Bees! We want bees!
Put it over here!
Hold it everybody, hold it!
lt's JUST a science fair.
Just a science fair?
Too bad we can't use last year solar powered juggling machine.
Nice try, Ralphie, but it doesn't fit with this year's theme...animals that live together.
And l quote from the entry form...
''Some animals live alone, but some live and work together in groups, called communities.''
Watch your back! Heads up! Comin' through!
l'm escorting an important visitor to our classroom.
Make way for...
Hello, class!
Ms. Frizzle! You almost stepped on our visitor.
Oh, my!
WHAT visitor?
My friend, the ant!
Look at her go! lsn't she amazing? l wonder where she's headed...
Don't worry, little ant. Wherever you're going, l'll make sure you get there.
No time for ANTics, Keesha. We've got to pick a project for the science fair.
Ah, the passion of science.
Now Liz, do you have any idea where l put that camera?
There it is.
My ant? Where's my ant?
Keesha, YOUR ant is eating MY Mallow-Blaster!
So that's why she came in here! She was looking for food!
Don't worry little ant, Arnold's more than happy to share his Mallow-Blaster.
Keesha, are you going to baby-sit that ant all day, or...
Hey! Maybe we could do something about my ant for the science fair!
According to my research, where you find one ant there's usually more.
That's right, Dorothy Ann. Ants live together in nests.
But what could we do with ants? A mural? A model?
Careful with that camera, Liz.
At my old school, lizards weren't allowed to make movies.
That's it! We'll make a MOVlE!
She's a natural star!
l can see it all now...we'll call it ''Travels with my Ant.''
A movie about an ant...
You know something? That's not a bad idea...
No, it's a good idea! A GREAT idea!
Yes!! Let's make a movie!
l'll write it! lt'll be all about an ant with a long nose called elephANT! Get it?
CARLOS!!
Can l help write it too?
You can write it together.
What about us?
You can all be lN it, and play ants!
What are my lines?
Who's the star?
My ant, of course!
lf you're going to direct this movie, Keesha, you might need this.
Me direct it? But l thought you--
lt was your idea.
Oh wow? Oh boy! l'm the director! The whole films depends on me!
As l always say, Keesha...ACTlON!
How could she do that?
Ms. Frizzle, you could do the costumes.
Thank you, Carlos.
Okay now, people, this is...
Keesha...?
ln a minute, Phoebe. This is what l want you to do.
Follow that camera lizard!
Great Liz! A little tighter.
ANTS! But which one's mine?
Look at them all! Where are they going?
Guys. Can we go back in now? l just know it's going to rain.
Not until l find my ant, Arnold! She's my star
and now l lost her.
According to my research
your star's been telling the other ants in its nest about Arnold's Mallow- Blaster.
Excellent observation, Dorothy Ann.
Ants don't actually talk to each other, but they do communicate.
l got it! lt's a Western
starring an ant that rounds up food, see, and then tells the rest of the ants where it is.
That's good, Ralphie! That's good! We'll call it ''Food Dude.''
Excellent Carlos. An ant whose job it is to find food is a forager ant.
Food dude is a wonderful name for Keesha's ant.
Ms. Frizzle? Are we going on a field trip?
Very observANT, Arnold!
ObservANT! l like it, l like it a lot!
ls that her? ls that my ant?
l don't think so, Keesha.
Director to bus, please. Director to bus.
Oh, bad. Oh bad, bad, bad!
Ms. Frizzle, we've lost her! We've lost our star!
l can't do a movie without a star!
Right you are, Keesha! She's one in a million!
Seatbelts, everyone! Here we go!
Again!
But we're shrinking!
l feel like we're on the inside of a mini Mallow-Blaster...
We are!
Hey! We're being foraged!
l thought we were going to play ants - not food.
l knew l should've stayed home today...
Giant potato chip being foraged straight ahead.
So, uh, Keesha? ls the movie going to star a forager ant?
And are WE going to co-star as the food?
Ms. Frizzle, l'm really sorry
but l don't think this movie should star a forager ant.
Got that, Carlos? Not about a forager ant...
Why not? That's what your ant is!
l know, Carlos, but l've been thinking.
l want more drama - more excitement!
l wish you hadn't said that...
Where are we?
An anthill!
Ms. Frizzle! We're on location! This is perfect!
We'll meet the ants, up close and personal! Now l'll find my star!
Okay, people! This movie is my responsibility...
so l will check out the anthill and then tell you what to do next!
Come on, Liz!
RUN!!!!
Good opening sequence, Keesha! lt really grabbed me! Did you get it, Liz?
What's with those gigantic ants? Who let them on the set?
We're on location, Keesha. Remember?
They look like they're guarding the nest or something. Don't they, Carlos?
Cool! Keesha, the movie could star a guard ant!
l don't know Ralphie...
Come on Keesha. We can call it ''The Guardfather''.
Perfect for the wide screen with stereo sound and...
And smell-o-vision!
Smell-o-vision?
Guard ants use their antennae to smell if we're friend or foe.
They are smelling us.
Precisely, Tim. Ants don't understand words, but they do understand smells.
They're checking to see if we smell like them.
Yeah, they want to know if we're wearing the same deodorANT!
CARLOS!
No, no! lt's a great joke! lt's going in...
Ants don't wear deodorant, Carlos.
But their bodies do make scented chemicals called pheromones.
Pheromones?
Pheromones!
lt tickles! What is this stuff?
Well, class, we now smell like these ants.
We do?
Uh huh! And now the guard ants will let us into the nest.
As l always say, when visiting a nest, smell like the rest!
l smell like an ant - just what l always wanted.
Really, Ralphie? Me too!
Oh boy!
One good smell deserves another!
Excuse me!
That tickles!
Cool!
Come on, Liz. We've got to get in there and find our star!
Wait for us!
OK Phoebe, what do we have so far?
Well, this movie is NOT about a forager ant or a guard ant.
So, what lS it about, Keesha? We can't write this script without a star!
Let me think...
Don't worry, everybody - it's all part of the creative process -- she's thinking of a story.
Check it out!!!
Where are they going?
Man, it must be rush hour.
Look, Keesha, a cast of thousands.
OKAY! Places everyone.
Where do you want us, Keesha?
What about make-up, Keesha? l don't look anything like these ants!
And what's the plot, Keesha? Who's the star?
l'm working on it! l'm working on it!
Who knew so many ants would audition?
Um, Keesha? Maybe it would help if we worked with the ants - got to know them better.
We're not going inside an ant are we?
No, Arnold. But Phoebe's right.
Understanding begins with observation.
Good idea, Phoeb! Method acting! l love it!
Okay, everyone! SEE the ant, FEEL the ant, BE the ant! ACTlON!
This ant's rubbing its head.
And this one's licking itself.
That's it, Arnold, BE the ant.
But l did this today already...in the shower.
Hey, maybe the ants are cleaning themselves.
Tim, your logic is spotless.
Yuck! These 2 are kissing.
Keesha, l've got it! The movie's a Rome-ANTS! Get it? RomANCE!
CARLOS!
These ants aren't kissing at all.
Yeah, it looks like that ant is giving the other ant something.
Oh sure, give it back to me AFTER you've chewed it.
What is it?
Mallow-blaster. l recognize it in any form.
So these ants are passing FOOD around!
Cool! A food-passing ant would make a great star! Think of the story!
l have, Carlos, and it doesn't work.
One day, an ant passed food to another ant.
lt just doesn't feel complete somehow...
Come on, Keesha - we need a star!
Hey, the star could be the presidANT. Get it? PresidANT?
CARLOS! STOP!
l know we need a star, Carlos! l just haven't seen the right aaaaaa...!
Everyone, Stay with your partner!
Help!
Not so fast!
Keep shooting, Liz!
After those ants, people! lt's a great chase scene!
Wait a minute - what's in here?
AND...Chase scene. Take 1 !
Hey! Where are you guys going?
What are they carrying?
They're like little worms!
Cut! No worms! This movie is about an ANT!
Why do you keep giving things to ME? Do l look like an ant?
l don't know, Arnold, but you look like you're holding a baby.
Maybe it lS a baby...a baby ant!
Well done, Phoebe! They're baby ants, all right.
When they hatched from eggs, they're called larvae.
That's it! ''Larvae: The Beginning''.
But who ever heard of a movie about larvae?
l don't know, Keesha. l think it has potential.
l think it's cute.
But all they do is wiggle! There's no drama! No action!
The ants are moving the larvae around. How's that for action?
And WHY are they moving them? How's that for mystery?
Hey, l bet they're trying to keep the larvae WARM!
Exactly, Tim.
Nurse ants move the young around the nest to keep them the right temperature.
My aunt's a nurse!
l've got it! l've got it! We could call it FlorANTS Nightingale!
Cut!!!
Now what, Keesha?
lt's a really good idea and everything
but somehow it isn't enough. Where's the danger? The intrigue?
Hey, WHAT are those things??
Hey, wait! Wait!! l didn't say ACTlON! People! People! What are you doing?
Pupae! These things are called Pupae.
Come on, pupae, l mean people! Look at it!
Do you really want to make a movie starring a PUPAE!
Pupa, actually, only one is called a pupa. Pupae is plural.
Pupae, Pupa, whatever!
Pretty exciting story if you ask me. lt would make a great documANTary.
Documentary? No way, Carlos!
Mr. Cud's class did a documentary last year on cows, remember?
Just to keep you up to date, Keesha,
we're NOT doing a movie about a forager ant, a guard ant, a nurse ant, a larva or a pupa.
Keesha! There aren't any ants left!
Well then, how about an egg?
Oh no! An egg! That's even worse.
Um, Ms. Frizzle. Where do ant eggs come from anyway?
Good question, Phoebe! The eggs came from the queen.
The queen? Ms. Frizzle! You're a genius!
Carlos, the queen is the perfect star!!! Think of the story - a royal exclusive!
You're right! lt's gold!
Come on, what are we waiting for? Let's go!
Which way?
lt's the creative process again...
thataway!
Excuse me, Ms Director? ls water supposed to be coming through the walls like that?
After the tunnel caves in, you will see some of the most amazing ant activity yet!
Did you say, After the tunnel caves in...?
All right, class! Duck and cover!
And...CUT! Okay people, don't panic. l'll have you out of here in....Whoa!
Look at these ants go!
They're repairing the nest! Like construction workers.
Right, Tim. That's their job. They're builder ants.
Keesha! We have GOT to do this movie about a builder ant!
Look at the action! The drama! The excitement!
Yeah, but which builder ant, Tim?
Well...just pick one.
The queen is the star. Know why? Because there is only one.
But...
Trust me on this. l'm the director, remember? To the queen!
This must be it, Keesha! Are you excited?
You bet, Phoebe! This movie is going to have everything -
action, drama, excitement - and most of all a REAL STAR!
Quick! Quick! Go in and bow to the queen!
Ask her who her agent is, the queen is very importANT.
Maybe so, but where is she?
Why there she is! The biggest one.
lsn't she wonderful!
That's the queen?
That's the queen!
But she's not doing anything!
My kind of job!
Of course she is! She's doing a lot! lsn't she, Ms. Frizzle?
Absolutely, Keesha! The queen is the only one who lays the eggs!
The queen laid an egg. The end.
Not much of a movie, Keesha!
Sure it is! We start in close on the queen...
Then we pull back and...
No way, Keesha. This may be the queen, but she's no star.
So what is it about? Keesha.
Nothing!
l give up!
Oh, great. lt's still raining. lt figures!
No, thank you. l'd rather walk! l deserve to get wet!
Oh bad. Oh bad, bad, bad...
What made me think l could direct a movie? Now l've wrecked the science fair for everyone.
Keesha?
Too bad l'm such a rotten director.
But you're not!
l am! l almost wiped out my whole class
and there's still no movie - no story - no star!
But what about the queen?
What kind of star just sits there and lays eggs?
But if it weren't for her eggs, there wouldn't be any ants.
So! lf it weren't for the ants that brought her food, there wouldn't be a queen.
l see what you mean.
And if it weren't for the forager ants, there wouldn't be food for anybody.
And if it weren't for the builder ants, there wouldn't be a nest.
And if it weren't for the guard ants, the nest would be attacked.
Yeah, there isn't only one star. More like they all are.
Phoebe! That's it!
lt's really about ALL the ants!
All the ants...and how they work together! Keesha! You're right!
Of course l'm right, because l'm the director, come on!
Hey, where's everyone going? We've got a movie to make about ants!
Without a star? Forget it.
l said ants, not ant!
There isn't one star in an anthill! All the ants are stars!
Yeah! Every ant has a job to do to keep the nest going!
...just like WE each have a job to do to make this movie.
Forget the movie...MUD SLlDE
Everyone on the bus!
Hey! What about the ants!?!
As l always say...ACTlON!
Thanks, Ms. Frizzle!
CUT! We've got to save the ants!
How?
The magnifying glass! We'll block the entrance!
Wanda, Ralphie, Carlos, Phoebe! Grab that end!
DA, Arnold, Tim, Ms. Frizzle! And ...LlFT!
Keesha, it's great! A survival movie!
Yeah, and we'll call it, ''A River Almost Ran Through lt''!!!
Finally, the nest was saved, the rain stopped, and the sun came out!
The end!
That was amazing! How did you do it?
l didn't do a thing! lt was Keesha's idea.
Yes, but l couldn't have done it without Phoebe!
And l couldn't have done it without...Without Arnold!
And l couldn't have done it without Dorothy Ann!
And l couldn't have done it without Carlos!
And l couldn't have done it without Wanda.
Her part was truly significANT! Get it?
CARLOS!!
And l couldn't have done it without Tim!
And l couldn't have done it without Ralphie!
And l couldn't have done it without Ms. Frizzle!
And l couldn't have done it without... the school bus.
But none of us could have done it without the inspiration of... ..the ANTS!
As l always say, it's easy if you've got talANT!!!
Ms. Frizzle!
ls it the magic school bus?
stay tune with us and be a smart kid
Okay Liz, l promise
l'll let everyone know how much work you did on that movie.
Just let me take this call, okay?
Hi, you work on the Magic School Bus show, right?
You bet. l am the producer.
One of them.
l know for a fact there are thousands of ants in an ant colony
but in your show l only counted 137.
l guess you must be an accountANT. Get it...?
Oh boy, now l know who's responsible for all the terrible puns.
Well actually, you're right, there are thousands of ants in one colony
but we couldn't afford to hire that many extras.
And they're also thousands of different SPEClES of ants.
You only showed one kind of ant.
Right again. There are about 10,000 different kinds of ants,
more than all other social insects put together.
And you didn't say a thing about the fact that all the ants we saw were female.
Yes, we feel quite repentANT about that.
Almost every ant in a colony is female.
The only thing the few males that are around do is mate with the queen. Anything else?
Yes. Ants use pheromones for more than telling friend from foe.
lt's how they communicate where food is, or if the nest needs repairing -
they smell pheromones like we hear words!
You know, kid, l have to say, you're pretty darn smart.
Actually, l'm brillyANT! Gotcha!
One more call, and that's it. Promise.
Hello, magic school bus?
This is the Oscar Awards committee returning your call.
Yes, l just had a question about the rules.
ln the category of best camerawork, is it possible to nominate a lizard?
THE END