The Rogue Series

Eternal Embrace is a proof-of-concept film for a television series titled, The Rogues.
What is a Rogue?:
A human spirit captured, frozen in time at a critical moment in their life. They are neither angels nor ghosts (nor souls). They are bound to earth and our present time with their own memories, emotions and goals. They just happen to be out of their own body for the moment...

During their lives, the Rogues from various past centuries, have had a string of tragedies or events pushed them to the edge, to unbearable pain. Each back-story is unique, but each has elements of similarities, which draw these Rogues together in a battle to return to their “real” life. There will be five Rogue spirits. Each are introduced in separate episodes.
Together they are a totally dysfunctional family.
The Rogue Series: The Rogues is a one-hour dramatic series. Although it is a romantic fantasy, it is rooted in reality offering action, adventure, drama, lots of humor and romance. “Tandem Visits” or Walk-in-their-shoes”:
In a “tandem visit”, the Rogue’s spirit occupies another human body, a method devised by Serena Rhune, a Shaman so that each Rogue can see beyond their own pain. The visit can be with a friend, neighbor, relative or someone who can gain or has easy access to the weekly protagonist. This makes it possible for a Rogue to immediately update/upload his/her memory, surroundings and situation. Since it is the episodes goal to empower the protagonist, the visit is not allowed to interfere with the human’s free will.
The Basic Episode: Each week the episode begins with Serena in her magnificient greenhouse (an anchor set). Five portraits hang on a strange looking glass wall. These framed portraits are the Rogues "home station". Serena protects and guards these backend portrait doorways. The "front door" of these portraits can be moved, reframed, bought or sold like any “normal” pictures.
The Rogues “live” in their own portraits. They can step outside their portraits to observe and interact with humans but are limited. The doorway is their energy source. Although each week one of them gets a chance to experience a "tandem visit" where their spirit occupies a present living human for a limited time. In this state they can experience all their five senses and bodily functions in order to feel "human" again. Although the Rogues are the main characters, there is a guest protagonist, a “broken spirit” each week.
Serena chooses the rogue who will interact with the protagonist. The one who has the most to lose or learn.

The Rogues don't always agree with her decision. And sometimes the situation is complicated by the negative side of the human spirit, the alibis.

Dream Sequence:
Every episode has a dream sequence. The Rogue’s portrait is also the portal and stage to the protagonist’s dream. Anything can happen. It can be full of fun, drama, adventure or mystery as long as it relates to uncovering the protagonist’s inner truth, so that they can grow.

This sequence can be as simple as someone sitting alone in a dark room to a full-blown Broadway musical number (budget permitting). It can be filmed in black and white, sepia or color whatever fits the story line. Serena usually makes her appearance in this sequence to help, clarify, argue and/or observe the Rogue.

The “Magic”:
Sherena Rhune uses Mother Nature, Father Spirit and her unlimited knowledge of herbology as her “magic”. She is known to have experimented with thousands of recipes, not just for cooking and healing, but on occasion, she has used her “magic” as a weapon of survival or revenge like “Montezuma’s”.

Being barefoot is how she connects to all around her. Although some say that being thousands of years old, her memory isn’t what it used to be, and though it takes her a while to find exactly the right remedy, her unique powers could only be called “magic”.

Weekly Protagonist:
Everyday man, woman, boy, or girl, any human being whose spirit is about to break or anyone who has reached a crossroads in their life and doesn’t know which way to go or what to do. The Rogue’s spirit has to find a way to empower the protagonist without infringing on their free will. Communication, caring is a must. The storylines are as simple as a decision about getting married to solving a murder. Since it is a romantic fantasy, there will be an element of romance woven throughout the storylines. Whether the romance is more dominant, depends on the plot.

Surrendered Spirit, the pilot,
Introduces William Joseph Riley, a 19th century rogue born in 1805 in the slums of Dublin. His mother, father and any known living relative are dead. At nine, he was left alone to fend for himself.

Riley eventually joined the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.), they had strict rules that men could not marry until they served at least seven years and that suited Riley just fine until he met Mary Brady. Riley never understood the true meaning of love until Mary. Riley becomes a doting husband and soon to be father. Also, he was promoted to sergeant. Life was good. His spirit was strong, proud-- a happier man didn’t exist.

Then, one day he was dismissed from the R.I.C., he was framed for the murder of the man he called father and was labeled a Fenian Spy. Returning home one night, he finds his pregnant wife trapped in their burning home. Caught off guard, Riley is dragged to the closest tree to be hung. Convinced that all is gone, Riley surrenders, but his mother-in-law, Serena Rhune won’t have any of it. She steals his spirit and zaps it into the future.

Serena helps Riley find his wife’s spirit so they can return to their lives, but the task seems impossible when he confronts an ex-con’s heart and a world he doesn’t understand.
Time Travel, a damaged spirit and a demanding mother-in-law... and you thought you had problems.

The complete 24 page series bible with all the Rogue’s bios and the pilot is available upon request.

©2010 Unicorn Shadow Productions

Eternal Embrace TRAILER

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