As noted elsewhere, my first script assignment was "The Ax." I was just learning the ropes here, but it was noted that not every ranger had to appear in every episode. However, they didn't care for the rangers going solo either. So I had to pick my cast and insidentials from our writer's guide.
Since the Ax was going to be a robot, it seemed to make sense to bring the computer guy, Doc, aboard. As for the unstoppable killing machine; how was I going to stop that? I borrowed an old Star Trek idea of subverting the Ax's programing. If it was built to destroy, what would happen if its actions created? I devised the holographic projector in the opening as my Chekhov's gun to be used in the 2nd act. Early on, a lot of the episodes would turn into "rangers on the run" stories, and this was certainly one of the first. So, I submitted my 4 page outline and hoped it didn't get me fired.
The good news was it didn't get me fired.
So, here's the deal; I found hard copies of the first 3 drafts of "The Ax." Re-reading them is jogging some memories.
So, here's the deal; I found hard copies of the first 3 drafts of "The Ax." Re-reading them is jogging some memories.
I am reminded how much of a learning curve there was for me, and all of us, actually, as we all tried to bring the concept of the show alive, while making it entertaining and the breathe life into these literal cartoon characters.
There were a lot of bits that got lost quickly; the rangers were still newbies at space travel, after all. They were still getting to know each other. Plus, there was some debate over how we could see them access their powers before they settled on touching their badges. The whole opening scenes with the various versions of flight simulators was a nod to the idea that humans were still new to space travel.
I think I picked Doc as my buddy because I sensed he had a sense of humor about him. He was smart and droll and I could give him an absurd moment or two.
I got into a whole "Hey, Wally!"/"Don't call me Wally" back and forward between Roy and Doc (real name, "Walter.") and that dynamic carried over into other episodes. Nike and Roy are strangers. The Ax is basically a walking alarm system. And there is a lot of back story, the whole history of the planet, vs. an action-packed episode they were looking for.
Some changes would be needed...
TO BE CONTINUED!
There were a lot of bits that got lost quickly; the rangers were still newbies at space travel, after all. They were still getting to know each other. Plus, there was some debate over how we could see them access their powers before they settled on touching their badges. The whole opening scenes with the various versions of flight simulators was a nod to the idea that humans were still new to space travel.
I think I picked Doc as my buddy because I sensed he had a sense of humor about him. He was smart and droll and I could give him an absurd moment or two.
I got into a whole "Hey, Wally!"/"Don't call me Wally" back and forward between Roy and Doc (real name, "Walter.") and that dynamic carried over into other episodes. Nike and Roy are strangers. The Ax is basically a walking alarm system. And there is a lot of back story, the whole history of the planet, vs. an action-packed episode they were looking for.
Some changes would be needed...
TO BE CONTINUED!
