected countless individuals. The goal of this project is to create a series of scripts for the first season of an audio drama. While the scripts for the entire first season will be written, only the first pilot episode will be turned into a fully-voiced audio drama. The series, tilted Astro Bandits, will explore similar themes to the cartoons and media from which it drew inspiration, such as found family, heroism, and love. The aim of this project is to affect audiences in a positive way by providing some inspiration which they can carry with them in different avenues of creative endeavors. Acknowledgements I would like to sincerely thank my mentor for this project, Professor Stuart Krieger, for not only agreeing to mentor Astro Bandits on such short notice, but for providing screenwriting knowledge and helping develop my storytelling skills. I would also like to thank the Astro Bandits voice cast for not only being flexible with schedules but for putting hours of hard work into recording for this project. Without their help, Astro Bandits would not be the fully realized project that it is. I would also like to thank the friends and family that proofread and watched early drafts of the scripts and pilot episode. Their feedback was integral to the development process. And lastly, I would like to thank the Honors department for the opportunity to produce this Capstone. It has allowed me to live out part of a dream I never thought possible and has permanently shaped my outlook on career choices. It is an opportunity I will always be grateful for. 2 Table of Contents Abstract. ......................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgements. ....................................................................................................... 2 Astro Bandits Episode 1.................................................................................................. 4 Astro Bandits Episode 2................................................................................................ 31 Astro Bandits Episode 3................................................................................................ 58 Astro Bandits Episode 4................................................................................................ 86 Astro Bandits Episode 5.............................................................................................. 110 Astro Bandits Episode 6.............................................................................................. 134 Astro Bandits Episode 7.............................................................................................. 161 Astro Bandits Episode 8.............................................................................................. 182 Astro Bandits Episode 9.............................................................................................. 206 Astro Bandits Episode 10. ........................................................................................... 228 Astro Bandits Episode 11. ........................................................................................... 247 Astro Bandits Episode 12. ........................................................................................... 273 Link to Pilot Episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UPegICYgJIs5QVbIxIHrUPT6xvLnOGaA/view?usp=sharing 3 Astro bandits "Pilot - The Naviy Escape" Written by Ashley Jimenez 4 / T easer Ext. Naviy slums market - day. The sounds of a busy open-air market fill the air. Two brothers, KARON MILEON, 20, and LU DELORA MILEON, 11, push their way through the crowds. KARON Hurry up Lu. We're gonna be late. Lu I know, I know. I'm right behind you! Karon I'm not gonna let anything keep us from getting off this junk planet today. Even if I have to carry you to Q's. Lu I'm not a baby you know! As Karon and Lu argue, the noises of a nearby scuffle intensify drawing Lu's attention. Lu Hey Kar check it out! Isn't that Rocker? He's getting in another fight! Karon That's none of our business, c'mon. As Karon attempts to walk away a female voice rises above the crowd. AZA, 18, strikes a fighting pose as she challenges a burly, scar-riddled and middle-aged ruffian, ROCKER, from the inner circle of the crowd. AZA 5 / C'mon big guy you really think you can take on an Astro Bandit? We never lose a fight ya know? But if you insist, I'll go easy on ya. Rocker You? Go easy on me? You must be joking little girl. I've only lost one fight on these streets and I ain't about to lose another to you! Lu Uh I don't think that girl knows who she's fighting. Shouldn't we do something? Karon No, we've gotta keep moving. Rocker Alright you're on pirate girl! Aza Bring it on boulder boy! Lu Uh...Kar? Karon Ugh fine! Karon begins to move to the center of the circle but before he can get far, Aza begins her fight with Rocker. Aza Don't say I didn't warn ya! Aza swiftly and skillfully gets Rocker on the ground, avoiding his punches along the way. Rocker grunts as he falls to the ground. Aza Ha ha! 6 / Rocker You filthy pirate! You cheated! Aza Cheated? Oh c'mon don't be a sore loser Mr. Boulder man! I told you, an Astro Bandit never loses a fight! Rocker Nobody cheats the Rocker! You're gonna pay for that little girl! Get her! The crowd surrounding the fight then begins closing in on Aza, ready to pounce. Aza Whoa whoa whoa hold on you guys. He's the one that challenged me ya know. Lu Karon! Rocker listens to you! Do something! Karon enters the inner circle, stepping between Aza and the Rocker. Karon Hey back off Rocker. This girl didn't cheat. Rocker Karon! There's no way she beat me that fast! Faster than you! Karon Just because she knows how to fight doesn't mean she cheated. You got mad at me for beating you too. Just tell everyone to back off and leave her alone. 7 / Rocker I. Fine. Only cause you're the one asking. Rocker motions for his crew to back off. The inner circle widens as people begin to disperse. Aza eyes Karon as she moves over towards him. AZA Hey uh thanks for that- Karon No thanks necessary. C'mon Lu. Lu Uh, ok. Karon turns and begins to walk away with Lu reluctantly following. They leave Aza behind. Int. Q's Pawn shop. Day Karon and Lu swing aside the sheets marking the entrance to Q's pawn shop. A small bell chimes. An alien girl around Karon's age, Q, looks up as the brothers enter the shop. Q If it isn't my two favorite customers. And right on time too. Lu Hi Q! Q Hey little Mileon. Karon The ship's here? Q Yup. Source just told me it arrived last night. One bona fide 8 / Unifier cargo ship ready to be loaded up. Karon And the disguises? Q Got em right here. Q pulls out three separate Unifier uniforms and lays them out in front of Karon. Karon Uh, why are there three? Q Ah, well the thing is. Someone offered to pay me twice of what you guys gave to get in on the deal. Karon What? As Q is about to explain, the sheets marking the entrance to the shop swing open. Aza enters. Aza Hey there, sorry I'm late. Q Oh, speak of the devil. Karon & Lu YOU? Teaser end Act 1 Int. Q's Pawn shop. Day 9 / The brothers stand aghast as Aza stands before them. Aza Oh hey you two! Wow must be fate that we run into each other again! I didn't get a chance to thank you. Q Thank? Aza Your friend over here stepped in to get me out of a sticky situation but walked away before I could even offer any thanks. By the way, I totally had that fight covered, you didn't need to step in. Lu It didn't look like you did. Karon Look she can't join us. Lu and I have been waiting far too long to get off this junkyard and I'm not gonna risk our escape on this-this street brawler. Q She already paid though. Aza Look I didn't start that fight. He challenged me! And you saw me take down that rock guy in two seconds flat, I can fend for myself. Karon If you can fend for yourself then wait for another ship to come by. 10 / Aza Uh no I mean I can help you! And besides I have my reasons for getting on that ship! Karon You still can't just- Lu C'mon, she can fight pretty well. What if we get in trouble and need help? Karon We're not gonna need any help. Besides this is a stealth mission. Or did you not even know that much? Aza Of course I did! Q ran through the whole plan with me. It'll be a breeze! Lu She seems confidant enough. Aza Hey do you recognize my uniform? Karon Nope. Aza Well your buddy Rocker knew. It's why he wanted to fight me. My name's Aza. I'm a member of the Astro Bandits. Karon Never heard of 'em. Aza 11 / Okay that's...not what I was expecting. But Q here told me you and your brother didn't really save up enough money for supplies. On the last call I made with my transmitter before it ran out of juice, my home ship agreed to meet me outside this planet's atmosphere later today.