The Trickster Dreamer
MYSTERY HISTORICAL FICTION DRAMA FANTASY FAMILY DRAMA BIOGRAPHICAL FANTASY HISTORICAL FICTION
19th Century,Across Centuries
S. C. Tzavella
Logline
In a magical world called Shallowland, an eccentric spirit photographer, the Man in the Stovepipe Hat, and his wife, Magiana, struggle to prove that ghosts not only exist, but the dead can be captured along with their living relatives. Facing skeptical foes, rationalists, and an insidious beau, they are forced to reveal a profound mystery in a sensational trial for fraud and larceny.
Genre
Mystery, Historical Fiction, Drama, Fantasy, Family,,Drama,Biographical,Fantasy,Historical Fiction
Short Summary
Magiana arrives on the shores of Shallowland to meet her future husband, The Man in the Stovepipe Hat. But all the men on the quay are wearing stovepipe hats. Eager for happiness, she follows a spirit photographer, a man with a mission that life does not understand.
Setting
New York, 19th century
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Quest,,Other
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message, Philosophical Questions, Twist,,Philosophical Questions,Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: The Man in the Stovepipe Hat
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Decisive, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Perseverance, Strong Moral Code, Visionary, Adventurous, Complex,Aspiring,Complex,Adventurous,Charming,Confident,Faithful,Skillful,Visionary,Sophisticated
Additional Character Details
Name: Magiana
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Charming, Empathetic, Faithful, Gracious, Perseverance, Romantic, Selfless, Sophisticated,Adventurous,Empathetic,Faithful,Gracious,Selfless,Romantic
Additional Character Details
Name: Potupko
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive, Complex, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Greedy, Manipulative, Narcissistic, Villainous,Greedy,Villainous,Narcisstic,Sarcastic
Additional Character Details
Name: Woodlow
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Visionary, Crazy, Engaging, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Charming, Funny, Sophisticated, Skillful,Adventurous,Aspiring,Charming,Crazy,Engaging,Funny,Sophisticated
Genre
ROMANCE, FANTASY, DRAMA
Brief
the Man in the Stovetop Hat and his wife, Magiana, struggle to prove the existence of ghosts with concrete photographic evidence. When the court calls their methods into question they must prove the unprovable. Magiana fell in love with her husband thinking he was someone else and this comes back to haunt their marriage.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
The Book Profile identifies the man as the real world character of William Mumler who died innocent but destitute. The connection is not apparent in the book and helps add context to the spiritual realm the narrative focuses on to make the rising actions easier to follow.
Draw of Story
The Man in the Stovetop Hat is employing new technology and new beliefs in one issue by using photography to prove spiritualism. Having to prove ghosts exist this way is a compelling court case.
Possible Drawbacks
The analogies add to the eccentric tone and voice of the story, but if stripped as would be the case in a visual adaptation, many of the scenes do not have much plot development and the elaborate character descriptions and emotions when reduced to a screen's frame rather than a paragraph shorten the narrative arc. The initial lack of context about the spiritual realm and Shallowland make the court case and real world development separation somewhat confusing.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that the Man in the Stovetop Hat must prove that ghosts exists with photography in an open court to show that he is not a fraud in his spiritualism. It is a compelling conflict to prove the unprovable.
Fanbase Potential
As this is a piece of historical fiction and somewhat set in the fantasy of dreams and other realms this may have a smaller fanbase as a prestige drama. Period pieces generally have a smaller audience than a normal courtroom drama unless the case is well known to the public.
Awards Potential
The characters are quite restrained as per their time period and thus their emotional range is likely not to garner acting nominations. This may get notice for design elements such as costume or props due to the research needed in reproducing old photography and film manipulation techniques.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
THE PRESTIGE, MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT, VELVET EVENING SEANCE, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, A GHOST STORY
What’s New About the Story
The originality stems from the notoriety of the Man in the Stovetop Hat's photography and his subsequent court case trying to prove his ghosts are as real as his developing techniques. Focusing less of the initial story on the love triangle and more on the consequences of the Man's spiritual convictions both with public reactions of believers and skeptics could help centralize the case and make the innocent decision more meaningful and surprising as the climax.
Lead Characters
The Man in the Stovetop Hat is devoted to his wife and his work. The couple is loyal to their convictions even in their downfall. Magiana is dreamlike and dependable but too susceptible to others' influence.
Uniqueness of Story
The real life use of William Mumler and his court case as a premise is a rare gem but the execution of making the main conflict a love triangle lessens the originality of what the Man in the Stovetop Hat has to prove and what his proof will save.
Possible Formats
Film - Indie, Film - Streaming, Film - Studio, 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
Mumler is a fascinating character tied to Mary Todd Lincoln and so many more. Using his identity less fictionally, such as the focus in Shallowland, could help make the courtroom case easier to follow and allow a main conflict outside of a love triangle. Showing the consequences of his convictions before his court case could also help add investment to the verdict.