NARRATIVE - Magnificent Creature
Narrative Feature
Title: Magnificent Creature
Page Count: 112 pp
Project Status: In Development
Logline
When Earth reads as disorderly, Owen, a space alien, is sent to check the equilibrium. But after being discovered by Aaron, a magical-thinking optimist, and Jackie, a pessimistic loner, Owen must see the world through their eyes and choose to either spare Earth, or destroy it.
Synopsis
Alien scout O-W3N (or Owen) is sent to check the equilibrium on Earth by Motherboard, who’s equal parts boss and parent. But when Owen crash-lands, they’re saved by two teenagers. Aaron wants to save the world. Jackie wants to burn it. Owen will spend one lunar cycle with Aaron, and another with Jackie. After seeing both sides, Owen must determine the fate of the planet. Through Aaron’s eyes, Owen sees magic. They make friends with Becky and Brock, the it-couple at school, collect shells on the beach, and have endless sleepovers. On their last night together, Owen can’t imagine destroying Earth. Until they learn Aaron is sick with a rare, terminal heart condition, something his parents kept hidden from him. Spending the next month with Jackie, Owen learns about war, colonialism, and atomic bombs. They now see mayhem. Owen grows depressed and reckless with Jackie, who grieves the disappearance of her mother. They drink, smoke weed, and crash parties. When Becky and Brock discover Owen is an alien, they kidnap and lock them in their basement. Aaron and Jackie team up, looking for them everywhere. When they finally find them, Owen is beaten from Brock’s interrogation. Realizing Earth isn’t going to pass the test, Aaron and Jackie still stand with Owen as Motherboard arrives to collect them. But Owen has fallen in love with Aaron and Jackie. They don’t want to leave. At the last moment, Motherboard spares Earth and leaves Owen there. No longer an alien, but a human.
Additional Project Information
I lose faith in humanity on a weekly basis. Whether it’s the news, the political signs in my neighbor’s windows, or chaotic weather patterns, often it feels like we inherited a dying world. But even on my worst days, I fight to keep hope. I really do believe that this is all worth something, beyond what we can imagine. This project is a love letter to humanity, for all the messes we’ve made, all the people we’ve hurt, and everyone fighting for a better world. It’s always the younger generations who call for the biggest change, and I want to fan those flames. I want young people to have a film they can hold onto, one they can call their own. Colorful in a world of gray, queer in a world of hate, hopeful in a world of cynicism. I’ve been writing young adult stories since I was a young adult myself. I believe that if we inspire today’s youth to fight for change, then we really can save the world. But they can’t do it alone.
Under its former title of “Marconiville,” this script won Atlanta Film Festival’s Screenplay Competition in 2021. It was a finalist for a Humanitas fellowship, and a quarter-finalist for the Academy Nicholl Fellowship. Despite my biggest insecurities and fears, I believe in myself and this script. I just need the right people to help me bring it to life, and get it out in the world.
Team
Writer & Director: Tony Clemente Jr
Seeking
Producing Partners, Development Funds
Project Website
Contact
Tony Clemente Jr
tony.tccinemas@gmail.com
516-672-6006