Off the Wall

Author Notes: This script was assisted by a conversation with ChatGPT. I do embrace and leverage GenAI in my writing practice and will always indicate what role, if any, GAI played in a particular work.

Title

‘Off the Wall’

Genre

Comedy; Drama

Logline

In the quirky world of ‘Off the Wall,’ a struggling local art gallery on the brink of foreclosure unites a group of misfits determined to save their creative haven. Led by Salestia, the spirited granddaughter of the gallery's aging owner, the group of 5 friends embark on a hilarious journey through eccentric art collectors, outlandish and disastrous artist events, and their own personal quirks. As they navigate comedic chaos and unexpected challenges, this colorful ensemble must rally together to preserve not only their beloved gallery but also the spirit of creativity and community in their town. Every hysterical mishap leads to unexpected growth and introspection for at least one person in the idiosyncratic crew ensuring a rollercoaster of emotions for the audience.

Pilot Episode

‘Figurative Composition’

Synopsis

In the pilot episode of ‘Off the Wall,’ Salestia, the daughter of the gallery's aging owner, learns about the impending foreclosure on the gallery due to mounting debts. Determined to save their artistic sanctuary, she gathers her eclectic group of friends and colleagues, Van Cézanne, Misty Calypso, Jackson Bentley, and Maxine.

As they brainstorm ideas to generate funds and attract attention, Salestia proposes a daring plan: participate unofficially and from their own town in the prestigious art fair known as Art|Basel in just 1 week. The group enthusiastically agrees.

During the rising action they are creating their version of the art fair. Salestia is the perpetual cheerleader around the gang, Misty is constantly changing her mind and trying to defy physics, Jackson is a mess trying to keep everything organized and stay in sync with Misty’s thought of the hour, Maxine is constantly asking the team to redo actions or saying something differently for her social media content, and Van, well Van is Van – always dramatic and demanding in the most hilarious way. They manage to attract a wide-range of people within the art community.

Reaching the climax they encounter snobby art collectors, including a notorious fourth-rate artist seeking revenge on the gallery for rejecting him years ago. Salestia’s aging grandmother shows up at the fair talking about the 1970s, and the upstairs uncouth tenant is seen enjoying the free Hors D'oeuvres and wine while the friends try to shield their fancy patrons from her presence.

As if the ‘outsiders’ didn’t cause enough trouble, the friends must navigate absurd situations created by their own group, such as Maxine crossing societal norms to capture the ‘perfect’ content, Jackson getting lost in the maze-like layout of the fair occasionally seeing and engaging the same patrons over and over, Van ‘subtly’ displaying his art to the richest patrons, and Misty attempting to move walls within the exhibition space. The climax of the pilot finds a performance artist going so far into their own rabbit hole that the audience wonders if the performance is meant to be a joke.

Through their hilarious misadventures, the group manages to showcase their unique charm, artistic passion, and unwavering determination. They are also able to earn the money necessary to delay the bank for 30 days. The falling action lands us inside the true insecurity Salestia feels about saving the gallery, maintaining her late parent’s legacy, and ensuring her grandmother is safe and happy. In the end, the group realizes that their shared dream is not just about saving the gallery but also preserving the spirit of creativity and community in their town.

Characters

Salestia, a charismatic and determined young woman in her early thirties, is the heart and soul of the struggling art gallery. She earned her art history masters at a prestigious university only a few years before her parents unexpectedly passed away. She is no stranger to the art world and has organized art festivals, curated exhibitions, and even launched her own line of artist supplies. Running the gallery is different, but she is cheerful and optimistic with an unyielding drive to succeed. She sees the art gallery not only as a physical space and legacy of her parents but as a symbol of hope and creative freedom in a world that often undervalues the power of artistic expression.

Misty Calypso, the quirky and eccentric gallery Preparator in her late twenties with a whimsical demeanor and penchant for rearranging anything that isn’t structurally critical. She is a product of alternative art communities, immersive workshops, and travel where she bathes herself in different cultures and various art scenes. She sees beauty in asymmetry, embraces chaos as a catalyst for inspiration, and finds joy in the unexpected. Her tendency to rearrange furniture, create fanciful installations, and challenge the status quo within the gallery becomes a running gag, often resulting in hilarious situations and unexpected discoveries.

Jackson Bentley, a mid-twenties transgender man born as Jessica Bentley. Even as a child, Jessica would spend hours doodling in notebooks and carving crude figures out of wood. An innate creativity and keen observational skills earned early praise. A few years ago, Jessica finally embraced her true identity changing her name to Jackson and adopting the pronouns he/him. Despite his artistic abilities and personal growth, Jackson struggles with organization and structure but always keeps a lighthearted attitude. He is notorious for misplacing art supplies, forgetting important deadlines, and losing track of time. This lack of organizational skills often led to comedic mishaps, misunderstandings, and chaotic situations that became a recurring theme in his life.

Maxine, born and raised in a small town, Maxine is the resident social media guru, responsible for managing the gallery's online presence. Growing up, she was known as the class clown, always cracking jokes and making people laugh. This humor translates into her social media posts, where she combines witty captions, clever puns, and humorous anecdotes to entertain and engage the gallery's followers. Maxine's determination to capture the perfect shot or create the most shareable content often leads to comedic mishaps. From accidentally knocking over sculptures while trying to capture the ideal angle to getting caught in hilarious situations during live streams. Through her witty dialogue and knack for comedic timing, she injects humor into the series, providing lighthearted moments that balance the ups and downs of the art world.

Van Cézanne, a young and talented artist with a touch of arrogance and a relentless desire for recognition. His eccentric personality is a reflection of his artistic spirit. Known for his vibrant wardrobe, flamboyant hairstyles, and dramatic flair, he embraces the role of an enigmatic artist. His charisma and confidence border on arrogance, often polarizing those around him. Yet, beneath the surface, Van is driven by an intense passion for art and a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. Van's interactions with Salestia, Misty Calypso, Jackson Bentley, and Maxine provide both creative synergy and comedic clashes, shaping his artistic journey.

Future Episodes (no particular order)

‘Implied Lines’ – The gang knows they need a long-time solution and against the odds one of the patrons was impressed by Van’s work. However, everyone (but Van) knows that if it’s up to Van to secure a sponsorship it will never happen. So the team makes a plan to limit the collector’s facetime with Van and turn up the schmooze to save the gallery through a formal sponsorship. The falling action finds Van realizing that the world does not revolve around him, but at its best friendship makes it feel like it does.

‘Avant-Garde Management’ – The new sponsor/investor wants to be hands-on in the gallery. The only problem is that his ideas and suggestions are not based on reality. He makes the most outlandish and impossible demands and the team has to figure out how to appease him without offending. They devise a way to keep the new sponsor out of the gallery with minimal involvement. The falling action shows Misty and Jackson revealing a slice of their past together.

‘Working Title’ – The group is putting on a visiting artist event, and their rival, a snooty gallery owner, attempts to ruin it. He is seen sabotaging some of Jackson’s creations and provoking Van. He also sends people to the event to heckle the visiting artist. The group is strained when they start blaming each other for the mistakes. They realize it’s their rival and learn a lesson about jumping to conclusions. The falling action finds Maxine feeling as though the groups really does think she is a nuisance.