Adam Rivera has many secrets, and they're all about to burst out the seam! Letterman: Detention Heroes is a short film being created as my university thesis film, and it's themes of camaraderie and playing to ones strength shape the story of Adam Rivera, and his job as the sidekick of his super-powered friend. Being the only non-super in the duo, Adam has to use his wits and strategic intuition in order to prove his worth and help his friend save the day. But will the two of them be able to save the day, and make it back to detention before their teacher returns? This short film is planned to be shown at film festivals, and posted on YouTube afterwards.
If you are interested in the art direction, or general animation style of this short film, I've created an imgur link with a few pieces of early draft work from a previous version of the short film. This can help give you an idea of the direction this animation will go:
Adam Rivera is the main protagonist of this short film.
He is a normal, human teen who works as the strategist/ security camera operator for the teenage crime fighting group. He strives to do more with his position on the group, and wants to prove his worth to the team out in the field, not just behind a camera.
(Adam is talking to his mom over the phone, he's in the school's office, so he's trying not to be too loud; He's a bit frightened and is very nervous.)
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Hey mom, I uh... hehehe, you know, it's actually pretty funny, remember when Jeremy got detention?
Yeah, and you told him... that he should be more like me, and the day that I get detention would be the day that pigs fly?
Well, uh, hehehe... Porky's Flyin'?
(Adam's mom can be heard screaming over the phone, Adam is startled)
But mom, I... You don't understand, it's... Yeah, yeah okay. No, I understand. I'll be home by 6, Bye.
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(Adam is attempting to coordinate a superhero team while watching them through the security cameras; He's a pro at his job, and confident in his abilities.)
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Lightning, there's 5 henchmen on your 6, coming in from above the tiles... look alive!
Bass, Nox, there are roughly 15 civilians being held captive inside that radio shop, I'm going to need you two to work together and get them out of there.
Grandis... Grandis!? Do you read? Respond Please! ...Damn it!
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(Adam is flustered, and is fed up with being treated like a liability 24/7. He wants the group to recognize him as an equal, even if he doesn't have superpowers.)
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Adam: I don't need you, or this headset, or this... this STUPID SUIT. If you don't value me as a member of this team, then maybe I-
Johnny: Maybe what, Adam?
Adam: maybe... I don't need to be a part of this team.
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Johnny Bailey, or Teen Grandis, is the deuteragonist of this short film.
He is the son of famous superhero, Captain Grandis, and is reluctantly picking up the mantle his father left. Unlike his father, he is very reluctant to cause harm to his enemies, and prefers to restrain and/or incapacitate them. Ironically, he is quite the "Bully" figure at school, although he never uses physical force on the other students (Even if he threatens it.) In his social circle, he is a joker, and cares a lot about his friends, but he can get very serious when superhero work is brought up.
(Johnny is introduced to the audience as a brute-like figure, which reflects in his personality outside of his hero life.)
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[Directed at another student in a leg cast] Get lost, loser, before I break your other leg...
You're in my way... MOVE IT-!
What's your damage!? Piece of shit...
(Johnny and Adam are making their way to their secret hideout.)
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We can talk about costumes later, Adam, we've got to hurry and catch this guy before Yuckman gets back...
[Adam implies that he wants to fight on the frontlines] Whoa, whoa, wait, what!? Are you fuckin' crazy? Abso-lutely-not. No, nope, nada, not happening.
On what level would you be able to defend yourself against somebody like Monsieur Elastique?
(During a battle, where Johnny is forced to use physical force, he can get really heated)
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You're not going to lay a finger on him!
TRY ME!
YOU'RE OPEN, DIPSHIT!
(*** Improv some battle grunts and noises***)
Mr. Yuckman is the secondary antagonist of this short film.
He is your typical grumpy old coot, and he treats his students horribly. He leaves detention early to get some shopping done, which leaves Adam and Johnny an opening to save the day in his absence. On multiple occasions throughout the short, Adam and Johnny avoid running into Yuckman outside the detention room. He needs to sound rude and grumpy.
Mr. Rivera... What brings you to detention?
Well, if you'd be so kinds as to join the other degenerates behind you, and take a seat. NOW!
No FUNNY business, DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!?
Hannah is a supporting character in the short film.
She is in the top percentile of her class, and has a small crush on Adam Rivera, unbeknownst to him. She is left in charge to watch the duo while their detention supervisor leaves to run errands.
[Snappy after Johnny asks to leave rudely] Well, I don't appreciate your tone, Bailey... so the answer is 'no'
[Flustered after Adam asks to leave politely] *sigh*... Make it quick... I don't want anyone to get in trouble...
[Threatening Tone] I don't think that will be necessary, Mr. Yuckman... 'All' things considered...
Monsieur Elastique is the main antagonist of this short film.
It's unknown if he is actually of French origin, but his accent and mannerisms are convincing enough. He is an elastic-based supervillian notorious for his heists and robberies, and has made quick work of even some seasoned pro-heroes in the past. He is cruel, but not to calculating, as he is quick to anger, and will let his blind fury distract him from thinking clearly. The VA needs to have a good french impression, or an authentic French accent.
What is this? I leave for five minutes... FIVE MINUTES! and the brats have already taken out at least a dozen of my troops. That's it, when you want something done right, you must do it yourself.
And what do we have here... A civilian attempting to play vigilante, no? Hehehe, Oui, Monsieur Letterman... I will play along with your little game. I will crush you just as I have crushed other heroes in the past, consider it... an honor.
Why you little-
Get back here-!
*spit sound* I spit on your authority-
The Elastique henchman are a collection of extra roles that play off of Monsieur Elastique's dialogue and mannerisms.
I think it would be pretty humorous if half of the characters had good french accents, and the other have had very dramatic, poor french impressions. ((However, please attempt to pronounce the french correctly.))
sacrebleu-!
Hurry and get them-!
Come back here-!
We've lost track of the heroes, sir...
Yes sir, right away sir-!
Va te faire foutre...
Zut, they got away-!
There's nowhere for you to run, garcon-!
*Improv* (Optional)
Extras for every other scene in the short film.
This could range from high schoolers to day workers, so these roles are literally up for anyone to try and grab, not looking for anything specific. You don't have to do all the lines, pick and choose whichever ones you think fit your voice/ character.
High schoolers
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Buzz off-!
Excuse You-!
Yo, watch it-!
How rude-!
[Gossipy Tone] Did you hear about Professor Shadley and his new assistant? Uh Huh, In the JANITORS closet. I know right, crazy stuff.
[Mean Girl] I KNOW, and Salmon isn't even her color? I could literally gag...
Don't make me laugh, there's no way she's winning prom queen...
Football tryouts are on Thursday, see ya there-!
Civilians (During Fight)
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GET OUT OF MY WAY-!
SOMEONE HELP US-!
Please, I don't have anything, I swear-!
Stay back-! Get away from me-!
Look, It's Captain Grandis-!
Who's THAT-! Is that a new hero-!?
Everyone, THIS WAY-!
*Improv* (Optional)
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