[Eric Jr]

Eric Edge Jr.’s 10 Most Interesting Things

I learned that it is better to take the plot out of chronological order because it reads like a book report.
1. Villain and Hero Dynamics:

• Snake shamans use nature magic to control animals for terrifying attacks.
• The commune is controlled by Saqra, an evil snake god aiming for world domination. .
• Madison Fry, a conservative commentator, and Senator Baker are determined to destroy the hippie commune and embarrass the film crew. .

2. Documentary Crew's Challenge:
Initially facing backlash, the film crew shifts their focus to the commune, facing danger and uncovering dark secrets.
3. Heroes’ Resolution:
Parrot tribe shaman Azzu and anthropologist Grace use white magic to stop the snake tribe, becoming symbols of love and unity.
4. Opening Scene Hook:
A vivid battle between the snake and parrot tribes using magic to control a snake and traditional weapons.
5. Turning Point:
Drug tourists discover the extreme side effects of "The Serpent’s Tongue" drug, leading to insanity and horrific sacrifices.
6. Cult Practices:
The cult enriches soil by composting sacrificed bodies to enhance the drug’s potency.
7. Emotional Dilemma:
The film crew is horrified to learn about the cult’s murders and realizes they are trapped in the deadly jungle.
8. Major Twist:
Saqra orders the killing of Madison Fry and the Senator, followed by the cult's mass suicide, while leaders plan to spread the drug in the States.
9. Reversal:
Dave escapes the tribe's mass suicide and massacre but is killed by his love interest, who is hypnotized by trance music on a phone call.
10. Character Betrayal and Surprise:

• Cameraman Travis betrays the crew by joining the tribe.
• In a dramatic aerial battle, Bezon appears and kills Saqra, the snake god, who has sprouted wings.

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[Eric Jr]

Eric Edge Jr. Producer/Manager

• I must have written half a dozen completed scripts and even more in half-completed state over the years. But I view them as learning scripts that are just in the first rough draft. It wasn’t until recently that I found the missing piece. A working writer in the UK who gives incredible notes that have taken my recent work to a highly polished state. I trust her opinion about being ready for prime time and that my ideas are worthy of high marks for the originality of the concepts. I think when I approach a producer, I will highlight the high-concepts of my scripts as being bankable. I can see young audiences connecting with one. Another is a touchstone with women to express their emotions and their points of view. The one I’m presenting in class here, I can see as an excellent vehicle for the new breed of young actors ranging from the likes of Austin Butler, Zendaya, Anya-Taylor Joy, and Daniel Ratcliffe. The second one, I can see is an ongoing series of vehicles for top actresses that can fit a unique female-driven story.
• Again, I think my strength is the originality of my ideas. They are out there and just plain bonkers. There is nothing out there like them. At least that’s my unproven opinion. Won’t know for sure until I start presenting this to shakers in the industry. What I want to express to a manager is that I have a plethora of unique ideas, that I am flexible, will do whatever it takes to make them ready for market, and that I’m worth spending the time to develop a career with. I have one script that I believe will connect with young and old audiences of a left-leaning worldview. One that expresses a variety of female points of view. Another unwritten bang-up idea dealing with race that if I could find the right black comedy writer who has skin in the game to collaborate with would be powerful social commentary that could draw attention. I have others beyond that and the desire to get into film school that could lead to my ultimate goal of becoming a director.
• What I learned today is you have to tailor your pitch to producers and managers. Then faithfully follow their instructions on how to best proceed.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Eric Jr.

[Eric Jr]

Eric Edge Jr’s Marketable Components
What I learned doing this assignment is…?” that you have to focus on the business and story hooks instead of the plot.
1. Current logline.: A group of documentary filmmakers get more than they bargained for when their new project that may provide them a big break lands them in a sex and drug-fueled commune of Western fun-loving youth worshipping an evil snake God deep in the Amazon jungle.
2. 10 Components of Marketability :
• A. Unique: A nerd-filled camera crew goes in search fame only to run headlong into beautiful, cool-kid hippies with evil intent.
• B. Great Title: The Serpent’s Tongue
• C. True: N/A
• D. Timely — As seen in the news, drug tourism is a popular and sensational curiosity even for those who don’t partake
• E. It’s a first. To my knowledge, no one has exploited the subject of drug tourism for horror. It’s also unusual in the type of humor used to temper the dark tone. Instead of campy humor, very bawdy humor is the flavor of the day. (Picking this one to highlight)
• F. Ultimate. Evil sexed and drugged-up hippies are luring innocent youth into the jungle far from family and the modern world.
• G. Wide audience appeal: If you are conservative, you will hate this movie. But everyone else will be strangely attracted to it. I can see it being white hot with 18-35-year-olds as well as popular with the older hippie generations of the 60s and 70s.
• H. Adapted from a popular book.- N/A
• I. Similarity to a box-office success. It mixes the intensity and magical elements of Stranger Things with the bawdy humor of The Hangover.
• J. A great role for a bankable actor.(Picking this one to highlight)

• Dave: Nerdy director calling shots to hide his insecurities
• Travis: The lovable hunk that has grown up protecting his nerdy childhood friends
• Ethan: The nerd with a strong moral compass who is comfortable in his own skin
• Bosch: A laid-back bad boy cult leader with a dark edge
• Mama D: A strong black woman who is second in command
• Venus: A heart-breaking blonde who is a fierce warrior
• Jest: A joker there to dismantle insincerity and hypocrisy
• Sir Cumalot: A quick-witted comic and gay advocate
• Mr: Thick: A gifted physical comedian who is a gay top
• Thunder Tongue: A quick-witted comic and lesbian advocate
• Madam Fiddle: A gifted lesbian comedian with a knack for impersonations

3. Quick brainstorm session: I think the sensationalism of drug tourism paired with horror that is tempered with very bawdy humor is completely unique. I think the large ensemble cast will provide interesting and layered roles for 20 to 30-year-old actors to sink their teeth into. It's the naive nerds who have bitten off more than they can chew vs the beautiful, cool kid hippies who have made a pact with an evil entity.

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[Eric Jr]

Eric Edge Jr.'s Project and Market
1. Genre: Horror/Comedy

Title: The Serpent's Tongue

Concept: Deep in the Amazon jungle, a group of four friends seek out a rumored carnivorous plant more powerful than Ayahuasca, which allegedly allows you to see God. After living with an indigenous tribe for five years, they create their own Westernized jungle commune, using the internet to lure youths with promises of free love and drugs. When a documentary crew joins a group of drug tourists to film their journey, they uncover the unimaginable horrors of this hippie cult worshipping an evil snake god and find themselves trapped in the jungle with no way out.

2. I think this story is attractive because drug tourism is a popular subculture that makes the news. I also think it will appeal to that key demographic of 18-35 year olds with sex, drugs and rock and roll along with a sprinkling of death and very bawdy humor.

3. I'm planning on doing a virtual pitch fest in early August. By that time I hope to have two polished scripts with pitches. I plan to target management companies and production companies.

4. I learned a couple of things. But the big one is that I need to stop telling the whole story. I think I'm currently guilty of that and looking forward to ways to improve.

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[Eric Jr]

Who Is Eric Edge Jr?
Growing up in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, Eric was a creative child deeply passionate about writing, drawing, and painting. Over the course of 25 years, He found himself immersed in the tech industry and spent 5 years in Los Angeles. On weekends, Eric would wander the city with his camera capturing the marvelous or sit in coffee shops with a laptop dreaming up wild stories.

Back in Austin, he decided to take a different direction. Eric pursued and obtained a photography degree from Austin Community College. Now, he devotes his time to personal photography projects and writing endeavors.
http://www.ericedgejr.com

I don't recall the number of completed scripts but a dozen or more in various states. However, I consider them learning scripts and not ready for prime time. I'm reviewing old ideas and considering entirely rewriting now that my writing has greatly evolved. My latest project is probably the only one I would send out to anybody, to be honest. I found a professional writer who is giving me great feedback and helping me polish my writing and pitch.

I have a TV pilot that I'm excited about and how to hope to sell with the help of this class.

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[Eric Jr]

I added a Writings section to my website and included a synopsis of the TV pilots I'm working on

https://eedgejr.photofolio.com/Writings/1/caption

• This reply was modified 11 months, 4 weeks ago by  Eric Jr.

[Eric Jr]

For anyone remotely interested, I uploaded slides from a deck on my latest piece I'm working on The Serpent's Tongue in a photo album linked off my profile.
https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/members/eedgejr/photos/albums/10/

I added another album of recent surreal self-portrait collages from a project called My Seven Deadly Sins
https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/members/eedgejr/photos/albums/9/

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[Eric Jr]

ERIC EDGE JR
I agree to the terms of this release form.
GROUP RELEASE FORM
As a member of this group, I agree to the following:
1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.
2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.
I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.
3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.
4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.
5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.
6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.
This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Eric Jr]

Interesting concept.

[Eric Jr]

I am sorry to hear about the collapse of your company. Good luck going forward. Go luck to us all.

[Eric Jr]

I redid my deck for the piece I’m working on in class according to the second lesson of 10 components of marketablity.
Now, I have a cover, concept, tone and style, why it is attractive, an unimaginable horror (particular to my story as it summarizes the horror twist kept secret) and the final hook..
I’m debating whetherto include to synopsis pages that wouldn’t be part of the pitch but there in auxiliary if someone did want me to go through the plot.

[Eric Jr]

What are the slides you need for a deck? if I may ask.

[Eric Jr]

My first impulse is to seek out managers as well. It’s just a gut feeling I have. Do you have any experience that has led you to this conclusion?

[Eric Jr]

Like your concept, Indeed. Ripped from the headlines,
I have an idea that deals with race but as a white guy, I’m concerned about navigating a very emotional subject. I kinda think I need to take on a black writing partner just to be safe.
Any suggestions?

[Eric Jr]

Curious where do you get your coverage from?

[Eric Jr]

What's your favorite classic pinball game? I used to love an old Adams Family one from the early 90s. The way Thing came out onto the board was amazing. Damn, I remember playing that one a lot at one of my favorite bars.

https://www.sacoffeeroasters.com/pinball/spooky-scary

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[Eric Jr]

I’m curious what are the AI components in those classes. I’m a big proponent of chatGPT. I use Midjourney with my graphic skills to make slick pitch decks.

[Eric Jr]

Looks like few older writers here.

[Eric Jr]

Wow…impressive

[Eric Jr]

thanks for the reply this helps. I thought they couldn't stop it but wasn't sure. I'm going to have the Senator hire someone to infiltrate the cult that has a satellite tracking device. Then he knows where the hidden cult is in the Amazon jungle and flies in with a helicopter only to trigger a Jonestown-type massacre. I need to do some more research or find a subject matter expert.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 4 weeks ago by  Eric Jr.

[Eric Jr]

I should have asked the goggle first. I found an article from the Electronic Frontier Foundation that outlines how a country can content block but that they claim it violates UN Human Rights of free speech. So, that adds a wrinkle to my TV series where the senator first must convince congress and President of a content ban then get around UN laws. The website in question is raises alarm bells as a cult operating in another country but not technically breaking the law or at least out of their jurisdiction.

[Eric Jr]

I’ve got an IT question for you related to a story I’m writing and will probably use as my example for this class. Say some nefarious types have a website hosted somewhere in the Caribbean outside the boundary of US control. If a US senator wanted the site taken down or traffic from the US blocked to it, is that something he could get done technically?

[Eric Jr]

I was when drsigne, information architect and finally a product manger in IT for decades. Out of now. Look forward to seeing your stuff.

[Eric Jr]

I’m super psyched about the AI stuff. I use image generators to create art and as visualizations for pitch decks. Then I use chatGPT helping to write a variety other things. Can’t wait to get my hands on these prompts

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[Eric Jr]

Oops I was a web designer

[Eric Jr]

I’ll have to look into other classes here. Luckily I found and an excellent feedback loop from a UK writer. A lot of my money has gone to that to polish my latest pilot. But I couldn’t pass up this class.

[Eric Jr]

Congrats on your articles. I look forward to seeing your stuff. I wasn’t able to make the first class due some admin stuff which is cleared away now.

[Eric Jr]

I like your website. I need to find a way to incorporate my writing into mine. Right now it is all my fine art photography.

[Eric Jr]

I just started taking Hatha and Kundalini yoga in Austin two months ago. I’m loving it