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THE MAN FROM BEYOND
By Jeffrey R Marvin
As an up-and-coming Magician and debunker of spirits begins to experience strange and otherworldly disturbances, he additionally finds himself pursued by a dark and elusive man intent on his demise. These problems create a wedge between his mentor and friend Harry Houdini that could upset more than just their friendship and affect the entire Universe.
SYNOPSIS:
The Man From Beyond introduces Barnabas Blackwood, a magician who debunks Spiritualists for the great Harry Houdini who is also Blackwood's friend and mentor.
The year is 1922 in New York and Spiritualism is at the height of its phenomena in America with Blackwood and Houdini at the epicenter of it all. Blackwood is disguised and participating in a seance hosted by Psychic Tallulah Trance. Blackwood exposes her as a fraud and is almost killed in the process.
Blackwood begins to experience intense headaches that are followed by strange anomalies he cannot explain from the small; lights flickering in the darkness to the massive; an expansive universe that he can only see.
Blackwood is under a lot of pressure to build his career as a magician and gain approval from his mentor, Harry Houdini. For Blackwood the dread is beginning to grow, as he is being stalked by an elusive phantom. Is it real or imagined? A former rival perhaps, or a disgraced Spiritualist, he has exposed. Blackwood's wife Helen is his rock of support and the voice of reason during Blackwood's trying times.
During a historic straightjacket performance by Houdini, Blackwood is threatened by his phantom, or mystery man. Blackwood's life continues to spiral as Helen challenges him to confront his fears.
Blackwood has his big night when he performs to a sell out crowd. In the middle of the performance, he begins to feel the ominous presences of the Mystery Man, but it doesn't stop him from having the performance of his life. After the show, amid the glow of success, Blackwood is shot by the Mystery Man and left for dead.
THE MAN FROM BEYOND
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This sounds like an exciting series, Jeffrey R Marvin! It's really unique and interesting.
I think your logline is more of a short synopsis. Here’s a logline template that might help:
“After ______ (the inciting incident/the event that sets the plot in motion), a _______ (an adjective and the protagonist's position/role) tries to _______ (goal of story) so/in order to ________ (stakes).”
Loglines are one or two sentences (a one-sentence logline sounds better and it takes less time for a producer, director, etc. to read it). You can add the antagonist in the logline.
The inciting incident can also be at the end of the logline: “A _______ (an adjective and the protagonist's position/role) tries to _______ (goal of story) so/in order to ________ (stakes) after ______ (the inciting incident/the event that sets the plot in motion).”
Avoid using names in a logline (unless it's a Biopic or a famous story -- like a fairy tale). Use an adjective and the protagonist's position/role instead of a name. Since Harry Houdini was a real person, I think it's ok to put his name in your logline, but I suggest using an adjective and the protagonist's position/role for Barnabas Blackwood.
Avoid using “must” in loglines because “must” sounds like the protagonist is forced to do whatever the goal of the story is (instead of the protagonist doing it willingly), and “must” doesn’t sound active. Audrey Knox (a TV literary manager) also said this during a logline review webinar on Stage 32 (https://www.stage32.com/webinars/The-Write-Now-Challenge-The-Logline-Rev...). Instead of using “must,” use “attempts to,” “fights to,” “struggles to,” “strives to,” “sets out to,” “fights,” “battles,” “engages in,” “participates,” “competes,” etc.
Example #1:
“After a group of dog criminals arrives in a small town, an impulsive dog sheriff defends a dog treat factory so they won’t steal food that’s meant for hungry dog families.”
Example #2:
“A dysfunctional couple works together to survive against bears after they crash on an abandoned road miles from help.”
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Completely agree with Maurice. Interesting ideas, wanna watch the movie or series, just need the formatting to refine how you present your cool ideas.
1 person likes this
Thanks guys I will definitely refine it a bit!
You're welcome, Jeffrey R Marvin.
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