What If…? A Glimpse into the Crimson Skies

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What If…? A Glimpse into the Crimson Skies

Hey everyone, My science fans ( that’s you ! ) are the first to witness my proposed scifi TV Series : Crimson Skies Enjoy! My hope is that a literary agent or producer will find this pitch interesting. Please share your thoughts in the comments below. If you haven’t already, please follow me here and…

Bari Marcus Anthony

April 4, 2025

11–16 minutes

Asteroid, Bari Marcus Anthony, Crimson Skies, dreams and reality, Reality, science-fiction, screenplay, screenwriting, script, storyline, storyteller, What IF, writers life

Hey everyone,

My science fans ( that’s you ! ) are the first to witness my proposed scifi TV Series : Crimson Skies

Enjoy!

My hope is that a literary agent or producer will find this pitch interesting.

Please share your thoughts in the comments below. If you haven’t already, please follow me here and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Here we go —-

Ever find yourself staring up at the night sky, a million distant suns twinkling back, and a tiny seed of a thought takes root? What if…? What if that seemingly stable, predictable universe we live in suddenly throws us a curveball? What if the headlines we sometimes skim – the near-miss asteroids, the scientific warnings – weren’t just hypothetical scenarios?

Today, we’re diving headfirst into one of those chilling “What If?” possibilities. Imagine a world where the unthinkable happens. Imagine the year 2029, a time of progress and exploration, suddenly facing a cosmic threat that becomes terrifyingly real.

What if the asteroid Apophis, a celestial body that has danced near our planet for years, didn’t just harmlessly pass by? What if, due to a subtle, unforeseen nudge from the vastness of space, its trajectory shifted… and it struck Earth?

What would that catastrophe look like? What would be the immediate, devastating consequences for our world? And what about humanity’s fledgling attempts to reach beyond Earth, to establish a new home amongst the stars?

That’s the premise we’re exploring today in a glimpse of a potential television series we’re calling Crimson Skies. This isn’t just about the disaster itself, but about the human stories that emerge from the ashes – the scattered survivors on a ravaged planet and the isolated pioneers on a distant world, all desperately trying to find a way forward when their past has been shattered.

Below, you’ll find the screenplay for the first episode, titled “The Shattering.” It introduces you to the characters on both Earth and Mars just moments before and in the immediate aftermath of this unimaginable event. You’ll meet the scientists on Mars, their hopes and connections to Earth abruptly severed. And you’ll encounter ordinary people on Earth – a rebellious teenager, a solitary miner, a prepared retiree – each caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, or perhaps, as fate would have it, the right place to barely cling to life.

This is a story about loss, resilience, and the desperate need for connection in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s a “What If?” scenario that, while hopefully remaining in the realm of fiction, forces us to confront the fragility of our existence and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

So, dim the lights, settle in, and let’s take a journey into the Crimson Skies.

The Pitch

Pitch: Crimson Skies – A Television Series by Bari Marcus Anthony

Logline: When a devastating asteroid impact wipes out Earth, the small Martian colony and a handful of scattered survivors must forge an impossible connection to ensure humanity’s future, battling dwindling resources, unimaginable loss, and the cold realities of a universe indifferent to their fate.

Why This Would Make a Great TV Series:

“Crimson Skies” offers a compelling blend of high-stakes disaster, gripping survival narratives, and profound human drama set against the stark backdrop of space and a post-apocalyptic Earth. This series taps into our deepest fears – the fragility of our existence and the potential for sudden, catastrophic loss – while simultaneously showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection in the face of unimaginable adversity.

• High-Concept Premise with Built-in Stakes: The asteroid impact provides an immediate and visceral hook, establishing a world irrevocably changed and raising the ultimate question: can humanity survive?

• Multiple Engaging Character Arcs: The series follows compelling characters on two drastically different worlds, each facing unique and life-threatening challenges. Their individual journeys of survival and their eventual connection offer rich ground for character development and emotional resonance.

• Scientific Realism (Grounded in Possibility): While the scale of the disaster is extreme, the initial premise of asteroid impact and the realities of Martian colonization are rooted in scientific understanding, lending a layer of believability to the narrative.

• Themes of Hope and Resilience: Despite the overwhelming devastation, the series explores the enduring human capacity for hope, ingenuity, and the will to survive against all odds.

• Potential for Long-Term Storytelling: The challenges of establishing communication, securing resources, and potentially finding a path to long-term survival on both Mars and Earth provide ample material for multiple seasons, exploring themes of societal rebuilding, scientific innovation, and the evolution of humanity.

• Visual Spectacle: The series offers opportunities for stunning visuals, from the vastness of space and the Martian landscape to the desolate beauty of a post-impact Earth.

Character Introductions and Overall Incidents:

On Mars:

• Dr. Anya Sharma (Communication Specialist): A brilliant astrophysicist and linguist, Anya is the intellectual heart of the Martian colony. Driven by logic and a deep-seated worry for her loved ones on Earth, she becomes the crucial link between the two worlds. Her hurdle is the overwhelming grief and the immense technical challenge of establishing and maintaining communication across vast distances with limited resources.

• Dr. Kenji Tanaka (Problem Solving & Systems Engineer): A resourceful and pragmatic engineer, Kenji is the backbone of the Martian colony’s life support systems. His calm demeanor and innovative thinking are essential for their survival. His hurdle is the constant pressure of dwindling resources and the impossible task of making their isolated habitat truly self-sufficient.

• Jax Nova (Interstellar Logistics Specialist): A seasoned traveler, Jax arrives on Mars just weeks before the disaster. His knowledge of spacecraft systems and interstellar logistics becomes unexpectedly vital. His hurdle is his own grief for the lost Earth and the immense risk involved in the desperate plan to reach the Moon’s abandoned supplies.

The Incident on Mars: The devastating asteroid impact on Earth abruptly cuts off all communication and supply lines, plunging the 1000 Martian colonists into a state of shock and fear. Their reliance on Earth for crucial resources becomes a death sentence unless they can find an alternative.

On Earth (Post-Impact):

• Jenni (16, Inland Mountain Town, USA): A rebellious teenager forced to confront the brutal reality of a shattered world. Her initial naivety is challenged by the desperate need to survive. Her hurdle is overcoming her fear and learning the skills necessary to endure in a hostile environment, ultimately finding a sense of purpose in the face of loss.

• Omar Hassan (45, Deep Underground Mine, Morocco): A solitary, resourceful miner whose stubborn adherence to routine inadvertently saves his life. His practical skills become essential for survival in the ravaged landscape. His hurdle is overcoming his ingrained isolation and learning to trust and cooperate with other survivors.

• Elara Petrova (62, Remote Siberian Bunker, Russia): A prepared and knowledgeable retired meteorologist whose “paranoia” becomes their sanctuary. Her understanding of science and her self-sufficient bunker provide a crucial lifeline. Her hurdle is overcoming her distrust of the outside world and embracing the responsibility of being a beacon of knowledge and stability for the other survivors.

The Incident on Earth: Each survivor finds themselves in a unique location, shielded from the initial devastation by chance and their individual circumstances. They emerge into a world choked with ash and silence, facing the immediate challenges of finding food, water, and shelter amidst the ruins.

The Mission to Make It Work:

The desperate situation on Mars compels Anya and Kenji to focus their efforts on re-establishing any form of communication with Earth. Against all odds, they manage to pick up faint signals from the scattered survivors. The arrival of Jax and his knowledge of the long-abandoned lunar research outpost reveals a potential lifeline – a hidden cache of supplies that could sustain the Martian colony.

The mission becomes twofold:

1. Mars: To undertake a perilous and untested journey to the Moon with the Ares VI to retrieve the vital supplies. This involves significant technical challenges, including adapting a ship designed for Martian gravity and atmosphere for a lunar landing, and navigating the unknown conditions of the abandoned outpost.

2. Earth: For the scattered survivors to endure the harsh post-impact environment, guided by the distant voices from Mars, and to potentially find ways to signal their locations more effectively, hoping for a future they can barely imagine.

Hurdles:

• Communication Delays: The vast distance between Earth and Mars creates significant communication lag, making real-time problem-solving during crises nearly impossible.

• Resource Scarcity: Both on a dying Earth and a resource-limited Mars, every decision carries immense weight.

• Technological Limitations: The Ares VI is not designed for lunar missions, and the survivors on Earth have access to only rudimentary technology.

• Environmental Catastrophe: The impact winter on Earth and the inherent dangers of the Martian environment pose constant threats.

• Human Element: Grief, fear, desperation, and the struggle for leadership among the survivors on both worlds will create internal conflicts and challenges.

“Crimson Skies” promises a thrilling and emotionally resonant journey into the unknown, exploring the depths of human resilience and the enduring power of hope in the face of utter devastation.

Guardians of Humanity

Episode One

Crimson Skies – Episode 1: The Shattering

FADE IN:

INT. NEWS STUDIO – DAY (2029)

A brightly lit studio. A NEWS ANCHOR, mid-40s, smiles reassuringly at the camera. Graphics behind her read: “APOPHIS: NO IMPACT THREAT.”

NEWS ANCHOR

…and while scientists continue to monitor near-Earth asteroid Apophis, the consensus remains clear: its close approach in just a few short weeks poses no danger to our planet. We’ll have more after the break.

(MONTAGE)

• EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSE – MORNING: A family laughs around a breakfast table.

• EXT. CITY STREET – DAY: People rush to work, buses rumble, life unfolds in its familiar rhythm.

• EXT. FARM FIELD – DAY: Golden wheat waves in the breeze under a clear sky.

• INT. MARS HABITAT – DAY: DR. ANYA SHARMA (40s, sharp, focused) gazes at Earth on a holographic display, a thoughtful expression on her face.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

The year 2029. Humanity thrived, reaching for the stars, even planting its first fragile seeds on Martian soil. We believed we understood the delicate dance of the cosmos, charting the paths of celestial wanderers with scientific precision. We were confident. We were wrong.

INT. MARS HABITAT – COMMUNICATION CENTER – DAY

ANYA sits at a console, screens displaying complex astronomical data. DR. KENJI TANAKA (50s, calm, analytical) reviews schematics on a tablet nearby. JAX NOVA (30s, weathered, observant), in a utilitarian jumpsuit, supervises the unloading of large containers marked “EARTH SUPPLY – PRIORITY.”

ANYA

(Sighs, glancing at a news feed on a smaller screen)

Still the same old tune. “Apophis: Nothing to see here.” They’re practically whistling past the graveyard.

KENJI

(Without looking up)

Public reassurance is a necessary element of societal stability, Anya. Our own projections remain within acceptable margins of error.

JAX

(Quietly, to himself)

Margins. Space doesn’t much care for margins.

(Suddenly, a piercing ALARM blares from Anya’s console. RED WARNING lights flash across the control panel. The data streams on her monitors become erratic, violent spikes appearing.)

ANYA

What the hell?! Kenji! Look at this! Energy signature… unprecedented!

KENJI

(Rushes to her side, his composure cracking)

That’s… an impact. Massive. But the trajectory… it’s centered on…

(QUICK CUTS – VISCERAL AND DISORIENTING)

• EXT. SPACE – DAY: APOPHIS, a jagged rock hurtling through the blackness.

• EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN – DAY: Calm blue water.

• INT. MARS HABITAT – COMMUNICATION CENTER – CONTINUOUS: The habitat gives a subtle but noticeable JOLT. Lights FLICKER.

JAX

(Grabbing onto a console)

What was that? Seismic?

ANYA

(Staring, transfixed, at the now-DEAD communication screens)

No… it’s Earth. The long-range arrays… atmospheric readings collapsing… and… silence. Utter silence.

KENJI

(His voice a choked whisper)

The energy release… the location… Anya… it matches. Apophis… it hit Earth.

(Anya’s breath hitches. Her eyes are wide with disbelief and dawning horror. Jax’s hand instinctively goes to a worn locket hidden beneath his collar.)

ANYA

(A strangled whisper)

My family…

JAX

(His voice thick with grief)

Earth… gone? Just… gone?

TITLE CARD: CRIMSON SKIES – EPISODE 1: THE SHATTERING

(SCENE START)

INT. JENNI’S BEDROOM – DAY (EARTH – COLORADO ROCKIES)

Sunlight streams through a window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. JENNI (16, tousled hair, engrossed in her phone) lies sprawled on her bed, earbuds in. Her phone BUZZES with social media notifications.

MOM (O.S.)

Jenni! Breakfast! You’ll miss the bus!

JENNI

(Muttering, without looking up)

Five more minutes…

(A DEAFENING ROAR rips through the air, growing in intensity. The room SHAKES violently. Jenni’s eyes snap open, wide with terror. Her phone clatters to the floor as the house begins to CREAK and GROAN ominously.)

JENNI

(Screaming)

What the hell?! Earthquake?!

(The walls CRACK. Plaster FALLS. The roof begins to TEAR APART. Jenni is thrown from the bed as the room disintegrates around her.)

FADE TO BLACK.

INT. MINE SHAFT – DAY (EARTH – ATLAS MOUNTAINS, MOROCCO)

The air is thick with the smell of dust and diesel. OMAR HASSAN (40s, weathered face, calloused hands) operates a drilling rig, the rhythmic pounding echoing in the narrow tunnel. Two other MINERS work nearby. The ground BEGINS TO TREMBLE subtly.

MINER 1

Felt that? Another little one?

OMAR

(His voice gruff)

Probably just settling. Keep at it. Shift’s almost over.

(The trembling INTENSIFIES rapidly, becoming violent SHAKING. Rocks begin to loosen and fall from the ceiling.)

MINER 2

This ain’t no settling, Omar! Look out!

(A monstrous GRINDING sound echoes through the mine. The tunnel walls BUCKLE. Dust and debris RAIN DOWN.)

OMAR

(Shouting over the chaos)

Head for the support beams! Everyone down!

(The tunnel COLLAPSES with a deafening CRASH, plunging the scene into absolute DARKNESS.)

OMAR (O.S.)

(Coughing)

Ahmed? Karim? You two alright? Answer me!

(SILENCE, save for the trickle of falling rock.)

INT. ELARA’S BUNKER – DAY (EARTH – SIBERIA)

A dimly lit, functional space filled with monitors, radios, and shelves of supplies. ELARA PETROVA (60s, sharp eyes, a hint of grim satisfaction) watches a seismograph needle JUMP VIOLENTLY. Outside, a low, guttural ROAR can be heard.

ELARA

(To herself, a knowing nod)

They finally did it. Ignored the warnings. Always do.

(The bunker RATTLES violently. Dust falls from the ceiling.)

ELARA

(Moving quickly to a shortwave radio)

Time to see if anyone else was listening.

(She flips switches, adjusting dials. STATIC fills the small room.)

ELARA

(Into the microphone, her voice calm but firm)

This is Elara Petrova, located near… well, that doesn’t matter anymore. Is anyone receiving? Can anyone hear me?

(Only the hiss of static replies.)

INT. JENNI’S BASEMENT – CONTINUOUS

Darkness. Dust hangs heavy in the air. JENNI COUGHS, struggling to sit up amidst the rubble. A thin shaft of light pierces through a crack in the collapsed ceiling.

JENNI

(Weakly)

Mom…? Dad…?

(Silence. She fumbles for her phone, its screen cracked. No signal.)

JENNI

(Tears welling)

No… no, no, no… this isn’t happening. This can’t be…

(She crawls through the debris, a primal fear gripping her.)

JENNI

(To herself, a desperate mantra)

It’s just a dream… a bad dream… I’m going to wake up… any second now… wake up, Jenni… wake up!

(She curls into a fetal position, sobbing, the weight of the silence and the darkness crushing her.)