2020 True Story Screenplay Competition (renamed True Story Showcase)

The True Story Showcase recognizes scripts, books, short stories & stage plays in any genre that feature a story based on, or inspired by, true events.

2020 WINNING SCRIPTS

BOOTH (Episode 1: "A Bad Hand")

by Thomas R. Cummings & Philip David Black

Genre: Drama

Logline: The most renowned American actor of his era trades fame, fortune, and family for a chance to gain an everlasting legacy as the savior of the Confederacy. Orchestrating a conspiracy of sympathizers, he plots to remove his biggest obstacle...the most beloved President in United States history.

Bio: From a multi-generational family of published writers before him, Thomas grew up in a family that surrounded him with the influences of classic film and literature, theatre, writing, poetry, "wordsmithing", and storytelling. As a trained professional actor in his own right, Thomas has in-depth understanding of character development and crafting smart dialogue that an actor would want to deliver. Thomas began writing his first "starter" scripts at the age of thirteen. Since then, he has written and created multiple projects including short stories, prose, stage plays, web series, professional blogs, and website content. With a passion for history, Thomas enjoys researching and writing within the genres of historical fiction, drama, and biography. As a visionary, he excels at conceptualizing setting and action, while developing stories and characters that are interesting, innovative, intricate, and iconic. Thomas lives in Southern California with his wife and two children.

OPERATION BABYLIFT

by John McCarney

Genre: Drama

Logline: A maverick airline CEO, a Volkswagen driving hippie, and an Iowa housewife risk their lives to save discarded mixed-race orphans in collapsing war torn Vietnam.

Bio: John McCarney is a Vietnam Era Veteran. He is a former college football player who was assigned to the Intensive Care nursery at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines during Operation Babylift as Vietnam collapsed. A sense of guilt always haunted him as he was safe within the nursery, while others died in the inaugural Babylift flight that originated from his base. A cathartic writing experience turned into a desire to create a screenplay that celebrates not only the Air Force Personnel and volunteers from Clark Air Force base, but also the incredible adventures of many civilians who help save as many orphans as possible.

THE ONES INSIDE

by Alysia Sofios

Adapted from the book "Deadly Devotion" (previously published as "Where Hope Begins") by Alysia Sofios and Caitlin Rother

Genre: Drama

Logline: When a cult-like mass murder rocks a California town, a career-obsessed local news reporter must choose between her shot on the network or helping the brainwashed survivors of the crime.

Bio: Alysia Sofios is an award-winning journalist and true crime author who made national headlines when she befriended the survivors of one of California’s worst mass murders and ultimately lived with the family for seven years, helping them experience life for the first time.

Book | SF Gate Article

TIPPING THE SCALES

by Michael Anthony McMillon

Genre: Romantic/Comedy

Logline: A functioning alcoholic businessman with depression struggles to find the balance between chasing his dream - acting in, and writing, Hollywood movies - and his moral responsibility to support his complicated family who solely rely on him for financial security.

Bio: Michael Anthony McMillon was born in Long Beach, California in 1983, the middle child of an older brother and a baby sister. After graduating high school, Michael took a "business of acting" course at the local community college where he learned how to submit himself for roles online. After acquiring mild success via independent films and commercials, Michael decided to take a hiatus to provide a more sufficient form of income for his family. While starting a small security business, Michael began to write and soon became obsessed with the art and, when he was able to return to "the business", writing and filmmaking became his sole purpose.

Trailer for Writer's Short Film "Fragmented"