The Key to Christmas
ACTION ADVENTURE CHILDREN'S OTHER MYSTERY FAMILY
1960s & '70s
Robert Ross
TaleFlick Top Pick!
Submision Type
book
Logline
A young boy named Toby is perplexed with the question: How does Santa get into houses on Christmas Eve? Luckily! He stumbles upon a shape-shifting artifact while playing football with his friends. His quest to find out more about his discovery ends up taking him on an adventure of a lifetime.
Genre
Action,Adventure,Children's,Other,Mystery,Family
Short Summary
One snowy Christmas Eve night, Santa's magical shape-shifting key that opens all the houses falls through a hole in his pocket. Toby makes it his mission to find out more about this mysterious object by asking relatives, classmates, and his teacher only to find out that it's Santa's key.
Setting
In the Midwest during the holiday season of the late 1970s
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Quest
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Toby
Age: 12
Gender: Male
Role: Skeptic
Key Traits: Adventurous,Selfless,Leader,Heroic,Desperate,Confident
Additional Character Details
Name: Lila
Age: 9
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous,Confident,Outspoken,Sarcastic
Additional Character Details
Name: Lila
Age: 9
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Outspoken,Funny
Additional Character Details
Name: Lila
Age: 9
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Lone Wolf,Underdog,Aggressive,Charming
Genre
COMEDY, SUSPENSE, FANTASY
Brief
A young boy discovers a magic key. It is literally the "Key To Christmas" - the special key Santa uses to enter homes and apartments. The boy must discover the key's true meaning and get it back to Santa in time for Christmas.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: EXCELLENT
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: EXCELLENT
Premise: EXCELLENT
Structure: GOOD
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the profile depicts the book properly.
Draw of Story
The idea of the magic key lured me in.
Possible Drawbacks
No - it was a very easy and fast read.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
Can a young boy return the key to Santa's Christmas magic in time to save Christmas?
Fanbase Potential
Yes - if done right this has the potential to become a holiday favorite.
Awards Potential
Not that kind of film
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
THE SANTA CLAUSE, THE FAMILY GUY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
What’s New About the Story
The idea that Santa needs a key to enter people's homes is a fresh take on the mythology of Christmas eve. Maybe it could use a "useful villain" to give the story more suspense
Lead Characters
They are young and innocent.
Uniqueness of Story
I think this really could have the potential to be a holiday staple.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series
Analyst Recommendation
RECOMMEND
Justification
With a tiny bit more action and maybe a minor villain, this could be a holiday classic. It also hold potential as a once a year recurring network holiday special.