YANKS!

by

Paul McDonald

Copyright 2008 by pmac entertainment tonight LLC

12X43’ PRODUCTION STORY ARC

EPISODE 1

“Tryouts”

Episode One

Focuses on: Establishing the players - heroes and villains - that might be chosen for America’s Team and discover the dire history of soccer in Fort William - and the quirky tourist town of Fort Wil-liam.

Themes and Elements of Episode One: Establishes soccer as the world-wide powerhouse sport, the “life and death” passion behind the sport, the quirky and xenophobic town of Fort William and their wacky, colorful - and often incomprehensible residents. We tease a little of the current players and coaches of Fort William FC, fea-turing soundbites and reactions from residents - and hear why Ameri-cans are not respected as REAL players - and how YANKS is often used as a derogatory term - meaning an American ‘trying’ to be a “real football” player.

Over the final 25 minutes - we focus on the American hopefuls as they prepare to meet the challenges of making an impression in front of what they think are major European scouts - and in the end - dis-cover they will be playing in the cold, harsh north of Scotland - on what is probably the worst team in all Europe. We end just as the cast (team) is announced.

Act 1: Stock footage of the great players and stadiums of Europe, the gritty goals, brutal tackles, crazy fans and wild celebrations. “Needle scratch” cut to the town of Fort William - host walks through the town and introduces us to the area - and provides a quick edited tour of the “drinking town” nestled in the beautiful and picturesque northern Highlands of Scotland. Our host brings us to Claggan Park at the foot of UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis - where the team with the worst professional record in Europe plays. She ponders the theory of bringing Americans and Scottish players together for one season - can they be the first team in the history of the UK to go from “worst to first?”. Cuts to town residents giv-ing heated reactions (using the term YANKS) all of which builds to the first break.

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Act 2: Primarily a US Shoot: Meet the hopefuls – the handful of players hoping to get their shot – grueling, exhausting tryouts… The trialists who have shown up only know that they are competing for European soccer scouts - each hoping to make an impression and get the chance for a spot on a major european team. Host does quick bios on each potential player - and their history - and what they hope to bring to the table. Host provides intro’s the American scouting experts (a panel of coaches and sports analysts) - who will pick the players that will make the cut. Host talks with each player - who discusses why they should make the team - edited of footage of them in action. Trial will take place over 2 days - full of drills and on camera interviews - and into evening hours.

Build up to break: reactions of the scouts and other “experts” teasing on which players they think will make the cut. Show Ameri-cans players faces: who’s hopes, wishes, dreams will be realized and who will be sent home crushed? (to be revealed in final act)

Act 3: To build the tension - this act we spend the majority of our time on the actual Fort William FC Scottish players: How will the local players react to their arrival in Fort William? We see them on the training ground – but how do they react after the first practice (one on one interviews with players, coaches, fans and the team cap-tain).

Acts 4 and 5: We each of the experts opinions - and reveal one by one the 8 players who have made the cut. Then - it is the host who calls them together during the afternoon of the 2nd day of tryouts - and their true mission is revealed - that the chosen group of “Yanks” will be fighting to take their place on “America’s Team” - and that they will need to earn their roster spot at one of the most dire spots in all of the soccer world, Fort William FC.

The reality of the daunting task will hit the players - though some will rise and respond to the challenge.

Teaser for Episode 2: Big changes come as players find out who has made the squad. Shots of excitement and grimaced faces. We also see a few shots of the plane landing - and the first awkward meeting with the Scottish players and coaches: followed by a quick fury of training ground hits, bust ups, and faces in anger.

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