Danger, Close
Danger, Close
Danger Close - Hogs Over Baghdad 3
Pararescue: The Ultimate Warriors
A-10 Warthog: Attack Run
Female Top Gun - Hogs Over Baghdad.
A-10 combat pilot hit by a SAM over Baghdad fights to return crippled aircraft to base while flashing back to her struggle to become a combat pilot and her romantic relationship to her wingman. (with USAF cooperation)
BLACKLIST COVERAGE - 8
DANGER CLOSE
(HOGS OVER BAGHDAD)
By Chip Proser
Era:
2001-2003
Locations:
US Southwest; Iraq
Budgets:
High
Genre:
Action & Adventure, War Adventure, War Romance
Logline:
A female combat pilot flying a mission over Baghdad recollects the events that brought her there, including her ultra-competitive relationship with her hotshot pilot boyfriend.
Strengths:
This is a wonderful script, one that hits its mark again and again with a natural finesse that is impressive to witness. Above all, it boasts a terrifically-conceived story that, much like 'Top Gun' before it, foregrounds its plot and characters over its (very impressive) aerial action, to tremendous effect. Grace and Rob are top-notch characters. Grace especially, who ends up being the real focus of the story (something that isn't immediately apparent, which is a nice touch), is as good of a protagonist as they come. The script is structured brilliantly – there is essentially only one action sequence that is spread out over the entire story, and we merely get to see snippets of it at a time. The writer clearly knows his gear and his military lingo too, so there are no issues with verisimilitude. But what really distinguishes this script isn't its action, but its central romance, which is stunning. The courtship scenes are especially great: the flirty back-and-forths between Rob and Grace approach Bogie-and-Bacall levels of sexiness, and it's impossible not to get sucked in. All in all, a fantastic script with lots of potential.
Weaknesses:
The second half of the script is not quite as good as the first. Once Rob and Grace become definitively involved, but Rob refuses to act on it because of military code, the script loses some of the sheer sexiness and 'will they or won't they magic' it has earlier on. The scene where Rob abandons Grace at her trailer after being invited in with a killer come-on feels positively disappointing. We want these characters to break the rules and succumb to their passion, and it feels like we're being toyed with when they don't. Rob in general becomes less interesting as the story progresses; his fretting over Grace's safety becomes a little repetitive, if not annoying. This guy is supposed to be as cool as they come, but he ends up being a stickler for rules and a big-time worrier with an almost paternal concern for Grace. That being said, the second half of the script is still very good, it just can't quite match the truly excellent first half.
Prospects:
The prospects for this script should be very, very bright. Indeed, this script deserves to get made, as it has all the ingredients necessary to become a summer blockbuster. It's a throwback to the 80's, sure, but in the best way possible: what a breath of fresh air to see a big, ambitious script that doesn't feel like a video game, and that doesn't treat its audience like children. No CGI, no giant robots or talking rodents, just a terrific and sexy plot buttressed by some breathtaking aerial action. This script is ready for prime time, and one can only hope that if finds its way into the right hands.
Coverage 2
Logline:
A young woman, a recreational pilot, enlists in the Air Force and is deployed to the Middle East, where she faces sexual harassment and doubts from her male colleagues about her having the right stuff to be a fighter pilot.
Strengths:
This has a lot going for it. The concept of telling a story about what it means for a woman to serve in this uber-macho environment is a great idea for a movie. Grace, the protagonist, is an interesting and complex person, with a nice arc from her somewhat cavalier decision to enlist, through her serious, high-stakes operations in which people’s lives are in her hands. The decision to incorporate personal connections into the story – Grace’s estranged father, and Rob the romantic interest – are strong choices to raise the emotional stakes alongside the physical ones. The pervasive use of flyboy argot adds an entertaining dimension to the audience experience. And, the operations are exciting and scary, as they should be.
Prospects:
This has excellent potential for a commercially successful character study and adventure that could reach a broad audience. Grace as written now could attract name talent...
Coverage 3
Logline:
Against the advice of her wingman boyfriend, a female Air Force pilot in the Iraq war tries to land her plane after a missile hits her ship.
Strengths:
The script’s biggest strength is its sense of action, as the present day storyline of Grace getting the A-10 back to base is an engaging and thrilling set-piece overall. Additionally, the relationship which develops between Grace and Willis is an emotional highlight of the script, as it adds a compelling layer to each of these characters. Finally, while not all of the military official lingo works as written, from a character and world-building perspective, it’s a smart choice to pepper the dialogue with authentic Air Force phrases.
Prospects:
This script is rather well positioned commercially. Thanks to the box-office and critical successes of AMERICAN SNIPER and LONE SURVIVOR, military films are enjoying a renaissance in Hollywood; the fact that this script features a strong female protagonist, a rarity in military movies, will make this stand out even more and the battle sequences should be thrilling on a big screen. There are some drawbacks to the script, chiefly its unsound structure, and it would be rather expensive to produce; however, with the right combination of star(s) and director, this story about triumphing over adversity and courage should resonate with wide audiences.
Coverage 4
Logline:
Bartender GRACE has been fascinated with pilots all her life, so when she falls in love with complicated Air Force Pilot ROB, she decides to cut out the middleman and become a pilot herself.
Strengths:
The script has a lot of heart and action, which makes a thrilling combination. Flying is at the heart of this script, there’s a sense of delight throughout. Through dialogue, the characters show how flying defines them, how it’s the lens through which they see the rest of the world. With technical words and details showing the mechanics of flying, the sense of awe is almost infectious. The different planes have personalities. The flights are exciting, very well choreographed, could be incredible on screen. The lifestyles of pilots are clearly depicted, complete with missions, and the worries that go along with the job. The script has some strong reveals and sleights of hand, which help build characters and stakes. The character of Grace is driven, stubborn, and appealing. She’s classically heroic. The dialogue is curt, colloquial, and sometimes has a nice rhythm. The beats of pilot training feel fresh and exciting. The interplay here between the Romance and War genres are a winning combination.
Prospects:
This could be a very commercial movie, given the popularity of war movies and some dramatic romances. When rewritten to be more memorable, the mid budget will earned. With curse words but little sex and gore, this could appeal to a wide audience.
Note: Technical descriptions and military jargon, while less accessible to civilians, is necessary to demonstrate accurate flying sequences and Air Force culture in order to obtain USAF - DOD cooperation and support. Script has been researched and written with USAF input and has provisionally been approved for production, pending final draft and budget considerations.