Pico's World
GENRE
ACTION DRAMA WAR POLITICAL SUSPENSE / THRILLER MYSTERY
Core Theme
WAR AND SECRETS
TIME PERIOD
Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
SUSPECT ZERO, THE X-FILES, PROJECT BLUE BOOK
CHARACTER LIST
• ADAM AVATE: 30'S, LEAD. POLITICAL JOURNALIST.
• JOSEPH DUBOIS: 30’S, SPORTS WRITER AND ADAM’S CO-WORKER.
• BEN: 60’S, VETERAN WITH PSYCHIC ABILITIES, JOSEPH’S UNCLE.
• EMMETT QUINN: 50’S. ADAM AND JOSEPH’S BOSS.
• SANDRA: 20’S-30’S. EMMETT’S DAUGHTER, AN ASPIRING JOURNALIST THAT’S ATTRACTED TO ADAM.
Logline
A cynical private eye, hired to broker a deal with extortionists, soon learns he's playing a much bigger role in the fate of a corrupt judge, his scheming stepson, and an unknown financial benefactor.
Genre
Action,Drama,Mystery,Suspense/Thriller,Crime,Detective
Target Audiences
Age: 18-34,35-54,55+,13-17
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Toronto
Based on a True Story
No
Starting Description
Pico is hired to broker an extortion case involving a judge. Cynical, Pico expands his mandate and investigates everyone connected to the assignment. Pico soon discovers the corruption of a judge who is assisted by two rogue policemen who in turn also work for the judge's scheming step son, Rolo.
Ending Description
In a final confrontation, Pico distaste for ‘old money’ and elitists force him to battle his anger, feelings of abandonment, and revelations of a family he never realized he had and probably wishes to disown.
Pitch Adaptation
A political journalist, a badass sidekick and an aggressive, sexy woman team up unwittingly to expose political conspiracy and treachery by an American Presidential candidate.
WGA Number
I346879
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity,Extreme Violence,Nudity
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message,Twist,Philosophical Questions,Happy Ending
Plot - Premise
Rebellion Against 'The One',Overcoming Monster/Villain,Quest,Internal Journey/Rebirth
Main Character Details
Name: Renzo (Pico) Romano
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Confident,Educated,Masculine,Badass,Complex,Decisive,Narcisstic,Aggressive,Flexible,Insecure,Honorable,Underdog,Lone Wolf,Unapologetic,Skillful,Blunt
Additional Character Details
Name: Monica (Sky) Whit
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Charming,Engaging,Sexy,Seductive,Confident,Empathetic,Educated,Honorable,Unapologetic,Sophisticated,Sarcastic,Outspoken
Additional Character Details
Name: Charles (Rolo) Wright
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Confident,Decisive,Badass,Lone Wolf,Criminal,Greedy,Educated,Villainous,Power Hungry,Secretive,Manipulative
Additional Character Details
Name: Jules Manning
Age: 60
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Criminal,Desperate,Educated,Insecure,Power Hungry,Villainous
Supplemental Materials
Brief
Feature film script. A political journalist and sports writer pursue a scandalous story about the U.S. government with the sports writer's uncle at the center of it. Secret military experiments and psychics surround the mystery of the uncle's late twin brother and strange men that follow the uncle around. The journalist and writer determine to find the truth, while also helping Ben heal from painful psychic episodes.
What We Liked
- The narrative contains a conspiracy that thriller, suspense and supernatural/paranormal fans could enjoy. With references to famous military projects with Project Blue Book and Popeye, in a day and age where there’s concern about governments hiding the truth, seeing a tale where the truth is uncovered can be refreshing for an audience;
- Political narrative in a time where politics are top of mind can appeal to today’s audience;
- Possible to sell as a thriller, which could be pulled off without name actors;
- Roles of Ben & David could have appeal to a name, as it’s complex and challenging to portray twins with psychic abilities in the Vietnam War.
Synopsis
In a newsroom, managing editor EMMETT QUINN (adult) tells political journalist ADAM AVATE (adult) that they can’t afford another investigative journalist and he should stick to politics. Emmet’s daughter, SANDRA (adult), takes Emmett to lunch. Sports writer JOSEPH DUBOIS (adult) takes Adam out to a hockey game, saying he has a story for him. Joseph tells him about a political scandal in the United States where personal freedom is being suppressed. His Uncle Ben will tell Adam more.
Ben has disturbing flashbacks to the Vietnam War, memories that his late twin brother, David, experienced. Ben claims they were both experimented on when they were in the military. Adam’s not sure if Ben needs a doctor or is telling the truth.
Adam and Joseph go to a psychic and a medium for help, who further confirm that there’s something behind Ben’s seemingly crazy ranting. Ben continues to experience difficult psychic episodes due to his link to David. He’s not sure what his brother is trying to tell him.
In the end, Adam and Joseph are sure that Ben is telling the truth. Ben goes through a healing with his late twin brother, but Ben meets a surprising fate right after he gives Adam all the answers to Ben’s story so Adam can expose the government in a journalism piece: suddenly, Ben’s house explodes. A black SUV drives away.