A pitch for a University Drama project.

1. Untitled ‘Memory Drama’
Project
From Buscemi’s Peaches

2. Story Synopsis
• Middle-aged actor Ethan Wise has one last chance to save his career from
an untimely and unfortunate end, after the loss of his sister in a car
accident, from which he was also involved in.
• After recovering from the accident, Ethan was informed that he had short
term-memory loss. This began to take significant affect, causing him to only
recall fragmented images of his sister whom he can only visualize as a
much younger version of herself. Confidence in his musical career has
begun to wane and he is still in grief over the passing of his sister.
• However, he is receiving support from a psychotherapist to try and
overcome this and is slowly on the way to recovery. But can he recover in
time to save his performance?

3. Structure, Style and Inspiration
• The present of the story will be set at the stage/theatre, with Ethan about to go on and perform. With growing unease and
pressure mounting, we flashback to moments when he is home and having therapy sessions. By cross cutting between
these past scenes, the audience will learn about his deceased sister and hopefully emphasize with him as we see him
struggle to regain his mental and emotional stability through the therapy.
• Once enough is explained, we jump back to the present with Ethan heading onto the stage, however we cut away before
we see him deliver his lines, so as to keep it a mystery as to whether or not he has truly recovered.
• Influences have come from the multi-narrative stranded film Memento, in which Leonard suffers from extreme short term
memory loss. The short film A Long Walk also provided some inspiration in the structuring of the narrative.
• Stylistically, we are intrigued by attempting to echo something similar to that of Birdman, specifically the use of long,
seemingly one shot takes and wide angles.

4. Characters: Ethan Wise
• Ethan Wise is a middle aged man, around late
thirties to early forties.
• He is a professional actor, mainly performing on
stage/theatre, and has earned fair critical
acclaim and a loyal fan following.
• Ethan is haunted by the death of his sister from a
freak car accident of which he was not
responsible for but still harbours guilt.
• His biggest fears are losing a grip on his career
and not being able to overcome the death of his
sister.

5. Characters: Jean Wise
• Jean Wise is the deceased younger sister of
Ethan Wise, who was tragically killed in a car
accident.
• Jean was a very colourful character, often
adopting a bold fashion sense and spritely
demeanour.
• Recent relationship issues meant that she
was staying over with her brother when the
accident happened, which is perhaps another
reason why he harbours such guilt; she was
in his care.

6. Characters: Dr. Yates
• Dr. Yates is the professional that supports Ethan
in trying to recover from his trauma, on both
mental and emotional levels.
• Through a series of therapy sessions and
exercises, Yates will try to guide Ethan back into
a healthy state.
• Patience and empathy are Yates key qualities.

7. Locations: Theatre Stage
• This is the set for which the present action
will take place, in which Ethan will wait to go
out and perform potentially his last
performance.
• The spotlights will be on and glaring down
onto the stage.
• This will help to elevate Ethan’s anxiety and
we can show this from his point of view.
• This also allows us to get away with not
having tonnes of extras to form an audience.

8. Location: Home
• Ethan lives out his domestic life here at
home.
• He is constantly reminded of his sister
by photos and items of her belongings
and also by his hallucinations of her
around the house.
• He attempts to mediate and calm
himself when at home but finds it is all
too much.

9. Location: Therapy Room
• Ethan sees Yates in an effort to try to
improve his memory loss and to try and
steer himself back onto his career.
• Yates uses exercises and puzzles to try
to help Ethan and sometimes
recommends that Ethan practices the
lines of his parts with him.
• Progressively, Ethan begins to get better
with the therapy.