There are three main concepts that I have in mind, all of which are similar variations on the same basic concept. They all revolve around the same plot with separate endings, some of which are similar and some which have more of a plot and character development.
The first story concept has three robotic protagonists, rusting and quickly running out of power, attempting to locate anything that will power them for longer to keep them alive. when their scanner begins to pick up a signal, they go to investigate it, and they find a battery there. The antagonist then steals this and they must retrieve it from him. This version of the short film would end in the antagonist being ripped apart by the protagonists, having grabbed onto him, while he flies around and attempts to get away, eventually crashing into the ground and shutting down. This version was rejected due to the ending being a bit disturbing, as well as seeing the antagonist literally ripped limb from limb by the protagonists would change the audience's view on whether they supported the protagonists or not.
The second concept has similar story, but some minor changes and a different ending. This concept has three robotic protagonists who are being hunted by a larger robot, styled and designed to look like a form of snake. The short film would open with a fight between them, and the antagonist would then steal all of the spare power they have. This would be what prompts them to follow the scanner and look for the battery, which the secondary antagonist steals. when they go to get it back, during the final fight, the snake reappears and the protagonists begin to panic. after one of them is killed by the main antagonist, the secondary antagonist decides to help them seeing the real danger that they face, and aids in the destruction of the main antagonist. He then helps the protagonists repair their broken friend. This version is by far the most in depth, and has better story and character development then the other ideas. However, it would also be by far too long, as the estimated run time of this would be around 10 minutes in order to use all of the camera work and techniques that I wanted too,while keeping the better plot development.
The final concept is a simplified version of the previous concepts. The film has three robotic protagonists who are on the search for more power before they run out. Following their scanner, they find a cave with a frozen door that they break through using a form of laser. Inside, they find crystals that will power them for a short while, and then a gigantic battery. the antagonist, who has been observing them, makes his move and strikes one of the protagonists down, before stealing the battery. the main protagonist hangs on to the battery as the antagonist tries to steal it, and the antagonist flies up into space in an attempt to make him let go. When he is forced off the battery, he comes crashing back to earth. When he lands, they use the scanner to find where the antagonist is located and charge into his lair. He attacks them, and they collectively try to use their lasers to destroy him. However, he manages to get one of the protagonists, and rips his arm off, using said arm to beat him to death. The other protagonists, seeing this, again use their lasers, but use them to push him over the ledge of the cave they are in and into a pit of lava, where he melts into molten metal. They take their battery and fallen friend and leave. This idea provides a good balance between the two previous ideas, taking the best of both elements and instead using the character development to further develop the audience's anger towards the antagonist.
