The Theory Of Invisibility

GENRE
DRAMA
Core Theme
ABANDONMENT OF FAITH, LOVE, PERSEVERANCE, IDENTITY
TIME PERIOD
Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
STRANGER THAN FICTION, LOST IN TRANSLATION, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
CHARACTER LIST
• EMME TAYLOR: 30s.
UNAPOLOGETIC, BLUNT,
COMPLEX, EMPATHETIC.
• PHIL STANTON: 30s.
CHARMING, FUNNY,
CLUMSY.
• MORGAN SPADARO: 40.
LOGICAL, CONFIDENT,
FAITHFUL.
Logline
Like Stranger Than Fiction or Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, The Theory Of Invisibility is a modern day fable with a touch of magical realism that explores life, love and the overwhelming power of grief. Emme, a young widow, wishes not to exist so strongly that one day she becomes invisible. And while she makes new discoveries with Phil, a co-worker who can suddenly see her, she must decide if she is going to remain invisible or rejoin the land of the living.
Target Audiences
Age: 35-54
Target Gender: Female leaning
Setting
Venice California
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Year Published: 2014
Starting Description
When we first meet Emme she has lost her husband and baby in a horrible car accident and is having a hard time moving forward. Emme can't help but wish that she didn't exist - that she was invisible. And one day she does just that: she becomes invisible. She can, however, be seen by Phil, an executive from her office who has become so overwhelmed by a life he doesn’t want that he sees this new supernatural relationship as a salvation of sorts.
Ending Description
It's in this plane of existence in which her family thinks she's been kidnapped or killed, that she must decide if she is going to remain invisible or rejoin the land of the living. Phil’s life, as her own, may depend on it.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending, Meaningful Message, Philosophical Questions, Quirky side-characters, Magic, Physical Comedy, Courtroom events
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth
Main Character Details
Name: Emme Taylor
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Role: Skeptic
Key Traits: Underdog, Unapologetic, Blunt, Complex, Empathetic, Sarcastic, Aggressive, Charming
Additional Character Details
Name: Phil Stanton
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Role: Skeptic
Key Traits: Charming, Empathetic, Funny, Clumsy, Heroic, Honorable, Sarcastic, Underdog
Additional Character Details
Name: Morgan Spadaro
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Badass, Beautiful, Confident, Faithful, Leader, Outspoken, Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Rose Spadaro
Age: 10
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Engaging, Funny, Heroic, Adventurous, Confident, Innocent
Development Pitch
Brief
Emme, a young widow, can’t stand living and just wants to disappear after the death of her husband
and son – so much that one day, she actually becomes invisible. While making new discoveries and
finding love again with Phil, a co-worker who can see her, she must decide if she is going to remain
invisible or rejoin the living.
What We Liked
The driving metaphorical force of the story – how invisibility can be self-imposed – is inherently
relatable, resulting in a large potential demographic. The cast of supporting characters is
well-rounded, which would maintain viewership. The dramatic aspects of the story are balanced with
the little quirks and comedic notes about invisibility. These humorous features, as well as the
romance between Phil and Emme, balance the serious philosophical tones of Emme’s grieving and
will to live. These aspects culminate in a distinct, resolute narrative.
Film: The essence of the story is endearing and interesting. With the single-minded focus, it would fit
within a feature arc easily. The characters are interesting enough to make this close to a modern
fable. Even when aiming at pure comedy, the story would retain its emotional points, making the
audience believe that real life is still worth living.
TV: The story would easily work as a limited episodic series. Different episodes could focus on
different aspects of the plot, such as the lives of the invisible people throughout the canals; Morgan,
Oliver and Rose, and how Emme's disappearance has affected them; a flashback to Emme and Phil’s
previous "perfect" lives, and so on. Specific episodes for Phil and Emme would make it easier to focus
on the key points of their relationship while keeping their narrative arcs concise.
Synopsis
Emme and Phil stumble through life carrying their own personal burdens. She's overwhelmed by grief
after losing her husband and son in a car accident; though she is supported by her sister, niece and
brother-in-law, she’s disengaged. Phil is also unsatisfied. His seemingly perfect life falls apart when
he breaks off his engagement and turns to his coworker crush, Emme, even though they've never
exchanged words. Then, one day, Emme becomes invisible.
Emme and Phil get closer as they realize he can actually see her. While they try to make sense of it, a
myriad of problems unfold: Emme's sister Morgan is unable to find her and assumes the worst. Rose,
Emme's ten-year-old niece, is thought to have mental problems for describing an aunt no one can see.
Phil alienates Mike and Grace, his best friend and sister, who think he's losing his mind. Meanwhile,
Emme discovers a group of invisible people living around the canals of Venice; they become her
family of sorts and tell her that her invisibility isn’t permanent if she chooses so. Phil, fully in love with
Emme, starts to see the invisible people and is convinced his mission is to protect her. Stricken with
guilt over betraying her dead husband when she hooks up with Phil, Emme stops talking to him.
Heartbroken, he refuses to talk to her and his situation gets worse when he realizes he was invisible
during work and gets fired. Emme watches this and runs away, prompting Phil to run after her into
traffic and get hit.
Phil gets sent to the hospital and is diagnosed as mentally ill when he justifies running into traffic for
an invisible woman. As more of the characters see Emme while she struggles with her decision over
visibility, they give Phil the benefit of the doubt. Fighting the diagnosis becomes a court case; the only
solution is for Emme to appear at the courthouse. By doing that for Phil, she gives up her invisibility --
she’s chosen to live life again. As a judge asks who she is, she says her name is Emme Taylor and
she was there all along. She just couldn't see herself.