by cobb-admin | Jan 12, 2019
Can two lifelong friends stay that way when they decide to take a Kama Sutra class together?
Flipping the Rom-Com script
Challenge
As a spec film script, the challenge I set for myself was to take on a classic movie, When Harry met Sally, and take a new look at its enduring theme: can lovers be friends?
Solution
I updated the concept by combining equal parts When Harry Met Sally and What About Mary? to recast the theme and reframe the question into a modern-day sex comedy.
Friends With Benefits is a spec film script intended for grownups in a movie theater. This scene occurs early in the script and defines the core dilemma the story exists to solve.
“You know the odds that two people, sitting together at my bar, would have only had lousy sex? Zero.”
“You know the odds that two people, sitting together at my bar, would have only had lousy sex? Zero.”
“Here’s the problem: I’m never sure I’m doing it right. I never know what goes where when. I just suck at it.
“Here’s the problem: I’m never sure I’m doing it right. I never know what goes where when. I just suck at it.
“No! We’re not going to ruin our friendship over… benefits.”
“No! We’re not going to ruin our friendship over… benefits.”
by cobb-admin | Jan 15, 2019
by cobb-admin | Jan 14, 2019
What if national security required you to read someone else’s mind, even if it meant losing your own?
A DOUBLE-SIDED SCI-FI SCREENPLAY
Challenge
True story—for decades the CIA ran a project called Stargate, a classified program to recruit and train spies with extrasensory perception. What would that look like? What would it sound like? Would I be able to see the world through your eyes?
Solution
I answered my questions with another question: what if national security required you to read someone else’s mind, even if it meant losing your own? Wow. That’s the kind of premise I like, where the internal and external conflicts are inextricably intertwined.
Mind’s Eye is a spec film script intended for the movie theaters. The opening scene serves to introduce both our villain and our hero, and give a hint of their mysterious abilities.
“Could you help me with this? It starts with 059 and ends with… you.”
“Could you help me with this? It starts with 059 and ends with… you.”
“He’ll see before you’re in the same room as him. He’ll know what you’re gonna do before you do it”
“He’ll see before you’re in the same room as him. He’ll know what you’re gonna do before you do it”
by cobb-admin | Jan 14, 2019
What is Sanctuary? The centuries-old idea of using churches to provide safe haven for those who need it.
A Script that asks “what if legal ≠ moral?”
Challenge
Because Sanctuary tells the origin story of the Sanctuary Movement, which took place over a decade and involves a half dozen important characters, it was a daunting script to write about an explosive subject.
Solution
By using the surveillance and trial of the Sanctuary Movement as the narrative framework, I was able to introduce the antagonists and zero in on the core conflict right away.
I optioned Sanctuary twice; once to Caribou Productions and once to indie producer Jane Fleming. It’s a hard script to get made. This scene starts the movie and sets the stage for everything to come.
“It started four years ago, sir. In the desert.”
“It started four years ago, sir. In the desert.”
A sidewinder slides across the sand, winding between the radio and a woman’s high-heeled shoe.
A sidewinder slides across the sand, winding between the radio and a woman’s high-heeled shoe.
“They’re not Mexicans, Louise. They’re El Salvadorans.”
“They’re not Mexicans, Louise. They’re El Salvadorans.”
“Listen, I got a situation. You hear about them illegals, the desert people?”
“Listen, I got a situation. You hear about them illegals, the desert people?”
“Sorry amigos. My church works with the sheriff’s department. That means we have to follow the rules.”
“Sorry amigos. My church works with the sheriff’s department. That means we have to follow the rules.”
by cobb-admin | Jan 6, 2019
How does the modern day embodiment of the European coffeehouse become recognized as an American classic?
Challenge
My role was to help establish Starbucks as the modern day embodiment of the coffeehouse, in order to position the brand in a premium space and protect the company’s margins as it grew.
Solution
To embed the brand as the inheritor of the centuries-old coffeehouse, I developed the Starbucks coffeehouse strategy and partnered with Warner Television, Time Inc., & Magic Johnson Development..
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