Writing Samples

Thicker Than Water

My favorite script was developed at Columbia Tristar Television and called, "Thicker Than Water."

Logline: Jake Reilly is a child of divorce who grew up to be a divorce lawyer and now he's unable to take his relationships to the next level.

Blithe Tomato

This is a script from a book that I optioned from Mike Madison about an organic farmer and all the crazy characters who inhabit the farmer's market.

Logline: Frank Greene must deal with all kinds of fruits and nuts at his organic farmer's market stand and we're not just talking about the produce he sells.

The Color of Courage

The true story of an American Hero, Henry O. Flipper, the first African American graduate of West Point.

Logline:

Born a slave, Henry O. Flipper endured torture, racism and ostracism while attending West Point. Through the force of his unrelenting will, Henry became the first African American to graduate and become an officer.

Synopsis:

Educated while still a slave, Henry O. Flipper earned a commission to West Point where he was tortured by his white classmates for four years. Holding the hopes of his race, he was helped by the black servants of the academy who gave him money and encouragement in the face of insurmountable odds. Upon graduation, his class gave him a standing ovation and he received a commission in the 10^th Calvary – The Buffalo Soldiers. He fought Indians and saved the town of Fort Sill from malaria.

At Fort Sill, Henry had a torrid love affair with a white woman, Molly Dwyer. Molly and Henry’s love was doomed because of the taboo of interracial marriage and the fact that Henry’s archenemy, Lt. Charles Nordstrom, was obsessed with Molly. Nordstrom’s hatred for Henry drove him to frame him for embezzlement by stealing $3000.00 from his locker. Henry made good on the debt, but was still court martialed and eventually acquitted of embezzlement. After his acquittal he was unfairly given a dishonorable discharge for “actions unbecoming an officer.” His actions? Henry lied about the money being stolen to the officer who stole it. A classic Catch-22.

Henry fought the rest of his life to clear his name. He was the first black editor of a major American newspaper, and eventually become Assistant Secretary of the Interior. In 1986, Henry posthumously received an honorable discharge from the United States Army and ten years later, President Clinton gave him a full pardon. This amazing unsung hero of American history has a unique and thrilling story that will make an epic motion picture.

The Perfect Egg

I wrote "The Perfect Egg" with a brilliant writer, Andrea Frazer Paventi. She has an amazing blog at Good Housekeeping. This one is a romantic comedy.

Logline:

When Cinderella lands her Prince Charming by becoming a surrogate for a gay couple she makes this story literally a ‘Fairy’ Tale.

Synopsis:

'The Perfect Egg" is a romantic comedy. It is a Cinderella Story, in which Cinderella just happens to be pregnant. It is about a surrogate who falls in love with her client's son. He shares her love, but there are large obstacles keeping them apart. He is engaged for one, and of course, it is very difficult on a relationship when the woman you are in love with is pregnant with your sister. "The Perfect Egg" is a cross between "While You Were Sleeping" and "The Sting." It is hilarious, witty, tender, and has an ending that is completely original. While the surrogate delivers the baby she has carried for two gay men, she is proposed to by her true love. Haven't seen that before, have you?

Manic

Manic is comedy dealing with Manic Depression.

Logline:

Alex Gossimer is a brilliant clothing designer who has everything but her sanity.

Synopsis:

Alex Gossimer is tearing the clothing company Delicious Adornments apart with her Manic Depressive behavior. Will she lose the big account? Will her boss fire her? Will he pick her up after an all night drink binge in a sewer somewhere in South Central Los Angeles. The answer is yes, no, and yes.

Out of Vogue

Out of Vogue is a comedy about an ex-model who has lost her fortune and tries to get a real job.

Logline:

Val made and lost a fortune modeling, now that she has to get a real job what is she going to put on her resume? "I can sit and look pensive or stand and look pensive."

Synopsis:

Val is broke and takes the last of her money and buys a condo in Brooklyn. Manhattan won't be the same without her and Brooklyn won't be the same with her. This is a clash of culture as Haute Coutre mixes with blue collar.

Spec Scripts

Just Shoot Me

Larry Sanders

Malcolm in the Middle

Ed

Dharma and Greg

Scrubs

Two and A Half Men