Adventure · Drama · Sci-Fi · Western

"The Search for Hope"

Summary

In Ashes II Ashes, the Del Marr family, haunted by the death of their mother, is plunged into turmoil. Sophia Del Marr, a beloved figure, tragically dies in a mysterious train accident, and the aftermath affects her two children, Ellington and Hope. Six years later, the Del Marr family grapples with the emotional aftermath, including Hope’s vivid dreams of her mother and Ellington’s attempts to navigate life as an engineer at a tech company. As secrets unfold, including the development of time-travel technology, Hope mysteriously disappears, prompting Ellington to embark on a journey to find her across time. With the help of his father’s secret invention—a time machine—Ellington travels to 1865, where he encounters Osvaldo, a renegade bandit. As Ellington navigates this strange new world, he uncovers a dangerous path to rescue his sister and perhaps change their fate forever.

Behind the Story

This story began in 2013. A co-worker, Darin, and I decided to collaborate on a western genre feature screenplay. We outlined the whole thing and when it came time to write "The Lone Ranger" with Johnny Depp came out. This halted our excitement about finishing the project. Our story and the film shared similar elements so we let the idea die. A few years passed and I wanted to pursue the story, so I developed a new outline where our main character, Ellington has superpowers of some sort. And I came up with a new title, "Ashes II Ashes" and a sequel "Dust II Dust". I wanted to bring in the fans of superheroes and now wanted to make it a graphic novel. Darin loved the new direction plus enough time had passed for us to get excited again.

As we outlined our new idea, we soon came to realize nothing has really changed in the story besides Ellington having a superpower; which made him not likable. We continued to brainstorm. Darin came up with the idea of time travel and bringing the element of Sci-Fi into it. All I can say is, "I Loved It!". I ran into an online submission for Legion M, who was pushing their "Pitch Elevator" contest of a television series or film. I decided to do it even though I don't like being on camera. I pitched it as a series rather than a film only because I felt it needed to be stretched out to really get the idea across. I ran it by Darin and then sent it off. A few months later we received a bunch of e-mails from the company for us to be included in an in-person pitch to a panel of judges. This was an amazing feeling. Not only did we spend a couple of years working on it, but we also get this good feedback.

We really didn't hear back from the company for another couple of years and since then we didn't really work on it because I had left that place of business and started a new job. And a couple of years later, we got another e-mail about bringing "Pitch Elevator" back. So this time I called Darin and was like we need to fix the outline and write the pilot. This all happened at the beginning of the Co-Vid 19 Pandemic. Once we knew our families were safe, we set up a week of dinners to knock it out.

For the most part, I may be a little hard head of working with only because I study this stuff and I feel I have a good grasp of storytelling and it has to be a certain way. However, working like that does not go well with good collaborating. I really wanted this to work and like collaborating. So my new train of thought is to say, "yes" to everything and see where that takes us. I became happier. There were so many new possibilities that I never knew we can go. From what I experience from writing over ten years is, don't be so structured. Take chances, trust your collaborator, and have fun. These things take time to produce and if done with love/passion the outcome is well received. The pilot is written and we are ready for the contest once it comes around.

Analysis

Ashes II Ashes is a captivating and emotionally rich screenplay that blends the heartache of family drama with the excitement of science fiction. The story grabs hold of the audience from the very beginning, immersing them in the tragic loss of Sophia Del Marr, a beloved matriarch whose death sets the stage for a deeply personal journey for her children, Ellington and Hope. What stands out is the depth of the characters—especially the nuanced relationships within the Del Marr family. The way grief is explored, particularly through Hope’s recurring dreams of her mother and Ellington’s quiet torment, is both moving and authentic.

The screenplay’s fusion of heartfelt family dynamics with mind-bending time travel is where it truly shines. The emotional stakes are high, as Ellington embarks on a quest through time to find his missing sister, Hope. The addition of time travel as a plot device adds a layer of intrigue and excitement, while the Old West setting provides a compelling backdrop for Ellington’s internal and external struggles. His evolving relationship with the rough-edged Osvaldo is a highlight, offering moments of humor and camaraderie amidst the chaos.

The pacing of the screenplay is perfect, gradually building tension as Ellington journeys through unfamiliar times, facing both external threats and personal demons. The script also explores deeper themes of fate, family, and redemption, with each character confronting their own emotional challenges in a world that constantly tests them.

Ashes II Ashes offers a thrilling mix of high-stakes adventure, heartfelt drama, and profound moments of introspection. The writing is sharp, the character development is rich, and the twists and turns keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It’s a story about love and loss, the bond between siblings, and the lengths we go to for redemption an unforgettable journey that stays with you long after the credits roll.