Serge Lalou
Les Films D'ICI
12 Ru Clavel
75019 Paris
France
July 31, 1998
Re: GROUND
ZERO
Dear Serge,
Sorry that
it has been so difficult for me to get back to you with regards
to GROUND ZERO but unfortuneately we have moved offices and it has
taken a while to ge settled.
In any event,
I have now had a chance to look at GROUND ZERO. It is an intriguing
piece, much in the flavor of Robert's work but with more narrative.
Nevertherless, I feel it still needs more dramatic structure in
order to work, especially at the end as it feels inconclusive. What
has TOM learnt? why is his brother so fond of him in the first place?
These are some of the questions that came up. I felt TOM need more
characterization, more structure which would enable us to understnad
his actions better.
I cannot help
you with this at the moment, I am going to pass, but I wish you
all the best of luck raising the finance. Please keep me inform
of how you progress and if I can be of any help along the way.
Thanks for
getting back to me on this.
Best regards,
Teresa Monco
Miramax Films
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CONFIDENTIAL
- DO NOT DISTRIBUTE
PAGE
2
TITLE:
GROUND ZERO
AUTHOR:
KRAMER ROBERT
________________________________________________________________
SYNOPSIS:
TOM, 20, leaves the familial home in New York. His
younger brother, Bob, pleads with him to come back. Tom wonders
aimlessly, and finds himself under the wing of an Aikido Master.
When he is a fully trained expert, Tom is convinced by his Master
to take up paramilitary training, as he has exceptional observational
and physical skills. Tom follows his Master's advice, but tires
of private bodyguard. His boss is a wealthy American businessman,
and he involves an unwitting Tom in an illicit deal. This deal leads
to a murder to which Tom is a witness. Disillusioned with immorality,
Tom returns to New York, where he becomes reunited with his brother,
but also sleeps with his sister-in-law. Bob has inherited all the
family money, and is successful. However, his son has been framed
in a murder case, and remains in prison. Tom, via contacts in Japan,
helps to have his brother's son released. Tom becomes even closer
to his brother's wife, and considers the implications of his affections.
However, he comes to no conclusion. He may leave America once again.
_____________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIAL
- DO NOT DISTRIBUTE
PAGE
3
TITLE:
GROUND ZERO
AUTHOR:
KRAMER ROBERT
_____________________________________________________________
COMMENTS:
The writer demonstrates an inability to express ideas,
feelings, thoughts and words in a coherent shape. It is impossible
to guage what this story is about, as the author fails to give his
story any sense of characterization, linear progression or logical
shape. There is a tendency for the writer to go off on tangents
without any thought to where they might lead. We do not know why
Tom leaves home, why his brother is fond of him, and why they are
reunited only for Tom to sleep with his wife. Ultimately, there
is no sense in the story as it has a complete disregard for structure.
__________________________________________________
SCRIPT:
PASS
WRITER: PASS
