RELIGION, DRAMA

Thelo and Christine are two reporters with opposing religious views assigned together in order to make a fair unbiased assessment of a worldwide religious phenomenon. The two investigate the emergence of a sermon sweeping through all religions about a true universal God who is angry all of the world religions aren't correct. Along the way they discover secrets of different religious sects and their boss's personal life.

FAIR

THIRD PERSON

Authors Writing Style: GOOD

Characterization: GOOD

Commerciality: GOOD

Franchise Potential: GOOD

Pace: FAIR

Premise: FAIR

Structure: FAIR

Theme: FAIR

The story starts out focused on Thelo and moves more towards focusing on Christine. The novel is mainly about the investigation and Christine. Thelo is less prominent and has less agency therefore does not seem to be an equal protagonist as Christine. Adjusting the summary to be more Christine focused and less partner focused could help the profile reflect the book more accurately. The pitch also takes about the showdown, but the investigation of the event is more the storyline than the actual religious debate.

The idea that modern technology and globalization would spawn a new world religion is untapped and a fascinating concept. Trying to figure out which side is a hoax and how to maintain journalistic integrity on something unprovable, such as religion, is also a great conflict.

There is a lot of focus on the personal lives of Christine and eventually Ivan, and a bit of Thelo's, however the investigation of reporting on religion is the most interesting part and their character backstories do not tie into this main idea. The subplots mostly do not tie into the central conflict and having them do so could help strengthen the emotional attachment and focus on a main theme.

THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

The hook is that religions across the world are being hijacked by a mysterious sermon claiming to be the true religion and angry about its lack of followers.

This as a dramatic thriller could have a large audience given that the debate about religion is non-partisan rather than making this a Christian film. It could appeal both to religious and secular audiences.

Depending on the genre of the adaptation and greater focus on the investigation rather than the personal lives of the reporters, this could awards potential especially for writing due to its complex religious debates about belief.

MEDIUM BUDGET

SPOTLIGHT, THE POST, DARK WATERS, THE INSIDER

The stories concept of a religious apocalypse rather than a physical apocalypse is original to the genre of disasters. However the story has subplots about characters' personal dramas that do not progress the central storyline about the investigation of the religious phenomenon. Focusing more on the investigation and less on the journalists themselves will help center the purpose of this narrative.

Christine is a great journalist in that she can make people trust her quite easily. Thelo is opposite in that he adapts to others to make them feel at home rather than Christine's approach to making others feel comfortable by being genuine.

This could be a rare conceptual gem about journalistic integrity in the face of unprovable ideas, but side plots about the characters need to be better integrated within this theme.

Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series

WORK IN PROGRESS

While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.

Focusing more on the investigation and religious debates plus reducing the character subplots that do not progress the main conflict could help fully develop the theme and streamline the pacing.