Stage Script
Genre supernatural, sci-fi, drama
A supernatural pillar of light appears and compels several people on different paths to converge into a team determined to evade the military and risk death to enter its alluring unknown.
Set as a 9 part mini-series but is adaptable as a feature film or a television series. “The Pillar’ centers around a semi-existent pillar of light that appears in the Persian Gulf. The term ‘semi-existent’ is designed to create more questions than answers in your mind since, more than anything else, the main character in this series is mystery. A mystery that invites the viewer to explore their own reaction to the unknown. The compelling mystery of what lies within the light raises questions that do not get answered for at least for the first 3 seasons. Instead of answers the audience gets breadcrumbs carefully designed to lead viewers to a false lead and spark audience debate. Is the light intelligent? Is it alien? Is it a future generation trying to contact us? Does it have biblical connotations? Is it a parallel earth trying to break through? Most importantly, is it peaceful or hostile? The ‘semi-existent’ pillar is only visible to some people which leaves others to wonder if it exists at all. Some who come close enough to encounter the pillar feel an uncontrollable need to flee while others are compelled to enter the light and disappear. The pillar is too big to cover up and becomes a global phenomenon. People from around the world feel a need to get to the light. However, since I’m far too lazy to write 7.9 billion individual stories I’ve narrowed it down to these seven strong character driven stories with regular check-ins on the world stage. Main Characters Liam Legault is a regular guy who becomes the unlikely hero that gets more determined to reach the pillar despite the constant obstacles thrown his way. Liam gets, lost, stranded, beaten, and kidnapped but the only thing that may stop him from reaching his goal is love. Atley Oaks and his producer Conor are adventure journalists for a National Geographic styled cable channel. Atley’s show hook is audience voted adventures. The audience has voted to send him to the pillar. Atley doesn’t believe the pillar is there but knows it will make a great show. B.B. Blondell is a mega-church preacher. BB believes the pillar has appeared for the sole purpose of giving BB direct access to God. BB desperately wants to be included in God’s divine plan but his own demons may not let that happen. Maritza Lozano is the eight year old daughter of Mexican drug lord Emerico Lozano and his wife Renata. It seems that Maritza is in contact with whatever or whoever is connected to the pillar. When she disappears her controlling father will stop at nothing to get her back. Dr. Aimee Newland heads up the science team that is charged with figuring out what the pillar is. She finds herself in the impossible position of trying to answer the unanswerable while trying to stop the military from taking actions that may have dire consequences. Other stories include an unwanted guest and her partner that tag along with Atley and Conor, the thief who stole money from BB, and the mysterious man who connects all the storylines. All happening at while the global political stage becomes increasingly unstable with mistrust and speculation over the pillar's origin. Over the course of season one we are repeatedly left to wonder if our team is running toward what it should be running from? Oh, and did I mention that the pillar is expanding at a rate that will engulf the Middle East in just over a year? Production notes For the budget conscious, this script is set on the global stage but international travel is not necessary. The script does not require global geographical locations outside of stock establishing shots. The CGI is minimal.