Jerod Brennen - Drama

Happy Birthday, Anna

Jerod — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:11:17 GMT

Genre - Drama

Logline: A mother gives her three year-old daughter a beautiful, impossible birthday gift.

I wrote this in two days for the final round of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009). The writers in my heat had to write a short that featured a nursery and a wig.

I was up against 39 very talented writers, and this script came in 12th place. Considering the competition, I'm okay with that. ;]

I surprised myself by choosing to write a drama when the judges opted for an open genre for the final round. I'm happy with my choice (and the resulting script), but I read some KILLER scripts from other writers that have prompted me to approach the next contest with a little more courage.

Overall, I tied for 11th place out of 278 writers. That puts me in the top 4%.

I wish I could say something like, "I can live with that," but I'd be lying.

I'll keep at it until I've either landed in the top 1% or a I've become ineligible to compete because of a script sale.

Whichever comes first...

Happy_Birthday_Anna.pdf (8.11 KB)

Work Brings Freedom

Jerod — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:01:00 GMT

Genre - Drama

Logline: A young mother in Auschwitz is given the opportunity to win favor with an SS Officer, but the benefits of working for the enemy come with a steep price.

I wrote this in two days for round 1 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009). The writers in my heat had to write a dramatic short that featured a campground and a bottle of wine.

With seventeen writers in my heat (myself included), this script came in second place. Not too shabby...

Work_Brings_Freedom.pdf

Dead Man's Hand

Jerod — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:35:05 GMT

Genre - Western

Logline - A group of post-apocalyptic survivors try to one-up each other over a game of cards, sharing horrific stories from their past.

This short was written and produced by Backward Slate Productions over a two-day period as part of the Columbus 48 Hour Film Project.

Unfortunately, our render ran long and we didn't make the submission deadline. Fortunately, we were able to spend more time cleaning up the edit, turning out a pretty impressive piece of work.

In addition to working as a camera operator and editor on the project, I co-wrote the script with Max Groah, Todd Russell, Bryan Arnold, and Daniel Alan Kiely.

Dead Man's Hand on YouTube

Dead_Mans_Hand.pdf (10.65 KB)

Sacrifice

Jerod — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:08:47 GMT

Genre - Historical Drama

Logline - At the tail end of World War I, a young family learns that some enemies are inescapable.

I wrote this in two days for round 1 (part 2) of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008). The writers in my heat had to write an historical drama that featured a waterfall and a tablecloth.

This script placed 4th in my heat. My combined score for round 1 was enough to advance me to round 2.

Sacrifice.pdf (9.93 KB)

Abandonment

Jerod — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:30:01 GMT

Genre - Drama

Logline - An abandoned child struggles to find his way home.

I wrote this while working on an entirely unrelated feature. I needed to let my subconscious work out some issues with the feature script, and this proved to be a rewarding distraction.

My wife read this script, and with tears in her eyes, she PUNCHED me. I was going for a story that would move those who read it.

Mission accomplished. ;]

Ultimately, I'd like to shoot this on 16mm.

Abandonment.pdf (6.37 KB)

Reclamation

Jerod — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:23:33 GMT

Genre - Drama

Logline - An out-of-work family man learns that getting what you asked for isn't always for the best.

I wrote this in one week for the NYC Midnight 5th Annual Screenwriter's Challenge (2008). The writers in my heat had to write a dramatic script about a map.

Reclamation.pdf (22.34 KB)

UPDATE 05-28-10: Reclamation was recently produced by a group of students from Clarion University! I had the opportunity to attend the premiere last night, and I couldn't be happier. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone involved with the production. Best of luck on the festival circuit!