What sparked the idea for this story, and how do you envision it  offering a fresh take on the science fiction genre? 

Our shared passion for science fiction sparked the idea for the story.  Franco had long imagined complex science fiction scenarios with  challenges and obstacles on planets and in deep space. Line had toyed  with the idea of writing science fiction but had put it off, thinking she  wasn’t strong enough to venture out alone until she lost three family  members in a short period of time.  

To cope with the pain, she wrote a science fiction story that she had in  mind for a long time. She spent countless days and nights writing about  characters traveling aboard a spaceship while she was coming to terms  with the idea of letting go of her beloved. In two months, she wrote 2000  pages of script and 30 dialogue episodes in French, her mother tongue.  

A year later, during a conversation with Franco, Line shared about this  work. To her surprise, Franco also had a passion for sci-fi and  generously introduced his numerous story ideas to her. Line was  fascinated by his imagination and invited him to join her in a new project  that would incorporate his ideas into a part of the world she had already  created. This was the beginning of Promethium 2122. 

Promethium 2122 portrays a positive future despite the dilemmas of social  and ethical issues. The plot revolves around exploiting planetary resources  and accepting diversity as a strength that would help humanity to thrive. 

Your background spans writing, Indigenous culture, technology,  and martial arts. Can you share how your unique skill sets and  interests have converged in your collaboration on ‘METEOR,’ and  what they bring to the storytelling process?  

Despite the differences in our backgrounds and cultures and living on  opposite sides of the world, our values align so perfectly that they resemble  the bond between twins. Our mindsets share the same needs, values, and  vision for a better future, igniting hope and inspiration for all. 

The indigenous culture brings an openness to diversity to Meteor. It  influences its communication and psychological aspects. It inspires the  writing of their first contact with alien civilizations.  

The martial arts also inspired the code of honour, the discipline, and the  philosophical dimension of Meteor. The story and its characters reflect  these concepts, creating a platform for interaction, growth, and gaining  wisdom. The storytelling presents a variety of perspectives, allowing each  element to complement and enrich the others. 

Technologies are integrated into different aspects of Meteor, from  communication devices to space station operations. Our goal is to keep  Promethium on a scale of scientific plausibility and to imagine its evolution  in the near future.  

Commander Julius Favalli goes against formal orders to  uncover the hidden history of the Martian bases and the reasons  behind alien attacks. Can you provide insights into the character  development in the script and how this exploration adds depth to  the narrative? 

Julius Favalli experiences flashbacks of an event he witnessed before  the construction of MB-05, the current Mars base. He suspects that the  aliens had motives to attack the previous base, as they did, and feels  that some information is being kept hidden from him. Initially, he shows  confidence towards the team on Earth but gradually becomes more  suspicious of them. This will impact and divide his team.  

His emotional involvement with Anthony Oliver, the only person on Earth  with whom he has significant contact, becomes stronger than he would  have expected.  

You mentioned that ‘METEOR’ is the pilot of “Promethium  2122.” Can you share more about the broader universe and world building you’ve created for this project and any future plans for  expanding this universe in your storytelling?  

In Promethium 2122, we plan three seasons of ten episodes  where a mining base operates on Mars to collect Promethium and  other Rare Earth Elements.  

The team on Mars also has a secret mission to keep the aliens at  a secure distance from Earth and to advise of any observation or  contact. They work under cover of cleaning the space of the  debris using debris collectors funded by private investors, Favalli  discovers the truth about a genocide attempt against an alien  civilization in which he took part before having those memories  removed from him against his consent.  

In the first season, we present the very beginning of the  implantation of a mining base when the inhabitants of C-3, a  human mining colony on Mars, discover an alien outpost close to  the base and their lab for genetic research. Humans react with  fear and raze the aliens’ facilities. This triggers aliens to take  revenge by attacking and destroying C-3. A new base named  MB-05 is built on its ashes. Julius Favalli discovers that the aliens  face extinction and use the laboratories in the lava caves on Mars 

to ensure their survival. The humans consider them a threat to  their mining activities.  

In season two, Humans and Aliens get to know each other.  Becoming aware of their respective realities and challenges, they  stop hostilities. They become more curious about their respective  realities and establish honest communication.  

The more Humans learn about Aliens, the more they fear  becoming like them. In fact, the aliens are originally from Earth  and were the advanced civilization who found refuge on other  planets when the homo sapiens arrived on Earth.  

They have lost their humanity with the increased technologies to  repair their bodies and preserve their physical autonomy. To  survive, they use bionic implants. The humans and the aliens  challenge their strengths and focus on their respective missions.  They tolerate each other while keeping away from developing  further relationships.  

In season three, the crew of MB-05 agrees with the aliens to  preserve the boundaries of each other’s worlds. They establish  and deepen their mutual understanding of respective challenges  and quests. Both decide to share the resources that the aliens  need. The aliens find a way to recycle parts of REE so humans  can use them. They become allies. Humans feel more distant and  disconnected from Earth. The crew on MB-05 begins to resemble  the aliens. They need to take action not to be assimilated by the  technology they cherish.  

In this season, Aliens and Humans understand that they must join  forces to get stronger and survive. They reinforce their mutual  hopes by protecting each other and installing common values. 

What themes or questions do you hope ‘METEOR’ explores  within the realm of science fiction, and what kind of impact or  emotions do you aim to evoke in the audience with this script and  the subsequent series “Promethium 2122 »?  

Our themes revolve around topics such as diversity,  communication, xenophobia, war, forgiveness, empathy,  vulnerability, inclusivity, resiliency, trauma, abortion, acceptance,  identity, progress, and technology. Additionally, we delve into the  effects of development on natural resources, space exploration,  expansion risks, and fundamental beliefs about our place in the  universe. The values encompass mutual aid, sharing, respect for  life and its differences, friendship, love, family, harmony, and the  strength of teamwork.  

The series’ main objective is to entertain and provide a source of  inspiration for viewers but also encourage introspection and  challenge the concept of freedom. Moon’s exploration, plans to  colonize Mars, commercial spaceflights, SpaceX’s expansion,  telescopes, and satellite launchings draw our gazes more often to  the stars in wonder. The series tends to kindle philosophical  reflections on our place in the universe.  

Collaborative writing can be a dynamic and rewarding  experience. Could you share how the two of you approach co writing, and what strengths or perspectives each of you brings to  the table that enriches the creative process for ‘METEOR’ and your  other projects? 

Co-writing is an incredible experience for us. We feel fortunate to have  such a close relationship that allows us to enter together into the world of  the story and let our imaginations run wild. Sometimes, we feel an intense  connection, creating a unique intimacy. We speak with one voice, often  finishing each other’s sentences, while other times, we take turns speaking  and always listen carefully to what the other has to say. We never censor 

each other’s ideas and always explore even the smallest of them, even if  they seem initially unfitting. 

Line brings the experience and technical structure of years of passionate  writing and studies. She enjoys evoking deep emotions with a powerful  tone and subtle nuances. Her professional background allows her to craft  characters with complex psychological depth and believability in an  immersive atmosphere. 

Line is passionate about space exploration and has a keen interest in the  lives of astronauts and their rigorous training. She is committed to including  diverse perspectives in her work and portraying a culture of inclusivity. Her  writing is marked by vivid and credible descriptions of the challenges of  colonizing Mars as she follows the progress of SpaceX and the research of  NASA, drawing inspiration from their developments. She likes to play with  contrasts, using visual imagery and subtext to enrich her writing. 

Franco is an ardent science fiction fan with an extensive knowledge of  classic and modern works. He brings a great deal of enthusiasm and  energy to his writing. His limitless imagination gives rise to beautiful visuals,  whether it be in the form of action sequences or breathtaking imagery of  deep space. He is an enthusiastic reader of documents from the golden  age of space exploration and stays current with the latest astronomical  discoveries. He often raises thought-provoking questions and presents  challenges that add depth to the story. 

He enriches the narrative with multiple layers by utilizing his technical  background, dedication to scientific accuracy, and skill for crafting gripping  action scenes. His meticulous attention to detail, even in the smallest  technical terms, generates credible scenes. 

If Line is the pilot on board, Franco is the jet stream.

THE SCREENWRITERS

Name: Line Rainville and Franco Pirrone
Screenplay: Meteor
From: Canada, Italy