ZRX ROUND 1 - PRE-EVENT SHOW

OPEN ON:

THICK ROLLING CLOUDS COLLIDES INTO MOUNT. APOLLO

SUPER: 3RD OF LEIJONA, 250AL

Streams of freshwater cascades down zircon cliffs. Multi-layer highways tunnel in and weave out the fog, leading towards -

EXT. THE CAPITAL - DAWN

The solar punk skyline wakes to a dazzling sunrise over a turquoise river. An AVIAN MELODY soothes the ears of the morning commuters. Food trolleys are emptied in seconds.

STUDIO HOST (V.O.)
Rise and shine, Autopolitan! It’s a beautiful day to go racing. To the Accelites and viewers tuning across the Neutral Kingdom, you’re about to witness history in the making!

Holographic billboards along the highway plays the ZRX intro. Gold and white lorries descend - BUZZ. - down the express lane, heading for the valley.

STUDIO HOST (V.O.)
Welcome to ZRX Live, our show is broadcasting in real time within the world heritage sight at Unity Valley, home to the New Horizon Rally Academy.

EXT. MAIN GATE, AUTOPOLITAN RALLY COMPLEX - DAWN

A sleepy TEAM OF GATEKEEPERS greets the convoy. Scanners sweep across the lorries’ identification plates. All clear. The boom gates rises.

STUDIO HOST (V.O.)
Thank you for joining us for the inaugural round of the Zeron Rallycross Championship; at the spectacular Autopolitan Rally Complex. This amazing training facility is the first of its kind on Seres.

The convoy lumbers into

THE SERVICE PARK

Where multiple teams are preparing for warfare. The lorries trudge through the pit facilities, passing the merchandise area, catering trucks and kiosks.

STUDIO HOST (V.O.)
In a few moments, four teams and eight talented drivers will unleash  their three-hundred kilowatts rally cars around the one-point-six kilometre circuit.

The lorries come to halt alongside the:

INT. MEDIA HUB - DAWN

A propped up shelter with a view of the trailers being unloaded. The mini studio is big enough to fit just the production crew and equipment. In the spotlight is

THE NERVOUS STUDIO HOST

late teens, silky silver hair and calm phoenix eyes. She flaunts a gold and white blouse and pants. Her expressions and posture’s a little stiff as she reads from the autocue.

STUDIO HOST
(Bows politely)
Good morning everyone. My name’s Jeni Xue, an ex-driver from the New Horizon Academy and now the studio host for ZRX Live. I’m delighted to have you join us in our studio, located dead centre of the service park and as you can see there’s plenty going on behind me already this morning.

Trolleys of brand new tyres roll out in carts in the background. 

JENI (CONT'D)
It’ll be my pleasure to bring the latest news, updates and results from the event throughout the coming days...

From behind the cameras,

AKI SUZUKI

(Early 20’s, handsome, mysterious blue eyes and  steps onto the raised platform and joins Jeni. He’s rocking a stylish dress shirt and pants. He takes a deep breath to compose himself.

JENI (CONT'D)
... Joining alongside me for the season is ZeRO test driver and expert commentator, Aki Suzuki.
(Facing Aki)
Hello, Aki and welcome to the studio. I look forward to working with you.

AKI
Thank you, Jeni. I’m glad to be here and the feeling’s mutual. Lets get along and together, with our experience as ex-drivers, help the citizens of our kingdom discover and understand the absolute gem we’re presenting to the world.
(To the camera)
Good morning to everyone at home and listening at trackside. I’ll do my best to share my knowledge and insight when the action kicks off later today with two qualifying heats.

Beat. They share a look, smiling.

JENI
We’re finally here.

AKI
It’s been quite the journey, hasn’t it?

JENI
A long and necessary one but worth it in the end. How do you feel?

AKI
Mixed emotions. I’m relieved that we’ve made it to this point and eager for the championship to kick off. Happy to finally go racing. I’m psyched for what we’re about to show the world. It’s going to be mind-blowing. How about you?

JENI
Rejuvenated. It means the journey hasn’t ended and there’s a possibility I --
(Catches herself; beat)
-- I’m excited that we can finally show the final product Lady Mira, United Engineering, Sora and many others have dedicated the last decade to create. This project is the start of a life changing path for the younger generation. Lets have a closer look at what the future holds for the up and coming young aspirants throughout the year:

CUT TO:

VFX. RACE CALENDER

A graphic displays the dates for the upcoming events. Accompany by a scenic MONTAGE of each location:

JENI (V.O.)
The series will host five events across Accel. Next, we head to the southern coastline of Lightthorn and tackle the iconic rolling hills.

- SUPER: Round 2: Dreadnought Hill - 3rd of Norsu. A drone hovers over the narrow dirt roads and monster jumps in the unforgiving terrain.

JENI (V.O)
... Afterwards, we’re racing in the clouds of Mt. Tyfon. Where the high altitude will surely affect the cars performance.

- SUPER: Round 3: Tyson Rally Park - 12th of Kilpikonna. Thunder and lightning unleash on the razor sharp peaks covered in snow. The storm looms over the trees between the track.

- SUPER: Round 4: Kitsune National Park - 11th of Tiikeri. Tourists happily snaps selfies at the twin fox statues in front of a waterfall.

AKI (V.O.)
When we return from the winter break, the series resumes as we visit the beautiful forests in Kitsune. I hope we don’t scare the cute and amazing creatures away. Last but not least, the finale: we’re partying and spraying champagne on the popular Aurcote beach just south of Golden Gate City. 

- SUPER: Round 5: Golden Gate Raceway - 22nd of Lohikaarme. Expensive cruise ships sails between stupendous golden gates into a scenic harbour.

AKI (V.O.)
When the final checkered flag drops, the inaugural Zeron Rally-X Champion will be crowned.

BACK TO:

INT. MEDIA HUB - RESUME SCENE

A few spectators gather at the mesh screens, playing it up for the cameras.

AKI
There will be plenty of opportunities for fans, like the ones behind me --
(Turns and waves)
-- To get up close and personal with the rally cars, teams and drivers.

JENI
We highly recommend people from all five islands to visit and take in this unique and outer-worldly  sporting event. Aki, I’m sure the viewers are all asking: What is Rallycross? Can you please give them a breakdown on what we’re about to witness?

AKI
Gladly. However, I can go one better with the help of the VFX team. We have a special teaser for this moment. Please run the race simulation!

CUT TO:

VFX. AUTOPOLITAN RALLY COMPLEX

A bird eyes view of the entire layout of the circuit, including the grandstands and surrounding landmarks. All in 3D animation.

AKI (V.O.)
Rallycross is an aggressive and hardcore sprint-style motorsport race using powerful and brutal all-terrain rally cars from Terra. The events will be held on mixed surfaces and raced in any weather condition.

The virtual timer countdown to begin the SERIES OF ACTION SHOTS:

- A TORTUROUS SCREAM OF TYRES. Rally cars blaze out of the start zone. Puffs of blue smoke linger from a layer of fresh rubber left behind.

AKI (V.O.)
The eight drivers split into two groups for the qualifying heats. They’ll have to survive four laps of go-for-broke racing from start to finish.

- The cars drift sideways, BASHING against one another, around Accel Hairpin. Broken carbon fibre flap like loose skin. Gravel shrapnel scatter everywhere.

AKI (V.O.)
However, to spice the racing up even more, there’s one rule the drivers can’t forget: --

- The cars RIP through turn two, on the limit. The pack splits into two groups, taking both of the different routes before the simulation freezes.

AKI (V.O.)
-- They must complete a joker lap. It’s compulsory across all heats. Failing to do so will result in disqualification.

The outer portion of the circuit is highlighted showing the joker section. An acute right-hander that whips the car back onto the main circuit.

AKI (V.O.)
The drivers must know when to negotiate this alternate route on the outside of Mojave Fork and Terra Corner. Their execution needs to be clean and precise because one small mistake can be the difference to winning or elimination. You heard it right, folks. The last car that crosses the finish line or fails to complete the race either due to technical issues or damages - is eliminated and sent packing.

- The simulation unpauses and the two packs collides. Body panels rag doll in the air. The remaining cars slice past the chicanes - inches from the hay bales.

AKI (V.O.)
The top three drivers in each qualifying heat advances to a six-car semi-finals racing over six laps and then, the top four drivers from the semis battle for the round  win over six laps. Points are only rewarded to the finalists.

- Flames spit - POP. POP. POP. - out the exhausts. Cars darting left, right, left, line astern. Sliding like poetry in motion through the hairpins.

AKI (V.O.)
The winner gets six points, runner-up gets three, third place gets two and last place gets the one. At the end of the season, the driver with the most points will have their name in the history books.

- One by one, the front wheels SNAP the opposite direction and launch off the crest. Cars leap for air. ENGINES BOUNCING OFF THE REV-LIMITER.

AKI (V.O.)
Make no mistakes, this all sounds simple and straightforward but I can guarantee you, getting to the finals is no easy feat. From the moment the lights turn green, it’s a battle to the death until the last lap or the last person standing. It’s a survival of the fittest and no second chances. Either you have what it takes to win or you don’t. The journey begins here and how it ends will be up to the individual.

- Chaos BURSTS out of the final corner - four wide - to greet the checkered flag. A DRIVER climbs on the roof of the car - celebrating! Champagne bottles emptied.

BACK TO:

INT. MEDIA HUB - RESUME SCENE

More passing spectators stop to photobomb the two hosts.

JENI
That teaser’s got my blood pumping with adrenaline. I want to get behind the wheel and tear up the track again!

AKI
Maybe we can strike a deal with Sora and do a couple of demonstration laps?

JENI
That’s a great idea! We have a gap between the qualifying heats and the drivers press conference.

Jeni looks at the production crew, hopeful. BEAT.

PRODUCER (V.O.)
Lady Mira has given you permission.

JENI
Really?
(Fist pumps)
Awesome!

Aki and Jeni can’t help but grin. They bow at the camera.

AKI/JENI
Thank you, Your Majesty.

AKI
Jeni, all of this wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for Lady Mira and the staff from United and Sora.   Everyone’s put in an unbelievable amount of resources, time and effort to build what we have here. Earlier in the week, you had the chance to sit down with Her Majesty at the Imperial Palace for an interview. What was it like there?

JENI
Rallycross heaven. No, excuse me - it’s motorsport heaven. Lady Mira has the largest collection of Terran motor racing memorabilia. There are artefacts, race cars and historic records of motorsport categories that I’ve never heard of. You could give me months to roam around in the Hall of Motorsports and it’s still not enough time to see and learn about everything.

AKI
Did you get to see Prototype One?

JENI
(Nods)
Not only did I get to see it, I got a picture with it and Lady Mira was kind enough to allow us to film a series of b-rolls and a short feature for a future segment.

AKI
I’m so jealous right now. I can’t wait to see it. That interview is coming up next after a quick commercial break!

FADE TO BLACK.