Plenum by Barry Staff | Script Revolution

Plenum

Wanting to development and transmit a 'happy' virus (mental contagion getting everyone everywhere all on the same wavelength to solve global issues), a brainiac needs to realise others want to stop him.

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Page Count: 
80pp

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Synopsis/Details: 

Holed up in their apartment, obsessive brainiac GUY BEEFTINK and his associate, oriental CHICK NG, experiment with an enzyme compound they've developed, which will offer any consenting couple more mutuality bliss even than simultaneous orgasm. Hypersensitive, blind, black housekeeper BRAD (who the couple took in years earlier) doesn't like the sounds of the 'coupling' coming through the wall. With the experiment found finally to give males parity with a female sensibility, the endless mutual bliss is curtailed only by Guy going off to pharma-magnate PHILIP WHOMES for mass production. Whomes sees massive profits. Guy sees doing good. On her phone, Chick hears Guy the victim in a hit-and-run 'accident'.

Back home to recuperate (costs bankrolled by Whomes), Guy notes how flatlining revealed that he wasn't thinking big enough. He tells the now deeply frustrated Chick that he wants to push the unison achieved in a couple to encompass all humanity. A prototype 'totem' of TVs and computer screens should deliver a VR telepathic nexus of 'trans-global' communion, which will spread his 'happy virus' to everyone everywhere and all at the same time, thereby bringing worldwide accord. Seeing it as an end to commercial rivalry, Whomes hires hit-team BURNS and DANNI to terminate things. Meanwhile, Chick finally yields to Guy's new overtures - to the prospect of achieving universal harmony and a better world thereby established. But the couple's mind-trip with all humanity is stopped short by the hit-team entering the building 'living' room and blowing things apart.

Pursued through the block's corridors, Brad confesses his hatred of Guy and his platonic love for Chick, had him hiring the hit-and-run (Burns and Danni were the one's used after Brad sourced contacts from Whomes). Guy's recent experience has him understanding and readily forgiving Brad. Whomes arrives. Guy, Chick and Brad are hunted to the roof. Guy is now happy to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Having rigged his metabolism to fragment into particles, he jumps off. The dust that was Guy rains down on all in the vicinity. Deemed harmless without Guy, Brad and Chick are let go. Chick susses the flaw in Guy's spec (the notes having been entrusted to Brad) and sets off with Brad to rectify it.

All Accolades & Coverage: 

"An original story... could be very exciting and watchable."
Orange Competition

OFFICIAL SELECTION ('BEST UNPRODUCED SCRIPT')
Berlin Art Film Festival
SEMI-FINALIST
Screenwriter's Genre Showcase (Los Angeles)
Coverfly 'Discoverable' Rated

Video: 
Plenum pitch
Submitted: April 14, 2022
Last Updated: February 1, 2023

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Barry Staff's picture

The Writer: Barry Staff

Born and raised in the UK, Barry has had an oddball career - periods of education (to a postgraduate Diploma in Film Studies) intercut with ‘McJobs’ (roof-rack assembler, computer helpdesk, beer bottler, reject furniture salesman, draughtsman, goods inward operative, a bouncer. . .), all the while writing on the side. Now he has a portfolio of feature scripts (mostly indie-feel horrors, thrillers and comedies) and associated shorts - four of the latter filmed. He's - SO FAR - had a purchase offer on one feature screenplay, an option on another and a shopping agreement on a third. Latest news: 'Breather' winner in horror category, Chicago Script Awards Go to bio

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