VISUALIZATIONS

THE CAST

His claim to fame, Ridesolo Man, is now the most vilified ad campaign in history.

Jake

A happy-go-lucky former model and Ridesolo Man, who is still in the closet.

Dan

Ellen

A former art director reunited with Jake and Dan. Will she go along for the ride?

Amaris

The new client. An alien from the planet Xenia. And a damn perky one to boot.

Isaiah

Amaris’ deferential sidekick. A student of Jake’s work and arguably his biggest fan.

Chairman, and CEO of one of the world’s largest, most successful ad agencies.

Harriet

In 2001, I wrote a highly effective anti-tobacco commercial that showed 1,200 body bags being dropped on the doorstep of a major tobacco company. “Body Bags” was later named one of the 15 best campaigns of the 21st century by AdAge and has remained a source of great pride for me and all involved. Yet I’ve often wondered what sort of impact my work might have had on those talented ad folks working on Big Tobacco campaigns? How did messages like “Body Bags” affect their lives, their careers, their very self-perceptions? I wondered.

MESSAGE FROM THE WRITER

  • ”I want to see this funny and touching movie.”

    2024 Nicholl Fellowship Reader

  • “Deserves as wide an audience as possible.”

    Black List Reader

  • “Jake’s assignment is at once both unusual and hilarious, offering a trailer moment that could sell the film in a matter of seconds.”

    Black List Reader

  • “What a delightfully clever script. It has heart, it’s fun, and it’s original.”

    Black List Reader

  • “Expertly crafted, polished, and ready to produce.”

    Black List Reader

  • “The themes of redemption, culpability, friendship, and embracing who you are lift this somewhat lighthearted story into deeper territory.”

    2024 Nicholl Fellowship Reader

  • “Reminiscent of films like DON'T LOOK UP and THANK YOU FOR SMOKING.”

    Black List Reader

  • “Satisfying, comical, and unexpected.”

    Black List Reader

  • ”The aliens are magical.”

    2024 Nicholl Fellowship Reader

  • “A fun and engaging ride.”

    2024 Nicholl Fellowship Reader

  • “Genuinely hilarious.”

    Black List Reader

  • “A high-concept, low-medium-budget project that could have a successful theatrical run and a long future as a streamer.”

    Black List Reader

  • “It’s a brilliantly unique concept that still succeeds in feeling marketable.”

    Black List Reader

  • “Stories about humans facing off with aliens from outer space who plan to wipe out the human race are common. Aliens from outer space hiring a disgraced ad man to pave the way for them to do it are not.”

    2024 Nicholl Fellowship Reader

  • “The script feels castable. These are great characters.”

    Black List Reader

  • “Unique and very funny.“

    2024 Nicholl Fellowship Reader

ABOUT THE WRITER

Ari Merkin is a DGA member and a well-recognized advertising creative leader with some big claims that help pay the bills. These include the Grand Clio and Cannes Grand Prix working with director, Spike Jonze. Ari was an AdAge 40 under 40 and an inductee to the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement.

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