MUGAMORE
BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA FAMILY MEMOIR
1960s & '70s,1980s & '90s,2000s
Jonathan T Jefferson
Logline
An intriguing misfit boy succeeds despite his shortcomings during the '70s and early '80s. A very intelligent teenage boy fails due to the misguided good intentions of the adults in his life at the onset of the new millennium. The intergenerational relationship between the two proves explosive.
Genre
Biographical,Drama,Family,Memoir
Short Summary
We first meet Mug, a cute five-year-old African American boy, as he walks alone toward a schoolyard close to his home. The year is 1975, and the events that are about to befall him in an alleyway along his path will resonate throughout his life. From this moment, we follow his growth until 1982.
Meet young Mr. Taylor, a well-spoken and charming African American teenager with an attractive babyface. He uses his exceptional ability to read people to manipulate them for his pleasure. Abandoned at birth, and twice adopted, his single-parent father spares no cost to right his ways.
Setting
Queens, New York, and a suburb of New York City
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Rebellion Against 'The One'
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions,Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity,Sexual Abuse,Nudity,Substance Abuse
Main Character Details
Name: Mugamore
Age: 10
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aggressive,Complex,Engaging,Flexible,Insecure,Naive,Lone Wolf,Unapologetic,Patriotic
Additional Character Details
Name: Taylor
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Badass,Charming,Complex,Confident,Engaging,Heartthrob,Educated,Insecure,Leader,Unapologetic,Manipulative,Secretive,Sarcastic,Outspoken,Narcisstic
Additional Character Details
Name: Therapist
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Role: logical
Key Traits: Engaging,Educated
Additional Character Details
Name: Mom
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Role:
Key Traits:
Development Pitch
Once you strip away the components of this book that are geared toward the profession of academia, you will see a very visceral African American experience based on true accounts. This story correlates well with other stories that have met with critical acclaim on the big screen. The 2009 movie "Precious", and the 2017 movie "Moonlight". Similar to those successes, this book's screen adaptation can be done as an independent film with a modest budget. I see this film done in two parts with a surprising reveal at its conclusion. Follow little Mug, a boy from a large loving family, as he grows from kindergarten (1975) through sixth grade (1982), while dealing with the confusion of having been molested and left to burn by older children he did not know. See him transform into a confident and capable adolescent. Pick up Taylor as he enters seventh grade (2004), and struggles through high school as a twice adopted child trying to fit in. Observe how he adeptly uses his smarts and handsome looks to manipulate everyone around him. Watch him rebel against the high expectations of his single-parent adoptive father who shepherds him away for extreme counseling. Be amazed to learn that Taylor's successful professional single-parent father is Mug. Twenty two years later, and now a Ph.D. candidate in his mid-thirties.
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
A healthcare professional documents the life and therapy of a young African-American boy struggling with multiple developmental disabilities.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
No. This book is a case study more geared towards academics than the general public.
Draw of Story
As someone with ADHD, I was interested to see how the boy navigates his life.
Possible Drawbacks
This is a case study, not a true narrative. There is little to no dialogue.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
Will this young man overcome his mental and emotional afflictions while growing up black in America? It is interesting.
Fanbase Potential
No. In this format, this would make an interesting documentary but even that might be risky.
Awards Potential
It is conceivable someone could get an acting award.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
RUDY, GIRL INTERRUPTED, THE SOLOIST
What’s New About the Story
This is a true and inspiring story but it just isn't written as a true narrative. If the author could have imagined or documented more dialogue and less facts about mental illness, there could be a good story in here - as in an actual three act narrative.
Lead Characters
This young man overcame tremendous odds to become a functioning adult. It’s fascinating.
Uniqueness of Story
This is a good story but, as it is, not told in a way that will capture audiences. Instead it's told in a way that will impress academics. A good screenwriter could fix this with more dialogue, and less facts but it would need a great deal of adaptation.
Possible Formats
Film - Indie, Film - Streaming, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series, TV Series - Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
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.
Tips for Improvement
There's enough here to work with, but it needs a re-imagining with dialogue and more of a narrative that is less about reciting the facts of his case, and more about the action in this young man’s life. Dynamic and current dialogue also needs to be added.