Drone Games

A teen support group formed out of a video game rehab camp uses drone paintball to keep themselves away from their video game addiction. This is a story about teens struggling for a sense of belonging. These are all slightly damaged kids who turned to video games to help them deal with their problems. Eventually the video games became obsessive, causing the kids to be even more alienated. They all acknowledge that they need help to achieve a normal level of socialization. The members of the group watch each other for signs of emotional instability that could lead to a relapse. Their concern for each other is genuine but is masked by a normal teenage reluctance to admit to feelings that could make them vulnerable. The female lead, Celia, is the emotional heart of the story. She’s the one who most embodies their mutual desire to belong to a group that provides the nurturing that they've failed to find elsewhere in their lives. She's the one most afraid of losing this sense of belonging, and she's the one who feels most threatened by any potential changes to the group. The male lead, Brendan, is aware of his need for the support of the other group members and works behind the scenes to keep everyone pulling for each other. The comedic input is provided by the character of Miguel, who urges the group to join him in his "Drone Ranger" persona. The story is set in the near future when federal restrictions on drone possession combine with a crackdown on drone smuggling to make the devices difficult to obtain. This creates a drone shortage for crime gangs that use the technology for their activities. When a drug gang offers to buy the group's drones, the kids must decide if they're willing to fight to keep the bond between them. If they lose their drones, they'll also lose any chance at an emotionally healthy future. Personalities clash as the members of the group struggle to choose between the drug gang offer, and the option of participating in a police sting on the gang. Eventually the group undertakes the sting operation. This leads to a "dronepocalyptic" climactic scene that rescues the group, and enables them to return to getting "crunked up on drones". The script has a “Breakfast Club” kind of feel, with kids dealing with youthful alienation, but updated with twenty-first century issues.