Detroit bound the movement screenplay

 Okay, here is a screenplay based on your story prompt, targeted for a 7-13 year old audience.

DETROIT DREAMERS

A screenplay

Logline: A squirrel, a bear with cerebral palsy, a young eagle, a resourceful crow, and a philosophical lion embark on a whimsical journey from their forest home to Detroit, hoping to make a difference in the city and find their place in the world.

Characters:

• SQUIRREL: (Voiceover, energetic, optimistic) A small, furry squirrel, our narrator.
• GODFATHER: (Warm, gentle, wise) A large bear with cerebral palsy, using a walking stick for support. His speech is slightly slurred but understandable.
• GOTTI: (Determined, soaring) A young bald eagle, still developing his full plumage.
• SCOOTER: (Clever, practical, slightly sarcastic) A crow, always carrying a small, rolled-up map.
• MICROSCOPE (Scope):(Thoughtful, initially hesitant, eventually embracing) A large lion, carrying himself with a quiet dignity.

Setting:

The story begins in a vibrant forest and transitions to the outskirts and eventually the heart of Detroit. The atmosphere is initially whimsical and adventurous, gradually becoming more urban and gritty, but ultimately hopeful.

(SCENE START)

1. EXT. FOREST - DAY

Sunlight dappled through the leaves. SQUIRREL, a small ball of energy, races up a tree trunk.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) My name is Squirrel, and that's the truth! A furry friend, with boundless youth. I live in a forest, a special kind, With four friends, an unusual find.

Squirrel reaches the top of the tree and surveys the landscape. GODFATHER, a large bear using a walking stick, slowly approaches the base of the tree. GOTTI, a young eagle, circles overhead. SCOOTER, a crow, perches on a low branch.

GODFATHER (Slightly slurred but warm) Squirrel! What do you see?

SQUIRREL Detroit! I see Detroit! Just like we planned.

GOTTI lands gracefully near Godfather. SCOOTER unfolds his map with his beak.

GOTTI Are you sure, Squirrel? It's a long way.

SCOOTER According to my calculations, Detroit is approximately... a whole lot of miles that way!

SQUIRREL (V.O.) Here we go, a quest began, a Detroit dream, To reach the city, a vibrant gleam. To make a difference, bold and bright, And chase away the endless night.

GODFATHER (Smiling) Then let us be off. Detroit awaits!

2. EXT. FOREST - DAY (MONTAGE)

A series of quick shots showing the group's journey:

• Godfather carefully navigating a rocky stream, Squirrel helping him balance.
• Gotti soaring ahead, scouting the path.
• Scooter consulting his map, leading the group through dense undergrowth.
• The friends sharing berries and nuts for lunch.
• They laughing and encouraging each other.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) With Godfather, the bear so grand, Though cerebral palsy shook his hand, His heart was strong, his spirit free, A gentle giant, you'll agree.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) Then Gotti came, a fledgling bold, An eagle young, a story told. He soared so high, he saw so far, Our guiding star, our hope's bright scar.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) And Scooter too, a crow so clever, With maps and plans he'd hold forever. He knew the roads, the paths to take, For Detroit's sake, our journey make.

3. EXT. HIGHWAY OVERPASS - DAY

The group stands at the edge of a highway overpass, looking down at the city in the distance. The atmosphere is more urban, with the sounds of traffic and distant sirens.

SQUIRREL Wow! Look at that! That's Detroit!

GODFATHER (A little overwhelmed) It's... bigger than I imagined.

GOTTI There's a lot of grey. But I see some green, too. We can make it greener!

SCOOTER Alright, team. New plan. We follow this highway until we find a less...highway-y way in.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) We packed our bags, a meager fare, A promise whispered in the air. "To Detroit town, we'll make our stand, And lend a paw, a wing, a hand!"

4. EXT. DETROIT OUTSKIRTS - DAY

The friends walk along a cracked sidewalk in a run-down area. There are abandoned buildings and overgrown lots.

SQUIRREL (Sighing) This is... different than I expected.

GODFATHER (Trying to be positive) It just needs a little love, Squirrel.

GOTTI (Spotting something from above) Hey! I see a park up ahead. Maybe we can rest there.

SCOOTER Good idea. Park it is.

(They walk towards the park)

5. EXT. ABANDONED BUILDING - DUSK

The group finds a dilapidated brick building on the edge of the park.

SQUIRREL (Exhausted) Oh, Scooter, friend, I can't take more! This endless trek, it wears me down. Is there a place to rest in town?

SCOOTER (Flipping through his map) I know a place, where solace sings! An old brick building, left behind, a mile and half, if you don't mind.

As they approach the building, a large LION, MICROSCOPE (Scope), sits in the doorway. He looks at them with weary eyes.

6. EXT. ABANDONED BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

The group stops, startled.

GOTTI (Nervous) Uh... is that a... LION?

GODFATHER (Calmly) Indeed it is. Let's be cautious.

SQUIRREL (Taking a deep breath) I'll handle this.

Squirrel bravely approaches Microscope.

SQUIRREL Hello there, Lion, big and bold! My name is Squirrel, or so I'm told. We're travelers here, just passing through, and wondered if, perchance, we few could rest a while, within this place? A moment's peace, a saving grace?

Microscope looks surprised.

MICROSCOPE (Deep voice, a little gruff) You know I'm a lion, right? Beware!

SQUIRREL (Chuckling nervously) Of course, I know! But what I seek is simple shelter, nothing more, to rest my paws upon the floor.

Microscope sighs.

MICROSCOPE My name is Microscope. Because, you see, I analyze, eternally. I study things, both big and small, and ponder on the fate of all.

GOTTI Why are you alone in here?

MICROSCOPE I've been alone for many years, an outcast, drowned in silent tears. I'm different, so they say, I've walked a solitary way.

SQUIRREL Different's perfect! The very thing we've always shared! Come join our group, don't be afraid, we're underestimated, unafraid!

SQUIRREL (Calling back to his friends) Hey guys, come over here, its fine! This friend of mine, he's joining us, along the way, to Detroit town, without delay!

The group cautiously approaches.

SCOOTER A lion, Squirrel? Just look at you! Convincing lions, it's true.

GODFATHER (Smiling warmly) Improvise, adapt, and grow! Isn't that the lesson we embrace? To find our strength in every place?

Microscope looks touched.

MICROSCOPE You... you really want me to join you?

SQUIRREL Of course! We need your lion-sized brain! And... well, you're really big, so that's a bonus.

The friends all laugh. Microscope gives a small smile.

7. INT. ABANDONED BUILDING - NIGHT

The friends are huddled together inside the building. Moonlight streams through the broken windows. They are sharing stories.

MICROSCOPE (Sighing) I used to dream of helping people with my knowledge, but everyone was too scared to get close.

GOTTI (Looking out the window) You can help here. This city needs everything. People are sad, and worried, and alone.

SCOOTER I have a few ideas on how we all can, starting with the neighborhood watch, and a fresh coat of paint.

GODFATHER (Smiling) We can start by listening. By offering a kind word, a helping hand.

SQUIRREL (Enthusiastically) And by making friends! Lots and lots of friends!

The friends look at each other, a sense of determination in their eyes.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) That night we slept, beneath the stars, United by our hopes, beyond all bars. A crippled bear, an eagle bold, a clever crow, a lion, we are told,

SQUIRREL (V.O.) And me, a squirrel, small and fleet, Together bound, our journey sweet. To Detroit town, our path is clear, To banish darkness, conquer fear.

8. EXT. DETROIT - DAY

The group walks down a busy street, their journey continuing. Their faces are filled with hope and determination.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) The road ahead may twist and turn, but with each other, we will learn. To face the challenges, side by side, With faith and friendship as our guide.

SQUIRREL (V.O.) For in our hearts, a fire burns, a Detroit dream, for which one earns, a chance to make a difference true, for me, for you, for all to do.

(SCENE END)

FADE OUT.