Daniel Jordan

Specialty

I write grounded, emotionally charged stories that turn silence, struggle, and truth into cinematic

Bio

Daniel Jordan is a writer and filmmaker creating emotionally charged, socially conscious stories under his brand Hooks by: DJ Presents. His work blends cinematic realism with empathy, often exploring quiet resilience, moral conflict, and the human cost of silence. From hard-hitting dramas like Maribel: What’s the Rest of the Story? to thought-provoking projects such as The Bum and It’s Against the Law, Daniel’s storytelling bridges art, impact, and authenticity.

Syracuse, NY

Available Now

Drama, Psychological, Social issue

Some of my Scripts

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Drama Urban Thriller

THE BUM — 'He’s not homeless… because he’s in yours.'

After a brutal street assault, an aging homeless man finds a young perpetrator’s wallet — and quietly becomes the judge, jury and executioner as he stalks the men who humiliated him.

Drama Urban Thriller

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After a brutal street assault, an aging homeless man finds a young perpetrator’s wallet — and quietly becomes the judge, jury and executioner as he stalks the men who humiliated him.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The screenplay's unique selling proposition lies in its subversion of the 'helpless homeless' trope, transforming the victim into a calculated predator who invades the personal spaces of his tormentors. This psychological reversal, combined with the cyclical narrative structure and the chilling tagline 'He's not homeless... because he's in yours,' creates a memorable and unsettling premise that distinguishes it from conventional revenge stories.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The transformation of a homeless man into a violent figure seeking change, highlighting the desperation of his circumstances.
Plot Twist: Joe's violent confrontation with Ryan and Mike, revealing the extent of his despair and the consequences of societal neglect.
Distinctive Setting: The juxtaposition of gritty urban environments with suburban tranquility, emphasizing the divide between different social classes.

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Western

It's Against The law

When a newly appointed Marshal returns to a lawless frontier town, a calm deputy must enforce a simple rule — the law applies to everyone — by literally shooting the rope that would hang him.

Western

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When a newly appointed Marshal returns to a lawless frontier town, a calm deputy must enforce a simple rule — the law applies to everyone — by literally shooting the rope that would hang him.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This screenplay's unique selling proposition lies in its exploration of racial dynamics within the Western genre through the partnership between a white Deputy and African American Marshal, using the classic lawman archetype to examine themes of justice, discrimination, and the universal application of law in a way that feels both traditional and contemporary.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The Deputy and Marshal's partnership in restoring law and order in a chaotic town.
Major Twist: The Deputy's timely intervention to save the Marshal from a mob, emphasizing the theme of justice.
Distinctive Setting: A classic Western town with a mix of lawlessness and community spirit.

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Drama Crime Psychological Thriller Mystery

Maribel What's the Rest Of The Story?

When an eleven-year-old girl's crayon drawing points to a basement secret, a tired detective and a steady social worker must coax the rest of the story out of her before the house hides it forever.

Drama Crime Psychological

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When an eleven-year-old girl's crayon drawing points to a basement secret, a tired detective and a steady social worker must coax the rest of the story out of her before the house hides it forever.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This script's unique selling proposition is its masterful use of visual metaphor and subtext to reveal childhood trauma, avoiding sensationalism while maintaining profound emotional impact. The drawing-as-narrative-device creates a distinctive storytelling approach that shows rather than tells the horror, making it both artistically sophisticated and emotionally devastating.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The use of drawing as a means for the child to communicate her trauma, providing a visual representation of her experiences.
Emotional Depth: The screenplay's focus on the psychological impact of trauma on a child and the supportive roles of adults in her life.
Tense Atmosphere: The setting of a Child Advocacy Center creates a somber and urgent tone, enhancing the emotional stakes.

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Drama Coming-of-age Mystery

The Wishing Well

A 14-year-old girl who treats a town’s wishing well like a joke discovers that the tossed coins hide a buried tragedy — and a grieving woman who will not let the town forget.

Drama Coming-of-age Mystery

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A 14-year-old girl who treats a town’s wishing well like a joke discovers that the tossed coins hide a buried tragedy — and a grieving woman who will not let the town forget.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This script uniquely blends supernatural elements with real-world grief and small-town secrets, using the wishing well as both literal and metaphorical device to explore how communities process tragedy and how careless actions can reopen old wounds. The combination of 80s nostalgia with timeless themes of loss creates a distinctive tone that sets it apart from typical genre fare.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The mysterious well that serves as a focal point for the children's wishes and the tragic history tied to it.
Plot Twist: The revelation of Mrs. Craven's husband's death and the town's complicity in the tragedy.
Distinctive Setting: The nostalgic 1980s mill town atmosphere that evokes a sense of timelessness and innocence.

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Action Drama

Shadows Beyond The Wall

A disciplined General leads his elite team beyond a sacred compound to retrieve deserters and finds that the taste of the outside world forces a grim reckoning about freedom and peace.

Action Drama

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A disciplined General leads his elite team beyond a sacred compound to retrieve deserters and finds that the taste of the outside world forces a grim reckoning about freedom and peace.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This screenplay uniquely blends traditional martial arts aesthetics with profound philosophical inquiry about the nature of peace and violence, presenting disciplined warriors who embody both tranquility and lethal capability. The visual storytelling approach using ink-stroke imagery creates a distinctive cinematic language that sets it apart from conventional action shorts.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The juxtaposition of a peaceful, disciplined life within the compound against the chaotic world outside.
Major Twist: The tragic death of the Deserter in the General's arms, highlighting the cost of seeking freedom.
Distinctive Setting: The sacred compound contrasted with the burnt village, creating a visually rich backdrop.

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Western Drama Action

James and His Bag

A weary rider honors a dying friend’s last request, defending a leather bag from outlaws and corrupt lawmen on a lone journey to deliver its private contents to a waiting widow.

Western Drama Action

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A weary rider honors a dying friend’s last request, defending a leather bag from outlaws and corrupt lawmen on a lone journey to deliver its private contents to a waiting widow.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This script elevates the Western genre through its minimalist approach to storytelling, focusing on the emotional weight of a single promise rather than material treasure. The bag's contents being sentimental rather than valuable subverts genre expectations while delivering a powerful emotional payoff that resonates with contemporary audiences seeking meaningful character-driven narratives.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The central promise that James must fulfill, which drives the narrative.
Emotional Depth: The exploration of grief and loyalty through James's journey.
Violent Confrontations: Intense gunfights that highlight the dangers of the Western setting.

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Drama Comedy Slice of Life Documentary

30 Days, 30 Bars – “The First Pour”:

A charismatic host drives a van across upstate New York visiting one local bar every day for thirty days, capturing the stories, music and community rituals that keep small-town spirit alive — and trying to prove a grassroots mission can outlast declining storefronts.

Drama Comedy Slice of Life

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A charismatic host drives a van across upstate New York visiting one local bar every day for thirty days, capturing the stories, music and community rituals that keep small-town spirit alive — and trying to prove a grassroots mission can outlast declining storefronts.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The unique selling proposition is its authentic documentary-style exploration of American local culture through neighborhood bars, combining travelogue with human interest storytelling. It offers genuine emotional connections and community insights rather than manufactured drama, appealing to audiences seeking authentic human stories and cultural exploration.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: A 30-day journey exploring different bars and the stories they hold.
Innovative Idea: Combining travel, culture, and personal storytelling in a bar setting.
Distinctive Setting: The focus on local bars as cultural hubs in various communities.

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Documentary Social Issues Community Drama Environmental

Do Something That Matters

When ordinary neighborhoods discover their soil and sidewalks are poisoned by neglect and profiteering, a traveling documentary series follows residents who refuse to wait for government fixes — they clean, rebuild and force accountability, one block at a time.

Documentary Social Issues Community

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When ordinary neighborhoods discover their soil and sidewalks are poisoned by neglect and profiteering, a traveling documentary series follows residents who refuse to wait for government fixes — they clean, rebuild and force accountability, one block at a time.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This script's unique selling proposition is its grassroots approach to environmental justice, focusing on ordinary people taking action in their own communities rather than large-scale environmental issues. It distinguishes itself by connecting environmentalism to daily life and community care, making the abstract concept of climate change tangible through local, actionable solutions.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The documentary's focus on real-life community efforts to combat environmental issues provides a relatable and inspiring narrative.
Innovative Ideas: The integration of personal stories with broader environmental themes creates a compelling narrative that emphasizes local action.
Distinctive Settings: The contrasting settings of urban decay and community revitalization highlight the impact of environmental neglect and grassroots efforts.