Prisoners of Katrina
GENRE
DRAMA SUSPENSE THRILLER
Core Theme
PERSEVERANCE, SERVICE, FATHERS AND SONS
TIME PERIOD
2000s
COMPARABLE TITLES
THIRTEEN LIVES, STRICTLY IN TERMS OF THEMES AND EXECUTION.
CHARACTER LIST
• GAVIN JOHNSON (M/30S) — LEAD. HUMBLE, DUTIFUL, CARING, SELFLESS, PERSEVERANT, BRAVE.
• LISTON JOHNSON (M/83) — SUPPORTING. GAVIN’S FATHER. AVUNCULAR, PROUD, FRIENDLY, TIRED.
• J.W. (M/30S) — SUPPORTING. A PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT UNDER GAVIN’S CARE. CONFUSED, DEPENDENT, UNSTABLE, CHILDLIKE.
• COREY (M/30S-40S) — SUPPORTING. AN OLD FRIEND OF GAVIN’S WHO DRIVES GAVIN AND LISTON AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT. DIRECT, ACTIVE, DETERMINED, LOYAL.
• NURSE FAVIS (F/40S-50S) — SUPPORTING. FELLOW NURSE ALONGSIDE GAVIN. DUTIFUL, FOCUSED, FRIENDLY, TOUGH.
Logline
This is the unbelieveable inside account of what happened at Orleans Parish Prison's House of Detention in the agonizing aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. You get the story first-hand: rising floodwater, rioting prisoners, raging fires and violence. In this heart-wrenching ordeal, Gavin Johnson shows courage and grace in getting his 83 year-old father to safety. It is the chronicle of a devastating disaster yet it is a redemptive tale of great love and respect between a father and son.
Target Audiences
Age: 18-34
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
New Orleans, Louisiana
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: with a Publisher
Publisher: Fore! U Books
Starting Description
This is the unbelieveable inside account of what happened at the Orleans Parish Prison's House of Detention in the agonizing aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Ending Description
The author has not yet written this
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Plot - Other Elements
Twist
Plot - Premise
Quest
Main Character Details
Name: Gavin Johnson
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous, Funny, Empathetic, Charming, Engaging, Gracious, Heartthrob, Desperate, Aspiring, Educated, Flexible, Heroic, Patriotic, Honorable
Additional Character Details
Name: Liston Johnson
Age: 83
Gender: 83
Role:
Key Traits: Adventurous, Charming, Funny, Engaging, Masculine, Badass, Complex, Confident, Heroic, Lone Wolf, Perseverance, Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Lora Johnson
Age: 31
Gender: Female
Role:
Key Traits: Empathetic, Gracious, Desperate, Perseverance
Additional Character Details
Name: Corey Dufrene
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role:
Key Traits: Adventurous, Charming, Funny, Engaging, Masculine, Badass, Complex, Confident, Heroic, Lone Wolf, Perseverance, Unapologetic
Genre
SUSPENSE,THRILLER, DRAMA,
Brief
Gavin Johnson, a prison nurse in New Orleans, chronicles his post-Hurricane Katrina trials and tribulations— First, Gavin must tend to the many medical needs of the inmates in a prison infrastructure becoming more of a pressure cooker by the minute. Later, while waiting for rescue/evacuation, Gavin must tend to his 83-year-old father Liston in the punishing Louisiana heat all while facing down the ticking clock to Liston running out of medicine. Finally, father and son are rescued, permitting Gavin the time and space to reflect upon his harrowing journey, to assess the damage to his home, and to brace for the future to come.
Overall Rating
EXCELLENT
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: EXCELLENT
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: N/A
Pace: GOOD
Premise: EXCELLENT
Structure: GOOD
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
It is accurate.
Draw of Story
What drew me into the story immediately was the simplicity and accessibility of the writing style— The author is not biting off more than he can chew, and he maintains a steady focus on the actual content— The images, dialogue, and details, without dressing up his prose in a way that would come across as flowery and unearned. There is a humility in the undercurrent of this work, and paired with the author’s keen memory and observational eye, the reader is guided deftly into the aftermath of Katrina without obstruction.
Possible Drawbacks
This is a very rare case where I honestly can say I never wanted to put the book down. A solid reason for this is the author’s commitment to efficiency and word economy— He doesn’t mince words, and the high stakes and effortless emotional resonance speak for themselves.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
This work has a number of different hooks— For one thing, this work has a number of different ticking clock devices that creates an effortless—while at the same time overwhelming—sense of suspense. Consider the rising flood waters, the depleting medicines, the increasing gunshots in the distance, the rationed food. This work has more than enough fodder to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Secondly, this work is teeming with humanity— Gavin is a likable everyman, and it is remarkably easy to attach to him in his plights. Moreover, his relationship with his father is organic and touching— You really believe it. All throughout this work—extending to many a side character, too—you get the overwhelming sense that we are watching and learning about real people—Never mere characters.
Fanbase Potential
It is not likely that this work would have a large fanbase. After all, so few do that are not based on existing IP or that are not action or comedy fare. However, what is assured is that—if adapted correctly—this work would have a loyal and passionate audience.
Awards Potential
Although it is so difficult to speculate, this work seems to be checking a number of boxes that bode well for its Awards Season potential— It’s a human, authentic, American story with noble themes. Somebody get Ron Howard on the phone stat.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
ALTHOUGH RADICALLY DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF PLOT, CHARACTER, AND LOCATION, I ALMOST WANT TO SAY THIRTEEN HOURS FOR ITS HANDLING OF A TRUE-TO-LIFE STORY AND FOR ITS BALANCE OF THE HUMAN ELEMENT WITH THE SUSPENSE AND GENRE ELEMENT.
What’s New About the Story
This work is a remarkably original story, and it would seem a difficult and perhaps also disingenuous endeavor to try to make it more unique. The focus, rather, should be to tell the story with an utmost sense of authenticity.
Lead Characters
Gavin stands out for a number of different reasons. He is instantly likable for his commitment to service— He is a healer at heart, and he rises to the occasion at every turn. He is selfless, patient, and also quietly funny. It’s easy to root for and connect with him after seeing him interact with the people in his orbit. Moreover, he proves to have a keen eye for detail, and his objective and informative writing style serves his experience well, not to mention the readers’ experience.
Uniqueness of Story
Yes, this is the uncommon work that deserves a “rare gem” designation. Empowered by the soulful ethos, the grounded characters, the heartfelt themes, and the multi-fold suspense elements, this work has more than enough to offer.
Possible Formats
Film – Studio, Film – Indie, Film –Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
RECOMMEND
Justification
This is a rare case where it is a no brainer to recommend this work. Among countless other virtues this story has, its humanity is among the most outstanding. From Gavin to Liston to J.W. and Corey and more, this work is chock full of distinct, interesting, and relatable players. It never feels like we are watching mere characters— These are people, and they are full of life. Moreover, this work doubles as an absolute pulse-pounder of a suspense piece. Never have I seen a work that has more ticking clock devices than this one— Every second that passes, we are closer to tragedy, and it builds up to such a wonderful relief and release when Gavin and his father are finally rescued and escape the purgatory that was the airport. Lastly, this work has exceptionally potent and accessible themes— It’s a story about fathers and sons, about perseverance, about humility. Many an audience member will have much to gain from watching Gavin’s story unfold. I say again— Somebody get Ron Howard on the phone pronto!
Brief
In the harrowing aftermath of the titular hurricane, PRISONERS OF KATRINA follows nurse Gavin Johnson as he juggles his responsibilities tending to psychiatric inmates in the New Orleans prison system while tending to his elderly father who decided to ride out the storm with his son in the prison complex. However, father and son soon find themselves stranded in the flooding system, while food and vital medicines rapidly deplete, not to mention the punishing Louisiana heat. Gavin must fight to stay calm and collected as he scrambles to find a way out of ravaged New Orleans in order to save both his father and himself...
What We Liked
PRISONERS OF KATRINA is a taut, efficient little thriller empowered by the author’s firm commitment to character and theme. This is a work featuring no shortage of pulse-pounding suspense elements, but at its core, it is a father-son story about perseverance and service, all with an undercurrent of the virtue of humility, which is deftly rendered by the author’s unique point-of-view. This is to say that audiences will flock to this story for the promise of adventure, immersion, and escapist thrills, but they will be rewarded by the gift of heart, humanity, and character that unfolds out of our hero and his ethos. All in all, PRISONERS OF KATRINA stands out from the crowd for its remarkably high stakes, its indelible imagery, and its relatable, lovable, and profoundly human cast of characters.
Film: PRISONERS OF KATRINA is a story that seems to check many, if not all, of the boxes for what constitutes a great thriller/drama. In essence, there are ample ticking clocks in this work that will keep the audience on the edge of their seat— Will the flood waters rise higher? Will Liston run out of medicine? Will anyone that we care about perish? And, by God, when will our beloved heroes be rescued? These are just a few of the key questions in this work that comprise the engine— These are just a few of the elements that guarantee an uncommon degree of propulsion. Moreover, this is an experience— Thanks largely to the author’s commitment to authenticity and to his true-to-life account, the audience will surely be afforded and transportive and immersive experience— This is why we go to the movie theater, after all.
Finally, while all these genre frills are important, this work is ultimately and most meaningfully empowered by its profound thematic backbone— The author never loses sight of the heart and soul of this story— A human interest story about persevering and serving the fellow man. On top of going on a ride, the audience will indubitably walk away with a lesson or two, to boot.
TV: While this is a brief and decidedly efficient little piece that would most likely best be served on the big screen, to adapt it to the longer format is definitely worth some thought. While there may be a need for invention and reinterpretation in order to sustain the longer format, what is assured is that there is no shortage of thrills, characters, and scenes that could perhaps be expanded and developed. For instance, what if this work spent more time with some of the supporting players, like Corey, J.W., or any of the nurses? What if each hour-long episode chronicled a single day in the life of Gavin and co. as they hunker down and then await rescue?
All in all, this work has more than enough fertile ground to offer, and so long as the spirit of humility and authenticity and the adherence to the themes of perseverance and service are preserved, then this story should be a damn winner in any shape or form.
Key points:
1. The Stakes — Could not be higher throughout, always on the brink of tragedy.
2. The Characters — Gavin and co. are effortlessly grounded, accessible, and relatable.
3. The Setting — It feels like an under-seen and under-explored aspect of Katrina. Gavin as an
author effectively puts us there perhaps like never before.
4. The Payoff — Gosh, what a relief it is when Gavin and Liston are able to flee from the airport
and eventually reunite with family, showers, and clean clothes.
5. The Themes — This is in many ways a fable about duty, service, perseverance, and love for
the fellow man. All things we can and should learn from.
Synopsis
It’s an eerie scene at the Orleans Parish Prison system. We follow Nurse Gavin of the psychiatric unit as he tends to his patients— Among them is J.W., a childlike, albeit severely confused and disturbed man, who often and inexplicably thinks Gavin is his father. Also in the compound is Gavin’s actual father, Liston, a friendly, if a bit stubborn, octogenarian who insisted on riding out the storm with his son. As news reports infiltrate the prison over the catastrophic damage to New Orleans proper, the temperature inside becomes more and more frenetic— As inmates increasingly fall ill or injured, a riot threatens to break out in one of the wings, not to mention a very literal fire. Gavin scrambles with his fellow nurses to keep as much under control as they can manage. Soon, Gavin and Liston find themselves stranded in the prison complex, as the water continues to rise and as word spread over carnage, rape, and violence permeating the Superdome. Gavin even sustains a graze gunshot wound when a guard’s weapon is accidentally discharged. Bodies, they hear, are washing up and around the Superdome…
As the days pass, tensions grow— Gavin is tasked with caring for his father, who insists on continuing to smoke despite his number of health conditions, not to mention his steadily depleting medicine supply. It’s a world of increasingly overwhelming squalor, as waste builds up and as the Louisiana heat takes its toll. Gavin remarks that it is officially the low point of his life— He doesn’t know if his father is going to make it, much less himself. To make matters worse, apparently a group of inmates, while waiting for relocation, manages to take over one of the wings and are even holding guards hostage. Moreover, Gavin witnesses and aids with someone’s gnarly gash wound. However, a reprieve soon comes in the form of rations! While not much, Gavin and Liston are pleased to have some packaged food items for consumption— Liston chomping down some M&Ms. All parties continue to speculate on how they will be evacuated, and more importantly—when.
On the fifth day, though, Gavin and Liston are evacuated via helicopter and taken to the airport, where they begin the arduous waiting game to leave Louisiana, presumably to Texas, where Gavin’s wife and extended family are hunkered down. Gavin is able to assure his wife and family that they are okay and are making progress. However, the situation at the airport is not much better— There is said to be a pair of mile long lines waiting to fly out, and Gavin and Liston are increasingly worn down by their exile. However, Gavin soon finds a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of Corey, an old friend and coworker. After a tense back-and-forth to coordinate, Gavin and Liston are soon rescued by Corey in the dead of night, as they avoid potential looters and restrictive military checkpoints to get out of New Orleans. After some much needed rest and recuperation, Gavin and Liston reunite with family in Texas— A happy reunion for Gavin and wife Lora. Later, Gavin travels back to New Orleans to survey the damage— While Liston’s home is miraculously okay, Gavin’s has been completed ravaged and flooded. Gavin reflects on his tribulations—a past he will never forget—and braces for the future ahead.