The Teenage Bodyguard (1974 era rewrite)
What were you doing at seventeen? Rewritten with input from Producer Robert Mitas. Ask to see our lookbook.
GORDIE is a typical young guy, newly living on his own in 1974 Tacoma, Washington. A recent high school grad who at seventeen has one guiding light... stay out of trouble and join the US Air Force, in a year when he becomes of age. If only his parents would sign his early enlistment, he'd already be there.
Original screenplay I wrote that got Mr. Mitas interested, which is more historically accurate is here:
https://www.scriptrevolution.com/scripts/teenage-bodyguard-original-long...
There is also a podcast on this by "Scene of the Crime" podcasts who seem to have trouble being online, but I have a copy of the audio if interested. Still, they missed the character Gordie's motivation. People wrongly seem to keep trying to simplify or minimize the character's personality and intent to that of a stereotyped adolescent and he's anything but that.
SARA is a twenty-something cocktail waitress going day by day, just trying to make ends meet working at a local strip club. Until one fateful day, her life is turned upside down because the mafia family she works for murders Danny, one of her coworker friends and the venue's young bodyguard.
As fate would have it, Gordie and Sara meet. It starts with him just giving her a ride to her new friends' house where she can lay low. But before he knows it, he's protecting this attractive woman he barely knows because of a bad "work situation with her ex-boss/boyfriend". When in reality the mob is hunting her, along with a Sheriff's department who are in their pocket.
Over a week in each others' company, Gordie and Sara almost forget what's threatening them. Not that Gordie really knows exactly what she's gotten him into. And that is when they both realize that they've been found...
World Film Carnival/Singapore - Outstanding Achievement Award
Tagore International Film Festival - Outstanding Achievement Award
This is all from the original screenplay which I've since redrafted with help from producer Robert Mitas, consulting. We have taken this current draft discussed below to one more YA action oriented rather than adult-oriented. From BlueCat Screenplay Contest:
All this makes Gordie quite the exciting character to follow given his astounding complexity. His nonchalant approach to life is intoxicating mainly because it’s like watching fire: although dangerous, it’s still alluring.
Overall, Teenage Bodyguard is one heck of a life story that I’m surprised isn’t on the big screens already—a well-done thriller that knows how to lure you into a story about two unlikely people, Gordie and Sara, and how they took a turn for the unexpected.
From The Blacklist Coverage:
The premise of a coming of age crime drama, where a seventeen year old protects a witness fleeing the mafia, could have solid commercial appeal, particularly as it is based on a true story. The narrative's period setting is rendered with a strong degree of authenticity and a specificity... that makes the film's backdrop of the Pacific Northwest feel grittily alive and real.
Gordie is an intriguing teenage protagonist, who is well-characterized, particularly on a physical level. His courage in protecting Sara from the Tacoma mafia is credibly rendered. The dialogue is well characterized as each member of the core cast possesses a clear, identifiable voice.
Prospects
THE TEENAGE BODYGUARD has a viable premise and core concept that could have commercial potential, likely in the indie space and is overall a solidly written script.
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The Writer: JZ Murdock
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