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Mark Laing

Specialty

Builder of new and old worlds.

Bio
I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease so my active new scripts are no more but I can still do rewrites!
Los Angeles
Available Now
Fantasy, action adventure and rom-com.
Website

Some of my Scripts

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Cadence

Trapped in her own home by a vengeful tormentor, a blind woman must rely on her instincts and inner strength to uncover a hidden family fortune and escape a deadly game.

Trapped in her own home by a vengeful tormentor, a blind woman must rely on her instincts and inner strength to uncover a hidden family fortune and escape a deadly game.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

What makes 'Cadence' unique is its blend of domestic drama with thriller elements, showcasing a strong female lead navigating personal and familial crises. The incorporation of physical fitness as a metaphor for resilience adds a fresh layer to the narrative, appealing to audiences interested in character-driven stories with psychological depth.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The integration of a Peloton bike as a central plot device, symbolizing both physical struggle and psychological manipulation.
  • Major Twist: The revelation of Cornel's familial connection to Judith, adding layers to their conflict.
  • Innovative Idea: The use of technology, such as drones and smart devices, to create tension and manipulate characters.

C C C R

May September.

A jaded older screenwriter and a younger free-spirited woman navigate their unconventional relationship and its impact on their personal and professional lives.

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A jaded older screenwriter and a younger free-spirited woman navigate their unconventional relationship and its impact on their personal and professional lives.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The unique blend of humor and poignant moments in 'May September' sets it apart from typical romantic comedies. The exploration of an unconventional relationship between an older man and a younger woman, coupled with the backdrop of the film industry, offers a fresh perspective that appeals to both romantic and dramatic sensibilities.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The juxtaposition of a middle-aged man's romantic pursuits with a younger woman's ambitions creates a fresh dynamic.
  • Character Development: Spike's journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance and Kaylee's growth as she navigates her career and feelings.
  • Humor and Heart: The screenplay balances comedic moments with emotional depth, making it relatable and engaging.

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The Thief of Dubai

A man haunted by his past is forced to confront a dark jinni and his own demons to save the world from a cataclysmic fate in this thrilling action-adventure.

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A man haunted by his past is forced to confront a dark jinni and his own demons to save the world from a cataclysmic fate in this thrilling action-adventure.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This screenplay uniquely intertwines ancient mythology with modern adventure, creating a rich tapestry that appeals to audiences interested in both historical narratives and contemporary action. The duality of the characters' past and present lives adds depth, making it a compelling story of love, redemption, and the consequences of one's actions.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The integration of ancient mythology with modern-day adventure, featuring a jinni and the Sword of Solomon.
  • Plot Twist: Revealing Rezana's true nature as a jinni and her connection to Jack's past.
  • Distinctive Setting: The contrast between the opulence of Solomon's Palace and the gritty modern-day Dubai.

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Box Canyon

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Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The project fuses hardboiled pulp, dark atomic-age comedy, Hollywood scandal, interracial romance, queer secrecy, and the historical afterimage of nuclear contamination into one flamboyant retro-noir. Its mystery turns institutional secrecy into both a thriller engine and a moral reckoning with the American myth of progress.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: A noir detective story set against the backdrop of a real nuclear meltdown and cover-up, blending historical fact with fiction.
  • Plot Twist: The revelation that the victim is Sydney's brother and the killer is Raul, not Trinity, subverting expectations.
  • Distinctive Setting: The Santa Susana Field Laboratory and its nuclear reactors, providing an eerie and dangerous environment.

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A Blue Moon over Corriganville

On a once-in-a-lifetime blue moon, a gang of rockabilly misfits races through a haunted Southern California movie landscape to deliver an elderly dreamer to the Western heroine who promised him one last horseback ride.

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On a once-in-a-lifetime blue moon, a gang of rockabilly misfits races through a haunted Southern California movie landscape to deliver an elderly dreamer to the Western heroine who promised him one last horseback ride.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The story turns specific Simi Valley history and forgotten Hollywood landmarks into a living, black-and-white-to-color fantasy playground, while grounding the spectacle in the tender loyalty of a makeshift family and the ache of an unfinished childhood wish.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: A dying man's quest to reunite with a childhood love under a Blue Moon, blending reality with cinematic fantasy.
  • Genre Blend: Mixes Western, rockabilly, sci-fi, and fantasy elements, creating a unique tonal experience.
  • Nostalgic Setting: Corriganville Movie Ranch and the House of the Book provide distinctive, visually rich backdrops.