THE STAGE 32 LOGLINES

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SCORCHED EARTH

SCORCHED EARTH
By Anthony Moore

GENRE: Sci-fi, Drama
LOGLINE:

In his bid for power, a would-be mafia boss sells a new biological weapon to terrorists, accidentally setting off World War III. To prevent human extinction, he must team up with the planet's top criminals to take over the world.

SYNOPSIS:

“War is the beast that feasts not only on its prey but its master as well.” A lesson that Joseph Costa, a powerful mafia boss, learned. After watching his family being devoured by the very monster that he released, Joseph sobbed like a lost child, thinking back on how it all began.

Two years ago, Joseph was the top man for the old "Don". One day, Jocelyn, his wife, came to him, begging him to get out of the mob, as she feared for their son. Meanwhile, a failing corporate research lab discovers a medical breakthrough. Joseph steals the data on the discovery. He finds out that the new miracle is not without its downside. The stuff becomes a flesh-eating bacterium if not kept cold. Ignoring the risks, Joseph presents the data to the "Don," who deems it too dangerous to invest in. Undeterred and against orders, Joseph sets up a bidding site on the dark web, believing that he would become rich from the sale.

The compound soon turns out to be even more dangerous than first believed. It can move and even devour a human. Nicknamed “Leraje”, terrorists start using the new compound to carry out heinous attacks. A football stadium full of innocent people are the first of many to die. One group wipes out half of Congress. WWIII, deemed the “Bio-Chem war” had secretly started.

As punishment for his disobedience, the "Don", sends a killer after Jospeh and his family. Only they turn out to be the better killers. Going into hiding, Joseph contacts the "Don", who threatens to kill him.

Weeks later, the “Don” is killed and Jospeh becomes the new leader. To avoid possible violence against his family, Joseph moves them to Russia. His wife discovers that she’s pregnant. Months later, the war had spread to other nations, including Russia. Joseph’s family is rushed back home. Once they arrive, Joseph’s wife goes into labor.

During a terrorist bombing, Joseph and his new lieutenant, Sebastian, face an amorphous "Leraje" creature that gives chase. Using ordinary bleach, Joseph and Sebastian easily defeat the creature and escape to the bunker. Joseph’s family enter the tunnels leading to the bunker but are ambushed by a few of the creatures. After watching his wife, son, and infant daughter being devoured by the very weapon that he set loose upon the world, he vows to set things right. After his proclamation, liquid death seeps through the air ducts, into the bunker.

After his recovery, Joseph contacts six high-level mafia associates and offers a proposal. They would join forces and provide resources, supplementing failing world governments. He vows that eventually, the group would become so essential and so powerful, that they would replace the current establishment without a fight.

Maurice Vaughan

This sounds exciting, Anthony Moore! I'd watch this.

I think your logline needs to be tighten up a little. Something like: "After a would-be mafia boss sells a new biological weapon to terrorists and sets off WWIII, he teams up with the planet's top criminals to prevent human extinction."

Or "In his bid for power, a would-be mafia boss sells a new biological weapon to terrorists, setting off WWIII. In the aftermath, he teams up with the planet's top criminals to prevent human extinction."

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