The Master's Plan
Submision Type
book
Logline
Sable a male slave who worked in the fields of the Williams's Plantation wanted his freedom more than anything. His life becomes entangled with Jacob and a bond develops between the two of them - far more than friendship.
Genre
Action,Drama,LGBT,Historical Fiction,Romance
Short Summary
Sable is a child and in the middle of the night his family is killed by a group of white men and he is the only survivor.
Setting
Maryland
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth,Quest,Rebellion Against 'The One',Tragedy
Plot - Other Elements
Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Nudity,Sexual Abuse, Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Sable
Age: 28
Gender: Lgbt
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Uneducated,Sexy,Blunt,Desperate,Aggressive,Engaging,Lone Wolf
Additional Character Details
Name: Jacob
Age: 26
Gender: Lgbt
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Underdog,Sexy,Engaging,Faithful,Educated,Honorable,Secretive
Additional Character Details
Name: Albigale
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Role: skeptic
Key Traits: Uneducated,Unapologetic,Insecure
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Genre
DRAMA, LGBT, MATURE AUDIENCE, ROMANCE
Brief
Sabel's was born free and his parents are killed and he is forced into slavery as a child. Sabel is forced to have relations with his Master that he does not want and decides to run away. Things become complicated when he falls in love with another man, Jacob. The two eventually make it to Canada and freedom and start a community homestead with their two adopted sons.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile somewhat reflects the story. The short summary needs to introduce Jacob in order for there to be clarity between the beginning and the end. The development pitch should focus more on the themes that make the story marketable rather than a more detailed summary. Sabel is misspelled as Sable in multiple instances in the profile.
Draw of Story
The humanity that Sabel is able to find among his friends despite their horrid circumstances as slaves allows for hope. The resilience and community of the characters is admirable.
Possible Drawbacks
There is a lot of trauma that although likely historical, is not relevant to the main conflict of two male slaves falling in love.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that two males in the 1800s fall in love despite their dire situations and they decide to escape slavery in order to start a family that doesn't get separated.
Fanbase Potential
This is more likely to have a smaller more dedicated audience that appreciates historical pieces. The focus in theme would also be a deciding factor to the audience.
Awards Potential
Given that movies about slavery's trauma tend to do well in awards circuits this could garner some notice, but the themes would have to be more unique and the focus on being a gay slave would have to be more pronounced as the obstacle over being a slave and trying to escape.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, ANTEBELLUM, AMISTAD, LITTLE HOUSE ON PRAIRIE, THE REVENANT
What’s New About the Story
The originality stems from the two men being slaves in love rather than being two slaves that are escaping. Showing more dynamics of how being gay in slavery and in freedom affects the men in a society where it is usually not accepted is a more unique angle than slaves wanting escape abuse.
Lead Characters
Sabel is cautious and caring. Jacob is warm and comforting. Abigale is brave and heartbroken.
Uniqueness of Story
The themes are a bit mixed and the characters could go through further transformations outside of physically changing their situation.
Possible Formats
Film: Streaming, Indie, Studio
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
Making sure the side characters and protagonists have flaws, clear inner conflicts and a followable transformation that is paced along with the external development of the plot will strengthen emotional investment. Making sure the themes about being LGBTQ as a slave creates problems and setbacks just as much as being a slave will show how their love story is more original.