Theta Double Dot
GENRE
SUSPENSE/THRILLER CRIME POLITICAL
Core Theme
GOOD VS. EVIL
TIME PERIOD
2000s
COMPARABLE TITLES
LOCAL HERO, SYRIANA, DEEPWATER HORIZON
CHARACTER LIST
MARK HAMMOND: 40S. LEAD. MECHANICAL ENGINEER. SARAH’S FATHER. RACHEL’S HUSBAND
SARAH HAMMOND: 20S. ACTIVIST. MARK’S DAUGHTER.
RACHEL HAMMOND: 40S. MARK’S WIFE. SARAH’S MOTHER.
JOHN RADLEY: 20S. SARAH’S MYSTERIOUS LOVE INTEREST
DMITRI KONRAD (AKA 'CONRAD'): 30S. UNDERCOVER THETA AGENT.
DARREN: 30S. THETA AGENT. ANTAGONIST
Logline
Saddled with the project everyone dreaded, Mark Hammond finds himself ensnared in a nightmare that threatens his marriage, career, sanity and, finally, his life. Who are the increasingly violent activists, wreaking havoc, with attacks on petrochemical plants across the UK, to increasing Ministerial frustration? Mark’s problems expand to include an Alaskan community facing annihilation as the Arctic Sea threatens to overwhelm their homeland. Desperate for time and managerial support, he finds himself enmeshed in the ultimate horror; a race against time, to a terrible, potentially suicidal showdown.
Target Audiences
Age: 18-34,35-54,55+
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
UK (London, S.E. England, S. Wales (Swansea), Alaska
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: with a Publisher
Publisher: Austin Macauley
Starting Description
Mark Hammond, a struggling English mechanical engineer, is building a huge heater for an internationally and environmentally sensitive Alaskan oil refinery. Theta, an environmental activist group, attack petrochemical targets, as daughter Sarah meets John Radley, an activist fellow “Student.”
Ending Description
With the heater about to go on stream, Mark discovers that his designers have built it to a doctored specification, substituted for the one with the correct operating pressure. Realising (a) that his job, the firm and hence Sarah’s university career and his marriage are doomed if Don Jenkins, his boss, finds out, he races out to site in Alaska, in a desperate attempt to expose the sabotage and lethal consequences, before the heater vessel is pressurised and explodes. Nearly blinded in an attempt to switch the pumps off, he is locked in the control room, by the activist mole, who is equally determined to stop him revealing the deadly reality. Mark is put on “garden leave”, discredited. He is ultimately exonerated when a parcel of charred documentation arrives, from the Alaskan community Elder, Sata Adjuk, enabling him to reveal the truth.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Nudity
Plot - Other Elements
Twist,Happy Ending
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Main Character Details
Name: Mark Hammond
Age: Late forties
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Insecure,Modest,Faithful,Underdog
Additional Character Details
Name: John Radley
Age: Twenties
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive,Complex,Lone Wolf,Manipulative,Secretive
Additional Character Details
Name: Dmitri Konrad
Age: Thirties
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Criminal,Lone Wolf,Aggressive
Additional Character Details
Name: Sarah Hammond
Age: Twenties
Gender: Female
Role: protagonist
Key Traits: Outspoken,Unapologetic,Seductive
Genre
ACTION, SUSPENSE, THRILLER, ROMANCE, POLITICS
Brief
Mechanical engineer Mark Hammond finds himself stuck with the project that everyone's been dreading. But his mundane work turns dangerous when violent activists begin to threaten not only his career, but his life. In a race against time, Mark must outrun the activists, keep his wife and daughter safe and try to save an Alaskan community facing annihilation at the hands of the industry that employs him.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: FAIR
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
The Book Profile is quite well done. It feels succinct, descriptive and professional overall. However, there are a few small things to note. First, the Development Pitch and About the Author sections are missing. The latter could simply be copied from the beginning of the book. Additionally, it doesn't feel like the story has a happy ending so the Plot-Other Elements section should be tweaked slightly. Otherwise, great job with this!
Draw of Story
Besides an excellent and poetic use of language, it becomes clear fairly quickly that this is a socially relevant story. Although it is dramatized to fit its genre, at its core it explores the human psyche as the characters pledge allegiance to their own morals and values. It also explores the grey areas of Good vs. Evil, on both a personal and political scale. And, it explores the idea of an unwilling, but relatable hero as one man's ordinary life becomes increasingly more extraordinary.
Possible Drawbacks
Although there is an excellent understanding and use of language, it is sometimes easy to get lost in the poetry of it. It may be worth considering tightening some of it up, and easing up on the use of metaphor at certain points. The sexual scenes feel slightly forced as well, and like they don't quite drive the story forward appropriately. Especially in the first couple of scenes, we're set up to believe that Mark and Rachel are having intimacy problems and we end up expecting this to serve as some sort of subplot. But by the time the action kicks in, the issue is largely forgotten which makes it feel a bit unbalanced. It could be beneficial to reel this in a bit, and keep the focus on Mark's ordinary, mundane life and work. Finally, Sarah's relationship with her parents feels like it needs more development. At several points, Mark pushes ahead with his job to help pay her tuition, but the connection between them lacks a bit on the page. Similarly, it's hard to gauge whether or not Rachel wants to help Sarah. There are several points where she tries to steer her away from college, and it doesn't generate the mother/daughter relationship that we expect. Solidifying the family dynamic could help further unify the plot lines, and help define character motivations as the story unravels.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The story is socially relevant, and thus relatable even if indirectly so. Very early on, it forces the audience to take sides and answer the simple question: what would I do? As the character who finds himself caught in the middle, with a tough road ahead of him, Mark Hammond is easy to root for and his journey likely serves as a common answer to the initial question the premise poses. Additionally, Sarah provides us with a female-driven narrative that takes some of the pressure off of Mark and introduces us to the mysterious, but intriguing John Radley. It gives us a satiating break from the primary plotline but ultimately unifies with it in a well-rounded, neat manner.
Fanbase Potential
A story like this could appeal to fans of political thrillers, socially relevant films and anybody who enjoys the journey of an ordinary life becoming extraordinary. And because of its setting, the story could have international appeal as well. In terms of a target market, an adaptation would likely appeal across the gender line, sexual orientation and political affiliation. Despite several sex scenes, the age bracket may be wider than expected but the most likely rating would be R.
Awards Potential
All of the characters are faced with tough decisions that force them to explore a wide emotional range. Depending on how that translates to the screen, there could be Awards potential for several performances. There could be some below-the-line potential as well. The chaotic refinery scene will likely require careful cinematography and even more careful choreography, which could help it stand out. And the story as a whole will likely require a meticulous score, so there may be some potential there as well.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
LOCAL HERO, SYRIANA, DEEPWATER HORIZON
What’s New About the Story
The dedication to and understanding of the subject matter is impeccable. And the way the international aspects are handled are admirable, in that it feels both esoteric and appropriately broad at the same time. But perhaps what the story does best is filter something so complex through a narrow lens in a way that an audience can understand. Mark is an ordinary person, like most audience members. This makes him instantly relatable to most audience members. So when he is catapulted into chaos, we can't help but want to follow along. Additionally, the multiple perspectives gives us a look at the entire world. It allows us to gauge each side of the argument and decide for ourselves the line between what's Good and what's Evil. However, to make the story even more unique, it may be worth considering elevating the character development a bit more, especially in terms of relationships. So much of the characters' motivation lies within their relationships to one another (Mark to Sarah, Sarah to John, etc.). Doing a deep dive into those relationships and giving them space to unfold could help better justify some actions and behaviors. For instance, letting us see more of the romantic bond between Sarah and John could help us better understand why he ignores each and every warning from Darren.
Lead Characters
Mark and his family begin the story with their mundane lives. They struggle financially, they struggle with intimacy and Mark struggles with his ability to provide. This makes them relatable, which in turn makes them intriguing. Once Mark gets involved with the Alaskan project and Sarah gets involved with John, we watch as they adjust to their high-stakes, high-tension lives and are left in suspense at each hiccup along the way. The characters all have tough choices to make and after wondering what we ourselves might do with the same set of circumstances, we watch the chaos escalate and find ourselves rooting for them at every turn.
Uniqueness of Story
Although the story has potential, it doesn't feel like a rare gem quite yet. It's easy to get lost in the language and the metaphors, and some of the character development feels like it needs to be elevated. Generally, it feels like this has really great bones but that the execution needs to be worked on a bit. Perhaps better balancing the primary plot line with the subplots would be beneficial. One of the most compelling parts of the narrative is Mark's relationship with the Alaskan community. Seeing more of that dynamic, and bringing it forward could help. Additionally, letting the relationship between Sarah and John bud for a little longer (i.e. - giving it a slower burn) could help the story feel more well-rounded and satisfying.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming TV Series: Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
The bones are here, and the concept is both interesting and socially relevant. What prevents it from being a straight 'recommend' is largely the character development. Working on character relationships, dynamics and motivations more should help bring the rest of the story together. It should also justify more decisions, actions and behaviors along the way. Enriching this aspect of the story is likely the key to getting it ready for adaptation, and it should make the characters feel more equally balanced with the plot lines.
Brief
Mechanical engineer Mark Hammond finds himself stuck with the project that everyone's been dreading. But his mundane work turns dangerous when violent activists begin to threaten not only his career, but his life. In a race against time, Mark must outrun the activists, keep his wife and daughter safe and try to save an Alaskan community from annihilation at the hands of the industry that employs him.
What We Liked
The story is socially relevant, which makes it largely relatable. It explores the construction of an oil refinery and the violent lengths that some will go to protect the land and those who depend on it. Very early on, the audience is expected to choose sides in the fight between what's Good and what's Evil. But conflict arises when the line between good and evil is blurred by human emotion and individualized motivations, goals and values.
Film: The story feels best suited for a feature arc. It adheres pretty closely to the Hero's Journey as it follows several different characters to a final battle between Good and Evil at an oil refinery. Its biggest draw is that it is socially relevant. There are rampant opinions on this very subject happening in the political arena almost daily. This fictional version offers up many of the same arguments, forcing audiences to choose sides and pledge allegiance to what they believe is 'right'.
TV: Because of its definitive starting and end points, this project feels much better suited for the miniseries format than it does the typical series format. The story follows the construction of an oil refinery and the subsequent fight between Good and Evil. That said, most of the chaos happens at the site, which doesn't feel quite sustainable for the long haul. Although the ending does leave a touch of room for story expansion, it feels more artistically open-ended and thus essentially finite.
Key points:
Relevant.
High-stakes/high-tension.
Political undertones.
Multi-POV.
Great use of subplot.
Synopsis
After being fired from two different mechanical engineering firms, MARK HAMMOND (50s) has settled into a third where his overbearing DON (50s) has piled on the responsibility. Don gives Mark the Alaska Thorngill oil job, with a warning: failure will mean not only a sacking, but a potential conflict with Russia as well.
Mark returns home to his wife RACHEL (50s) and they struggle to have sex. While Mark begins work on the Alaska job, student spy JOHN RADLEY (20s) struggles to fit in at university. SARA HAMMOND (20s) worries about how to pay her tuition fees with minimal help from her parents.
Sara receives an email asking her to get involved with activist work. She learns that she’ll be able to keep her job while in school. Don tells Mark that the Alaskan site has been cyber-hacked and warns him to report anything suspicious. Mark receives a mysterious call for Sara and struggles with whether or not to report it to Don.
In the school cafeteria, Sara meets John and attraction blooms. He invites her to a meeting of his activist group called Passive Persuasion. Back in his room, he receives a call from DARREN. He wonders if Darren already knows about Sara and struggles with his fear.
Chaos begins to escalate at work and a colleague, STEVE, suggests that Mark fudge some of the dates. He hesitates to do so. He meets with the representatives for the Alaskan project and learns that the company is displacing the land’s indigenous tribes without any financial assistance. He realizes that there is no possible way to meet the deadlines, and that he’s been set up as the fall guy. Finally, he is told that the site is quite likely to be targeted by an anarchist group, Theta.
DARREN pressures MARCIA to recruit Sara, and to keep tabs on John. Sara and John begin to bond, and John convinces Sara to join a Passive Persuasion demo. But on the day of the demo Sara is arrested on suspicion of trying to disturb a peaceful protest.
On their way to collect Sara from the police station, Mark and Rachel are pursued by a Mercedes. The driver pulls out his phone and snaps a picture. Sara tells her parents that the Theta group, notorious for trashing several petrochemical sites, were responsible for the chaos at the protest. Mark begins to believe that Theta is after his family, due to his involvement with the Alaskan project.
Mark returns to work to find that his photograph of Sara is missing from its frame. He finds it in Don’s office, where he is warned about Sara’s involvement with the activism group. Meanwhile, Sara reunites with John. He receives a phone call and promises her that everything will be alright. While driving, he is rammed from behind and his car flies into the air.
Theta blows up an assembly plant. The UK government begins to panic and tries to devise a plan to deal with the threat. SATA ADJUK, the village Elder for the Inuit, worries about moving his village before the land is submerged. He also worries about the refinery polluting their new home. His fellow elders pressure him to find a way to stop the refinery.
Mark arrives in Alaska, as CONRAD, a Russian undercover, tinkers with drawings on a disc drive. The Alaskan governor tries to convince Sata that his people and their land will suffer no damages. An argument ensues and Mark takes Sata’s side. During lunch, Sata pulls him aside and begs Mark to find a way to stop the project.
After three weeks, John and Sarah reunite. He drives her off-campus and tells that he’s involved in sensitive research, and warns Sara to be careful, that there might be student spies trying to lure information from her.
Marcia is blending into a protest on campus when chaos erupts, and a fight ensues between the demonstrators and the police. An officer pins one of Marcia’s arms behind her back and she’s led to a police van with at least ten other protestors. The demonstrators are questioned as members of Theta and deny any violence. They are shown pictures of Sara and deny recognizing her.
Meanwhile, John is pursued again. And Mark discovers that Theta has struck. Sara is pursued by a strange man and wonders whether he is from Theta or the police. Rachel begins to worry when she cannot reach Mark or Sara. When she finally reaches Mark, he’s in a traffic jam.
Sara doesn’t show up to meet John and Darren warns him to cut his ties with her. He wonders how long he can string both of them along. He returns to his room and finds things amiss.
Sara is pursued by DEWI (20s), and John is offered a second warning from Darren: ditch Sara and focus on Theta’s mission. Mark is reviewing documents and discovers that the vessel delivery pressure is wrong. He decides that the drawings must have been intercepted, likely by Theta. He races to get to the site before the pressure valves can explode. Meanwhile, Conrad waits at the airport. He has been instructed to destroy the original drawings on site.
Conrad sneaks around the refinery in hopes of reaching the control room. John receives a text from Sara, asking to meet. When he arrives, he finds Theta and is warned for one final time not to see Sarah. He returns home and soon enough, Sara is at his door. They discover that their phones have been hacked, and Sara discovers that John is a member of Theta.
Mark arrives at the site and exposes Conrad as a Theta agent. They soon realize that the emergency button has been tampered with, and that the valves will explode from the pressure. Sara and John drive, and Sara realizes that her brakes are gone. They crash, but both remain unscathed. Chaos ensues and Mark is injured. He tries to alert the medics to the tampered drawings but passes out. John and Sara go to the police and Sara is arrested for being part of Theta.
John and Sara are questioned, with lawyers present. Sara is let out on bail, but John is held. Rachel struggles to get a hold of Mark after learning of the violence at the refinery on the news. She finally tracks him down and is relieved to learn that he survived. After several months, he gets a letter from Sata with the missing drawings. He brings the information to Don and all seems well, but not for long. Theta is still out there, biding time.