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mood
I want to make films about the human condition,
what we're doing to the world and ourselves.
Ridley Scott
Nature is the miracle. There is so much we don't understand.
My films pay homage to Nature's complexity.
James Cameron
PAGE Awards 2025 - Judge's feedback:
What is the writer trying to achieve in this script?
(Logline) In the near future, a rebellious young engineer enlists
a cybernetically enhanced former child soldier to rescue a scientist as they uncover an AI super-entity threatening to enslave humanity.
In what ways is the writer successful at achieving those goals?
ENGINE follows Pris, a brilliant but somewhat underappreciated engineer working for a massive tech conglomerate called DynaCorp, and Wade, an orphan from Congo, maimed in a brutal clash with militarized soldiers, who has to adjust to a cybernetic arm replacement that develops its own personality.
The two form a powerful duo and take up the cause to stop an AI super-entity known as M.A.S.T.E.R. Along the way, they face off against all kinds of sci-fi foes: Ghostheads, cyborgs, mercenaries, building to a sprawling, high-stakes conflict.
What’s really working in this draft is the world-building and the epic sci-fi tone.
It’s clear you’ve got a vivid imagination and a real knack for creating expansive, original sci-fi universes. The world feels rich, cinematic, and full of possibilities, which is a major asset. You’ve come up with all sorts of compelling antagonists, environments, and lore that bring to mind franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek,
The Matrix, Alita: Battle Angel, District 9 and even elements of Dungeons & Dragons.
The sheer scale of this world makes it feel like something that could easily
expand into a television series or graphic novel. And at the center of it all are
two really strong protagonists, Wade and Pris, who are relatable, likable,
and genuinely easy to root for. That’s a huge win!
The character dialogue in this draft is strong; it's tense, cinematic, and well-suited
to the futuristic world you’ve built. It’s a real testament to your writing skills
that the characters feel grounded and engaging even within such a
high-concept, sci-fi setting.
The story has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and it builds toward a thrilling conclusion with Pris and Wade teaming up to take on M.A.S.T.E.R., the sentient AI.
There’s a strong sense of momentum in the final act, and Duke delivers a great monologue on page 84 that gathers the team and lays out their third-act plan.
The characters then move forward and execute that attack in a really satisfying way. It’s exciting and well-orchestrated.
There’s a strong sense of momentum in the final act, and Duke delivers a great monologue on page 84 that gathers the team and lays out their third-act plan.
The characters then move forward and execute that attack in a really satisfying way. It’s exciting and well-orchestrated.
One of the biggest strengths of this draft is its tone. From the opening scenes,
you establish a clear sci-fi vibe, which eventually evolves into something
almost steampunk-esque. It’s clear that you set out to write a big, epic sci-fi action-adventure story, and that intent comes through right from the opening pages and stays consistent throughout the entire narrative. Around page 18, when we’re introduced to Pris and her engineering work at DynaCorp, the world really starts to open up and feel alive. The influence of cyberpunk pioneers like William Gibson definitely shines through, and that sense of immersive, grounded futurism is a great tonal direction for the piece. It’s easy to imagine the kind of big, cinematic world you’re going for. You've created dynamic characters who give us a window into this universe, and you’ve done the heavy lifting of designing a built-from-the-ground-up mythology. That’s no small feat, and it’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought into every corner of this story. You should feel proud of that!
Thematically, there are also some powerful, globally resonant ideas at play.
One of the clearest is the tension between control and freedom. Wade’s journey, from oppressed child soldier to autonomous fighter, tracks this beautifully.
His arc contrasts strongly with DynaCorp’s oppressive surveillance and enhancement tech, which aims to control people. There’s also a strong theme
of transformation, both physical and emotional. Wade’s prosthetic evolution is mirrored by his emotional growth, especially through his bond with Pris.
The story explores how identity is shaped by pain, memory, and choice, and the ways we try to reclaim ourselves from the systems that shaped us. There’s also a real underdog quality to the story, particularly in Wade’s journey, that gives it a universal appeal. That emotional core helps ground the sci-fi elements and makes the story more relatable on a human level.
And finally, the script takes on the very timely question of unchecked technological power that feels very much in the zeitgeist. Where’s the line between progress and dehumanization? How much tech enhancement is too much? What happens when a sentient AI becomes the dominant force in society? These are big,
current ideas, and they give the script a solid thematic backbone
to support all the action and spectacle.
ENGINE shows off your imagination, your command of action and tone,
and your ability to build complex worlds.
PAGE is widely regarded as the most prestigious screenwriting competition
in the world outside of Nicholl (the Academy’s fellowship).
ENGINE has many strengths that could set it on path to incredible
success moving forward. A distinct vision for the film is evident on the page,
which makes the environment that Pris and Wade inhabit come to life in extraordinary ways. The script wonderfully allows the locations to reflect the moods and tones of the story in an unbelievable way, and the stunning visuals and cinematography will undoubtedly elevate the quality of the film on the screen. There's a lot of material to work with, from Wade's unique backstory involving his robotic limb to Pris' complicated relationship with Duke and the subsequent storyline involving M.A.C. The screenplay wonderfully weaves them all together convincingly and achieves a high level of cohesiveness that is often difficult to establish in this medium. The relationship between Duke and Wade and their unique history adds significant layers to their scenes, making their interactions some of the most riveting moments in the screenplay. Wade and Pris' connection beautifully anchors the script in authenticity. The script shows proficiency and mastery over dialogue, producing rich and distinctive voices that help
to make this a true ensemble narrative with heart.
The Black List (March '24)
ENGINE does a lot of things really well. To start with, it has a great visual
writing style. It’s specific and engaging. It feels like the script knows this world well and each word feels carefully chosen. Right from the beginning I really want to know more about this world. I’m intrigued and totally in on the mystery. In addition, the dialog is great. The script makes really good use of subtext. The action scenes are well written as well. Scene structure and pacing work together to create a strong visual and cinematic feel that make the reader “see” the scenes playing out before them. It’s so well written that I would like to see it also break new ground, thematically. But overall it’s an exciting and satisfying story
and the characters and dialog are sharp.
The Nicholl Fellowship (Top 15% '23)
This script demonstrates two very important characteristics in your writing:
you're a powerhouse of idea generation, and you will stop at nothing
to entertain an audience.
1st Class ratings for:
title, concept, protagonist, antagonist, stakes, originality, formatting, grammar.
SCRIPT READER PRO (2026)
Two thematic ideas are powerfully expressed repeatedly in this script. One is
the notion of going through life alone vs. with others. The second idea is the
tipping point between mankind and tech - the dividing line between soul and A.I.
Tonally, the script manages to make this all feel grounded and realistic,
without being self-serious.
PAGE AWARDS ('24)
This science fiction-action thriller boasts a fresh, original setting. It takes place in Congo and intriguingly blends nature with high technology. There's a solid core to the action and a refreshingly humane sensibility at work. The premise is solid and can be easily communicated in a trailer and ads. The script is action-packed and features some exciting gadgets. The technology is inventive and given personality. Sci-fi and action fans will be drawn to this mainstream, commercial material. Lionsgate and Sony are potential homes for this project, with Netflix a possibility
on the streaming side.
The Blacklist ('24)
ENGINE is told with a rich sense of specificity, and the writer's voice
comes across as distinctive and is unquestionably drenched in the fabric of the narrative. The most striking element of the story is how the script excels in building an immersive setting, entrenching the audience in the world's intricate details, and fostering a strong connection between the narrative and the audience. In a story like this, the mood works when the visuals deliver at a high level, which the script does in striking ways while driving home the micro and macro stakes. The writing has a knack for set pieces, as there is plenty of adrenaline coursing through the veins, which makes this more commercially accessible. M.A.C. draws out the most intrigue, as the writing takes big swings at technology, identity, corporate greed and justice on a philosophical level while putting real effort into personalizing the journey through Wade and Pris. It all adds up to a well-told story that crescendos into a ferocious third act, paying off enough emotions accumulated throughout the story. The writer's passion for the story arena is visible on every page, and a literary manager who handles sci-fi should champion the material.
The Black List (April '24)
The writing was effective, as was the use of genre, pacing and tone. The voice and point of view felt clear, confident, and skillful, particularly with the way it described the locations, technology and landscapes; I was quite impressed by the ability to conjure up images with vivid imagery and a cinematic eye. It overall made for an immersive and entertaining read. While the strongest aspect of the script was the ways in which the setting informed its tone, style, and scope, there is a lot of intricate, complex internal mythology and world building happening.
The Nicholl Fellowship ('24)
ENGINE boasts an interesting fusion between science fiction technology and
tactile, recognizable, contemporary technology and science. Pris's pop culture interests and the general cluttered nature of the world makes this not a sterile future, but a sort of "retro-futurist" vision with its own aesthetic and personality.
Pris and Wade are very likable, approachable main characters because it never denies them their youth or inexperience. This is definitely a story about bravery more than skill, and that is a commendable message in a story that also evokes children recruited into war, and contains an ex-soldier character whose main desire is to reconnect with a daughter he is estranged from. This faces some harsh realities while also keeping a good humor that balances out the more distressing elements. This is very smart about the world, its equating of child enslavement with the A.I.'s enslavement of humanity, and smart about computers, which makes it very capable of impressing an audience. All the times they acknowledge they are working with alien technology and cannot predict precisely the outcome of their interfacing with it are great moments. This feels fully fleshed out in all its plots and ideas. It is a strong hero's story, and this offers the same rousing structure as a TRANSFORMERS film, not to mention the mechanical aesthetic that has become so equatable with blockbusters. The premise is strong, and even the biggest commercial hook -
the alien A.I. that helps our hero when made more "input-friendly,"
is smartly done and very fun.
The Black List (November '24)
The technology the story covers, some of it real, some of it sci-fi futuristic technobabble, sounds authentic. It's believable that everything the characters discuss is how the future tech works and the screenplay makes it easy to understand. The writer shows an evident talent for visuals and action. The descriptions are well-written and do an excellent job of bringing the visuals of the technology and the world to life, and the story is chock-full of stunning futuristic visuals. Wade and Pris make for good leads. They're different from each other and share unique life perspectives, which gives them chemistry and a palpable dynamic. Their connection works well, and it's believable that they would form this bond even though they've only known each other briefly. The screenplay wisely infuses the story with human emotion, mainly with the father/daughter connection between Pris and Duke.
The Black List (December '24)
The writing on the page is sharp and the writing style is crisp and vivid.
Action scenes are punchy and dynamic. The script has a lot of conflict,
and there are intriguing themes in the material. It’s easy and quick to read.
Overall, in terms of writing craft, there’s a ton to be impressed with here.
PAGE AWARDS ('24)
ENGINE delves into the hot-button topic of AI and will surely resonate with audiences plagued by similar fears of the ever-evolving and seemingly unlimited abilities of technology. The plot features some fresh and interesting aspects of AI: the idea its biggest threat can be triggered by something relatively innocuous (in this case a chessbot changing the rules to win a game) and its ability to keep evolving (like the 10th Gen learning to counter Wade’s elusiveness).
Pris is a strong and compelling character: her passion for her various new weapons produce the same enthusiasm in the reader. Her backstory of learning to embrace fire because it reminded her of her mother’s exhortations to overcome her fears works particularly well. Other movies throw in cool weapons as a gimmick, but this script really puts a lot of thought into what makes them unique and their effects on the character (like Wade being unable to sleep due to the whirring of his arm). Similarly the villains have inventive skills and weapons of their own (like the “scorpion” mode pumping itself with hypodermic needles), all of which makes for distinctive and exciting action sequences. The action lines are creatively constructed with a strong writer’s voice. The locations are well-evoked (particularly Pris’ hidden den full of contraptions) and the dialogue is consistently fast-paced and witty. Pris’ strength, sharp dialogue, and technological prowess may be appealing to an up-and-coming actress (especially one eager to make the leap to an action franchise) while the complicated relationship with her war-weary father Duke could attract an older action star. Two pieces that could assist in a potential studio sale.
The Black List (July '25)
The characters are the strongest part of the story. We have a sense of
Wade, Pris and the others in terms of who they are and the parts they play.
We have a strong female lead, and saving the world through
self-sacrifice is powerful.
The Nicholl Fellowship ('24)
ABOUT
Hi, I'm Freddy, the creator of ENGINE, which is inspired by everything I love in life: Nature, sci-fi, the 80s, synthwave music, cyberpunk, video games, basketball --
and most importantly -- feeling something real.
I also love stories where the underdogs win -- win because they're the better team. Since I am a total nobody, the ultimate underdog if you will, getting ENGINE made will be a steep uphill battle. I'm going to need a team of warriors, to help me. Not followers but leaders in their own right.
"You can't do it alone." - That's the heartbeat of ENGINE.
By supporting this project you help to heal the world and make it a better place,
by standing for something: Human connection and being in it -- together.
Rally behind the cause and join the fight. OUR future is on the line.
Loneliness. Addiction. Obsolescence. Expensive movies no one cares about...
Let's bring back power to the people, and excitement! Let's bring back HOPE.
Luke was a symbol for hope.
How do you support? Just reach out, say "hi." Maybe share what movies
and TV shows made you and what you love in life. What you burn for.
Getting involved means becoming part of the next franchise of this generation.
Your generation.
So let's connect -- through passion.
Freddy
If you're here that most likely means we met in real life. So just write to my email or my Instagram.