DRAMA, LGBT, MATURE AUDIENCE, ROMANCE

Sabel's was born free and his parents are killed and he is forced into slavery as a child. Sabel is forced to have relations with his Master that he does not want and decides to run away. Things become complicated when he falls in love with another man, Jacob. The two eventually make it to Canada and freedom and start a community homestead with their two adopted sons.

FAIR

FIRST PERSON

Authors Writing Style: FAIR

Characterization: FAIR

Commerciality: FAIR

Franchise Potential: GOOD

Pace: FAIR

Premise: FAIR

Structure: FAIR

Theme: FAIR

The book profile somewhat reflects the story. The short summary needs to introduce Jacob in order for there to be clarity between the beginning and the end. The development pitch should focus more on the themes that make the story marketable rather than a more detailed summary. Sabel is misspelled as Sable in multiple instances in the profile.

The humanity that Sabel is able to find among his friends despite their horrid circumstances as slaves allows for hope. The resilience and community of the characters is admirable.

There is a lot of trauma that although likely historical, is not relevant to the main conflict of two male slaves falling in love.

THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

The hook is that two males in the 1800s fall in love despite their dire situations and they decide to escape slavery in order to start a family that doesn't get separated.

This is more likely to have a smaller more dedicated audience that appreciates historical pieces. The focus in theme would also be a deciding factor to the audience.

Given that movies about slavery's trauma tend to do well in awards circuits this could garner some notice, but the themes would have to be more unique and the focus on being a gay slave would have to be more pronounced as the obstacle over being a slave and trying to escape.

MEDIUM BUDGET

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, ANTEBELLUM, AMISTAD, LITTLE HOUSE ON PRAIRIE, THE REVENANT

The originality stems from the two men being slaves in love rather than being two slaves that are escaping. Showing more dynamics of how being gay in slavery and in freedom affects the men in a society where it is usually not accepted is a more unique angle than slaves wanting escape abuse.

Sabel is cautious and caring. Jacob is warm and comforting. Abigale is brave and heartbroken.

The themes are a bit mixed and the characters could go through further transformations outside of physically changing their situation.

Film: Streaming, Indie, Studio

WORK IN PROGRESS

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.

Making sure the side characters and protagonists have flaws, clear inner conflicts and a followable transformation that is paced along with the external development of the plot will strengthen emotional investment. Making sure the themes about being LGBTQ as a slave creates problems and setbacks just as much as being a slave will show how their love story is more original.