The current Script

So here's the latest script in a written form. It keeps changing as I storyboard, the nature of the beast I guess.

Ukia the Wolf

3rd Draft

fade in:

shot of paleolithic style wall paintings. pans up to reveal drawing of boy with tail and ears.

title screen: Ukia the wolf

camera moves on to reveal painting of village being attacked by wolves. people are dead on ground wolves standing over them. All in very primitive style. Camera pans on and stops on Utik, a tall strong man with a spear and mele, his beautiful wife and mother to their son Ukia wrapped in her arms. The cave walls dissolve into background and the characters change to more finalized character as they start to actually move, running from the VILLAGE

The are overtaken by a large gray wolf. Utik turns to fight but is knocked to the ground by a wolf, his spear flies in the air and comes to rest at Meles side. Mele grabs the spear and runs with her baby into the woods. The wolf kills Utik then chases after Mele and Ukia.

cut to:

Mele running with ukia away from the village. she makes her way from the clearing to the forest. she runs up a hill dodging between branches and jumping fallen trees.

cut to:

the gray wolf is fast on her heals we see him jump the same fallen trees getting ever so much closer.

cut to

Mele has come to a stream, she gracefully jumps from rock to rock across the stream. She runs up the embankment and hides in the brush and watches.

cut to :

the gray wolf has reach to stream he stops on the other side, sniffs the air, pauses then starts across the stream.

cut to.

shot of mele high on the EMBANKMENT the wolf is below, he stops and looks up just as mele lets the spear go. The wolf lets out a howl as the spear stabs into his side and he sprawls into the water.

cut to:

Mele watches.

cut to:

the wolf gets up from the water and pulls the spear out with his teeth. he looks up where mele was but she is gone.

cut to:

Mele running with her brother further up hill.

cut to:

the wolf limps up the embankment. he stops at the top and licks his wound. he lets out a snarl and runs after Mele.

cut to:

mele is out of breath she stops next to a tree. She lays her son down next to a fern and digs a hole. She then puts ukia in the hole, pauses and whispers something inaudible in his ear. There is a quiet moment then she kisses him on his head. Mele covers him with branches, hiding ukia from the wolf. Then she stands, looks where the wolf is coming from and runs further up the hill.

cut to:

the wolf is limping up the hill driven by anger he pushes on.

cut to:

mele comes to a small clearing and looks down towards where she left her ukia.

cut to:

The wolf has entered the area. He stops his PURSUIT and sniffs around. He has caught the scent of ukia.

cut to:

close up of mele. she is concerned she pulls out a stone knife and presses it hard into her arm. Blood drips fast onto the ground.

cut to:

the wolf sniffs the air and pauses. He can smell mele's blood. He licks his lips and bolts toward Mele.

cut to:

mele is standing ready. Her knife in her hand and her back close against some brush. She looks determined.

cut to:

over the shoulder shot on Mele's back. We watch with her as the wolf slowly emerges from the brush. He paces back and forth licking his lips and growling.

cut to:

side shot of both of them in attack stance. The contrast is inspiring with the gigantic wolf bearing over the small frame of mele. The wolf growls and likewise mele curls her nose. Mele faints a step backward, like she is faltering and lures the wolf to attack. The wolf springs just as Mele jumps back through the brush.

cut to:

long shot of a cliff wall as mele and the wolf tumble over the side their bodies embraced in death.

fade to:

inside a cave we see a mother wolf with her pups. Ukia lets out a cry in the distance and catches their attention. One pup runs out of the cave to investigate, the mother and others follow.

cut to:

The mother and puppies come to Ukia's hiding place. The mother pushes his CAMOUFLAGE and comes nose to nose with Ukia. They lock in a stare. suddenly Ukia reaches out, grabs the mothers nose and lets out a laugh. She recoils in shock and then smiles. She licks Ukias face

cut to:

the mother leads the procession of puppies back to the cave with Ukia dangling by his swaddling clothes from her mouth. Ukia has been adopted.

fade to:

cave wall. There are various paintings of Ukia interacting with the wolves in a pack like setting.

Credits roll

The End

So as of now the whole Mele cutting herself isn't going to happen. The tree that she hides Ukia in will actually be located on the top of the cliff (thanks Brian) adding to the drama. Also, the film needs to start with a more establishing shot giving the audience a better understanding of where we are.

2 problems:

1) How do I give Mele time to reach the mountain? How do I slow the wolf down?

2) Wolves hunt in packs, why is there only one wolf attacking the village?