Jerod Brennen - NYC Midnight

Charity Case

Jerod — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:11:43 GMT

Genre - Mystery

Logline: A struggling young single mother is tempted by a very unique charity offering a solution to all of her problems.

I wrote this in one week for the first round of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Challenge (2010). The writers in my heat had to write a mystery about a charity.

There were 17 other writers in my heat, and the writers moving on to the final round will be announced on June 1st.

Charity_Case.pdf (13.32 KB)

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)

Believe

Jerod — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:00:38 GMT

Genre - Fantasy

Logline: A young boy puts together a very special first aid kit, with the hopes that he can heal a wound from which he's still trying to recover.

I wrote this in two days for round 2 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009). The writers in my heat had to write a fantasy short that featured a cemetery and a first aid kit.

I really dig this script. It came in fourth place in my heat, but this is one of those gems that begs for a rewrite. With the right tweaks and the right cast, this script could turn into a very cool, very sweet little short.

Believe.pdf (8.09 KB)

Tiger, Tiger

Jerod — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:47:19 GMT

Genre - Romantic Comedy

Logline: Two men engage in a long-standing tradition, competing to be the first to seduce a stranger to share his bed with him.

I wrote this in two days for round 1 (part 2) of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2009). The writers in my heat had to write a romantic comedy short that featured a hotel lobby and a trophy.

This script took third place in its heat. After the total scores were tallied for both round 1 scripts, I came in first place. On to round 2!

Tiger_Tiger.pdf (8.24 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

A Mother's Love

Jerod — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:12:34 GMT

Genre - Mystery

Logline - When Hannah's son is kidnapped, her journey for the truth raises questions she isn't ready to answer.

I wrote this short over the course of a week for round 1 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriter's Challenge (2009). The writers in my heat had to write a mystery where the subject was an egg (or eggs).

I was originally leaning toward a Da Vinci Code / National Treasure short featuring a Faberge egg, but I opted instead for something much more intimate.

This short features Hannah, a young mother addicted to heroin. It centers around the kidnapping of her young son, Max, and around her efforts to be a good mother while struggling with her addiction.

So where do the eggs come into play? What's the mystery?

Read on...

A_Mothers_Love.pdf (14.53 KB)

Good Little Boys

Jerod — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:17:50 GMT

Genre - Horror

Logline - A young mother and her toddler son move to a small town with the hopes of starting over, only to learn a tragic lesson in the relationship between beginnings and endings.

I wrote this in two days for round 3 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008). The writers in my heat had to write a horror short that featured a post office and a blank check.

The results for this round should be announced in early February. If I place high enough (either overall or just in this round), I'll bring home a little bit of scratch. More importantly, though, I've got four new short scripts in my portfolio.

Good_Little_Boys.pdf (9.51 KB)

Reservation

Jerod — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:11:31 GMT

Genre - Horror

Logline - A young couple visits a Native American reservation and learns that the sins of the past have not been forgiven.

I wrote this in two days for round 2 of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008). The writers in my heat had to write a horror short that featured a desert and a rug.

This script placed 4th in my heat. Since I placed within the top five in my heat, I was able to advance to the final round.

Reservation.pdf (9.98 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)

Swing State

Jerod — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:06:13 GMT

Genre - Political Satire

Logline - The battle lines are drawn, and two presidential candidates go to extremes to connect with Ohio voters (and win their precious electoral votes).

I wrote this in two days for round 1 (part 1) of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Championships (2008). The writers in my heat had to write a political satire that featured a tattoo parlor and a hard hat.

This script placed 4th in my heat.

Swing_State.pdf (9.54 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!

Seeds of Eden

Jerod — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:21:21 GMT

Genre - Fantasy

Logline - Eating a forbidden fruit reveals what the future has in store for a young couple, forcing them to choose between a short life together or a long life apart.

I wrote this in one week for the NYC Midnight 4th Annual Screenwriter's Challenge (2007). The writers in my heat had to write a fantasy script about a garden.

Seeds_of_Eden.pdf (19.51 KB)