Pls let me know if this is a movie you'd like to see:
Confessions of a Sony Adman—Based on a True Story
Scott Westover
Genre: Docudrama, Comedy, Biopic--118 minutes
Comps: AIR, STEVE JOBS, BLACKBERRY
Video Storyboard 2.5-min: www.admanrevelations.com
Logline: When ambitious Sony adman Scott Westover signs Stevie Wonder to a campaign meant to launch the compact disc player, a chain of corporate politics, production crises and his newborn daughter's life-threatening illness forces him to choose between a signature career triumph and the family that keeps him grounded.
SCREENPLAY PITCH
Bookending the Narrative: A Birthday Gift
This screenplay uses a framing device to open and close the film with Scott Westover’s family gathering to celebrate his 70th birthday. His children gift him a legacy video to capture the stories of his memorable advertising career. This setup not only invites the audience into Scott’s life but also serves as a powerful vehicle for reflection as he recounts pivotal moments in his journey. It highlights his growth and encapsulates the themes of legacy, family, gratitude and the passage of time.
Setting the Stage: The 1980’s Music Crisis
The early 80s marked a challenging period in America, under the weight of its worst recession since the Great Depression. Music sales were plummeting, Disco was out, traditional vinyl records were losing their luster, and the industry was ripe for change. In a pivotal moment at Sony’s sales convention, Advertising Manager Scott Westover (31/athletic), stands boldly in front of the entire company and predicts that compact discs will outsell vinyl records by 1988. With audacity as his ally, he unveils an ambitious ad campaign featuring superstars Phil Collins, Alabama, George Benson, and Stevie Wonder—all while knowing none are under contract.
Early Flashbacks: Begin Scott’s Character Arc as an Inexperienced Adman
• Daring air-to-air photography over the aqua blue waters of Vero Beach.
• Lessons learned after an interview goes south with a brash Steve Jobs.
• Advice from Scott’s mentor Vince McEwen (32/a Pro) to, “Do something every day that scares you and amazing things can happen”.
• Patti (28/pretty-perky) announces she is pregnant. Scott risks taking a new job.
The Stakes: Professional & Personal Put a Career and Marriage on the Line
• Sony wants CD player sales to replace lost $1B Betamax revenue.
• John Battle (40s/Antagonist & Boss) stands in Scott’s way at every turn.
• Stevie Wonder must be signed to attract the other artists to the campaign.
• Sony needs windfall CD profits to buy CBS Records/Columbia Pictures.
• Newborn daughter Lauren suffers from Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• High levels of oxygen therapy at birth threaten Lauren’s eyesight.
• She undergoes experimental surgery to treat vascular tumors in both eyes.
• Scott counts on a bonus tied to CD sales to pay for Lauren’s operation.
The Game Begins: Signing Stevie Wonder
• Marc Finer (33/tech geek) and Scott visit Wonderland to meet Stevie (35/icon).
• Humorous banter ensues over air hockey to break the ice. Stevie crushes.
• Scott struggles with Abner (55/Stevie’s Manager) to get the contract signed.
• Battle challenges Scott to travel to Tokyo for funding.
• Co-Founder, Norio Ohga says, “You will have your money. Scott, I like your fire”.
• Battle undermines the offer and plans to throw these funds to his bottom line.
Parallel Storyline: Personal Connections
In a parallel storyline, Scott and his wife Patti develop a friendship with Stevie Wonder. During a heartfelt conversation, Patti tells how their daughter suffered from Respiratory Distress Syndrome at birth. Stevie reveals he had the same sickness causing his blindness. As the bond deepens, Scott finds himself torn between his commitment to an important meeting with Sony's Co-Founder and his responsibility to be there for Lauren's surgery. Arriving late, he grapples with feelings of shame and regret, realizing the personal cost of his ambition.
The Highlight: A Celebration of Gratitude
A year later, the film culminates in a magical moment at a Stevie Wonder concert, where he publicly acknowledges Patti by dedicating a heartfelt harmonica solo to their “special connection”. As the poignant strains of “Alfie” fill the arena, tears of gratitude flow as Scott and Patti reflect on the precious gift of their daughter’s eyesight.
The Revolution: Impact of the Campaign
At the concert Battle and Westover, make amends. John is baffled that the Stevie TV commercial was everywhere despite cutting Scott’s budget. After a confrontation, Scott admits taking a second run at Mr. Ohga to fund prime time programming. The campaign wins a prestigious award, generates 50-million impressions and jumpstarts CD sales --making the compact disc player the fastest growing home electronics product in history. Profits soar helping Sony acquire CBS Records/Columbia Pictures and become an entertainment titan.
Conclusion: Hollywood and Heart
The screenplay returns to present day, where Scott reflects on how digital music reshaped the industry, while emphasizing that personal legacies are what truly endure. This film carries a powerful message of gratitude and purposeful living, while inspiring a worldwide audience to make their life’s journey extraordinary.
2 people like this
Congratulations Heidi Schussman Great Title too.
1 person likes this
Liberty V Justice (I assume this is your alias?), first I'll answer the Writer's Room question. To the right of the screen under the notifications bar is a link to the writers room. It is a monthly me...
Expand commentLiberty V Justice (I assume this is your alias?), first I'll answer the Writer's Room question. To the right of the screen under the notifications bar is a link to the writers room. It is a monthly membership of around 30-40 bucks. Every couple of weeks they post open writing assignments (OWA) from various producers. It will give you the details of what they're looking for and if it seems to fit one of your scripts, then you submit it for free. That's the reason I joined, because I have screenplays ready to submit. They have a lot of benefits to the WR like education and webinars, etc..
A shopping agreement is when a producer really likes your screenplay, and they absolutely plan to produce it, they will begin the process of shopping for investors. During a shopping contract period of time you can't continue to submit the screenplay to other producers. They have a time limit, like 12-18 months with the option to re-sign it for 6 month intervals for example. So it's not the end game. It's just respecting your producers hard work of trying to get investors.
Once he/she gets the investors then new contracts will be signed. My producer, Holmestead Entertainment, is a Stage 32 member. He's also an actor and director.
Thanks for explaining how the Writers' Room works, @Heidi.
You can sign up for your first month of the Writers' Room free here, @Liberty: www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip...
Expand commentThanks for explaining how the Writers' Room works, @Heidi.
You can sign up for your first month of the Writers' Room free here, @Liberty: www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip
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@Heidi, thanks for giving that rundown of the writer's room!
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Heidi Schussman, wish you the best in 2026! The artwork looks great!
I like your spirit in challenging and preparations for the future!
Good health and high spirits as usual in focus!...
Expand commentHeidi Schussman, wish you the best in 2026! The artwork looks great!
I like your spirit in challenging and preparations for the future!
Good health and high spirits as usual in focus!