This opening takes you right into the action:
EXT. CHARLESBURG ZOO -- DAY
The sky looks threatening as MARTIN, 33, an athletic,
well dressed man, passes through the gate. The animals
seem agitated as he urgently walks the pathway to the
African exhibit.
EXT. AFRICAN EXHIBIT -- DAY
Martin sees SARINA, 28, at the Hyena cage. She flashes
a nervous smile and gives a little wave as she sees
him.
MARTIN
What is it?
She looks around nervously.
SARINA
Someone has cracked the mainframe.
MARTIN
But the code, security. How'd they
get around it?
SARINA
All I know is, they did, and they've
been rifling through the files.
This opening give you some insight about the Main Character's personality before the action starts:
EXT. CHARLESBURG ZOO -- DAY
The sky looks threatening as MARTIN, 33, an athletic,
well dressed man, passes through the gate. The animals
seem agitated as he urgently walks the pathway to the
African exhibit.
A panicked young WOMAN looks around frantically.
WOMAN
¡Gabriel! ¡Mijo!
Martin races by her.
EXT. AFRICAN EXHIBIT -- DAY
Martin sees SARINA, 28, at the Hyena cage. She flashes
a nervous smile and gives a little wave as she sees
him.
As he walks towards her, he hears a CHILD crying. His
attention is reluctantly diverted. He looks back and
forth between Sarina and the child. He goes to the
kid.
MARTIN
You okay?
CHILD
Mamá. ¿Donde Mamá? ¡Quiero Mamá!
Martin doesn't speak Spanish, but he understands. Sarina
walks over.
MARTIN
Are you Gabriel?
CHILD
¿Como?
MARTIN
Gabriel?
The child nods.
SARINA
Martin, we have to talk.
MARTIN
In a minute. I just saw this kid's
mother.
(to the child)
You stay here with Serina.
The kid looks confused. Martin takes his hand and gives
it to Sarina. She looks stressed.
SARINA
Martin!?
MARTIN
In a minute!
(to the child)
Stay here.
The boy looks a little frightened. Martin gives him a
pat on the head.
MARTIN
Watch him.
He races away.
If at all possible, take a few moments to tell us who the main character is. Generally speaking, you are allowed one scene before the story begins to do this. Knowing a little about the protagonist gives your audience something to hook onto. A reason to care about her or him from the very beginning.
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