Under My Skin

After seven years at MacNeil Island Correctional Facility, Deano Sheehan is Deano free man. And while he probably should've tried to better himself by obtaining a college degree or lifting weights like his fellow inmates, he instead chose to immerse himself even deeper within the art that has chosen him... Tattooing. As he steps back into the free world, his legend has grown to almost mystical status. People from all walks of life see his markings as a good luck charm or at least see themselves as walking art galleries. But his strait-laced brother, Mike, a high-powered attorney in Seattle, has him convinced to leave all the ink stains behind. He's set up an important interview, even scheduling a laser removal appointment for his little brother, to make him more presentable to the corporate world. But just as a leopard can't change its spots, Deano finds it impossible to escape the subculture of tatts. Soon, he's skipping out on the doctor's appointment and the job interview, touching base with his fellow tattoo artists and friends from more than a half decade ago: Vinny, the grizzled old pro, Trent, the uptight shop owner, and Jenna, his old flame. With Vinny and Jenna's cajoling, Deano has his old job back, much to the jealous Trent's chagrin. Enter mysterious businessman Burton Giles, about the last person you'd expect to see in a tattoo parlor, who lays out a proposal almost as startling as the elaborate designs he wants engraved on the backs of his beautiful models. It's a job ideally suited for Deano's particular technique and draws the envy of his fellow ink slingers when he snares it: 50,000 dollars, and a high-end photo shoot awaits, after he skillfully administers the series of tribal Thai tattoos to four alluring Asian women that have been selected. With Jenna's urging, things appear to be turning around for Deano. That is, until Sonny Tran, the local drug kingpin pays them a visit, demanding 40,000 for the drugs he lost in the bust; A wide ranging drug sweep that cost Deano years for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, leaving a bitter stain that will outlast any tattoo. Now, the gig at Burton's mansion is do or die. And, as he rekindles things with Jenna, and makes new plans for a life with her, he also enters a seductive world filled with exotic women, sex, and drugs. It's not long before his new occupational hazards include a depraved descent into decadence. But when Burton disappears without paying him, and the newly illustrated models all turn up dead one morning, a disoriented, drug addled Deano is left holding the bag, fleeing a bloody crime scene with a bull's-eye seemingly tattooed on his back. Soon, he's back at the tattoo parlor, trying to blend back into his old life like a faded symbol within an elaborate sleeve, but clearly standing out as a prime suspect to Detective Moylan, the same corrupt narc who pinned the trumped-up drug rap on him years ago. It's a delicate game of show and tell as he tries to evade the cops and find answers, and yet, Deano's search for the truth is about to hit another snag. Sonny Tran, tired of waiting, has kidnapped Jenna and is demanding full payment of the 40 grand for ransom. When his now estranged brother and a shadowy DEA agent come to his aid, he is given a shot at busting Tran and saving Jenna. But as new evidence emerges and Moylan's murder probe tightens, the sting goes horribly awry and ends up putting her in even more danger... Deano's a full-fledged fugitive now and must team with Vinny, to help track down Burton, solve the mystery of who framed him, and more importantly, why? Beneath the surface lies the secret of the needle, and the damage done... UNDER MY SKIN Blood is thicker than ink. **********The REVIEWS are in on UNDER MY SKIN********** "Cinematic Quality: very good. Plot: very good. Really good story. Several clever twists and turns that will keep the audience wanting more." "Great characterizations, great sense of atmosphere. I could "see" this one as I was reading it, and that, to me anyway, is always a good sign... the story moved along nicely... I love your writing style, and the premise is rock solid." "I appreciate your choice of subject and the possibilities it offers for an interesting cinematic treatment. Right off the bat your screenplay plunges us into the world of tattooing and to the visual qualities that seem a natural fit for an intriguing film. THE PLOT: Your plot proceeds, as a movie should, like a shot off a shovel. And yet you pace the whole thing admirably, holding cards with important information close to your chest. You know how to hold fire, and then how to blast away. In addition, the surprises in the plot surprise, while at the same time remaining largely believable, a tough trick to pull off. CHARACTERIZATION: There are many people in your screenplay, yet effective characterization makes each an individual, displaying weaknesses as well as strengths. The way people talk, the way they interact with each other, moment to moment, all this works quite well... A considerable achievement on your part". (-Zoetrope Virtual Studio) “A framed ex-con gets caught up in the middle of drug investigation. the idea of undercover cops has been done many times, but your Weyland/Burton twist was done well... There are several side stories that make for interesting layers to this story. Sonny/Deano, Deano / Moylan, Deano /Luis are all good recurring stories. The relationships are good, and the characters are consistently interesting. The Deano/Jenna dynamic I particularly liked. I liked they the author introduces Deano as a tattoo artist in prison. The twist with him actually tattooing the prison guard adds a little humor to the scene... The dialogue is concise without a lot of needless exposition... You give each character their own voice. A difficult task with so many characters. Your character intros are generally quite good... Deano is introduced as good at what he does, and he knows it. He has an understandable chip on his shoulder, and you do a very good job with him. Mike is an equally strong character as is Jenna. You do well, generally, to describe your characters with more than just what they look like. Your scene descriptions were, in the most part, easy to follow and well written. Themes of good vs evil is played out well... “ (-Coverfly X) "...very solid writing." (-Lionsgate development executive) *****************************************************************