The devil is in the details

So whilst in the process of workshopping my world, I figured it’d be beneficial to add a little more detail as to the aesthetic style of the world.

The structure of a general airport is littered with signs, warnings and wide, open spaces accommodating large bodies of people.  I drew up a warning sign in Photoshop, in a fashion extremely similar to the typical prohibited items list before the customs section.

The decision to incorporate the information about the small, liquid based aliens having to be screened prior to boarding is an extension on some of the more frowned upon rules when visiting the airport, like the mentioned ‘no more than 100mL in carry on’ rule.  The proposed dynamic is to recreate particular social issues like discrimination through the treatment of particular aliens.  Granted, the series is to be light-hearted, so care has to be taken to ensure nothing scathing is presented.

I do have a small mock-up of a brief scene and exchange regarding ‘liquids’ as mentioned earlier.  This is by no means the makings of a pilot episode, but rather one quirky gag I thought would sit extremely well with the nature of Spaceport Earth®.

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INT. PORT CUSTOMS

GRS is managing a line of people who are getting their items checked

GRS (off-camera):  You know, I don’t mind some aspects of this job.  Managing the screenings line is always fun ‘cos you get to take things away from people who don’t follow instructions.

GRS takes out an oversized pocket lightsabre out of a grizzly alien’s bag.  The alien is visibly distressed.

GRS:

  Sir, I’m sorry, but this shavesabre doesn’t follow regulation.  You gotta read the signs before you pack your bags.  No blades above 6cm bud.

Grizzly Alien:

My hair grows extremely quickly…it’s a 15 hour trip and..and I need it for emergencies.

GRS:

  I’m telling ya, you have to check these items in.  There’s nothing I can do, sir.

Grizzly Alien (resigned):

 …it was a gift…

GRS ignites lightsabre as alien goes out of sight, and smiles at the camera.

GRS (to camera):

  I mean, you get to see all types in the airport anyway, especially in immigration, but in the line, you get close and personal with them and to me, that’s what working here’s all about.

GRS confronting Siamese aliens, struggling to scan a massive stone alien, and squatting next to a baby alien.

GRS:

Sorry, sir, all liquid-based life-forms over 5L have to be screened thoroughly prior to boarding.

Liquid Blob (annoyed, Boston accent?):  Serious? Give me a break! My record is clean and I have a flight to catch in 15.

GRS:

 Look, sir, it’s international spaceport law.  As a liquid-base, you should show up at least 2 hours before your departure time.  I’m sorry but you’re going to have to miss your flight.

Liquid Blob:

You have got to be kidding me. I swear the rule was 7L not that long ago.

GRS:

New securities policies, sir. If you want to take it up, take it to the defence department.  I’m just doing my job.

Liquid Blob (sighs in resignation):

I didn’t want to do this.

The blob proceeds to divide himself into 3 smaller equal pieces. The camera zooms in on GRS’ motionless face.

GRS (to camera):

I’ll be honest, that took me off guard.

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So this essentially highlights some of the extremely unique social predicaments centric around the infinite number of physical capabilities the aliens can possess, making for some hilarious customer-employee interactions.  The Blob represents perhaps a species that is often ostracized and inconvenienced around spaceport travel, in a similar but less invasive light to turban wearers  .

I actually look forward in preparing the storyboards for this scene, maybe even do some pre-visualisation work if it’s at all possible.