There’s several feature film ideas incubating in various corners of my brain from fanciful takes on family history to delving deeply into local history… and now I have another idea that anyone is welcome to take, but by gum I’ll have to write it if someone doesn’t: a tale about the wild zebras of Maryland.
That’s right. Zebras. Creatures more familiar to African savannas and grasslands have found that the state just below the Mason-Dixon line has grasslands that are just as welcoming. Is it the proximity to Washington, DC? The omnipresent Old Bay? Who knows? All I know is that zebras are almost in my neck of the woods as of this writing. The story possibilities are endless.
Oh, I won’t be constrained by the reality mentioned in this article, but definitely check it out as it’s a great jumping off point. There’s so many questions it raises and the enterprising writer could do well to come up with some creative answers.
Now do I know any zoologists with zebra experience I can interview…?
UPDATE: One of the zebras has been found dead due to an illegal trap. So, for everyone, I want to point out that this is objectively sad and I’m sad to hear this. However, for you screenwriters out there: there’s your way to set up the third act.