TV Musical Series Bible Treatment for
WHOLLY BROKEN
Created by Tom Humbert
THE PITCH
Wholly Broken is a new dramedy musical television series that will enlighten, enrich and entertain viewers about life's everyday challenges and triumphs. Wholly Broken is not preachy and the results are inspiring, emotionally charged, and triumphant!
These are the stories of eight people whose lives are connected through events that happen in their community and continually intersect. They are as normal and as imperfect as anyone who has ever lived. The episodes take place in the beautiful Hamptons and are brought to life using original songs in the musical style of "Hamilton" or "Glee" to propel the plot's effects. The musical genres include Broadway, country, Christian rock and pop. There are no shortcuts taken here; these are great award-winning actors, singers and musicians.
The themes are developed from current topics found in the news today: terrorism, gun control, gay marriage, LGBT, bullying in schools, alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy and abortion, unemployment, etc. When problems arise, the characters must decide what actions to take and ultimately what to believe.
TAG LINE: Wholly Broken - A not-so-holy minister living in the Hamptons tries to heal a broken community.
STORY FORMAT (How the show works)
The shows are narrated by the main character Pastor Tom Matthews who is the facilitator of a new fellowship support group called "Religious Rehab" where we see all the main and secondary characters meeting once a month (AA fashion). The songs organically flow from the story beats and move the story forward as if they were sung monologues and/or sung dialogue. The plots are driven by hot button news topics that are current and relatable and with the use of flashbacks, each character's back story is slowly revealed which ultimately draws the viewer into a deeper relationship with that character and keeps them coming back for more.
The Story Engine
The deep conflict of the story world is that all humanity is broken, imperfect and filled with much suffering which is in direct conflict with God's promise that he loves us and will never leave us. We explore the direct conflict of the existence of God through a group of characters who question, "Is God even listening...does God even care?"
The cognitive experience of the last beats of the TV musical movie pilot points us to the engine that drives the whole show - The desire to believe and trust in a loving God while living in a world where our anxieties, inhumanity and brokenness make it almost impossible to do so. Wholly Broken constantly asks the question “Where is God?” The characters have moments of little challenges which hold out the promise of resolving the conflict and then suddenly their moments of achieving a small triumph are interrupted as they are plunged back into the original dilemma summoning the question, "Where are you God in my time of need?" Almost every character is an idealist living in a world filled with cynicism and suffering. They ask the questions that other people don't or won’t. At the end of episode two, a miraculous procedural element is introduced.
The basic locations are what you may find in any middle class neighborhood; a family home, the church, a restaurant/bar, and various other locations dictated by the individual plots. Most effective are the many beautifully filmed scenes in the Hamptons at the ocean beaches, inlets, jetty rocks and marinas.
Story Topics
1. Abortion
2. Abuse
3. Suicide
4. Gun Control
5. High School Pressures
6. Drug Addiction
7. Unemployment
8. Disease
9. Mental Illness
10. Eating Disorders
11. Gay Rights
12. Terrorism
Major Characters
Each of the characters have their delicious little secrets, their gifted strengths and their fragile human weaknesses.
Pastor Tom Mathews - 45 years old
The main character and narrator of the show. He’s a musician and the facilitator of "Religious Rehab". He's a recovering alcoholic.
Kim Mathews - 40 years old.
Tom's wife. A high powered lawyer who has set her career as the major priority of her life...even to the detriment of her marriage.
Kristen Moore - 36 years old
A divorced mother of two and a recovering alcoholic. She's a waitress at the Krispy Biscuit.
Rose Anderson - 64 years old
African-American wife and grandmother whose husband is dying of Alzheimer's. She is a retired nurse and currently is the church secretary.
Doug Tiannas - 47 years old
A "Jack-of-all-trades" and Tom's longtime childhood atheist friend. He is the keyboardist in Tom's band.
Isabel Fernandez - 32 years old
Single Hispanic mother who never married. She had Emma when she was 16 years old. She works two jobs to make ends meet; a cleaning lady by day and a bartender at night.
Emma Fernandez– 16 years old
A very attractive, popular and intelligent high school student who loves to party a little too much. She just wants to fit in… doesn't everybody?
David Garrett – 16 years old
Emma's best friend. Lives every day with peer pressure and bullying because he is gay. He is the most honest and trustworthy person you'll ever meet.
Paul Decker- 59 years old
A retired U.S. Marine and a married father of three who just lost his job. He now works part time at a fire arms store and is the high school security guard.
Additional Minor Characters
Pastor Greg - 65 yrs. old
Pastor of The Little Church of the Hamptons and Tom's boss.
Richard Anderson - 68 yrs. old
Rose's dying husband.
Tanner Hill - 32 yrs. old
A waitress living with cystic fibrosis who works with Kristen at the Krispy Biscuit.
Zack Smith - 17 yrs. old
Emma and David's high school friend and jock.
Jake - 10 yrs. old
Kristen's son.
Priscilla - 8 yrs. old
Kristen's daughter.
Scott G. - 16 yrs. old
David's best friend.
Samantha G. - 38 yrs. old
Scott's mom and an English teacher at the high school.
SERIES SYNOPSIS
Season 1
EP 01/ PILOT
"What a Day"
It's a late summer Sunday in September as Tom tries to save his marriage, his job and the Little Church of the Hamptons only to hit rock bottom and rebound to become the man he's meant to be. After tragedy hits, the dramatic conclusion erupts filled with hope for tomorrow.
EP 02/
"Why God?"
After the car accident, David and Scott fight for their lives and look for a miracle. Isabel is abused by her boyfriend. Emma takes a pregnancy test.
EP 03/
"A Bump in the Road"
Paul's PTSD shows its ugly side. Emma's secret is out. Rose struggles with Richard's illness. Tom and Kristen are spotted by Kim in an awkward moment.
EP 04/
"The Do Over"
Kim moves back home with Tom. Kristen turns to medication to help battle her depression. During a religious rehab session, Rose receives a concerning phone call. Emma tells her best friend that she's pregnant.
EP 05/
"God Has Shed His Grace on Thee"
Veteran's Day is approaching in this patriotic episode as Paul sells a gun to an unlikely customer. There is an active shooter at the high school.
EP 06/
"In My Father's House"
Rose arrives home to emergency vehicles. Tom is at the beach where sights and sounds bring him to remember his troubled childhood. There's a rally at the high school to remember the victims.
EP 07/
"If I Knew"
It’s Thanksgiving and Kristen relives the events leading up to 9/11 and visits her first husband’s grave. We remember the heroes, the victims and the collateral damage of this tragic day. Isabel takes matters into her own hands.