Obligatory newbie introduction: Hello fellow Ghostheads! I'm new here, so I hope nobody minds hearing my ideas for a third Ghostbusters film. I hope to do some serious paranormal research this spring, so I can start writing a complete script this summer. Here are just some of my preliminary notes and scribblings (as well as a few sketches). What I really need are ideas about what kind of event could cause a rise in paranormal activity. Thanks in advance!
Returning Characters:
ÂDr. Egon Spengler
ÂDr. Ray Stantz
ÂJanine Melnitz
New Characters
ÂProf. Ardith Spengler  Daughter of Egon and Janine. 18 year old prodigy. Got her first degree (Neuropsychology) at the age of 12. Invents a PKE reader that can pinpoint the exact identity of the ghost, creating a new field of study at Columbia University; Paraforensics. After being possessed by a low-class vapour on her first bust, she develops a phobic fear of ghosts.
ÂRockwell Byrnes  Student in ArdithÂs Parapsychology class. Is really a Communications major. Applies for Ghostbuster job just to get the chance to be closer to Ardith. At first, he only wants to get closer to her to get a decent grade, but as time goes by, genuine feelings start to develop.
ÂEddie Stantz  Son of Ray. Shares his fatherÂs passion in the occult. Has helped in Egon and RayÂs continued surveillance of New YorkÂs PKE levels. Assisted Ardith in gathering information to build a new forensic PKE reader. He put forth the idea to form a new Ghostbuster team.
ÂOliver Pender  Green-haired, punk in ArdithÂs Parapsychology class. Is really a Visual Arts major. Applies for Ghostbuster job because of deep interest in the paranormal. Growing up, he lived in a haunted house.
Script Notes
Chronological
ÂArdith pioneers a new form of PKE technology with the ability to identify the unique ectoplasmic imprints of specific ghosts (much like DNA imprints). She is granted with a Ph. D., and becomes the first ever Doctor of Paraforensics.
ÂRay Stantz and Egon Spengler, having continuously monitored the PKE levels in NYC, discover that paranormal activity is starting to rise a for reasons as of yet unknown. They consider starting up the Ghostbusters again.
ÂAfter receiving a call from a 2nd grade student. Ray, Egon, Ardith and RayÂs son Eddie investigate a haunting at P.S.#84 in the form of former teacher who writes spelling rules on the blackboard in chalk. The new PKE meter is put to the test.
ÂOliver Bender, Rockwell Byrnes, and Eddie Stantz form the new Ghostbuster field team.
ÂJanine confronts Egon about their daughterÂs ability to function socially, much like her father. After a rather one-sided debate from Janine, she remarks about how if Egon had never met Peter Venkman, the Ghostbusters would never have been formed, and as a result, Ardith would never have been born. The revelation stuns Egon, and for once, his work canÂt take his mind off it.
ÂArdith is made a member of the Ghostbusters field team upon EgonÂs insistence.
ÂOn their first bust, Ardith is possessed by a low-level spirit. She is mildly traumatized by the experience, and develops spectrophobia
Miscellaneous
ÂGhostbusters investigate a poltergeist at a night club.
ÂRockwell attempts to get to know Ardith better. Unfortunately, he tries to talk to her while sheÂs working. She makes a joke about the hot air that comes out of his mouth.
ÂArdith attempts to approach the Containment Unit after her possession, but is too terrified.
ÂEgon comforts Ardith after her scare.
ÂGhostbusters investigate a haunting by a miniscule ghost. Rockwell makes an offhand remark, causing the offended mini-ghost to pass through his head, leaving a gooey helping of ectoplasm dripping down his face.
ÂTo be an ongoing plot thread  Ardith tries to improve the proton thrower technology, making it so the streams can pass through any and all matter (including humans) except for ectoplasm.
Micro Scenes
1. INT. TV ROOM Â DAY
SPENGLER stands in the doorway and watches Ardith on the couch, making notes on a legal pad. On the television, a forensic science special is playing at half volume.
ARDITH
Intensely focusing on the legal pad, she blocks out any and all distraction. It is evident that she isnÂt even watching the TV.
SPENGLER
Sighs, and glances down at his secret weapon; A bag of potato chips. Salt and vinegar. ArdithÂs favourite.
Spengler slowly crosses the room and sits on the couch beside Ardith.
SPENGLER
I brought you something to eat.
ARDITH
(dismissive)
IÂm not hungry.
Silence. Time for ÂPlan BÂ. SPENGLER gestures to the legal pad.
SPENGLER
Are you working on the new trap specs?
ARDITH
No. Dr. Rideau asked me to guest lecture his
Electromagnetic Theory class.
SPENGLER
Sounds interesting. Albeit, you are
overqualified.
ARDITH
Not everything has to be a challenge.
Silence. Spengler pauses, unsure of how to proceed.
TELEVISION
A commercial for the Ghostbusters flashes up on the screen. Ardith convulsively grabs the remote, and changes the channel to a nature program about snakes. Spengler grabs the wrist clutching the remote.
ARDITH
Half-heartedly, she pulls away from SPENGLER.
ARDITH
(whispers)
Dad, let go.
Spengler releases her wrist. Ardith clenches her jaw, gradually loosing her composure. The legal pad rests limply across her lap, forgotten. She struggles, not wanting to meet her fatherÂs eye.
Unable to resist, she glances at him. Tears well up in her eyes as she slowly leans towards him. Spengler pulls his daughter into his arms, comforting her for the first time since she was a toddler. Ardith begins to cry great wracking sobs as Spengler strokes her hair gently, instinctively.
ARDITH
(voice cracking)
IÂm getting your cotton shirt all wet.
SPENGLER
DonÂt worry. ItÂs 95.7% polyester.
Ardith lets out a choked laugh. She hugs him tighter.
2. Small dialogue exchange #1
JANINE
Face it Egon, youÂre emotionally unavailable.
SPENGLER
That isnÂt true.
JANINE
How much do you love me?
SPENGLER
If I were to express it as a
numerical value, I would have to
use an exponential, because there
isnÂt enough paper on the planet to write
it using expanded notation.
JANINE
I love it when you talk dirty.
3. Small dialogue exchange #2
ARDITH
Why are you even in my class?
BYRNES
I need a Science elective to
graduate.
ARDITH
What is your major?
BYRNES
Communications.
ARDITH
(pauses)
What have you learned so far?
BYRNES
Not much.
4. Small dialogue exchange #3
BYRNES
I should be getting extra credit
points for this. ItÂs the least you could do for me.
ARDITH
Actually Byrnes, IÂve seen your transcript.
Extra credit points would actually be the
most I could do for you.
5. Small dialogue exchange #4
EDDIE
DidnÂt you have green hair the
last time I saw you?
PENDER
Yes.
EDDIE
Oh.
(beat)
I like the blueÂ
itÂs a good look for you.
PENDER
You think? I thought it would be too predictable.
BYRNES
Oh no, the blue is nice.
And here are two links to pictures I've drawn of Ardith:
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/17097083/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/17097348/