Script-Rome Cold Open

Hey everyone! Hope the weekend is going strong. Okay, now that formalities are out of the way, I have a new story for you guys.

This story is a cold open for a TV show. I thought of this show while at my author showcase a few months ago. I wrote the whole scene in my notebook that day. It was just flowing out of my head. It's a pilot for an action series based in ancient Rome. The theme would deal a little with fighting against oppression and things along that nature. You get the sense of that at least in the cold open, so go ahead check it out. Let me know what you think.

Also, a cold open is that first few minutes of a TV show before the title sequence. It can either start the story, or just be for a quick joke to start things off. Think of The Office. That show has really funny cold opens. Alright, enjoy. 

Rome Pilot

By: Van Windsor

FADE IN:

ext. Colosseum-day

A crumbling Colosseum filled with as many bloodthirsty spectators as it could still hold. Down in the pit several half-naked men run around and battle to the death. None of them have full armor on. A helmet on one, a dented chest piece on another. The stadium echoes with swords and shields clashing.

CUT TO:

Zoom in and crawl between the fighters on the ground. Stay on a giant man with a lion chest piece. He lifts a spear high.

CUT TO:

A close-up of a section of drunken men cheering for the bloody death.

BACK TO:

As the Spearhead falls…

CUT TO:

int. under Colosseum-same day

Dark and claustrophobic tunnels and chambers hold dozens of men like sardines in a can. It’s quiet, except for the wild animals growling in their cages and the muffled sounds of battle above. Men pace back and forth looking nervous Close-up on one man sitting on the dirt floor wrapping leather bands around his ankle. He watches the dead men being dragged down the main tunnel and into a large archway. He lowers his head.

CUT TO:

ext. colosseum Crowd-same day

More bloodthirsty cheers from the crowd as another gladiator falls, bloody and limp.

CUT TO:

ext. colosseum floor-same day

A lean man wearing only a strip of leather like a makeshift skirt is thrown at a wall. He scurries to his feet as two large men, one wearing a spiked helmet and the other a pair of brass gloves, approach him. They laugh and share bloodshot eyes full of joyous murder.

Helmeted fighter

Who let this string bean in here? Your blood isn’t good enough to stain my hands.

The helmeted man pounds his fists together.

Gloved fighter

Yeah, what happened, boy? You must’a pissed someone off real bad.

The lean fighter, Antoni, looks across the stadium.

CUT TO:

The emperor sits in his grand box ten rows above the stadium floor. The emperor; middle-aged, blonde, devilishly handsome; glares down at Antoni with sickening delight.

BACK TO:

Antoni doesn’t answer the two men, but looks around them for a way out. He spots something between them.

CUT TO:

P.O.V. shot between the men, where a long spear lay in the dirt beside a dead gladiator.

BACK TO:

Antoni plants his feet, and raises his fists in a tired fighting stance.

Helmeted fighter

(Chuckle)

Are you kiddin’ me? Look at this tough guy.

The Helmeted fighter charges at Antoni with his arms spread wide. He tries to wrap them around Antoni, but Antoni dive rolls behind him. As he stands, Antoni sees a large metal fist coming for his face. He ducks and rolls past the gloved fighter and the giant fist smashes into the back of the helmeted fighter. The helmeted fighter falls in agony.

CUT TO:

Antoni rolling next to the spear.

CUT TO:

The gloved fighter turning around to face Antoni. His eyes are wide with anger.

CUT TO:

Antoni picks up the spear and stabs the gloved fighter in the leg. The gloved fighter falls to one knee. Antoni stands, breathing heavy. The crowd explodes with excitement. Antoni looks up at the emperor.

CUT TO:

The emperor stands from his seat and walks to the edge of his special box. He raises one hand slowly, his thumb sticking out to the side. The crowd goes silent.

CUT TO:

The spectators crane their necks to get a better view of the emperor’s verdict.

BACK TO:

The emperor grins at Antoni and turns his thumb toward the dirt.

CUT TO:

The crowd erupts again.

CUT TO:

A sweeping shot of the stadium as the crowd chants.

Colosseum audience

Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!...

CUT TO:

Antoni lowers his head in shame. He looks down at the bleeding man with the metal gloves.

CUT TO:

Close-up on the gloved fighter. He’s breathing heavy as his life fades away. He struggles to whisper at Antoni.

Gloved fighter

Please… Give them what they want…

The gloved fighter opens his arms to expose his naked chest.

Gloved fighter (cont.)

Do it… Bring honor to us both.

CUT TO:

Extreme close-up on Antoni’s dirty and bloody face. His eyes are red and wet.

CUT TO:

Medium shot of Antoni. Only the top of the gloved fighter’s head can be seen. Antoni grimaces with strain as he pulls the spear out and immediately shoves it into the gloved fighter’s chest.

CUT TO:

A far shot from the stadium floor with a large portion of cheering crowd taking up most of the screen. Antoni is a small figure. The gloved fighter falls to the dirt. Dead. Stay with the shot for at least five seconds.

CUT TO:

Antoni standing with his head down. Two soldiers run out and drag the gloved fighter’s body out of the stadium. Two more soldiers follow and grab Antoni by the arms. They lead him into the same archway to below the stadium. As they enter the dark tunnel, a wooden gate falls behind them with a loud thud.

FADE OUT:

END OF COLD OPEN

I don't know if it's great, but I think it's not bad for spur of the moment writing. Let me know what you guys think. I'll talk to you all tomorrow.

Buh-bye.