“EVOLUTION”

Original Story by

Shannon Fisher

Screenplay by

Shannon Fisher
 April 2019

“EVOLUTION”

FADE IN: Logo

INT. WIDE WHITESPACE AREA
An infinite bright white space area with no signs of life.
ANGLE: STRAIGHT ON, FULL SHOT
NARRATOR
“How am I going to do this? Evolution. I mean, I
could start with… no I couldn’t start there. Or
maybe if I just…”
A medium sized Russian nesting doll peaks out from the side
of the shot, looking towards the camera blinking. They
slowly hop to the center of the shot while the NARRATOR
continues talking.
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD

NARRATOR
“Nope. Its’s impossible. How am I going to
explain, basically the evolution of…everything?”
The Russian doll begins to think. The Russian dolls eyes
widen, as it jumps, having found a solution to the problem.

NARRATOR
“And why everything is, the way it is?”
The Russian doll hops towards the screen getting up close
to the audience, trying to get the NARRATOR’s attention.
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD

2
 NARRATOR
(Noticing the Russian doll)
(sigh) “Ugh, what, I don’t have time to play
right now, I’m trying to explain evolution…”
The Russian doll hops back going towards the right side of
the screen.
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD
Flips open to reveal a smaller Russian doll, which then flips
open to reveal another.
SFX: POPPING
NARRATOR
(understanding) “Ahh, ok I see where you’re going
with this. I suppose we could start with what
evolution is?”
(clears throat) “Evolution is the change in the
inherited traits within a population across
generations.”
A wooden arrow then tilts down just above each of the Russian
doll’s heads. As each one jumps up.
NARRATOR
“This is passed through DNA molecules, which can
be found in all living organisms.”
Each of the dolls turn to one another and form a tower with
the smallest Russian doll standing at the top.
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD
The smallest Russian doll then jumps into the air out of
view and pulls down on a scroll with a picture of a DNA
strand.
SFX: UNRAVELLING PAPER
NARRATOR
“DNA is a double helix chemical stored inside
each cell, telling them how to grow and function.
Each DNA molecule contains coded information on
how you are built.”

3
The smallest Russian doll is struggling to hold the scroll
down, so the biggest Russian doll tries to assist, while
the middle Russian doll stands off to the side rolling
their eyes. The smallest Russian doll then flies off out of
sight upwards along with scroll.
NARRATOR
“DNA molecules are slightly different for each
person, which is why no one appears exactly the
same, and act differently.”
The biggest Russian doll hops around frantically worried,
while the middle Russian doll doesn’t react and hops off
the screen.
FADE OUT: WHITE
FADE IN:
INT. WIDE WHITESPACE AREA
One Russian Doll is standing in the center, with DNA
painted on it, a bigger Russian doll comes over and opens,
so that the DNA can jump inside.
NARRATOR
“For example, the DNA molecules might be coded so
that you have a slightly longer limb.”
The Russian Doll turns to the side to reveal their longer
arm.
NARRATOR
“This could then be passed onto the next
generation, as it is coded in your DNA to be
copied to your offspring. “
The Russian doll then opens to reveal more Russian dolls
all including long arms too, standing side on.
SFX: POPPING
NARRATOR
(concerned) “However, in nature things aren’t
always perfect. “
The top halves of the Russian dolls turn towards the
camera, filled with anger.

4
 NARRATOR
(scared/frantic) “No, no not you guys!”
The Russian dolls slowly turn their top halves back, with a
snobby look.
“I mean, when DNA is being copied, errors can be
made. Which can change the DNA code causing
variation”
The Russian Dolls hop off the screen in a single file line.
Leaving one in the centre.
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD
NARRATOR
“This can then change the appearance and function
of the individual. “
NARRATOR
“Whether this be animal, plant…”
An image of a dog and a plant falls and dangles on a piece
of string either side of the Russian doll.
NARRATOR
“or human.”
The Russian doll smiles at the camera.
Everything then shifts to the side while the Russian doll
remains still, shocked by the change of scene.
SFX: SWOOSH
A male Russian doll then bumps into her, both looking
rather confused.
NARRATOR
“When reproducing, the offspring takes traits
from both parents. “
Both Russian dolls blush.
SFX: POPPING

5
 NARRATOR
“A sperm cell which contains half a copy of the
father’s DNA “
The Male Russian doll pops open letting out a small Russian
doll with a sperm painted on.
NARRATOR
“and an egg cell containing half the mother’s
DNA”
The female Russian doll also pops open
SFX: POPPING
letting out an egg painted Russian doll.
“Come together to create a new DNA code, with a
new set of instructions. Enough to grow and form
a new individual.”
The sperm Russian doll then hops inside of the egg painted
Russian doll, the two going inside of the child Russian doll.
NARRATOR
“The individual will mature to be similar to
their parents, yet still unique as they contain
traits from both parents.”
The family huddle together.

NARRATOR
“But some evolution differences are far greater.”
A massive elephant Russian doll drops from the sky making
the rest of the Russian dolls jump because of the impact,
while a small shrew hops onto the screen next to the
elephant.
NARRATOR
“Like, HOW DID an elephant evolve from its
ancestor the ancient shrew? I mean look at that?”
CUT TO BLACK:

6
A spot light is shone onto a Russian doll painted like
Charles Darwin, and Another painted like Alfred Russel
Wallis. Both smile as the spot light shines on them.
NARRATOR
“Oh yeah…(recognising) Charles Darwin and Alfred
Russel Wallis. These two theorised that there is
a force capable of guiding random evolution to
produce order and complex function known as
natural selection. A process where the organisms
that are better adapted to their environment tend
to survive and produce more offspring.”
INT. WIDE WHITESPACE AREA
NARRATOR
“Survival of the fittest is also a term used to
describe this, although this makes it sound like
evolution only favours strongest”
Elephant Russian doll hops onto the scene
SFX: HEAVY WOOD THUMPS
NARRATOR
“and fastest...”
Russian Doll painted as a cheetah quickly hops on.
Standing next to elephant smiling
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD FASTER

NARRATOR
“this is not true.”
Both Russian doll animals look at each other confused,
turning to one another and hopping off.
SFX: HEAVY WOOD THUMPS
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD FASTER
NARRATOR
“Evolutionary fitness revolves around how well
the individuals react with their environments.”

7
A Small Giraffe painted Russian doll hops onto the screen
and begins to jump to try and reach the leaves from a tree
branch that has dropped hanging from some string.
SFX: HOPPING ON WOOD
Another Taller Giraffe comes into the scene and begins to
eat from the tree, making the Small Giraffe hop away
angrily.
NARRATOR

“For example, the giraffe with the longest neck

wouldn’t be able to survive if there were no
trees and only grass left to eat.”
The tree branch gets yanked up out of the scene, making the
giraffe sad. While a grass wooden cut out gets nudged into
the scene. The giraffe tries to reach the grass but instead
faceplants the floor.
NARRATOR
“Leaving them at a disadvantage from the smaller
necked giraffes who will then go on to reproduce,
shaping the next generation.”
A smaller giraffe enters the scene and pushes the grass off
with them blowing a raspberry as they go.
SFX: BLOWING A RASPBERRY
The tall giraffe still lays on the floor, sad.
NARRATOR
“Don’t worry all is not lost, there is still a
happy ending- “
The giraffe gets up confused facing sideways on.
NARRATOR
”as luckily for you, survival is not how evolution
occurs…”
The tall giraffe’s top half turns to look at the camera
with a shocked face.

8
 NARRATOR
“Reproduction is. As this is what begins the
evolution process.”
The giraffe pulls a cheeky smile towards the audience raising
their eyebrows.
Ahh I don’t know what to put, like to add. Send help please.
I honestly cannot right now

FADE OUT:

THE END