PRIZE FIGHT
Prize Fight is a limited series, eight-hour adventure epic.
Set in the UK in 1840, this story is inspired by the literature adventure classics of that time; Treasure Island, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Gulliver's Travels. In these tales, the hero is thrust into an unknown world full of magic and excitement. He watches in awe as a giant squid pulls one of Captain Nemo's men into the ocean - He discovers a treasure map just before pirates ransack the inn - He is shipwrecked on an island of six-inch-tall natives. In Prize Fight, our hero's world is too full of mystical wonder - in the midst of real-world bare-knuckle boxing. Through this, we explore the crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.
In 1840s Scotland, a man on the run from the law fantastically tells the story of his journey as he dives into the world of bare-knuckle boxing to escape his past and the gallows, but his escape plan proves to be more treacherous than anticipated.
Our protagonist is a man (think Jack Lowden) searching for his place in the world after his family was killed. He spins fiction to make his lonely world a little more bearable. Because of this, the show and his adventure are relayed by him in a tall tale series of accounts that sees him face to face with one-eyed boxers, gentleman duelists, pirates, and various creatures thought only to belong to fairytales. In this sense, Prize Fight is The Princess Bride meets Rocky.
This story is personal to me as it features a protagonist and supporting characters who find themselves isolated and struggling to find their paths in life, trapped in a bad situation that they believe is the end of the line. I've been here, as I'm sure we all have, as we've sought to figure out what kind of life we want to lead. Through this narrative, I wanted to show characters who discover their power and use it not only to change their lives but the lives of those around them. It's an inspiration often found in boxing fables and sporting stories, and I wanted to use this to inspire not only myself but others; to show that everyone has the strength to get back up when they're knocked down.
With Prize Fight, I wanted to emphasize what my writing is all about - characters learning to step into their power, championing the idea that one person can truly change the world.
Check out a concept trailer and a moodboard I put together below for a taste of what the show would be like! And find a sample of this pilot script under my Scripts page and links to the full pilot on industry sites The Black List and Coverfly!
An evaluation by a reader on the exalted Black List regarded: "PRIZE FIGHT successfully straddles the line between contemporary tone and on-the-nose period adventure. Hugh's nomadic willingness to let life play out creates space for a delightfully dizzying introduction to the underground economy of boxing and, more importantly, its inhabitants."
"Nearly every character seeps with charisma as they rattle off one-liners and bounce off one another. Using gritty sport, crackin-good dialogue, and heart-string dramatic moments, the pilot offers up plenty of excitement; it's an irresistible pilot."
"The writer makes a foreign story, both geographically and historically, feel very familiar and accessible. The good times roll, but looming threats and universal themes of survival and loneliness keep Hugh's adventures close to the ground. Like a one-two punch, this mini-series is striking in its impact."
"It should be not be understated here - this is an extremely well-written pilot script."
"With this script, the writer has done a great job of giving us a fresh, vivid world with a protagonist who’s likable and easy to root for." --Script Pipeline Competition
"Hugh’s a very interesting protagonist – roguish, charming, and engaging while also complicated and sympathetic. The stakes for him felt very real." --Script Pipeline Competition
"The writer has a good voice and a clear creative point of view. We start off with a fun and unique style in the opening scene, that instantly engages the reader and sets the tone for an intriguing plot. There’s an intriguing story here, with the promise of a better life for Hugh and knowing that he is running from a past that still haunts him, pushing him further into the unknown." --ScreenCraft Competition
*I do not own the rights to all of the images, video and music used above. The ownership belongs to their original creators; borrowed by me for creative inspiration only.