Genre: Character-Driven Dramady / Literary Mystery/ Cinematic Adventure
Format: Feature Film with Series Potential

Logline:

When the people you know are fiction, your only choice is to rewrite your story.

Synopsis:

At UC Davis, legendary professor Dr. Pattie Orloff—played by Academy Award winner Julianne Moore—teaches 99 Rules for Writing, the most coveted seminar in the country. Known for her flaming red hair, pink cowboy boots, ever-present cigarette, and razor-sharp cynicism, Orloff insists that great storytelling follows her rigid rules.

Enter Athena Cervantes, portrayed by Emmy and Golden Globe winner Zendaya—a young, writer with a gift for storytelling. Athena is determined to write The Great American Story, but as her manuscript develops, her own life begins to unravel. She discovers that no one around her is who they claim to be, not her family, not her friends, and not even her charming love interest Nikko Dimitriou, played by Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet.

As the truths of her world crumble, Athena’s writing becomes a mirror and a map to reconstructing her identity. The series examines the fine line between fiction and reality, and how stories shape who we believe ourselves to be.

Why It Works as a Series

The 99 Rules for Writing seminar serves as a perfect framework for episodic storytelling. Each season could focus on a set of Orloff’s “rules,” which are inevitably broken by her students in pursuit of authentic stories. The series would weave together the personal revelations of Athena and her classmates, creating a narrative tapestry of creativity, truth, and self-discovery.

Cast

• Zendaya — Athena Cervantes, a gifted but conflicted young writer navigating shifting identities and buried family truths.

• Timothée Chalamet — Nikko Dimitriou, a Greek-descended romantic figure whose intentions are as enigmatic as his past.

• Julianne Moore — Dr. Pattie Orloff, a celebrated but cynical writing professor with an unforgettable flair.