The Zurich Conspiracy
ACTION ADVENTURE DETECTIVE DRAMA MYSTERY POLITICAL WAR SUSPENSE/THRILLER CRIME
Contemporary
L. Russell Records
Submision Type
book
Logline
An evil Swiss financier has created a conspiracy with the Chinese Communist Party and Boko Haram to blackmail the President of Nigeria by turning a Chinese small nuclear power plant into a bomb. Kirby Calloway and his loose team of CIA and FBI agents, with the Delta Force must stop them.
Genre
Action,Adventure,Detective,Drama,Mystery,Political,War,Suspense/Thriller,Crime
Short Summary
Dr. Kirby Calloway and his French-American lover, having just escaped a civil war in Nigeria, are almost assassinated on the back porch of their home in Pocasset, MA., which is also set ablaze.
Setting
Boston, Paris, Abuja, Nigeria, Zurich, Cayman Islands, Washington, DC
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Plot - Other Elements
Twist,Happy Ending
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Kirby Calloway
Age: 42
Gender: Other
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Decisive,Heroic,Educated,Honorable,Insecure,Leader,Patriotic,Skillful,Romantic,Manipulative
Additional Character Details
Name: Horatio Sorobet
Age: 63
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Badass,Aggressive,Charming,Confident,Criminal,Engaging,Greedy,Gracious,Educated,Villainous,Narcisstic,Blunt,Heartthrob,Power Hungry,Outspoken,Secretive,Sophisticated,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Claire Montand
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Charming,Complex,Engaging,Insecure,Sexy,Romantic,Secretive,Seductive,Sophisticated,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Katanga
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Badass,Charming,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Faithful,Heroic,Honorable,Leader,Skillful,Selfless,Patriotic,Obedient,Modest
Genre
POLITICS, DRAMA, THRILLER
Brief
Dr. Calloway is home in New England after surviving an attack and witnessing his girlfriend murder the attackers. He returns to Nigeria as Horatio Sorobet begins his plans to blackmail Nigeria. The Chinese are involved with nuclear bombs, ready to strike. Calloway assembles a team of federal operatives to help thwart the conspiracy.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the book profile accurately reflects the book.
Draw of Story
The story begins with Dr. Calloway describing his return to the states from Nigeria. He has been away from his sons and escaped a harrowing ordeal. He has gained the ire of a powerful criminal. The questions are asked that will pique the interest of the audience to go further into the story.
Possible Drawbacks
The story has a lot of political jargon and situations which bogged down the story. The dialogue is overly explanatory and doesn't distinguish the voices of the characters much.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Dr. Calloway flees Nigeria after a terrible ordeal when he angers the wrong person, his life is now in jeopardy. He must now stop China and it's devious plan to use nuclear bombs. I would watch this movie for the different locations and showing an African nation in a positive light.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a large fanbase as espionage films are still very popular with audiences. It is a typical international, political drama using the archetypal countries as the enemy. There are a lot of different storylines to keep the audiences constantly thinking.
Awards Potential
This does not have awards potential. It is not bringing anything new to it's genre. It would benefit from more sophisticated dialogue to elevate the story. The plot is predictable and overly done.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
BLOOD DIAMOND, JACK REACHER
What’s New About the Story
The story is not very original. It has many of the elements of a political, international drama. There is the family man that was too busy working to be there for his kids. Dr. Calloway was doing his job when he sets some devious wheels in motion and now has to stop them. It could be more unique with more diversity in the characters considering the much of the film is set in Nigeria. The focus of the story could stay in Nigeria and the surrounding nations instead of making China the villain once again.
Lead Characters
The lead character doesn't stand out. The stories focus is mostly on the political situations, twists and turns that drive the plot.
Uniqueness of Story
This is not a rare gem, it is an average story that is written well. The dialogue needs an overhaul to add depth and gravity to the situation.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
The story needs a little more action. There needs to be a edit of the dialogue to give the characters a distinct voice and add gravity to plot. Diversity could be more prevalent. The use of China as a villain could be in poor taste at the moment and a chance to change the narrative on Asian portrayal in storytelling. America could be it's own enemy.