Small War
Submision Type
book
Logline
This is a memoir of my experience with the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1970 as a medic serving in both hospitals and on medevac helicopters with the call sign DUSTOFF.
Genre
Memoir,Action,Biographical,Horror,War
Short Summary
I begin as a teenager who has never had anyone depend on him, nor had anyone believe in him. I am rudely awakened by basic training followed by theoretical medical training, then sent to a war 12,000 miles away to save lives.
Setting
Delaware, Ft. Bragg North Carolina, Vietnam, Borneo, Bangkok,Seattle.
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Voyage and Return
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Larry Kipp, or "doc" to the GIs.
Age: 19-22
Gender: Male
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous,Faithful,Honorable,Naive,Modest,Lone Wolf
Additional Character Details
Name: My patients and civilians I meet along the way
Age: Mostly teenagers and early 20's.
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Complex,Desperate,Heroic,Patriotic
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Genre
ACTION, SUSPENSE, DRAMA, WAR
Brief
Larry Kipp is a war veteran's memoir about his life before and after he got sent to Vietnam for 27 months to serve as a medic. He describes in detail his carefree life as a young man discovering adulthood and the dark turn it took when he was sent to war, including sad war scenes and encounters with nature and people in Vietnam. The narrative finishes when he gets back to the USA and a hippie that seemed friendly at first tells him how he wishes he had died in battle.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: FAIR
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
Book profile reflects book accurately.
Draw of Story
The contrast between Larry's careless life as a young man and what he faced in Vietnam is able to make audience relate to him and get drawn into the narrative.
Possible Drawbacks
As the war narrative unfolds, there is a specific military jargon that may turn the story difficult to understand for the majority of audience who is not familiar with such terms.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
This movie would certainly attract the audience because it shows Larry as a pacific regular guy who led a normal life and suddenly faced situations he couldn't have imagined before. The opening scene, when Larry got unfairly punished in school, is very representative of how he felt when coming back to the USA from Vietnam.
Fanbase Potential
It could have a large fanbase if adapted because protagonist is relatable.
Awards Potential
It could have awards potential if adapted because it is a war narrative and would require great work from all departments involved to stand out.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
HACKSAW RIDGE
What’s New About the Story
The original thing about this story is that it combines both a specificity in details about Vietnam war - including environment and equipment - but also brings along a relatable and very human protagonist.
Lead Characters
Larry is a regular guy with low self-esteem and unsure about his future. As he is leading his life as a free young man, there is a sudden change when he goes to Vietnam and Larry is an honest narrator about those two worlds, unafraid to show his feelings and mistakes along the way.
Uniqueness of Story
Even though this is a memoir, book could be improved in terms of character arc and more insight into his emotions during war.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming TV Series: Network, Cable, Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
Consider this story because it needs improvement to become a narrative suitable for a movie, however protagonist is relatable, honest and humble.