TWDS w/ Lara Croft CGI Script Concept

*Unused by Elex | Approved by Skybound Entertainment & Crystal Dynamic

This was written to promote the first-ever authorized crossover for The Walking Dead franchise. It was a pleasure working with both Skybound Entertainment and Crystal Dynamics to get this trailer script approved.

Unfortunately, the video game company I was working for was going through some financial difficulties and the game was underperforming so this CGI trailer script was ultimately scrapped.

Instead, they went with simple marketing images to promote this milestone.

I designed the logo with Rick's Axe and Lara's Pickaxe crossed.

Here is the approved (by Skybound Entertainment, Crystal Dynamics, and Elex) script.

Concept 1 (60 seconds)

Opening: (6-10 seconds)

Shot 1: (1-3 seconds)

1. Aerial shot looking down as a group of Walkers roams a deserted city street. (There are abandoned cars in the middle of the street and abandoned shops along the side of the street) The camera closes in and focuses on a walker slightly ahead of the group, and the walker gets hit in the head by an axe being held by Rick and falls down dead out of the shot. (The axe will now be the focus for a slip second).

Shot 2: (2-3 seconds)

1. The camera turns and pans from the axe to Rick who is holding it, and we see Michonne and Glenn weaving through abandoned cars coming towards Rick, as they are avoiding walkers. Rick signals for the group to move. (Lara Clue Option 1: When Rick and the team move, there is a Walker that was laying on the ground with an arrow sticking out of it and Rick pauses, and looks at the arrow curiously for a beat, before moving on.)

Shot 3: (1-2 seconds)

1. Slight aerial shot from behind Rick, Michonne, and Glenn as they run down a street next to a building on the corner. The camera is waist-high as it shows the front of the corner store, an antique store. (Boards nailed to the windows, and we can see the broken antique shop sign as they run past). (Lara Clue Option 2: There can be a walker pinned up against the Antique shot wall by an arrow to the head out front, alluding to Lara.) (Note: We should use Lara Clue Option 1 or 2, but not both as it's too many clues.)

Shot 4: (1-2 seconds)

1. The camera stays looking at the front of the antique shop and doesn't follow the survivors, and the camera moves forward and into the shop.

Middle section: (10-15 seconds)

Interior Antique Shop

Shot 5: (2-4 seconds)

1. The camera pans past the looted shelves and broken display cases of the antique shop, and the camera stops on a rusted old Kerosene lantern (see description below) in the rubble. A female hand picks up the metal Kerosene lantern and places it on a counter.

2. Standing in front of the Kerosene lantern resting on the counter, she reaches into her pant pocket which is a bit ripped, and she tears a small piece of fabric off (see description below). - (As she does, we can see part of the bow by her hip and part of the handle of her red climbing hook),

3. She twists the small piece of fabric into a tight wring (see description below) and places it in the kerosene hole of the lantern (see image below).

Shot 6: (2-5 seconds)

1. She takes out a metal lighter (see below for description) and lights the cloth, and it burns down, (and eventually lights the kerosene lantern fuel that remains at the base of the lantern . There isn't much there, and the light flickers.)

Shot 7: (2-3 seconds)

1. She then takes a folded map from her back pants pocket, unfolds the map next to the lantern, and uses the light from that to look at the map. (We can see crossed-off areas with X's, and clearly the name "Garden Springs" - with no X on it), and she circles the "Garden Springs" area.

Shot 8: (2-3 seconds)

1. Just as she circles the map...

2. Her leg is then grabbed by a walker (half-body kind see description below) that is on the floor beside her. Lara is startled by this and moves away.

3. She grabs the lantern and turns around and there is another walker there. She hits the walker in the head with the lantern causing a loud noise and glass breaking sound.

4. And a section of the antique shop catches on fire.

5. (The camera changes focus from the flames to the woman's face, glowing in the light of the fire) We get our first look at the female. It's Lara Croft! She has a catch-your-breath expression and then a serious one as she quickly turns to look at the front door.

Ending: (25-35 seconds)

Shot 9: (2-3 seconds)

1. Walkers start trying to break into the front of the antique shop. There is the sound of shattering glass and walker noises.

Shot 10: (2-5 seconds)

1. Lara grabs the map and runs towards the back door.

Shot 11: (2-5 seconds)

1. Lara comes out of the backdoor and into the daylight. This is the first time we finally get to see her whole frame. She pauses a moment and then takes out her bow and starts shooting Walkers.

Shot 12: (2-6 seconds)

1. Aerial shot looking down as four walkers are coming at her. She shoots the first three and realizes she's out of arrows. She drops her bow and takes out her pick-axe and holds it in her right hand and she's ready to take the walker out.

2. Close-up of her face. She's determined and ready to fight, she is going to fight her way out of this.

3. The camera pulls back a bit, she readies herself to attack by cocking body and arm (that is holding the axe) and is ready to strike!

Shot 13: (2-5 seconds)

1. Camera switches to looking at the walker as it's reaching out and ready to bite. Just then, it is hit with another axe.

Shot 14: (2-5 seconds)

1. Aerial shot looking down over Lara Crofts' right shoulder, she still holding the axe. We can see the walker falling to the ground and Rick standing there.

2. Same Shot (aerial shot looking down over Lara Croft's right shoulder) - but tighter angle as we can see Lara lifts up her Pick Axe and throws it towards Rick, it goes past him to the right of him past his left shoulder. (NOTE: He shouldn't flinch or have to move as the throw isn't that close to him, it needs to be clear she isn't attacking him.)

3. The camera zooms in as the pick axe hits a walker that is coming at Rick.

4. Camera comes back to Rick's shoulders and face, as he lifts his hat a bit, and turns to face Lara as he smiles slightly.

Shot 15: (2-5 seconds):

1. Camera facing Rick as he is reaching out a friendly hand.

2. Camera turns to Lara, who hesitates for a brief moment and then accepts his hand.

3. Quick close-up of the two hands united.

4. Game title with Tomb Raider branding (See (See TWDS w/ Lara Croft Logo Concept 1 document):

Shot 18: (1-2 seconds)

1. Game title with Tomb Raider branding (See TWDS w/ Lara Croft Logo Concept 1 document):

Here is the Storyboard Animatic based on this script

Extra Notes:

Lara's Look & Outfit

How the bow is worn, and where the red climbing hook is, in the middle section

Metal Kerosene Lantern:

• The lantern is rusted, and old, and the glass is partially broken.

• It is running on fumes when Lara finds it. A little bit of light is coming from it, and it is flickering, and the burns out, which is what causes Lara to knock it over by accident.