Full Brain Films is looking for screenwriters and illustrators to join an informal meet and greet on November 14, 2014 to discuss the possibility of a professional collaboration on our new web series, Exceptionals, http://exceptionalsseries.com

We’re looking for experienced screenwriters who write in the genres of drama, super-hero, science fiction, friend-relationship stories and thrillers. Strong female characters are the core of this series, so women writers are our priority here. We are also looking for illustrators for paid work creating black and white graphic novel versions of a few of the screenplays.

During this gathering, you’ll be able to meet some of the lead actors and crew in the series and a few of the other local writers with whom we’ve been fortunate to connect. Food will be provided and you can bring your favorite beverage.

This will be by invitation only – space is limited. Please let me know about your experience and any connection to or interest in our series concept. Don’t worry — this isn’t an interview! We’re just looking for experienced screenwriters who like the topic and would be interested in collaborating with a great cast and crew. For now, this gathering is just to discuss the idea in a casual, informal setting.

More about Exceptionals

Exceptionals is a web series about normal people who learn they have extraordinary powers and the complications those powers bring to their lives. This genre is super-hero realism, which is drama and it includes sci-fi and action elements.

The super powers aren’t supernatural. They are often subtle and have biological and/or physical explanations, albeit extreme biology and physics. Most of the characters have mental powers, like telepathy, some have physical powers. There is a downside to all the powers, and much of the drama revolves around how the characters attempt to minimize the deficits and maximize the benefits of the abilities. Many of the abilities are life-threatening.

We independently produced the first four episodes, collectively called Part 1: Future Certain, which are about the first Exceptional, Brynne Vaness. We are in the process of editing these. We are also producing Sneak Previews (like trailers) for Parts 2, 3 and 4 — we’re filming “moments” in those that will give people a sense of where the series is going. Our goal is to get investment or distribution to continue the series.

“Up to this point, I’ve been the primary writer and I’ve written all the characters and plot ideas. Moving forward, and considering the length of each episode, and the likelihood we’d have to produce up to 16 episodes each season, I’ll need a team to help me.

This is why I’m reaching out to Portland writers, particularly women writers — you may have read that part of our goal with this series is to highlight women in front of the camera and behind. Other than this making us different than most super-hero shows, this just makes good business sense. There are amazing women actors in Portland and they are under-utilized — I have worked with many and we have some incredible talent in this show already — and having women pen their dialogue is vital.

There’s also an untapped market for shows that follow the non-romantic stories of women. For example, there is no discussion in the first four episodes about Brynne’s love interests. The dialogue revolves around ethical and moral dilemmas Brynne faces. I’m not opposed to including love-relationship stories as the series continues, but I find that the friendship-relationship and work-relationship stories are extremely compelling and not explored as much in women-centric shows.

So, my goal now is to find a compatible team of writers in the Portland area who can brainstorm some ideas within the limits of the broad outlines I’ve established (which I’ll explain when we meet). There will be a need to create more characters and new plot ideas. I have an outline for 7 seasons, but the specifics will have to be figured out.”

– Greg Kerr, Member of Full Brain Films and Creator of Exceptionals