Sunlighting
Logline
Sunlighting is a completely true story with warm, human, poignant, and humorous moments throughout and an eerie event near the end. It's a human-interest story about a retired gentleman and a younger man hired to be his chauffeur, caregiver, and companion.
Genre
Biographical,Family
Short Summary
The story is told of how the main character came to live in Sarasota and became friends with a young man whose father later employed him. Years after that he becomes the elderly gentleman's chauffeur, companion, and caregiver to get him out and about for mental stimulation.
The main mission is accomplished, and more. The two develop a bond of friendship and learn a lot from one another, enhancing both of their lives in unexpected ways, sometimes humorous and sometimes heartwarming. On the last day of the retiree's life there's an unusual, somewhat eerie occurrence.
Setting
Sarasota, Florida
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Other
Plot - Other Elements
Other
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Casey Lake
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Modest,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Funny,Educated,Honorable
Additional Character Details
Name: Carl Martin
Age: 80
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Complex,Engaging,Funny
Additional Character Details
Name: Frank Martin
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Role: protagonist
Key Traits: Modest,Charming,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Funny,Gracious,Educated,Honorable
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
Sunlighting is a completely true story with warm, human, poignant, and humorous moments throughout and an unusual, somewhat eerie event near the end. This human-interest tale is about an elderly gentleman whose cognitive decline accelerated when he retired and sat around doing nothing, so his wife hired a younger man well-known to her family to be his chauffeur, caregiver, and companion. His main mission was to get the retiree out and about to stimulate his mind and give him a life, but their relationship developed into something more than that and brought benefits beyond those originally hoped for. They learned a great deal from one another, and the bond of friendship they developed enhanced both of their lives. As mentioned Sunlighting is absolutely true, as well as heartwarming, funny, and inspirational.
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
Casey grew up in Florida after his father dies from Leukemia. He goes to college with his best friend, but leaves before getting a degree. He starts having unusual experiences. He sees ghosts in photos he takes of his girlfriend, has a UFO sighting and meets people with abilities.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile does accurately reflect the book. It could touch more on specific events of the story as it gives a very broad view.
Draw of Story
The story begins with a lot of heart. Casey is speaking about his father and his final years with him. It is heartwarming and a nice tribute to his father's memory.
Possible Drawbacks
The story is a autobiography of a man's life. Most of it is normal, mundane details of Casey's life. The most interesting parts are of his unusual encounters with ghosts, UFO's and people with different abilities. That should take precedence over the meandering through the normal events of his life. It needs more to hold the attention of the audience.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Casey has some encounters with unexplainable phenomenon's like floating balls of light. I would watch the movie for the unusual events of Casey's life but not much else is very interesting.
Fanbase Potential
This would not have a large fanbase as is. Casey lives a relatively normal existence with a few moments of interest. There isn't much substance that is engrossing for an audience. The story touches on his unique experiences but spends so little time on it compared to other events in Casey's life.
Awards Potential
This does not have awards potential. The storytelling is solid but the content is mundane. Casey goes to college, he gets a girlfriend, he leaves school and gets a job, he loses the job, he gets in engage, his fiancé leaves him, etc. Normal life does not translate to compelling drama, in this case.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
GHOSTBUSTERS
What’s New About the Story
The story is not original. Casey is living a normal life and has a few unusual encounters with otherworldly entities.
Lead Characters
The lead character does not stand out. He is a young, white man in America living his life. He has a very typical story with a few interesting and unusual moments.
Uniqueness of Story
This is an average story that has been written well. If more focus was placed on the times in Casey's life where he encounters unexplainable phenomenon's and shows him exploring it further, it would add excitement to the story.
Possible Formats
Film: 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
More focus on the science fiction elements of the story. That is where the story lies, not in the ordinary moments in Casey's life. The beginning and end feel like two different stories.