Screenwriter's Paradise (WITH PILOT)

[Jamison]

Screenwriters Paradise is a dramedy webisode series following the lives of long-time best friends, Andrew Zahir (Manish Dayal) and Joshua Lawson (Matt Cohen), who have just moved into a small, but nifty apartment in the heart of Los Angeles, in hopes of jumpstarting their careers as screenwriters for film and television. Attempting to finish their first pilot script together, the duo must use their networking skills and charming personalities (or lack thereof) to get their foot in the door. Accidentally running into a CBS agent, Emily Moore (Sharon Leal), and Shawn Leonidas (Romeo Miller) a former child star looking to reinvent himself, they might just have a chance at success... or you know, epic failure. 

STARRING...

 

Andrew Zahir (Manish Dayal) is a go-getter and slacker at the same time, if that's even possible. He's always thinking outside of the box, coming up with ideas that no one would imagine in a million years, even though Joshua takes credit for them most of the time and him being such a nice guy (maybe too nice) lets him get away with it. As a boy, he wrote short stories, and has since co-written a dozen of scripts with his writing partner, Joshua, but he has yet to complete his own solo-script, which often makes his question his true place in the industry.

Joshua Lawson (Matt Cohen) is the guy that's unfairly good at everything he puts his mind to. Joshua is the smart, funny, and outgoing one of the duo. He's been known to be a 'wise cracker' and shows it as much as he can. Beneath his sometimes obnoxious exterior, Josh is a very down to earth guy, with a wise mind and sensitive heart. Since he was a teen, he knew he wanted to write a television series. Before discovering his inner comedian, he was as shy as they came and sometimes, mostly around attractive women, that side of him emerges. 

 

Emily Moore (Sharon Leal) was an agent working for CBS. She meets Joshua and Drew at a premiere party and is drunk enough to sit down with the two to discuss their pilot. After sobering up, she reads a draft and instantly sees its potential. Soon after, she decides she wants to represent them. When everything seems to be going well, she gets fire by the network. Now, out of a job and a source of income, she leans on her newly made friends for a place to sleep for a few days. Being that her personality is a demanding one and the fact that she's a bit scary, a few days could turn into an eternity in a moments notice.

Shawn Leonidas (Romeo Miller) has raised by foster parents in the Cabrini Green projects in Chicago. Now, he's one of the stars of a hit sitcom on HBO. Seeing as his character has just been killed off, he finds himself in need of a new job. It proves to be his lucky day when Joshua and Drew move in across the hall. Shawn is an arrogant, self centered, ego maniac with a violent streak. But, he does his job very well which makes it hard to turn him down for a role, but even harder to deal with him on a daily basis. Underneath the mask he wears in order to live up to the expectations of the industry, Shawn is a nice guy if given the chance.

ALSO STARRING...

 

Troy Parker (Joe Dinicol) is an aspiring film director and is currently working as Emily Moore's personal assistant. His eccentric nature and boy-ish charm make him somewhat of an interest for Joshua. 

Freya Malik (Freida Pinto) signed a modeling contract in L.A., but dreams of one day becoming a Hollywood actress. She's determined, headstrong dreamer, who has a complicated history with Andrew.

EPISODE GUIDE

S e q u e n c e   O n e :

1x01 "Fade In" - WEBISODE SERIES PREMIERE - Long time friends, Andrew (Manish Dayal) and Joshua (Matt Cohen) have just moved into a Los Angeles apartment together, in hopes to get closer to their life long dream of becoming big time film and television writers. After receiving word of a party being thrown by a producer in the industry, Andrew comes up with a plan in hopes of getting on the invite list.

Link: ninth-spectrum.weebly.com/uploads/6/8/3/8/6838324/screenwriters_paradise_-_1x01_-_fade_in.pdf

[Daniel]

I have to say, I'd probably read this. Particularly if it's funny, I like funny. Funny makes me laugh.

[Jamison]

Thanks. This is my very first attempt at writing scripted comedy and it's quite difficult I must say. It's also wicked fun so, I'm looking forward to the completion of the pilot.

[Jason T. Davis]

Brilliant idea Chris. I want to talk quickly about the format of this pitch, which I love. By the first excerpt of dialogue, I really love the vibe of the show. Nice going with the descriptions of the characters and plot. Very well done.

Now, onto the series as a whole. This could really work out as a serious drama or a comedy. I know how hard it is to write comedy but I think you'll do pretty well. I'm also looking forward to seeing what type of comedy this show will have. Is it lighthearted? Mature? Hopefully a bit of both, mixed in with a lot of realism when it comes to the drama.

Your main 2 character seem like complete opposites, which is very appealing to me. Josh and Drew seem to balance one another out quite nicely and I'm just gonna say right now... I'm pretty sure Joshua is going to be my favorite character. He seems like a bit of a overconfident jerk, but it's interesting to see that in lead character. Mix it up, is what I say xD And that's what you're doing.

The casting is great!, just about perfect actually. The actors, especially Ryan Phillippe & Jamil Walker-Smith, seem wonderfully suited for their roles. And come on, Tricia Helfer is just outstanding!! So glad I inspired you to watch BSG!

I'm looking forward to the full episode guide, as well as a pilot! Great job with this, and good luck to you.

[Jamison]

I'm moving this from the Archived Pitches, to the main pitching section, since I plan on putting this project back on the market soon, mostly due to the fact that we're gonna be working on sitcom writing and sketch comedy next semester at school.

[Brady Brown]

Wow! This sounds great! Hilarious as well. XD Also, I love the whole format of the pitch. Making the font Courier New? Brilliant! And your casting is by far, flawless. XD Good luck with this!!

[Jamison]

Thinking about turning this into a webisode series. Just for the possibility of maybe this getting picked up, and crossing over with Audition! haha Thanks Brady, I'm glad you like the pitch! I just changed the cast a few days ago. Like this version a lot more.

[Brady Brown]

^^ HAHAHA! That would be so awesome! They'd have writers, actors, agents, and a party-poop-er of a dad. Brilliant! XD

[Jamison]

I can imagine Emily trying to push up on Michael, trying to get him in bed, then Paula's not having it, because even she knows that she and Michael are meant to be together, forever. *hint hint*

[Brady Brown]

[Jamison]

^ It's gonna happen. Paula and Michael will be together. Even if I have to body snatch you and write it myself. lmao!

[Jamison]

After searching and searching, I've finally found a suitable theme song for this show.



I know this song isn't very "comedy/sitcom" like, but I really imagine this show being much more of a drama with lots of comedic elements, as well as black humor. Perhaps more similar to "Entourage," than anything else.

I was joking before when I said I would turn this show into a webisode series, but I think the format works. Currently writing the first two episodes of arc one.

[Brady Brown]

Still hope everything is going well with this, Chris! I support this ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT. And it's not just because you made this a webisode, and now, if it's picked up, we have to do a Audition/Screenwriter's Paradise crossover. You know what, even if you dropped this. WE'RE DOING IT.

[Jamison]

Yes, I'm definitely still pursuing this series. Writing comedy has always been a challenge for me, because until recently, I've considered myself strictly a drama writer, so I'm taking my time with these episodes, to make sure they're actually enjoyable and as funny as I intend on them being.

And yes, if this show is picked up, we are soo doing a crossover. It's a given. haha!

[Antonio]

This, I have to read this. It sounds insanely funny, interesting, and a filled with enough drama. More importantly, I like the cast selection as well. This really does have a lot of potential. I would definitely love to read if it gets approved! -Fingers crossed- Awesome job Chris.

[Jamison]

Thanks Antonio! I really hope to get to this project one day. If not, than I'd be happy to pass it on to another writer. I really wanted this to have a sort of "Entourage" vibe. Loved that show soo much. Maybe if I go back and rewatch a few seasons of that, I'll get some inspiration to write this.

[Antonio]

You should, even if you just did a test pilot to see if its something you'd feel like pursuing in the future. I see a lot of potential and funny from this!

[Jamison]

I don't know how this happened, but I wrote the pilot tonight in about a hour and a half. Didn't plan it, no outline, I just wrote, and here it is; at least it's a first draft. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Maybe I'll be able to get this bad boy up and running after all.

Screenwriters Paradise | 1.01 "Use Your Imagination (DRAFT ONE)