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John Cooney

Bio
My writing is influenced by my law enforcement career and a love of music, sci-fi, noir fiction and great writing in general.
Portland, Oregon
Available Now
Sci-Fi, Action, Crime/Thriller

Some of my Scripts

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The Art of Lies

When a Kyiv museum raid leaves more questions than loot, a jaded FBI art investigator and a young Russian‑trained agent uncover a Soviet‑era conspiracy — and find themselves running a dangerous undercover operation to stop a high‑stakes LA heist that could reveal the world’s most famous missing masterpieces.

When a Kyiv museum raid leaves more questions than loot, a jaded FBI art investigator and a young Russian‑trained agent uncover a Soviet‑era conspiracy — and find themselves running a dangerous undercover operation to stop a high‑stakes LA heist that could reveal the world’s most famous missing masterpieces.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The script's unique selling proposition is its fusion of art history, geopolitical intrigue, and character-driven crime drama. Unlike typical heist films, it explores the fascinating real-world premise of Stalin-era art forgeries concealing looted European masterpieces, creating a high-stakes treasure hunt with historical depth. The mentor-mentee relationship between two FBI agents with complementary skills adds emotional weight rarely seen in the genre, while the exploration of art as cultural heritage gives the narrative thematic resonance beyond typical thriller conventions.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The intertwining of art theft with personal stakes and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.
  • Plot Twist: The revelation that key characters have hidden agendas and connections to the art world.
  • Distinctive Setting: The contrast between the war-torn atmosphere of Kyiv and the glamorous art scene in Los Angeles.

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The Art of Lies "Pilot"

When a Kyiv museum looting echoes in Los Angeles, a lone undercover art-crimes specialist (Dan Winter) must navigate a tangled web of ex-special-forces looters, a charismatic right-wing patron, and the FBI’s turf wars to stop an international ring from turning priceless artifacts into weapons of influence.

When a Kyiv museum looting echoes in Los Angeles, a lone undercover art-crimes specialist (Dan Winter) must navigate a tangled web of ex-special-forces looters, a charismatic right-wing patron, and the FBI’s turf wars to stop an international ring from turning priceless artifacts into weapons of influence.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This script combines the sophisticated world of high-stakes art crime with geopolitical intrigue, military corruption, and FBI undercover operations. Unlike typical crime procedurals, it explores the intersection of art, war, and organized crime through multiple international perspectives, offering a fresh take on the thriller genre with intellectual depth and emotional stakes.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The intertwining of art theft with the backdrop of war in Ukraine.
  • Plot Twist: The revelation of Larson's connections to criminal activities and his eventual fate.
  • Distinctive Setting: The contrast between the cultural richness of art museums and the gritty underworld of crime.

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A Kind of Guilt

A disgraced federal investigator is temporarily freed to help stop a terror plot — but as he digs into the case he must confront the man who framed him, the synthetic world that complicates his notions of personhood, and the daughter he’s never truly known.

A disgraced federal investigator is temporarily freed to help stop a terror plot — but as he digs into the case he must confront the man who framed him, the synthetic world that complicates his notions of personhood, and the daughter he’s never truly known.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This script blends a classic detective thriller with sophisticated sci-fi world-building about synthetic consciousness, exploring themes of identity, freedom, and redemption through the lens of a father trying to reconnect with his daughter while solving a case that implicates his own past. The unique 'Third Kingdom' virtual reality concept for synthetics adds philosophical depth rarely seen in the genre.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The integration of synthetic beings and their rights within a dystopian society, raising questions about humanity.
  • Major Twist: The revelation that Claire, a synthetic, has been unknowingly acting as a spy, complicating her relationship with Lomax.
  • Distinctive Setting: A richly developed dystopian future with a mix of high-tech environments and gritty prison settings.

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The Mendoza Line

When a star second baseman’s sister is crippled by a bookie’s debt, he’s forced to underperform in the World Series — and must choose between family and the one thing he’s always loved: baseball.

When a star second baseman’s sister is crippled by a bookie’s debt, he’s forced to underperform in the World Series — and must choose between family and the one thing he’s always loved: baseball.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

This script uniquely combines the high-pressure world of professional baseball with organized crime thriller elements, using the 'Mendoza Line' batting average as both a baseball statistic and a life-or-death threshold. The premise of a star player forced to underperform in the World Series to save his sister creates immediate tension that bridges sports drama and crime thriller genres, appealing to both baseball fans and general audiences seeking high-stakes moral dilemmas.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The intertwining of a high-stakes sports narrative with personal gambling issues and organized crime.
  • Major Twist: The revelation of Jose's sister's gambling debts and their impact on his performance and family dynamics.
  • Distinctive Setting: The backdrop of the World Series provides a dramatic and high-stakes environment for the characters' conflicts.

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Hole in the Sky

When a pararescue veteran who survived a mysterious battlefield catastrophe discovers his unit was a test subject in a covert weapons program, he must hunt a sentient alien 'Wolf' that can possess human hosts — and rescue his sister and niece before the weapon learns too much.

When a pararescue veteran who survived a mysterious battlefield catastrophe discovers his unit was a test subject in a covert weapons program, he must hunt a sentient alien 'Wolf' that can possess human hosts — and rescue his sister and niece before the weapon learns too much.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The script for "Hole in the Sky" offers a unique blend of military science fiction and alien contact, exploring themes of betrayal, transformation, and the human condition in a high-stakes, action-packed narrative. The script's focus on the personal journey of its protagonist, Thomas Riordan, as he navigates this extraordinary situation, sets it apart from more traditional sci-fi stories and makes it a compelling and engaging read for audiences seeking a thought-provoking yet thrilling cinematic experience.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The integration of alien technology with military operations and personal trauma.
  • Major Twist: The revelation that Riordan is a key to activating alien technology due to his inoculant.
  • Innovative Ideas: The use of holographic technology and advanced weaponry in combat scenarios.

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Hole in the Sky "Pilot"

After a bizarre escape from a Russian facility leaves a monstrous intelligence loose in Los Angeles, a haunted ex-special-ops soldier turned LAPD officer must unravel a military cover-up and stop an enemy that can enter minds.

After a bizarre escape from a Russian facility leaves a monstrous intelligence loose in Los Angeles, a haunted ex-special-ops soldier turned LAPD officer must unravel a military cover-up and stop an enemy that can enter minds.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

A unique blend of sci-fi conspiracy thriller and police procedural with an alien entity at its core. The script's strongest element is the mysterious Wolf character and the 'Infinite Shield' conspiracy, creating a compelling 'what if' scenario about alien technology being weaponized by governments. The visual concept of the holographic cube interface provides distinctive sci-fi imagery rarely seen in television.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The ability of Wolf to manipulate technology and minds, creating a blend of sci-fi and psychological thriller.
  • Major Twist: Wolf's grotesque transformation into an insect-like creature, adding a horror element to the narrative.
  • Distinctive Setting: The juxtaposition of high-tech military facilities in Russia with the gritty streets of Los Angeles.

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The Shadow Stone

When a resourceful teen sleuth discovers her late father’s map to a legendary gem that can grant any desire, she must race against a seductive, powerful sorceress and a rare lunar-solstice eclipse to save her sick mother and keep the Stone from being weaponized.

When a resourceful teen sleuth discovers her late father’s map to a legendary gem that can grant any desire, she must race against a seductive, powerful sorceress and a rare lunar-solstice eclipse to save her sick mother and keep the Stone from being weaponized.

Audience Emotional Journey
Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The Shadow Stone uniquely blends Arthurian mythology with contemporary Pacific Northwest settings, creating a fresh take on urban fantasy. Its protagonist is an 'occasional sleuth' rather than a chosen one, making her more relatable. The script smartly integrates real Oregon locations (Crater Lake, Powell's Books) with magical elements, creating a grounded yet fantastical world. The ticking clock of the lunar eclipse/solstice convergence adds urgency, while the family drama provides emotional stakes beyond the magical quest.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Unique Hook: The intertwining of a contemporary coming-of-age story with magical elements and a quest for a powerful artifact.
  • Major Twist: The revelation of Morgan's true intentions and her connection to Cape's family history.
  • Distinctive Setting: The contrast between the mundane high school environment and the magical realms of Crater Lake.