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Famous
A sitcom by Victoria Masina and Josef Martin.

Victoria Masina Martin victoriamasina@gmail.com

#1680361

Josef whosjosefmartin@yahoo.com


310.948.1784 310.490.3437

An almost almost short overview

Logline: Financially desperate, a grumpy old writer reluctantly agrees to become the landlord to an eclectic group of peculiar wannabes selected by a TV network to tape a reality show in his house. Series Description: AAF is a mockumentary-style sitcom a la The Office, its dynamic similar to 30 Rock, its humor reminiscent of American dysfunctional family sitcom and British comedy. As for now toned down, the shows salacity may be easily increased, depending on the networks wishes. The concept however goes beyond the typical mockumentary format, as it includes interaction of cast and crew, especially from NIGEL behind the camera. We hear Nigel offscreen giving directions or comments. We dont see much of him, but we see the world through his eyes (or at least how he creates his show).

Characters in short: The Writer: JAMES JOYCE James is in his 60s. British curmudgeon widower. Bullied into partaking in a Reality TV Show. The Producer: NIGEL Nigel, 40s, is prepared to create reality if it doesnt happen by itself. The Musician: ENRIQUE MOONEY Enrique, 20s, handsome and in the closet - but whom is he kidding? Well, his outrageous mom DARLENE. The Painter: HANNA Hanna, 20s, tough, and massively weird but doesnt give a damn about what people think of her. Or she pretends to. The Model/Actress: LULU 20s, short, chubby and pretty. She is sweet, loyal, wholesome and nave - and a phone sex operator. Milton 30s, cute, believes he can dance and that hes an alien.

Character Bible

The Writer:

James JoyceE

James is in his 60s. He is British and moved to Hollywood to finally fulfill his parents dream to be a writer. His past: Pressured by his parents to live up to his namesakes fame, he developed both, a great desire and a great aversion to writing. He ventured into the restaurant business with his wife Martha and wrote a few cookbooks to get his parents off his back. Following Marthas death he sold his restaurant and moved to LA, where he bought a big house, well suited for writing his novel in quiet and solitude. A year later the muse still refuses to kiss him and all his savings are spent. His present: James really wants to write something magnificent, but inspiration eludes him. Meanwhile James financial situation grows desperate, and Nigel seizes the opportunity by making a suggestion that basically translates to: Give us your house, give us your privacy, and we give you money. James is grumpy, a curmudgeon really, but his British accent renders his frustration into something rather lovable and amusing than depressing. James can be quite selfish. He is well educated and versed in classic entertainment. He does not understand, even abhors the world of Reality TV. He has no children. He loved and adored his wife Martha, and even though she is dead she still plays a big role in his life - James talks regularly to her urn on his desk. His future: James eventually does get inspired and starts writing his novel, which he calls Almost Almost Famous. He slowly befriends an older lady named Edith. He reluctantly becomes a father figure to his tenants, but will never completely lose his curmudgeonly way.

Whatever it takes!

The Producer:

Nigel

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Nigel is in his 30s or 40s. He is American, but he could be foreign possibly from a British TV network if whoever picks up this sitcom isnt comfortable with poking some fun at the own network, like NBC does with 30 Rock. His past: Nigel isnt as successful as he wanted to be. He has some reality show experience, but its nothing spectacular. He befriended James during the past year or so. Well find out later that they met at an AA meeting. Where else? His present: Nigel weaseled and talked himself into the trust of a big network station, and finally has the chance to make his mark on reality TV. He negotiates a deal with the network and convinces James to participate. It is a constant struggle to keep the drama going in the house. Nigel sees himself as reality creator rather than simply documenting it. He is under great pressure to produce ratings and keep them up. Nigel is vocal, however most of the time O.S., since he also handles the main camera. In the next episodes we add a couple of cameramen, but they are interchangeable. They dont have to, but it could be extra funny if the cast constantly has to deal with a new crew. His future: Nigel mostly stays ambitious. He drives the show, the drama. What nobody knows is that Nigel is bipolar and struggles with bouts of depression and bouts of manic episodes. He will try different medications at some point, but that seriously stifles his creativity. Bad move. Other medication will make him act crazy. Worse move. And yes, he is going to be successful with the show.

Im not gay!

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His with his Cleaver) tried to dates.

The Gay Rockstar:

Enrique

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Enrique Mooney is a very good-looking young man in his 20s. And he is in the closet. But whom is he kidding? Well, his mom. past: Enrique was brought up in a god-fearing home bible-thumping mother Darlene (an aggressive Mrs. and his mellow father. Enriques mother constantly hook him up with nice girls on wholesome blind

His present: Enrique plays the guitar on the streets for money, or does weddings and other small gigs. He futilely tries to portray himself as rock & roll macho man. Enrique is talented, but his denial of who he is hinders his career. Enrique loves his mom, and while she is suffocating him it is clear how very much she loves him back. She is the reason why Enrique is well tucked in the closet. Being in the closet doesnt stop him from flirting with every cute guy he sees. Enrique has a Teddy, which has been kidnapped by Milton. Enrique doesnt know. His future: Enrique struggles to hide his sexuality, especial from his mom. He will become great friends with Hanna, but at first she doesnt like him very much. Hanna doesnt like anybody very much. He seems to be in competition with Lulu, in a sisterly way.

Im not the weird one.

The Painter:

Hanna

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Hanna is in her 20s, a Liz Salander type (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo). Shes tough with deadpan attitude, and actually pretty cool in her ways. She doesnt give a damn about what people think. Or at least she pretends to. Her past: Nobody knows Hannas past. She doesnt talk about it. Just between us: Shes been to juvie. She doesnt know her parents, so she grew up in Foster care, bounced around from home to home. She has never been easy to understand or get along with. Her present: Hanna, even though she makes her money as portrait artist at events and on Venice Beach, has never ever finished a full portrait. This would be a typical result: a canvas with an ear at the edge of the page and a whole lot going on in the background. Her antisocial tendencies seem borderline autistic at times, but it is an act and shes simply inappropriate because it she does not want to make the effort to connect with other human beings. She is very observant, smart, and deadpan witty. Her future: Hanna loosens up a little, mainly around Enrique. She is going to make an effort to communicate better and lets her roommates even help her from time to time with her weird problems. Her roomies learn to appreciate her honesty, although its most of the time more than they want to hear.

Im a role model.

The Model/Actress:

Lulu

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Lulu is also in her 20s. She is very short and chubby juicy, has blond hair and is pretty. She is a sweet person (unless shes really pissed off) loyal, wholesome and nave. Her past: Lulu moved here from the Midwest to follow her dreams to become an actress. First thing she found was the worst agency in LA. So far she hasnt gotten many auditions, but she is determined. Her clueless agent also convinced her that she should be a high fashion model because she is a role model. She probably won some local farm pageants back home when she was a kid, so she definitely has the confidence. Ever wonder what becomes of those fat little kids from Toddlers And Tiaras? Lulu. Her present: Lulu is not without talent, but always the loyal one, eagerly willing to learn, Lulu takes acting lessons from her very bad talent agent Roddy which makes her acting worse. Since Lulu is so sweet, she doesnt dare to tell Roddy her concerns regarding his ability to manage her career but she hopes the exposure from the show will help her. Lulu has a day job as sex phone operator. She picks the phone up whenever it rings. Wherever she is. Her future: Lulu will become very good friends with Milton. Best friends, even. She will find herself in situations competing with Enrique, be it for some gig or some boy.

What Planet Are You From?

The Alien:

Milton

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In his 30s and preferably chubby, loves to dance - cant dance at all. He is very kind, but an odd duck. Milton believes hes an alien. His past: Milton lived at Sunny Hills before, a home for the mentally ill; unfit to live on their own. After more or less successfully learning how to be independent, he used the money his parents have left him to live on his own and fulfill his dream to become a dancer. Or whatever else strikes his fancy at the moment. His present: He can live on his own but is subjected to regular checkups from his psychiatrists to examine his living condition because Milton still believes he is an extraterrestrial. Milton has no boundaries with strangers. He feels instantly familiar with everybody whether they like it or not. In fact, he cant imagine that they dont like it and he doesnt know how to behave appropriately. He takes notes about the peculiar humans to learn how to function on this planet Earth (Milton believes he is indigenous to the planet Fomalhaut). He always walks around with his notebook. Milton has Enriques Teddy and calls him Dr. Onofre. Enrique doesnt know. Dr. Onofre is his source of advice and comfort. His future: Milton becomes friends with Lulu. He continues to write his observations down, much to the annoyance of his roomies. Some situations will suggest that he might indeed be an alien.

Almost almost Regulars and Recurring Characters

Martha, the Urn: James late wife, currently residing in an urn. Shes James confidant. Nigel: James, you cannot walk around with that urn all the time. Its disconcerting.

Edith, the Involuntary Imposter: 60s. Nice lady. Nigel hires her to be a Martha replacement, since the network had a meeting about it and they feel it would creep the audience out. But they love the idea of Martha as an overall concept.

Darlene, Enriques mom: 50s. Bible-thumping housewife, an aggressive Mrs. Cleaver. Shes an overbearing omnipresence in her sons life and in total denial of Enriques flamboyancies. She babies him but sees him as a big, strong man. Roddy, the agent: 50s. He has long, thinning hair, pulled back in a ponytail. Is incompetent in his job but pretends to be in important negotiations with big people. Sometimes accompanies Lulu to auditions. Poor Lulu.

Clemence and Pete: Additional cameramen who are hired by the network. Clemence admires Nigel; he is his co-conspirator in setting up the drama. Pete doesnt like to work more than the absolute minimum.

The Reinhardts: Brunhilde Reinhardt and her son Reinhard Reinhardt, the nosy neighbors. Well-meaning busybodies. Reinhard is bi-sexual (an object of Lulus and Enriques competition) and his mother is very supportive.

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Location, Location
The Villa
James Joyces big house with a little front yard (or as Hanna calls it: Villa Cuckoo) is our primary location. Even though its in LA, the neighborhood has a suburban kind of feel. The house is two stories high and has an attic or loft. We might possibly discover a basement at some point that not even James knew of, but we can worry about that later. The residence should have a big kitchen that allows space for a dining table seating 6-8 people. We need James office, a living room, and three bedrooms for Hanna, Enrique and Lulu. Well never see Miltons room, only its door (Milton spends a lot of his time in the attic). The Talking Heads location: It needs to be in the house, preferably a room with a door. Well mostly see just a wall behind the talking heads, but it would be fun if at some point well find out they shoot those in a bathroom (for lack of space) and the cast sits on the toilet. In S1E2 (Modlz In Da House) we have a scene where Milton tries to push a piano up the stairs from the second floor to the attic. In S1E3 (Murderpoo) we need exterior shots looking in through the office window. The office should be accessible from the hallway. It would be great if the kitchen had a window as well.

Insert Shots for the Pilot

1) A swimming pool for a chicken fight. 2) Venice Beach boardwalk. 3) A mental institution (Ext.) and stage (Int.). Those are for short one-scene shots.

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Pilot Episode Outline

James has writers block and debts. He needs money. In comes Nigel with a suggestion. And a camera.

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JAMES I cant suffer watching reality shows. Im bloody well not going to be part of one.

NIGEL You are going to have a chance to interview them of course, you know, pretending. Well film it all, your life, their lives... The way to stardom, so to speak. James reluctantly agrees after he confers with Martha. James interviews his new roommates, and labels them.

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Floozy

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Gay Queer Rock Star

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Creep

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Kook

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JAMES Just a little something I do to remember people. Nigel has a surprise for James. He introduces Edith. James doesnt like his surprise. The roommates get to know each other, especially during dinner. James is not happy at all. Nigel has a heart to heart with him. And in the end:

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JAMES TALKING HEAD I really wanted to kick them out. But you know where I just came from? My office. And you know what I did for the past three hours? Ive been writing.

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Some More Episodes

SEASON 1 S1, S1, S1, S1, S1, S1, . . . S1, Ep1 Ep2 Ep3 Ep4 Ep5 Ep6 Pilot Modlz In Da House Murderpoo? Almost Almost Guilty The Eyebrow Predicament Almost Almost There

Ep13 Whats Up, Doc?

odlz In Da House

The network wants to spice things up. Nigel whatever it takes brings models into the house, much to the dismay of James and the delight of Enrique. Yes, there are male models as well. Meanwhile Lulu has an audition, Milton studies more human behavior, and Hanna rolls her eyes.

Murderpoo?

Theres a serial killing couple on the loose in LA, and the gang starts discussing the possibility that it could be two of them. After all, they dont know each other very well. And then a blackout hits the neighborhood. Its a dark house, and Milton has gone missing

Almost

Almost Guilty

At breakfast the gang rehashes their previous night when an overzealous cop arrested them on suspicion of murder. They point fingers at each other to figure out whos to blame for the night they had to spend in jail.

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p The Eyebrow Predicament

Lulu gives Hanna job interview advice that backfires. It also backfires on Lulu, who on her own job gets into a similar predicament. And Milton hides in the limo that Lulu is driving to pick up Michael Cera.

Almost

Almost There

The gang goes on a road trip. The entire episode takes place in the car. Even when they are stranded in the middle of nowhere they dont get out. They are too scared of the AAA guy, who looks freaky. (Insert more episodes here.)

Whats Up, Doc?

This is going to be the season finale. Shortly after the reality show airs the gang gets unwanted visitors: Lulus stalker from her sex phone work, a disgruntled customer of Hannas, while James runs from Ediths ex and Enrique runs from his mom and her church group. The house goes bonkers all the while Milton hoped for a flawless checkup visit by his psychiatrist.

Its gonna be a kick ass show!

ALMOST ALMOST FAMOUS Theme Song Supermodel Lulu Struts it on the floor Work Hannas painting something We dont know Enrique plays guitar Im a rock star Milton does his own thing Dances to his own beat And James, the friendly landlord What the bloody *beep* Niiigel! Things get messed up All the time but No matter what, what They say about us Its all entertainment One in a million Once in a lifetime Weve almost almost made it So were not your average TV personas Were an unexpected mess But dont forget were Almost Almost Famous Almost Almost Famous Almost Almost Famous Badadada!