Story Elements: Developing the Themes of ZD:The Solitary

ALTERNATE 90's

I wanted to give it a late 90's theme but like an alternate world where medical technology has surpassed telecommunication technology.

Medical Technology Hints include: Medical Gadgets, rabies developed as warfare (in the news), Methalin shot (fictitious drug), High-pressure needle-less injections.

90's fads: the "rachel hairstyle", pop tops, mr 9999 in 1 brick game, and 90's terms such as Wicked, hoochie, and "as if", Ashley's floppy hairstyle, Metallica!, the walkman.


METALLICA

Early metallica songs played a major part in the developments of my story. They are one of the biggest inspiration to this script and I felt that including them as a theme in the story is my way of showing my gratitude.

I have given the band a cameo role and also some of their early songs are in the story itself. Ashley being a big Metallica fan.


VIDEO GAME

The original inspiration of the story came from Valve's zombie games. I've always loved the idea of playing either side and looking through the zombie's eyes.

After observing their art direction, which is sensational, I thought that a similar style would help me show how the infected feels through the use of visual and audio cues.


MEDICAL

Virus/Infection/Immunity/Mutation/Cure - all part of life.

When I was researching rabies, I've realised how much the symptoms resemble zombies. I took note of these symptoms and added them to the infected's physiques.

Based on that, I organised the infected into NORMAL and MUTATED. Normal has dumb and vicious types.

I based the "humanity" concept of the infected based on real life brain injuries. That depending how much the brain is damaged due to illness or injury, it still retains some of its functions.


APOCALYPTIC

The psychology behind people longing for the "End of the world", is quite interesting. There are a lot of people with different views on the apocalypse, that are actually secretly hoping for it. For example some people think that this would give everyone a fresh start in life, a clean slate so to speak. Some believe that civilization needs to be "reset" and some just think of the idea as something that could be fun and different from this life.


These are just some of the themes I wanted to create in my story and hopefully enhance with future rewrites.

The Themes on Humanity:

DRUG USE

Drug use play an important part of the story. In moderation, drugs provide pain relief and boost adrenaline which is helpful for the survivors to get through injuries and stressful events by providing pain and stress relief. On the other hand, an addiction to certain drugs causes psychological imbalance and perhaps aided in the physical transformation of Garret into the monster he became.

COMPANIONSHIP

Throughout the story, the survivors are put in situations where they may or may not have a choice to be alone or with others, both physically and emotionally. The Solo Vs. Team aspect of the game is also portrayed especially in the beginning when the survivors don't have each others full trust when they were susceptible to attacks since they didn't have the "team" spirit so to speak.


VIOLENCE:
Of course a given in any Action, horror movie. Zombie movies are notorious for having anything to do with head explosions, brain matter, blood, guns, and axes just to make some examples.

I loves me some Metallica. HUGE fan! What is Ashley’s favorite song? Mine has to be ONE. My favorite song of all time.

It’s nice to see that you’ve put a ton of thought into your story.

Ashley's favorite is ONe too :)))

Ashley's favorite is ONe too :)))

That song became part of the idea of "the solitary"... where at the beginning she is among numbers but in essence a solitary person. In the end she becomes alone but not really coz she has the others with her in her heart and in her "mind" ;)

Along with a few other themes I didn't list there's also Irony in the story, and a TWIST plus each scene has a conflict and an - / + of emotions. I've even thoroughly followed Rob Tobin's Ultimate List of Story Elements (it's a reaaallly long list) but I filled it all in believe it or not - BUT it's not good enough :(

NVM, another 16 months to go maybe some zombie game fanatic will buy this script for $2.00 lol. I'll even sign it for them :)

P.S. actually one of my friends said he'll buy it for 10.00 hahaha funny..