UPSHOT ACADEMY

After a rebellious teenager is sent to a correctional behavioural school, she must overthrow her brutal captors for any hopes of turning her life around.

About

Based on the true tales of those sent to abusive correctional behavioural schools - mostly the infamous Élan School in Maine in the 1970s - THE UPSHOT ACADEMY is a modern retelling of the controversial and humiliating ‘therapy’ rebellious students endured.

Teaser

EXT. MANSION - NIGHT

Trimmed trees line the prolonged driveway of a gallant mansion. On every side, manicured grass borders the impressive family home.

Beneath the stars, a single skylight PULSES with pink light.

INT. TEENAGER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Neon clubwear drips from a free-standing rail. Well-loved trophies of broken skateboards line an exposed brick wall.

Amongst the flashy tech and retro consoles, a hooded figure hunches close to a monitor on a desk, drumming his fingers:

-- MATTHEW 'BLONDIE' RICHARDSON (15), a computer-obsessed teen who was trading BitCoin before his mates got their first paper route.

Blondie lowers the hood on his baby blue Balenciaga sweatshirt and runs his fingers through his bleached white hair. With his head back... he spins on the chair... bored.

Inspiration! He lurches up and smashes at the keys!

Blondie swigs the end of an energy drink, throws the empty can at the light switch - illuminating the room with light.

BRRRRING - his phone. Blondie answers... expertly rolling a joint as he talks with his iPhone tight on his shoulder -

BLONDIE

Yeah? Just sending it over now -

Give me a sec! -

True. If they're gonna leave gaps

then we're gonna use 'em -

Alright, speak later man.

PING. He glances at his computer. An upload completes:

GCSE / HISTORY / CRIME & PUNISHMENT / ANSWER KEY

Blondie sparks up with a grin... he clicks on 'SEND TO ALL'.

A FEW HOURS LATER

Blondie sleeps - toasty as hell under a thick duvet.

A black-gloved hand slowly inches towards his exposed ankle...

TWO MASKED MEN pounce on the bed!

Blondie wakes! He SCREAMS -- a punch to the face fills his mouth with blood -- Hands grab at his wrists - tying them together with tight zip ties.

BLONDIE

What the fuck -?

Another punch! The bones in his face crunch -- his eyes droop as he falls into blackness.

INT. CAR - NIGHT

Blondie groggily awakes in the backseat of an unmoving car. Chicken wire separates him from the driver:

-- ONE MASKED MAN, his face still hidden stares back through the rear view mirror -

MASKED MAN

He got you good there. Shame you

had to make such a scene. Usually

ain't so dramatic.

Blondie clicks his jaw, then... he grins with bloody teeth.

MASKED MAN (CONT'D)

What you smiling at?

BLONDIE

You've picked the wrong rich kid. My father would never pay to get me

back... might as well kill me now.

The Masked Man LAUGHS! Loud and booming!

Blondie frowns. He looks around... realises they haven't left the grounds of his family home.

In the doorway, stands:

-- The OTHER MASKED MAN talking to BLONDIE'S PARENTS (50s).

Blondie stares in disbelief. What?

His MUM sobs as she nods, his Dad holding her upright.

MASKED MAN

We always get the right kid.