For Your Consideration:
ONLY THE BEGINNING
ONLY THE BEGINNING
GENRE
Drama Series, based on a true story.
LOGLINE
An 83-year-old high school music teacher desperately needs to retire. A fresh-out-of-college musician with wife and baby desperately needs a job.
SYNOPSIS
1969: tumultuous times of undeclared war, the draft, student riots, police brutality, a criminal president, and a failing economy. 83-year-old high school music teacher Ben Alexander desperately needs to retire. With baby demanding milk and honey, a young family is desperate to escape their seemingly hopeless situation. Allen Jeffries is the dreamer in the family. Ann Jeffries is the pragmatist. By a twist of fate, Allen is invited to interview for his first job as Ben’s replacement only two weeks before the beginning of the school year. Beginning with the 500-mile journey in their battered VW bus to interview for the job, then Ben’s sudden and unexplained disappearance, Allen and Ann interact with a tough looking immigrant who proves to be a loyal friend; a community activist who becomes Allen’s stalwart defender; a successful business man who offers Allen and Ann their needed break in life; a childless woman who becomes a virtual godmother to their baby; a teacher who becomes Allen’s political shield; a violent student who threatens Allen’s life; a gentle-giant student who is the physical and moralistic protector of students and teachers alike; and, a cadre of young students who thrive in a spiritual and mystical world beyond the scope of realism. The season concludes when Allen receives an official document from the Swiss Embassy announcing the sudden reappearance of Ben Alexander, this final episode laying the groundwork for the next season.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Ben Alexander: High School Band Director, age 83.
After 62-years as the first and only music teacher at his high school, Ben desperately needs to retire, albeit 21-years too late for his detractors. During Allen’s last minute job interview, Ben confides his real motivation for hiring this young musician to replace him. As the series develops, Ben’s tragic life becomes the sub-plot for the story.
Allen Jeffries (protagonist): Musician, age 21.
Allen is a long-haired, bearded hippie, oblivious to the demands of the real world. After hearing Chicago Transit Authority's first album, he becomes obsessed with the dream of playing in a rock band with horns. Yet he must face the reality of supporting his wife and baby.
Ann Jeffries (antagonist): Wife, age 19.
Ann is eager for Allen to realize his creative dreams, but all too aware of the real-world challenge of raising a family. She endures Allen’s trials and tribulations not with anger, but with loving guidance and supportive patience, driven by the maternal duty to hold her young family together no matter what.
Genevieve: The Baby, age 6 months.
Genevieve is the glue that holds Allen and Ann together, the recipient of unconditional love by her struggling young parents. She seems to possess a sixth sense about her role in the family with her innate ability to intuit events, providing emotional comfort to those around her.
Sal Costanzo: Pro Shoppe Owner, age 56.
Sal is a humorous and compassionate Italian immigrant of few words who always wanted to be a tailor, but ended up owning a golf pro shoppe catering to the upper crust of the local community. Immediate friend to Allen through a comedic series of events, Sal is always there to help Allen and Ann, both emotionally and financially.
Mrs. Costanzo: Board of Education Chair, age 49.
Birdie Costanzo, Sal’s wife, displays a witty and dry sense of humor, particularly during Allen’s job interview. A respected community activist, she proves to be a stalwart supporter of Allen’s commitment to fulfill his promise to Ben Alexander.
Art Hoague: Real Estate Developer, age 75.
A shrewd and successful businessman, Art is also an amateur musician, taking Allen and Ann under his protective wing, as he does with other young people who need their first break in life.
Sally Hoague: Art’s Wife, age 70.
Married to Art for 50 years, Sally has never been able to have children. She shares Art’s compassion for young people, and counsels Allen and Ann, while becoming a virtual godmother to their baby, Genevieve.
Mrs. Thiele: Teacher, age 60.
A long-time teacher and advisor to her students, Mrs. Thiele takes an immediate liking to Allen on the first day of school, becoming his teaching mentor and political shield.
The Pregnant Girl: The student forced to leave school, age 15.
On the first day of school, Allen makes a new teacher’s mistake of telling his students they can confide in him about anything. To his surprise, this troubled student takes him up on his offer.
The Bully: The school tough guy, age 18.
Allen is forced to confront the school bully on the first day of school in a cafeteria fight sequence. Allen remains ever fearful of the bully’s deadly threats of violence against him.
Nate: The gentle giant student, age 19.
Despite his massive size, Nate is a gentle soul who does everything possible to avoid confrontation. He is the physical and moralistic protector of students and teachers alike, particularly Allen. A gifted upright bass player, Nate assumes the lead role in Allen’s Jazz Ensemble.
Will: The comedic cut-up student, age 15.
A gifted acoustic guitarist who relishes the chance to perform in Allen’s Jazz ensemble, count on Will to deliver unexpected barbs intended to elicit chuckles from his classmates.
Sam: The soft-spoken former student, age 16.
Samantha was forced to drop out of school after the death of her military father. A gifted percussionist, music becomes her salvation, and the very reason for her return to school to perform in Allen’s Jazz ensemble.
Louise: The front-line singer, age 17.
A gifted pianist who loves to sing and lives to perform, Louise quickly becomes the center of attention in Allen’s Jazz ensemble, attracting a cadre of gifted students to share their other-worldly musical gifts.
Drama Series, based on a true story.
LOGLINE
An 83-year-old high school music teacher desperately needs to retire. A fresh-out-of-college musician with wife and baby desperately needs a job.
SYNOPSIS
1969: tumultuous times of undeclared war, the draft, student riots, police brutality, a criminal president, and a failing economy. 83-year-old high school music teacher Ben Alexander desperately needs to retire. With baby demanding milk and honey, a young family is desperate to escape their seemingly hopeless situation. Allen Jeffries is the dreamer in the family. Ann Jeffries is the pragmatist. By a twist of fate, Allen is invited to interview for his first job as Ben’s replacement only two weeks before the beginning of the school year. Beginning with the 500-mile journey in their battered VW bus to interview for the job, then Ben’s sudden and unexplained disappearance, Allen and Ann interact with a tough looking immigrant who proves to be a loyal friend; a community activist who becomes Allen’s stalwart defender; a successful business man who offers Allen and Ann their needed break in life; a childless woman who becomes a virtual godmother to their baby; a teacher who becomes Allen’s political shield; a violent student who threatens Allen’s life; a gentle-giant student who is the physical and moralistic protector of students and teachers alike; and, a cadre of young students who thrive in a spiritual and mystical world beyond the scope of realism. The season concludes when Allen receives an official document from the Swiss Embassy announcing the sudden reappearance of Ben Alexander, this final episode laying the groundwork for the next season.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Ben Alexander: High School Band Director, age 83.
After 62-years as the first and only music teacher at his high school, Ben desperately needs to retire, albeit 21-years too late for his detractors. During Allen’s last minute job interview, Ben confides his real motivation for hiring this young musician to replace him. As the series develops, Ben’s tragic life becomes the sub-plot for the story.
Allen Jeffries (protagonist): Musician, age 21.
Allen is a long-haired, bearded hippie, oblivious to the demands of the real world. After hearing Chicago Transit Authority's first album, he becomes obsessed with the dream of playing in a rock band with horns. Yet he must face the reality of supporting his wife and baby.
Ann Jeffries (antagonist): Wife, age 19.
Ann is eager for Allen to realize his creative dreams, but all too aware of the real-world challenge of raising a family. She endures Allen’s trials and tribulations not with anger, but with loving guidance and supportive patience, driven by the maternal duty to hold her young family together no matter what.
Genevieve: The Baby, age 6 months.
Genevieve is the glue that holds Allen and Ann together, the recipient of unconditional love by her struggling young parents. She seems to possess a sixth sense about her role in the family with her innate ability to intuit events, providing emotional comfort to those around her.
Sal Costanzo: Pro Shoppe Owner, age 56.
Sal is a humorous and compassionate Italian immigrant of few words who always wanted to be a tailor, but ended up owning a golf pro shoppe catering to the upper crust of the local community. Immediate friend to Allen through a comedic series of events, Sal is always there to help Allen and Ann, both emotionally and financially.
Mrs. Costanzo: Board of Education Chair, age 49.
Birdie Costanzo, Sal’s wife, displays a witty and dry sense of humor, particularly during Allen’s job interview. A respected community activist, she proves to be a stalwart supporter of Allen’s commitment to fulfill his promise to Ben Alexander.
Art Hoague: Real Estate Developer, age 75.
A shrewd and successful businessman, Art is also an amateur musician, taking Allen and Ann under his protective wing, as he does with other young people who need their first break in life.
Sally Hoague: Art’s Wife, age 70.
Married to Art for 50 years, Sally has never been able to have children. She shares Art’s compassion for young people, and counsels Allen and Ann, while becoming a virtual godmother to their baby, Genevieve.
Mrs. Thiele: Teacher, age 60.
A long-time teacher and advisor to her students, Mrs. Thiele takes an immediate liking to Allen on the first day of school, becoming his teaching mentor and political shield.
The Pregnant Girl: The student forced to leave school, age 15.
On the first day of school, Allen makes a new teacher’s mistake of telling his students they can confide in him about anything. To his surprise, this troubled student takes him up on his offer.
The Bully: The school tough guy, age 18.
Allen is forced to confront the school bully on the first day of school in a cafeteria fight sequence. Allen remains ever fearful of the bully’s deadly threats of violence against him.
Nate: The gentle giant student, age 19.
Despite his massive size, Nate is a gentle soul who does everything possible to avoid confrontation. He is the physical and moralistic protector of students and teachers alike, particularly Allen. A gifted upright bass player, Nate assumes the lead role in Allen’s Jazz Ensemble.
Will: The comedic cut-up student, age 15.
A gifted acoustic guitarist who relishes the chance to perform in Allen’s Jazz ensemble, count on Will to deliver unexpected barbs intended to elicit chuckles from his classmates.
Sam: The soft-spoken former student, age 16.
Samantha was forced to drop out of school after the death of her military father. A gifted percussionist, music becomes her salvation, and the very reason for her return to school to perform in Allen’s Jazz ensemble.
Louise: The front-line singer, age 17.
A gifted pianist who loves to sing and lives to perform, Louise quickly becomes the center of attention in Allen’s Jazz ensemble, attracting a cadre of gifted students to share their other-worldly musical gifts.
LISTEN to the “Tone” of the story & the “Flavor” of its characters!
READ the story's script as you listen!
VISUALIZE the series in your creative mind!
READ the story's script as you listen!
VISUALIZE the series in your creative mind!
| only_the_beginning_script.pdf |
|
Part 1: PILOT
Audio Duration: 14-minutes, 34-seconds |
|
Part 2
Audio Duration: 31-minutes, 18-seconds |
|
Part 3
Audio Duration: 22-minutes, 12-seconds |
|
Part 4
Audio Duration: 31-minutes, 22-seconds |