Tribune Man
ADVENTURE DRAMA HISTORICAL FICTION SUSPENSE/THRILLER OTHER
1980s & '90s
Michael Miller
Submision Type
book
Logline
More than a novel, A portrait of a city! An adventure set before, during, and after the catastrophic Oakland Hills Fire of 1991.
Genre
Adventure,Drama,Historical Fiction,Suspense/Thriller,Other
Short Summary
Promising marketing executive, Jeff Brubeck is fired from his job. He quickly finds himself delivering newspapers after midnight in some of Oakland's riskiest neighborhoods, where the nights are alive with all kinds of activity, legal and illegal. He faces drugs and gangs and is nearly killed by cok
Setting
Oakland, California
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Other,Tragedy
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message,Other,Philosophical Questions
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Jeff Brubeck
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Patriotic,Engaging,Skillful,Visionary,Sarcastic,Honorable,Educated,Decisive,Confident,Lone Wolf
Additional Character Details
Name: Wilmer McLean
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Masculine,Charming,Confident,Heartthrob,Educated,Honorable,Engaging,Sophisticated,Skillful
Additional Character Details
Name: Lewis Douglass
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Masculine,Aggressive,Decisive,Heroic,Honorable,Blunt,Outspoken,Skillful
Additional Character Details
Name: Pauline Cushman
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Charming,Uneducated,Sexy,Aspiring,Selfless,Romantic
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
Jeff is demoted at his job at the newspaper. He ends up embracing his new position and expanding it. His newspaper and vending businesses get entangled with a local drug lord. Jeff finds success until he moves onto other opportunities in his beloved city of Oakland.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: GOOD
Premise: FAIR
Structure: GOOD
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the book profile does accurately reflect the book. The profile, however, is a vague overview of the themes of the book. It alludes to an adventure which doesn't come through.
Draw of Story
The story begins with Jeff being told he is being demoted. His fiery response paints a picture of Jeff and his passion for his work.
Possible Drawbacks
The story is full of mundane aspects of life. There is little excitement besides the Oakland fires which is a small portion of the story. The fire and his dealing with cocaine dealers should be developed further with less time spent on Jeff's day to day life. While this reads like a biography , not an action movie, it could grab the audience more.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Jeff finds his passion for journalism and his business tested by the local drug cartel and development of technology. I would watch the movie to see Jeff's passion for the newspaper business and the perils of entrepreneurship in Oakland.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a large fanbase with the right director. If the story was given more of an edge and the cocaine ring and fire were the main focus of the plot. Jeff's character could be developed stronger.
Awards Potential
This does not have awards potential as is. There are not many of elements in the story to draw an audience in. There is too much time spent on Jeff's everyday like. Overall, the story isn't very unique.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
THE POST, NEWSROOM
What’s New About the Story
The story is not very original outside of the setting. This is a love letter to Oakland, California with the story branching from that. The plot is biographical with moments of intensity. Overall, it's a quiet, simple story.
Lead Characters
The lead character stands out because of his passion for his business. He fights for his place in the face of serious obstacles. Jeff stands up against a drug lord who is using his vending machines for drug pickups.
Uniqueness of Story
This is not a rare gem. There is not much excitement to enthrall an audience. The story focuses on Jeff's day to day life for too long, not giving enough depth to the dramatic events. Most of the story is about a normal guy experience normal life events.
Possible Formats
Film: Indie, Streaming TV Series: Limited Run / Mini-Series
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
The story needs to focus on the main plot points and develop them further. The Oakland fire doesn't feel like a personal event for Jeff but something that happened around him. He references it but it didn't affect him greatly. The drug ring using his vending machines has the potential for great drama and should be made the primary plot.