Develop Character Backstory

INT. ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TOMB - LATE AFTERNOON The dim flicker of torchlight dances across the rough stone walls, casting long, ominous shadows over the ancient hieroglyphs etched into the tomb. Dust swirls in the thick air. The tomb is claustrophobic, with towering sarcophagi lining the walls, silent sentinels guarding whatever secrets lie within. The atmosphere is thick with tension and mystery. A low rumble is heard in the distance, perhaps a reminder of the desert storm raging outside. Inside, the air is still, too still, as though the tomb itself holds its breath. Dr. Helena Chase, a seasoned archaeologist in her early forties, stands at the center of the tomb, her face illuminated by the orange glow of a torch. Her hands are steady, yet her eyes betray a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She wears the dust of countless digs on her khaki outfit, her dark hair tied back in a no-nonsense braid. Next to her is Tom Bennett, her ambitious assistant in his late twenties, his face gleaming with sweat, eyes wide with excitement. His youthful energy contrasts with Helena’s measured demeanor. They both stand before a partially uncovered stone altar. The ancient tomb has already revealed several minor artifacts, but now… there’s something different. Something bigger. CLOSE-UP: The camera focuses on Helena’s hands as they carefully brush away the remaining sand from the artifact, slowly revealing a shimmering, polished surface beneath the dust. HELENA (whispering, more to herself) “It’s… not like anything we’ve found before.” TOM (leaning closer, almost hovering over her shoulder) “What is it? Do you think it’s the one? The artifact from the legend?” CAMERA POV: Slow pan across the hieroglyphs carved into the walls. Ancient symbols intertwine, narrating a forgotten myth. The camera lingers on an image of a powerful being, holding what appears to be the very artifact they’re uncovering. The room feels alive with history. HELENA (firm, cautious) “Legends are one thing, Tom. This… could be something else entirely.” WIDE SHOT: As Helena lifts the artifact into the dim light, the torch flames seem to flare slightly, casting a golden sheen on the object. It’s an ornate amulet, embedded with stones that shimmer unnaturally. The torchlight almost bends around it, making the artifact seem as though it’s glowing from within. TOM (eyes locked on the amulet, his excitement bubbling over) “We’ve done it, Helena! This is it. This has to be it. Imagine what this could mean—” HELENA (interrupting, her tone sharp, authoritative) “Tom, slow down.” She steps back, gripping the artifact tightly. Her eyes scan the room as if searching for unseen dangers. The weight of centuries seems to press down on her. The tone shifts — a cold sense of foreboding replaces the awe. CLOSE-UP: HELENA’S FACE. Her brow furrows as her instincts take over. Something is wrong, and she can feel it. The artifact may not just be an object of historical significance… it may hold powers they don’t understand. HELENA (calm but resolute) “We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. Look at the walls. These hieroglyphs aren’t just decorative… they’re warnings.” CAMERA POV: The camera zooms in on the ancient carvings. One set of symbols shows the amulet being wielded to control vast, destructive forces—rivers turning to fire, the sun being blotted out. The atmosphere tightens, the sense of danger rising. TOM (shaking his head, more agitated now) “Warnings? Come on, Helena, it’s just a myth! This could make our careers. You can’t seriously believe—” HELENA (cutting him off, her voice dropping to a near whisper, but heavy with authority) “That’s exactly what they thought when they built this tomb. And look where they are now.” She places the amulet down on the altar with a deliberate slowness, her eyes still scanning the surroundings as if sensing an unseen presence watching them. CLOSE-UP: THE ARTIFACT. The camera holds on the amulet, its stones now faintly pulsing, almost breathing with energy. A subtle hum begins to emanate from it—so low it’s almost imperceptible. TOM (incredulous, stepping forward) “We can’t just leave it here, Helena. We’re sitting on the discovery of the century!” HELENA (without turning to look at him, her voice tight with control) “And what if it’s not just a discovery? What if it’s a curse? A weapon? Something no one should ever touch?” The two of them stand in silence for a beat. The tension crackles between them, the torchlight flickering in response. CLOSE-UP: TOM’S FACE. His expression shifts from excitement to frustration, then to determination. TOM (quietly, but firmly) “I’m not walking away from this. I won’t.” CAMERA POV: The camera slowly pulls back, revealing the vastness of the tomb, the weight of history pressing in. The silence is deafening, the only sound the faint, ominous hum of the artifact. HELENA (eyes still fixed on the amulet, her voice grave) “Then you’ll have to live with the consequences.” The torch flames flicker violently as though something unseen moves through the tomb, disturbing the air. A sense of impending doom settles over the scene. CUT TO BLACK. The low hum of the artifact grows louder as the screen fades, leaving the audience with a sense of dread and anticipation for what’s to come. END SCENE.