Them Middle School Kids Pitch

Transcript

1. Created by Steven Vargas
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS Premise.................................................................... 3 Character Descriptions......................................... 4 Character Model Sheets........................................ 7 Construction Sheet.............................................. 11 Sample Script........................................................ 12 Story Ideas............................................................. 15 Context.................................................................. 16 Layout Samples..................................................... 17 Prop Sheets............................................................ 20 Sample Storyboard............................................... 22 2
3. The entire student body of an NYC middle school functions as a microsociety with its own unwritten rules and norms. Them Middle School Kids is an animated slice of life/comedy series about a ragtag group of sixth graders: Manny, Kiki, and twins Christopher and Christine, traversing through the unique community of Miles M. Middleton Middle School where all the students function in a societal structure run by the kids, for the kids. For the art kids, for the science kids, even for the theater kids. Mirroring the economics of American society, each grade represents a social class and the sixth grade sits at the top of the pyramid. While the students are running their thing, the teachers of Miles M. Middleton don’t quite get it. From their view, the students are no more than just students. Whatever they got going is all a game to them. The series explores these two sides of the school and how they parallel each other, even when not seeing eye to eye. 3 THEM MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS
4. MANNY 4 FULL NAME: Manuel Ramano Valera AGE: 11 A young Hispanic boy who believes he has what it takes to be a leader. Manny is a strategic thinker and finds many ways to be resourceful. He is also passionate about advocating for fair rights and justice amongst his peers, whether they’ve been wronged by the student system or a teacher. He’s not just standing up for the little guy, he’s the little guy standing up.
5. KIKI 5 FULL NAME: Kiki Parsons AGE: 11 After transferring from out of state, Kiki is dubbed “the new kid” at Miles M. Middleton. Being on the autism spectrum, Kiki processes things differently than most kids and can be very shy most of the time. Finding solace in Manny and the twins, Kiki feels that she can gain more confidence in herself.
6. THE CHRIS TWINS 6 FULL NAMES: Christopher and Christine Sherman-McDougall AGE: 11 Prepare for trouble, and make it double, the Chris twins cause it wherever they go. It’s not that they’re bad kids, they’re just more than a handful, especially when they’re practically inseparable. So much so that both like having their names shortened to “Chris”. Manny and Kiki usually refer to them as “Chris 1” and “Chris 2” respectively.
7. Manny - Turnaround 7
8. Kiki - Turnaround 8
9. Christopher - Turnaround 9
10. Christine - Turnaround 10
11. Manny - Construction Sheet 11
15. “Vote for Manny” The Student Council holds an election for the new sixth-grade representative. Manny decides to run for the position as his friends manage his campaign. “The Break-In” Christopher gets wrongly accused of a prank on Ms. Henderson and is kept behind in detention during recess. Manny devises a plan to break him out. “The Husher’s Club” Manny gets invited to a secret meeting organized by the Student Council. It turns out he was selected to join a hidden club in the library called, the Husher’s Club. “Horse Writer” Kiki begins writing fictional stories about her special interest, horses. When she misplaces her written work, another student finds it and begins spreading her stories around the school. Kiki is embarrassed at first before students come to her expressing interest in more stories. “Oh Brother, Where Are You?” When a recent stunt sends the Chris twins to the Principal’s office, she suggests the two spend some time apart. The twins brush it off thinking they’ll be fine, until missing each other begins to tear them both apart. 15 EPISODE STORY IDEAS Each story consists of an 11-minute episode runtime
16. 16 CONTEXT Them Middle School Kids takes place within the confines of New York City, specifically, the borough of Brooklyn. Yet to be touched by gentrification, the whole neighborhood area finely shows its age. Appearing rather grungy and worn down but not a complete slimehole, there’s a defined character to the overall look of the setting. Many trademarks of NYC culture are present in the setting, such as project housing apartments, graffiti art, highway roads, corner stores, and parks that’ll provide some nice R&R. It’s not pretty, but the authenticity makes it feel distinctly New York. Miles M. Middleton Middle School has been around for a long time, opening its doors sometime in the late 19th century. Middleton resembles your typical run-of-the-mill possibly underfunded school. Despite the conditions, it allows the students great advantage to make the place feel like their own and repurpose space all around. For example, a small area in the back of the library left untouched since the 90s has been turned into a secret hideout. Students with their cliques also make their spaces known, through atmosphere. Taking up a large room divided, the art kids have their side colorful from paint splotches and art hanging on the walls while the science kids on the other side have a more modernist look that is open and clear in contrast.
17. Layout - School Building 10 Field, Not Reduced 17
18. Layout - School Courtyard 10 Field, Not Reduced 18
19. Layout Pan - Library Hideout 10 Field, Reduced 19
20. Prop Design - Tetherball Pole 20
21. Prop Design - Decoder Ring 21