AGING QUEENS
a short film
Logline
When a charismatic, down-on-his-luck drag queen, takes a job looking after an elderly woman living with dementia, an unlikely partnership forms as they begin to help each other in ways neither could have expected.
Synopsis
Angel, a middle-aged Black Latin gay man, who performed as a successful drag queen in his heyday; meets Madelaine, an elderly Caucasian, straight woman, experiencing the primary stages of dementia. Coming from two widely diverse backgrounds, they cross paths when they need it most. This unlikely friendship stems from the connections they didn’t believe they had but empowers them both to thrive against all odds.
Contests
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Competition (2023) - Finalist - Top 10 in the short film category out of 8600+ entries in the overall contest.
New York Script Awards (2023) - WINNER - Best Short Script
Script + International Script Challenge (2024) - WINNER - Drama Category
"The characters are captivating, making us cheer for them. The dialogues are precise and the links are there when they are needed. Overall this is an amazing script."
Filmatic Drama Screenplay Awards (Season 8) - Quarterfinalist
Inroads Fellowship (Season 6) - Semifinalist
JAY WANTS OUT
a feature-length script
Logline
When a respected Black teacher makes a careless mistake that costs him everything, he must learn to forgive himself before a second chance at living a good life slips away forever.
Synopsis
Five years ago, Jayden Watson had defied the odds growing up a Black man, raised by his poor Jamaican single mother, to become a successful teacher at a top-notch private school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Nevertheless, a thoughtless mistake, a friend’s betrayal, and systemic racism unraveled his career, leaving him with a criminal record, and estranged from his mother and peers.
Today, Jayden lives alone and manages a coffee shop in Hamilton, Ontario. The only people he can count on are Lars, a promising former student, who works alongside him, and Mrs. H., his wise elderly neighbor. Upon the arrival of a new neighbor, Julia, Jayden’s life takes an unexpected turn. Julia introduces Jayden to Maracatu, an Afro-Brazilian music style, connecting him with his Blackness and awakening in Jayden long-buried feelings within himself. His hope for a new life is short-lived when Julia returns to Brazil, reunited with her estranged husband, prompting Jayden to re-evaluate his future. A heated discussion with Mrs. H., and her sudden death, forces Jayden to make a major decision. Finally willing to give himself a second chance, he departs to Brazil, not in search of Julia, but of himself.
Contests
Stowe Story Labs Fellowship, Vermont USA 2024 - Semifinalist
Reviews
Black List - Professional Evaluation Complete 09/20/2024
Overall 7/ 10
Profound and bittersweet, JAY WANTS OUT presents a personal drama about redemption and moving on from one's past. Jayden's struggles are universal and audiences will form an immediate connection with him as a man who once had everything only to lose it all after one major mistake. Even with the constant adversity, the writer succeeds in showing hope at the end, with Jayden taking the steps to find another path in life. His romance with Julia is patient and believable, with palpable attraction and chemistry between them. The conflicts they must face together are rooted in each of their flaws and are mostly motivated by Jayden himself, making him that much more complicated and grounded. His other relationships resonate with tenderness and care. His friendship with Lars shifting past the mentor/student dynamic feels fresh and relatable while the audience also develops a kinship with Mrs. Hendricks alongside Jayden.
A grounded, independent drama that could find critical acclaim and popularity within the indie sphere. The script highlights the writer's strength in crafting a poignant, emotional, and character-driven story that fits at home with films produced and distributed by A24 or Neon. It has the muted tone of THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO and the redemption story similar to THE WAY BACK. It wouldn't be an expensive project to produce, the only scene that would necessitate some stunts and destruction being the car accident in the first act. Many of the roles could be attractive for potential talent, the lead characters offering an opportunity to highlight Black actors through emotionally dense and complex personalities.
SUPER i
a limited TV series.
Logline
An immigrant superhero dreams of fighting crime in his new country, but a corrupt system and too much red tape keeps him trapped in the mundane existence of his alter-ego.
Synopsis
Manco Montês is a dishwasher, an immigrant, and a superhero. Times have changed. Superheroes from underdeveloped countries have been lured into coming to more advanced societies in order to help establish peace and order. It’s a chance of a lifetime, allowing them to become the next greatest superhero. Unaware of what’s ahead of them, the immigrant superheroes will have to follow a rigid protocol. They will start from scratch, working on demeaning jobs, mastering a new language, and having only a once monthly opportunity to exercise their own superhero powers. All of this will be closely watched by the scrutiny of D.I.S.S.E.S. Department of Immigration for Secret Superheroes in Extraordinary Services. Unbeknownst to Manco, the dark and sordid organisation, “The Gloomy Myriad,” has infiltrated the government, the promise of becoming a superhero is nothing but an illusion. The hard-working, well-liked Manco will stop at nothing to bring peace, love and justice to those he cares for. In the past, Manco’s father mysteriously failed at the same attempt, which makes Manco even more determined to be successful this time around. His kindness to those he loves is great, but no greater than his desire to finally establish himself as the ultimate superhero, Super I.
Selected at 2019 Oaxaca Film Festival and nominated to both Global Script Challenge Award and Best Blockbuster Script.