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Genre: Family

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Title:  The Christmas Tree War

Logline:  Two childhood best-friends-turned-arch-enemies compete to have this year''s White House Christmas Tree chosen from one of their farms. The war is on. Merry Christmas.

Synopsis:
When Ben White took over his father''s Christmas tree farm, he had only one drea,...to one day have a tree in the White House. With the White House about to announce him a winner, Ben''s life is turned upside-down when his childhood best-friend-turned-arch-enemy, charismatic, hometown hero, Vince McClausky, returns home to the tree farm next door. Using his connections, Vince convinces the White House that choosing a tree from between the two farms would make a great Presidential photo opp, setting the stage for a monster competition between the two farms. Ben and Vince duke it out with outrageous tactics and absurd gimmicks including rampaging reindeer, full scale musical numbers and a no-holds-barred tree man competition that nearly destroys the town. Consumed by the competition, they alienate everyone they care about. Together, they must learn that the love of their families is all that really matter if they are to realize their dreams and rescue the spirit of Christmas.

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Title:  She''s Mine

Logline:  Two best friends turn to rivals when they both fall for the new girl at their middle school.

Synopsis:
She’s Mine is a coming-of-age film about two friends who learn the hard way that pals always come before gals. Best friends since Kindergarten, TREVOR and DYLAN, both 13, attend the same middle school. Dylan is a popular athlete who hates the obnoxious attention he gets from girls, and Trevor is a science-nerd who envies Dylan’s luck with girls. Despite their differences these guys need each other and keep each other out of pre-destined cliques. On the first day of 8th grade they both fall for the amazing new girl, BETH. Initially trying to remain just friends with her, they compete for her attention at the back to school dance resulting in deep-rooted jealousies coming to the surface. The night ends with both boys beginning a quest to make Beth their girlfriend. Things get wildly out of control and the boys find themselves worse off without each other. When neither will back down, their friendship seems doomed unless they learn a lesson or two along the way.

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Title:  Lucy in London

Logline:  A talented 12-year-old American girl wins the role of “Annie” in a professional London production without her mother’s knowledge and must survive until opening night to prove her talent to her mother.

Synopsis:
Talented and spunky Lucy O''Malley dreams of a life of stardom to escape two executive-level working parents who are never home and a mean teenage sister fed up playing the mom role. While accompanying their mother to London on a business trip, Lucy convinces her sister and English step-cousin to pose as her parents so she can audition for the role of "Annie" in the West End production. The show opens in six days and the young starlet just walked out leaving the production team in disarray. Lucy wows them and wins the role. For six action-packed and hilarious days, Lucy learns the role, pretends her sister and cousin are her parents, evades her mother, deals with the cast and crew (some friendly, some not) all to get her one chance to prove her talent to her mother. In a suspenseful yet meaningful ending, Lucy gets what she wants, but similar to "Orphan Annie," not in the way she expected. Top 13 Finalist, 2009 Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition.

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Title:  Kemo

Logline:  A young girl, AMY GREEN, loses both parents to cancer, then must struggle to find meaning in life when her canine best friend, KEMO, suffers the same fate.

Synopsis:
Abandonded in the grassland of Southern Colorado, a young Husky pup is rescued by widower cowboy-trucker JACK GREEN. Jack takes the pup home and gives him to his only child AMY who falls in love with the pup from day one. They name him Kemo, short for Kemo Sabe as in the Lone Ranger. A few years later, Jack is diagnosed with cancer and, despite treatment, dies. With help from family and her canine best friend, Amy grows to adulthood. In his older years, Kemo develops cancer and his illness and treatment mirrors the battle Jack went through years earlier. Devastated by all the loss in her life, Amy struggles to find direction and meaning in her future.

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Title:  Shades of Bliss

Logline:  When Santa loses his sunglasses, a jaded, narcissistic New York City divorced businessman finds them on Christmas. He sees the world through Santa’s eyes and tries to reconcile with his kids.

Synopsis:
After Santa delivers the wrong presents for some kids due to near-sightedness caused by manmade pollution, his elves create a pair of sunglasses for him. When his sleigh narrowly avoids a jetliner, Santa loses them. The sunglasses are found by a jaded, narcissistic New York City divorced businessman Owen Castor who has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. Estranged from his family and friends and going through the motions again this holiday, Owen finds the glasses and sees charity and love all around him. He vows to repair all of his broken relationships, especially with his 13-year-old son Billy and 16-year-old daughter Delfina. But Owen’s kids doubt his sincerity and his initial attempts at reconciliation fall flat. Meanwhile, Santa’s elves track down the sunglasses and want them returned to Santa, but Owen refuses unless they agree to use their magic to help him regain the love and trust of his kids.

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Title:  Apps

Logline:  A dysfunctional family trapped in the Apps store learns to love again.

Synopsis:
James has a crappy life. He''s bullied in school, rejected by the girl of his dreams and to make his life really complete, has to take care of his younger sister. His parents should never have had kids and do their best to prove the point by never being around. James finds he can escape into the App store on his phone and have fantastic fun and adventures. The perfect escape especially because Ella, the beautiful girl he meets in the App store, has the hots for him. He decides to stay in the App store. Why not? The why not becomes apparent when Ella reveals her evil side, trapping James and his family in apps that will certainly kill them. Will James save himself and his family or die in the App world? Who is Ella and why does she need to kill them? Wouldn''t you like to know?

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Title:  Shipwreck

Logline:  Led onto an un-seaworthy boat driven by a severe-weather-crazed captain, five young boys find out what it takes to survive the elements and hopelessness of a deserted island.

Synopsis:
One decision can make all the difference. That’s what five young boys found out when they chose not to stand up to the self-proclaimed alpha male of the group, John Howard. John had gotten away with his bullying for the entire two-week camp expedition, and mild-mannered Miguel Landon had had enough. But when Miguel found himself standing on the dock with his friends, all of them prepared to reunite with their families, he chose to steer clear of confrontation. That decision prompted the group to follow John onto an un-seaworthy cargo boat driven by a severe-weather-crazed captain with no regard for staying on course…a decision that would change their lives forever. Near-death experiences and the hopelessness of an empty horizon would force the boys to work together to survive the elements as a group, while simultaneously dealing with their own private secrets and past wounds.

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Title:  Running in Place

Logline:  In the "Rocky Meets the Golden Girls" story, a 65-year old grandma runs a marathon for the first time.

Synopsis:
JODY(65), moves to Cape Cod to live with her daughter, a D.J. at a local radio station, and finds herself swept up in WCCD’s marathon fund raiser. With the help of a neglected mutt named Brewster, Jody inadvertently inspires a community-wide “Grandmas Do It Longer” contingency and finds herself training with the handsome, younger radio news guys and a group of 80-something marathoners.

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Title:  His Mine

Logline:  A fantastic emerald inspires struggle, relationships and social breakthroughs among a handsome gemologist, a ravishing female mine owner, oppressed workers and others during Carnaval in Bahia, Brazil.

Synopsis:
NY gemologist NIELSON goes to Bahia for the opening of his brother LEANDRO's photography exhibit & to survey local mines for a new gem to revive his career. He and ruthless mine owner ROBERTO discover a huge, dazzling emerald right before a mine tunnel collapses around it, killing Roberto. During the ensuing chaos, rebellious mine foreman GABRIEL runs off with the stone. He hides at Padre PAULO's church, claiming that the miners deserve it, to make up for their awful working conditions. Roberto's ambitious widow, RITA, gets the brothers to help find Gabriel & the stone. Nielson soon spots it in the church's gem-encrusted ceiling. In between Carnaval parties, Leandro & friends help Nielson extract it, but it turns out to be a decoy and Gabriel gets away with the real one. Finally, Paulo appeals to Rita's conscience and she yields, allowing Nielson's museum to buy the stone from Gabriel, who uses the proceeds to build a soccer stadium/safe haven for the miners' children.

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Title:  The Kingdom of Shanti: Twin Curse

Logline:  The evil Sorcerer bares the same curse as the teenage girls who must defeat him and his mystical creatures while they save the Kingdom by finding their own magic without succumbing to the Twin Curse.

Synopsis:
The twins learn that their enemies live when a kidnapping separates them on their 17th birthday. Their identities switched, and the wrong girl taken the secret begins to unravel. Through dreams, the sisters find each other and a rescue takes place. Then the real battle begins as strange powers rise within each and the destiny of the Twin Curse reveals itself. The Kingdom of Shanti has been called "highly imaginative and original work" by Producer Lee Levinson. There is a sequel in the works and a book on this film. Ranelle has completed various children’s books, screenplays, freelance poetry and musical lyrics. Ranelle has produced and directed numerous theatrical productions. Her debut screenplay “Saying Goodbye to Joy” or "The Killing of Joy" inspired by a real-life story of a family member was called "heart wrenching" by a Producer. Ranelle truly loves her craft.

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Title:  A Girl's Order

Logline:  A 17 year old female, who experience life at a group home/high school.

Synopsis:
After the death of Carry Shaw's mother, Shaw was adopted by the superiors of Central High Group Home, an all girl's school. There, Shaw meets friends & foes as she patiently waits for the day when shes old enough to live on her own.

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Title:  PARADISE

Logline:  A heartwarming family drama with rich characters about a man overcoming himself and his environment, transforming his selfish, commercialized view of Hawaii and helping to create prosperity for all.

Synopsis:
The hero’s new real estate development proposal is defeated. His son has a fight with a Hawaiian kid at school. And we find that his own reputation within the community blocks all further progress. Inspired by a local Hawaiian woman, he sees a different possible path to success. Repackaging his ideas with the buzzwords of our day--wellness, sustainability, eco-tourism--he presents them anew to the community. And he suffers another crushing defeat of his proposal. He has missed the lesson. There is much more to the Hawaiian healing culture than he can see from the surface. Only his son’s “miraculous” cure from juvenile diabetes opens his eyes to the genuine power of the island and its people. With eyes newly open, the protagonist at last begins making his genuine connection. And he discovers that he can truly empower his community in a whole new way...if only they will accept it! Packed with roles for native Hawaiians, other minorities, women, children and the elderly.

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Title:  PEPE and the TENDERFOOT

Logline:  A tender touching & passionate story that can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages w/a possible rating of (G or PG). A respectful caring tale of relationships between animals & a loving sincere family.

Synopsis:
A race winning thoroughbred stalion named Pepe is stolen, beaten, tortured and sold as a wild bronco to a rodeo, until he almost kills a cowboy. Resold, he continues being mistreated, he finally is rescued by a New York Gentleman, a Tenderfoot who restores Pepe's faith in mankind. Two young twin loving, adorable boys, get into one mischievous adventure after another. Leading to a disastrous situation with the danger of one of them perishing over a waterfall. A mouse that sleeps in a match box, performes tricks for the boys entertainment. A rattle snake that invades the chicken's coup and a rooster that protects the hens with the prices of sacrificing his own life. A dog that gives his animal friends rides on his back. It also features a fourth of July shoot off. A ten mile race which Pepe wins. And of course there is a treacherous pompous villain creating mayhem to steal the tenderfoots ranch. This all takes place in the Oklahoma hills in the early 1900's.

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Title:  Twas the Elf Before Christmas

Logline:  A family separated by the father’s amnesia is reunited by the power of believing and the spirit of a magical, mischievous elf. A classic story of hope and magic framed in today’s harsh realities.

Synopsis:
A contemporary, Capraesque fable set in a small town. A family is separated by Nick’s (the father) amnesia. All the daughter (Christy) has to hold on to is hope and Twas--a hand carved elf. In Chicago, Nick is befriended by Detective Miller who gets him a job at a shelter where he struggles to maintain any semblance of hope. Nick¡¯s wife (Elizabeth) and Christy manufacture Twas knock offs to sell at a flea market. They are all purchased by a marketing executive and become a marketing icon for a department store’s Christmas campaign. Being destitute and unable to account for her husband’s whereabouts, the state takes Christy and puts her in a Youth Development Center (orphanage.) A chance encounter with a Twas image on Christmas Eve snaps Nick out of his amnesia. The owner of the department store helicopters Nick home in time to rescue Christy and the other kids from the Youth Development Center for a joyous reunion on Christmas Eve.

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Title:  IF I LEAVE TOMORROW

Logline:  Heartbroken over the death of his best friend, a 13 year old is determined to join him. Intervention by a wise police officer allows the boy to find hope and a new meaning for his life.

Synopsis:
Anguishing over his friend's death, the boy goes on a self destructive crime spree. Brandishing a shotgun at police officers responding to a call, the officer in charge refuses to become the boy's executioner. Instead, he persuades the boy to meet with four terminally ill orphan lads. Their bravery and enthusiasm in the face of their own death inspires the boy, giving him hope and a new purpose for his life. One of three family oriented motivational scripts.

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Title:  The Man Maker

Logline:  A mysterious woman moves into an apartment building and changes the lives of two men and a young boys life forever.

Synopsis:
Angela, arrives in the ghetto of Chicago. Mysteriously and unknown by any one in the neighborhood, she moves into an apartment building that brings her across the path of a newlywed couple, a grandmother and her granson, and a married man with five kids. As though on a mission from God she begins to impact the lives of these three men in a subtle way. She helps put these men on the right path to fulfill their purpose and reach their destiny in life. There is much opposition in carrying out her assignment, but Angela lets nothing keep her from completing her mission. Her only reward is to see these men succeed in life. The Man Maker recived an honorable mentioning award at the 75th Writers Digest Writing Competition. wga#I36388

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Title:  Cher Saved My Wedding

Logline:  A young man gets in over his head when he marries into a traditional Armenian family.

Synopsis:
Brian Culverson agrees to a traditional Armenian wedding only if it is a small, private, family affair. All the wedding plans quickly snowball out of control when the entire Armenian community of Southern California invites itself to the wedding of the girl who was once the Queen of the Tournament of Roses …including Cher who wants to sing at the wedding.

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Title:  GOLDENDALE

Logline:  A powerless sorcerer learns from a lonely little boy how to believe in his own abilities to make magic out of the ordinary and uses it to defeat an evil being bent on ruling the world.

Synopsis:
Sometimes the only way to understand the true nature of power is to lose it completely. Through his own self-serving actions GOLDENDALE, a sorcerer from SkyWorld, causes a powerful magic wand to fall into the hands of an evil being. The Grand Council strips him of the supernatural and casts him down to EarthWorld where he struggles to survive and retrieve the wand. He encounters a lonely boy and his mother. His harshest lesson comes when he learns how his selfish actions dramatically altered their lives. (Registered WGAw)

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Title:  Peanut Butter Christmas

Logline:  No one will ever forget the Christmas it was all about the peanut butter.

Synopsis:
Friday Dec 24. Employees of Parthie’s Peanut Butter factory await their usual yearly bonus. Retiring founder, William Parthie, feels his employees have lost their spirit. VP, E. Finch, pushed a merger on Parthie with the help of his lackeys, Frank, Judith and Tiddwell. Parthie informs the workers that their bonus is a jar of Parthie’s Peanut Butter. Workers aren’t happy. Many throw or give their jars away and some accept it in the spirit with which it is given. Finch gives his and his minion''s peanut butter to a destitute man intentionally mocking him with this insincere gesture. On the 26th Parthie announces that the bonuses were in the peanut butter in the form of certificates that can be redeemed at the bank no questions asked. Those who threw their jars away search in vain. Finch, Judith, Frank and Tiddwell search the city for the bum with their jars. Whether by fate or by design, everyone gets what they deserve.

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Title:  Princess For A Day

Logline:  A deserving girl wins a date with a prince. WGA#1188457 WGA#1152946

Synopsis:
Jenny was a high achiever whose life was the picture of suburban bliss until age 15, when it was shattered by her father’s untimely death. By 18, she remain quite accomplished as a 4.0 student whose academic achievements were exceeded only by her status on the tennis courts. She was on the fast track for a Stanford scholarship. Jenny went about her daily activities with seriousness, and in isolation, never noticing she had forgotten how to have fun. Then, a magazine contest arrived in the mail. One lucky girl would become "Princess For A Day." Jenny dismissed the contest as a product of adolescent fantasy. Yet, her mother knew it was exactly what Jenny needed. The contest would serve as a catalyst, instigating a chain reaction of events that would reunite old friends, and break Jenny out of her shell. This story is about more than winning a contest. It is about dreams, hopes, and two girls who learn about themselves, one another, and the true meaning of friendship.

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Title:  Bottom of the ninth

Logline:  A bullheaded major league pitching prospect and his spirited wife separate after years of marriage. Their young boy, determined to get them back together, enlists the help of a ghost.

Synopsis:
Cal Douglas throws a ball against a barn door as his mother, Rachel, and father, Ben, argue yet again about Ben''s fledgling baseball career. Finally, she gives him an ultimatum. "Its either the game or us?" Ben chooses the game and is thrown out of the house. Ben stands, suitcase in hand, in front of Wright Field, home of the beloved Penciltown Ponies, contemplating his dismal future, when the team pours out of the locker room exclaiming that he''s being sent up to the Chicago White Sox. Ben is ecstatic but Rachel is less than enthusiastic; after all, her husband just told her he would rather play baseball than continue with their relationship so she refuses to join him in Chicago. Ben becomes an instant sensation and adoring women throw themselves at his feet. Rachel dips her foot in the dating pool and becomes a sensation in Penciltown. Cal prays to the heavens above for help. His prayers are answered when Ben''s recently deceased father returns to help repair the splintered family

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Title:  Going For Home

Logline:  A career minor league pitching prospect and his fed up wife split after years of marriage. Determined to get them back together, their young boy enlists the help of his grandfather’s ghost.

Synopsis:
Cal Douglas, eight-years old, throws a ball against a barn door while his parents argue about baseball. Dad is a minor league pitcher who refuses to give up his dream of making it to the bigs and mom is fed-up with his refusal to grow up and get a real job. She tells him to choose baseball or family. He chooses baseball and is thrown out of the house. That very same day he’s sent up to the bigs. She pretends to be over him by convincing a friend to help find the perfect man. He becomes an instant sensation and adoring women throw themselves at his feet. She becomes an instant sensation in Penciltown and the locals pine for her affection. Cal prays for help. His recently deceased grandpa returns to earth and performs all sorts of ghostly acts, but to no avail. Cal works hard to sabotage mom’s budding relationships but his dastardly deeds fall short when mom meets Mr. Right. Reconciliation seems improbable until magically, on a dilapidated baseball field, the unimaginable happens.

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Title:  Pond Puckster

Logline:  A spoiled city youth hockey star must leave his home and spend a winter with cousins on a rural Maine farm, where the only hockey is played on a pond.

Synopsis:
Ten year-old Jason lives for hockey and has everything that a young star could ever want - the best equipment that money can buy, and a spot on the prestigious Junior Terriers. But months after the death of his father, Jason’s dream season crashes to a halt when his mother tells him that they have no more money. Forced out of their wealthy suburban Boston home, Jason must move in with his stoic Uncle John, his wise and loving (and heavy) Aunt Susan, and his six rough-and-tumble cousins in northern Maine. The older boys scare Jason, working in the potato fields is awful, and being fifty miles from the nearest indoor rink, Jason can''t even play organized hockey! The screenplay follows Jason through his winter in Glenville, where the only hockey is played on a pond. It chronicles the joys, sorrows, excitement and fun of that “most important time” of Jason’s life. We see a young Acadian boy raised far from his roots learn more about family, life and hockey than he had ever dreamed.

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Title:  Ground Effects

Logline:  Log Line: Six teenage friends compete against each other in a grand prix racing series.

Synopsis:
Not many American born pilots (drivers) are given the opportunity to get a drive in Formula One. Brandon Wells and Paulo Gilberto are two who were destined to be there. They along with their good friends, Pierre Dumas, Marc Gagne, Jason Chang and Juan Sanchez are looking to make their dream a reality. Our young pilots are cautious, intelligent, dedicated, and courageous. The intense competition takes their time, energy, and patience. But never their friendship. This story was written for the families that sacrifice so much for their children’s happiness. Registered with WGAE

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Title:  Healing Butte

Logline:  A boy uses his stuffed animal yak to broaden his conservative mother’s perception of God.

Synopsis:
In early 80’s Vermont, second-grader TOMMY FARRINGTON and his stuffed yak BUTTE are inseparable. Tommy''s religiously conservative mother, SARAH, considers his attachment babyish and wants to ween him from Butte. When Tommy’s disturbed older brother brings tragedy to the family, Tommy uses his imagination, with Butte, to enlighten his mother and bring the family back together. “Healing Butte” was a finalist in Screenplay Festival 2005 sponsored by Inktip. (WGAw registered)

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Title:  Last Night Stand

Logline:  An anguishing, middle class husband and father, puts his passionless marriage on the line for just one night- a night which will turn his and his family''s ordinary life upside down!

Synopsis:
In Last Night Stand, middle class husband and father, Rick Millwood, who desperately longs for attention from his harried, professional wife Kim, anguishes over the temptations of greener pastures. While he and his wife finally get away to a couples only resort for a weekend, Rick is offered the rewards of a discreet, one-night stand by a vacationing counterpart- risk free! The title takes its name from the end result- which finds Rick with no way out after his "one- night-only" mistress dies in his arms! Last Night Stand, which is so relevant to today''s marital/relational society, is my first completed screenplay. Though I have written small circulation type items over the years, it was mostly for leisure. This screenplay is registered with the Writer''s Guild West (Reg.#1118021-3/10/06). I thank you for your time and consideration.

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Title:  Going For Home

Logline:  A major league pitching prospect and his spirited wife separate after years of marriage. Their young boy, determined to get them back together, enlists the help of a magical old man from their past.

Synopsis:
Ben Douglas has spent the past 12 years scratching and clawing his way up the minor leagues. Rachel, his childhood sweetheart, has had it up to here with professional baseball and all its trappings so one day she gives Ben an ultimatum. "It's either the game or us." After a heated discussion, Ben chooses the game, much to the dismay of their young son, Cal. That very same day Ben is sent up to the Major Leagues. Young Cal is heartbroken and prays to the heavens above for help. His prayers are answered when Ben's recently deceased father, with issues of his own to be resolved, returns to earth to help repair this splintered family. Major league temptations present big time problems for this unlikely duo but love will prevail when, magically, on a warm summers day, in a small dilapidated baseball park, the family is given one last chance at reconciliation.

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Title:  LadyBug Girl

Logline:  A 12 year old girl is given superpowers by ladybugs. She foils evil doers, resolves a world crisis, etc. At middle age, she renounces her special powers, but is successful in real life.

Synopsis:
Writers Guild of America East Screenplay Registration #122240. It is summer in an American countryside when preteen MANDY receives special powers from ladybugs. She experiences a series of dangerous episodes she helps resolve. As a young adult, she is a member of a local rescue squad. MANDY is then hired to solve a major natural catastrophe. At mid-age, she decides to give up her superpowers, and senses her innate womanly powers. She marries, & has children. Due to her combined successful adventures, she is appointed special international diplomat for the United Nations. * Five original song lyrics move along this family based entertainment.

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Title:  Alabama Memories

Logline:  J.D., now in his mid-fifties, returns to the small farm in rural Alabama where he grew up and recalls the events of 1965-66 - his senior year of high school.

Synopsis:
Quite, strong, and reserved, 17 year old J.D. plays football and becomes president of the senior class. J.D. spends his spare time watching drag races with Wilson and Big John, two friends from a neighboring town. J.D. makes an appearance at the junior-senior prom - but he goes alone because Rebecca, his girl friend, accepted a blind date arranged by Joseph, his best friend. He leaves the prom early, but in separate incidences that same night he is shot at and attempts to elude the Alabama Highway Patrol in his 55 Chevy. J.D later endures his most embarrassing moment when a lighted candle burns his speakers' notes as he stands before a large group of peers. And as graduation approaches, J.D. and Joseph face possible expulsion for a stunt they pull during play rehearsal. Alabama Memories echoes the music, cars and theme of American Graffiti in a different setting. This script, set against a backdrop of hard work on a small farm and the Viet Nam War, was inspired by actual events.

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