Compatible Strangers: A Divine Destiny
GENRE
DRAMA
Core Theme
A DOG IS A MAN’S BEST FRIEND.
TIME PERIOD
20th Century (multiple decades)
COMPARABLE TITLES
MARLEY & ME, A DOG’S PURPOSE
CHARACTER LIST
• AARON: 30S. LEAD. BAIL BONDSMAN. CHRISTIAN. KIND.
• DR. STANLEY: 60S. LOCAL VET.
• EVELYN: 60S. DR. STANLEY’S SISTER. RUNS THE LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER..
• MATT BEAR: 30S-40S. BOUNTY HUNTER WHO WORKS FOR AARON.
Logline
On the outskirts of the town of Victory, on a deserted stretch of highway, destinies are about to collide. While driving to work one stormy morning, Aaron Peterik befriends an abandoned dog that he affectionately calls Gurlz. Throughout the day, it becomes apparent that he has become the new caregiver to this dog. Unknown to him, it sets a chain of events into motion that will ultimately save his life.
Target Audiences
Age: 13-17
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Rural North America
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Year Published: 2022
Starting Description
Aaron finds an abandoned dog driving to work during a rain storm.
Ending Description
The author has not yet written this
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth
Main Character Details
Name: Aaron Peterik
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Masculine, Gracious, Charming, Modest, Leader, Faithful, Heartthrob, Confident, Beautiful, Educated
Additional Character Details
Name: Gurlz
Age:
Gender:
Role:
Key Traits: Blunt, Empathetic, Funny, Engaging, Gracious, Modest, Skillful, Beautiful, Strong Moral Code, Confident, Selfless
Additional Character Details
Name: Dr. Karl Stanley
Age: 70
Gender: Male
Role:
Key Traits: Adventurous, Badass, Blunt, Confident
Additional Character Details
Name: Evelyn Rose
Age: 68
Gender: Female
Role:
Key Traits: Blunt, Empathetic, Funny, Engaging, Gracious, Modest, Skillful, Beautiful, Strong Moral Code, Confident, Selfless
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
When a man's and a puppy's fate cross, they both end up saving themselves in some way. He saves her from dying alone in the middle of a storm. She saves him from being killed by a criminal.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
It would be helpful if the author inserted the roles of each character for the reading to be most directed in the right path.
Draw of Story
The book's author gives voice to the dog's thoughts, which is attractive for those who have just started to get in touch with the story, so more than imagining what the dog is feeling, we actually have the opportunity to know what the dog is feeling.
Possible Drawbacks
Although concise, the story turns out to be very repetitive throughout the book. We see the initial connection of both, which is indeed touching, but what follows is a sequence of happy moments between the two, and the lack of conflict ends up taking a little of our attention.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is the love that is instantly born between these two beings who meet in an unconventional situation and how each of them will positively affect the fate of the other.
Fanbase Potential
Movies with animals, especially dogs, which show this genuine love between dogs and humans, tend to be well received by the audience. However, the narrative would need more content and twists to become more inviting.
Awards Potential
In fact, it is a touching story with elements that thrill us, but it would need a little more drama, character development, twists, and conflict to have the potential for festival awards.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
MARLEY & ME, HACHI: A DOG'S TALE
What’s New About the Story
The voice of the dog's thought in a story of the dramatic genre is not so usual and thus somewhat original.
Lead Characters
What stands out about the main characters is the quick manner they give themselves entirely to a relationship that has just begun. I supposed the human would take longer to love the dog, but his love and dedication happened very fast.
Uniqueness of Story
It is not a rare gem. We would need to see more development of this relationship and more dramatic situations that would generate different emotions in the audience.
Possible Formats
Film: Indie
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
It is a story with few developments, plots, and conflicts, perhaps fitting a short film best rather than a feature film or a series.
Tips for Improvement
The author has a good story in hand. The friendship between animals and humans has the potential to attract a broad public. However, to make the adaptation to cinema or TV really satisfying, the story would need more unfolding, twists, and conflicts to maintain the audience's attention. We must also learn more about the two main characters before we see them performing as partners. It would be great if we had a more extensive introduction to a more effective presentation of each. It would be excellent to be able to meet the two in their usual routines, to know more about the dog, if she had a family before, how long she has been alone, and more about her personality. And also for learning how the protagonist is with his friends and how he is at work before meeting his new friend. Finding out how they work separately would help us to understand how this relationship is positive for both. For example, let's say Aaron felt alone at home before meeting the dog. Or that Gurlz was mistreated by people and was afraid to trust humans. All of this would further show the benefit of friendship for their lives. Their encounter also occurs very fast, taking a little of the impact that this moment could have. Aaron also agrees to stay with Gurlz very quickly and without second thoughts, which removes the conflict that could arise from there. It is a good story but would need more conflicts and drama, even for a young audience.
Brief
One man’s life is forever changed after rescuing a malnourished, stray dog from the side of the highway.
What We Liked
The story structure is relatively solid, and the personification of the dog, Gurlz, is well-executed. There is also a good use of theme throughout. Perhaps what sets it apart from others of its kind is that this story isn’t meant to be a tear-jerker. It doesn’t hinge on the eventual loss of Gurlz and the grief, often overlooked, that follows that loss.
Instead, it focuses on the development of the relationship between man and dog, and how that relationship forever changes each of their lives. Overall, there is a lot to like about this story and although it needs much more development, the skeletons feels like it’s firmly in place.
Film: As written, the story has definitive start and end points. We’re taken through the life of a dog, and the effects that her life has on her owner. Thus, it feels like the story arc is complete once we reach the end of the source material. That said, an effective adaptation would likely require mining the material for ways to build upon the primary storyline. Introducing b-plot, a deep dive into character development, and slower pacing are all things that could aid the adaptation process.
TV: Generally, it feels like the story leaves room for both continuation and expansion, which could mean that it’s a good fit for television. Each scene feels like it has more to explore, and it could perhaps be stretched out to encompass several seasons. From start to finish, it takes us through the life of a dog, and its accompanying perils for her owner. Slowing things down and building upon the source material could be just the thing to effectively adapt for television.
Key points:
- Happy ending
- Good use of theme
- Small cast
- Low budget
- Animal story
Synopsis
A malnourished, stray dog, GURLZ, emerges on to the highway, directly in front of AARON’s car. Aaron allows the dog to jump inside, and orders breakfast meat and a donut for the hungry creature. Aaron takes Gurlz to see the local vet, DR. STANLEY, and together they develop a healing plan. To do his due diligence, Aaron consults the local animal shelter, run by Dr. Stanley’s sister, EVELYN, to see if Gurlz has an owner.
But given Gurlz’s state, Aaron presumes that nobody will coming looking for the dog.
At home, Aaron watches in awe as Gurlz makes friends with a young deer. He and Gurlz eat steak together and then drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Aaron leaves for a run and Gurlz panics. She finds an open window and jumps out of the house. Aaron finds her beneath the porch. Worried about leaving her again, Aaron takes Gurlz into town for grocery shopping. Evelyn watches over Gurlz while Aarons goes to the market. From there, Aaron returns to work to pick up a pile. A bondsman by trade, he has a quick conversation with MATT BEAR, a bounty hunter, about clients who haven’t paid. Gurlz takes a liking to Matt, seeing no reason to fear him.
Gurlz is sleeping under Aaron’s desk, while Aaron tends to his tasks. A THIEF breaks into the office, and pulls out a gun. Gurlz jumps in front of Aaron and takes a bullet to her side. Aaron rushes her to the vet, and Dr. Stanley heals her. Gurlz gets pregnant from Matt’s dog, and together they have a litter of puppies. Aaron keeps one, HAZEL, and Evelyn finds the others good homes. When Gurlz finally passes from old age, she does so peacefully, knowing that Hazel will take care of Aaron.