CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE THE ROCKS WISH GRANTERS A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting By Daniel Bardwil May 2017 Copyright by Daniel Bardwil 2017 ii The graduate project of Daniel Bardwil is approved: ___________________________________________ _____________________ Professor Eric Edson Date ___________________________________________ _____________________ Professor Dianah Wynter Date ___________________________________________ _____________________ Professor Scott Sturgeon, Chair Date California State University, Northridge iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Copyright Page ii Signature Page iii Abstract v The Rocks 1 Wish Granters 41 ABSTRACT THE ROCKS WISH GRANTERS By Daniel Bardwil Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting After the death of his father, a recent college grad settles for a job at a private resort and must learn to cope with the 1% and survive the hospitality life while holding on to his passion for filmmaking. After getting in trouble with the law, the douchey and entitled son of the world's most famous philanthropist duo must prove his worth when he's sentenced to work with a foundation that grants the wishes of dying children. v THE ROCKS COLD OPEN FADE IN: EXT. LOS ANGELES, CA - THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN - DAY We’ve all seen it before. An iconic, big-lettered beacon for dreamers, which stands among the lush Hollywood Hills. EXT. GARGANTUAN PICTURES - DAY A HUGE GROTESQUE MONSTER, made completely out of fiberglass, clings to the side of this sleek and modern-looking two-story building. On the roof, steel beams hold up a big sign that reads: “Gargantuan Pictures”. INT. GARGANTUAN PICTURES - LOBBY - DAY The walls are plastered with BIG BUDGET MOVIE POSTERS that you’ve never heard of: “Thugs Vs. Aliens”, “Monster Day”, “The Lightspeed Wars 1, 2 & 3”. A PHONE RINGS. RECEPTIONIST (O.S.) Gargantuan Pictures-- how may I help you? In the center of the room, a female RECEPTIONIST (30), wearing too much makeup and donning a BLUETOOTH HEADSET, sits at her DESK and types away on a COMPUTER. RECEPTIONIST (CONT’D) I’m sorry, Sir, but-- The Receptionist stops typing and listens intently. RECEPTIONIST (CONT’D) Uh huh... (beat) (MORE) 1 RECEPTIONIST (CONT’D) Okay, listen-- I’m sure your script about zombies attacking New Orleans during Mardi Gras is destined to be a box office smash, but for legal reasons-- we don’t accept unsolicited material-- (beat) Yes, you’re right-- a black, gay orphan does sound like a compelling main character, but we still can’t read your script. (beat) Wait a second-- let me get this straight. You have zero representation, but somehow Denzel Washington-- one of the greatest actors in the entire world, wants to star as your gay, orphan zombie hunter? (beat) Wow. That’s pretty huge. How’d you guys meet exactly? (beat) I see. “In your dreams”. That makes a lot of sense. Please don’t call this number again. The Receptionist presses a button on the side of her headset and ends the call. DEAN (O.S.) (Denzel impression) Zombies ain’t got shit on me! The Receptionist stands and turns towards DEAN SIMMONS (22), a passionate film school grad who would give up a testicle to shake Steven Spielberg’s hand, dressed in business attire and sitting on a leather couch in the corner of the room. RECEPTIONIST (offended) Excuse me? DEAN (nervous) Oh, I’m sorry-- Dean awkwardly jumps to his feet. DEAN (CONT’D) I was doing an impression of Denzel. You know-- from Training Day, but... with zombies? 2 RECEPTIONIST (pissed) I don’t care about any of your shitty impressions. You’re eavesdropping on conversations that could potentially be extremely confidential. Dean nervously takes a few steps towards the desk. DEAN Listen... I didn’t mean to-- RECEPTIONIST (yelling) You didn’t mean to what?! Make yourself look like a total fucking idiot right before your interview with one of the biggest producers in Hollywood?! Dean stops in his tracks. DEAN I’m so sorry. You’re right-- I clearly overstepped my boundaries and my impressions are shitty. I don’t even know why I do them. Dean continues to walk towards the Receptionist. DEAN (CONT’D) Please... don’t hold this against me. This job is the first solid step towards my dream career of making movies. Dean stops at the desk. DEAN (CONT’D) I can’t screw this up. The Receptionist LAUGHS. RECEPTIONIST Oh my God! You’re so cute! DEAN (confused) Wait, what? 3 RECEPTIONIST Okay, be honest. On a scale from 1 to Daniel Day- Lewis, how good was my acting? I’ve been taking classes on the weekends. DEAN You were acting?! Jesus Christ-- I thought I just royally screwed myself! RECEPTIONIST Are you kidding me? There’s no way you can screw this up. DEAN What are you talking about? The receptionist leans in close. RECEPTIONIST Between you and me... Mr. Edson loves the short you made and can’t stop talking about it. DEAN (shocked) Get the hell out of here! The Grant Edson saw and loved my short film? RECEPTIONIST How do you think you got through the door? He wants an assistant that can be mentored into the next big thing and you my friend, are at the top of his list. DEAN (whispers) Holy shit. Dean places a hand over his chest. DEAN (CONT’D) I think my heart’s about to explode. RECEPTIONIST Relax. You’ll be fine. Just take a seat, don’t do any more shitty impressions and I’ll let you know when Mr. Edson’s ready to see you. 4 DEAN (excited) Sure. Okay. I can handle that! As Dean walks back to the couch, a VIBRATION is heard. DEAN (CONT’D) (sotto) Shit. Dean stops and pulls out his PHONE. INSERT - PHONE SCREEN “Incoming Call - Mom” BACK TO SCENE Dean CLICKS answer on the phone and lifts it to his ear. DEAN (CONT’D) (whispers) Mom-- I’m at an interview, remember? I’ll call you ba-- Concern quickly washes over Dean’s face. DEAN (CONT’D) Wait... he what? As Dean continues to listen to the unheard reply on the phone, his face dissolves into complete shock. RECEPTIONIST (O.S.) Hey, Denzel! Still glued to the phone, Dean slowly turns towards The Receptionist and looks as if he’s seen a ghost. RECEPTIONIST (CONT’D) Mr. Edson’s ready to see you! END OF COLD OPEN 5 ACT ONE FADE IN: EXT. THE ROCKS - DAY Sun shines on a gated, elegant private resort nestled against a cacti-covered mountain, which overlooks golf courses, the beautiful Sonoran Desert and the city of Scottsdale, Arizona. As we PULL THROUGH the gates, a paved road snakes its way through the resort neighborhood, which contains TWENTY ADOBE STYLE VILLAS that blend in with their desert surroundings. EXT. THE ROCKS - CLUBHOUSE - DAY SEVERAL EXPENSIVE CARS sit passenger-less in the tiny PARKING LOT, which lies adjacent to the beautiful STONE STEPS leading up to this exquisite-looking building. INT. CLUBHOUSE - BAR AREA - DAY Panoramic views of the desert and clubhouse POOL are visible through the GLASS WALLS that surround the majority of the bar area. A variety of WEALTHY GUESTS, who sit at the FULLY STOCKED BAR and several tables scattered around the room, TALK, LAUGH and ARGUE while drinking fancy looking cocktails and eating food. CASSIE (PRE-LAP) What a fucking asshole! INT. CLUBHOUSE - CONCIERGE AREA - DAY Against the back wall of the clubhouse ENTRYWAY, CASSIE MEDLIN (30), an insecure concierge who’s had her heart broken way too many times, sits at a long desk in a revealing dress and types away on her COMPUTER. BRIDGET (O.S.) Language, Cassie! 6 Cassie stops typing and quickly turns towards BRIDGET STRAUBER (70), an elderly concierge with a penchant for falling asleep on the job, who wears an old dress as her Rocks uniform and types away at the COMPUTER next to her. CASSIE Mr. Wallace just sent me an e-mail demanding that we ignore every call from his wife while he’s here with his “buddies”. BRIDGET Sweetheart, you shouldn’t judge the man too quickly- - CASSIE (defensive) He ended the e-mail by asking what kind of prostitution laws we have in this state!! Suddenly, the front entrance door SWINGS open and PAUL ODIORNE (35), a balding and ill-tempered Guest Services Supervisor who’s sweating through his Rocks uniform (polo and khaki shorts), rushes into the room with a BLACK WALKIE-TALKIE in hand. CASSIE (CONT’D) It’s about damn time, Paul! PAUL Is he still here? BRIDGET The poor boy’s been waiting in your office for over an hour. PAUL Dedication. I like that! Paul walks away towards a HALLWAY leading to several offices. CASSIE Wait! What the hell happened in the McGregor’s villa?! Is it that bad?! PAUL (yelling) You have no idea!! 7 INT. CLUBHOUSE - SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE - DAY Dean, now looking depressed as hell and sweating through his dress shirt and tie, sits alone on the visitor side of a CLUTTERED DESK. PAUL (O.S.) Sorry ‘bout that! Dean quickly stands and turns towards Paul, who enters the office and extends his hand for a shake. PAUL (CONT’D) We found one of our villas destroyed this morning after a guest checked out. Dean and Paul shake hands. DEAN No worries. I appreciate you meeting with me. PAUL (ignoring Dean) It was like a god damn crime scene. DEAN Really? In the villa? Paul walks towards his chair and tosses his walkie-talkie on the messy desk. PAUL Oh yeah. Shit was everywhere.