A pompous Ivy League grad working on a schlock SCI-FI TV series does whatever it takes to become a producer, but ends up being his own worst enemy.
Michael RoPenpusher
A pompous Ivy League grad working on a schlock SCI-FI TV series does whatever it takes to become a producer, but ends up being his own worst enemy.
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What is it about this character that makes us what him to succeed?
“A pompous Ivy League grad” -> creates image of young, athletic male, with wealthy parents, but also very naive to the world
“working on a schlock SCI-FI TV series” -> this sounds like the inciting incident. However login might benefit from a little more cause & effect. Could be as simple a refinement as setting character to film student.
“does whatever it takes to become a producer, but ends up being his own worst enemy.” -> lots of potential here for inner character conflict, maybe even a great character piece. Clearly character identifies as ambitious. Guessing it’s the character flaw of “pompous” that is most in conflict with the social climbing goal. Still, feel this logline may benefit from a clearer antagonist. A pompous, ambitious character usually learns to resolve their flaw through humility and respecting others (not just themselves) …
Thank you Phillipe for that insightful and detailed critique!
It’s a tough go these loglines!
The thing I am aiming at, although I can see it is not expressed well in the logline, is that the protagonist is mid 30’s and has made it to middle management. He is the Set Decoration HOD. And while Ivy League educated, his pompous, overly theatrical antics (mixed with copious amounts of pot ) thwart his ambitions to rise above the line to become the director or producer he feels entitled to be. However I see his character close to Michael Scott – The Office. A somewhat loveable looser. The comedic series idea is called “Below The Line”
How about…
A socially inept, arrogant Set Decorator with ambition to become a producer leads an odd-ball crew on a schlocky Sci-Fi TV series and puts everyones job on the line.
Michael, I was able to glean this from your reply to Phillipe – make this your own.
Leaning towards:
“Appalled by the “real world” value of his ivy league degree, an ambitious B movie set decorator must claw his way up to become the director before theirs no soul left to sell”
Take care.