To view the Pitch Deck, scroll below or open a PDF by clicking here The Judge Pitch Deck3
The Judge (Working Title)
Logline:
A Ruin to Redemption’ story based on the true life of an African-American Alabama Coal Miner’s son who became a U.S. Judge only to find himself behind bars with the very men he had sentenced…
But then The Truth set him Free.
The Judge is in development and the completed script is available upon the signing of an NDA. For inquires into entering into a production agreement please contact:
Michael-David michael@michael-david.com 862-213-7345 or
Zsiporah zsiporah@gmail.com 570-520-8495
For an overview of their award-winning past productions visit:
https://michael-david.com/productions/
Set in the early 1960s (and later in 80s), this true compelling story highlights the struggles of an African-American who rises up through segregated education to white universities. He ultimately attains the position of a U.S. Judge and is welcomed into society’s upper crust only to fall into the temptation of bribery and graft. In this intriguing period piece the plot touches on the pulse of today’s social justice issues appealing to the hearts and minds of this generation.
Synopsis:
Based on the true life story of Dr. Fred M. Mosely, an African American man who raised himself up from the low status of an Alabama Coal Miner’s son in the 1940’s Alabama to the Halls of Justice as a U.S. Judge, only to fall into temptation and then find himself incarcerated in the same prisons he had sent men before his bench.
The story is told through a series of Flashbacks from the time Judge Mosely arrives in prison and starts sharing his story with his cellmate. It goes back and forth in time and arrives at the current time and moves forward from there on.
The movie opens as 40 year-old Judge Mosely (called Judge Melville in the current screenplay) is being led by a guard through the prison halls and brought in front of a cell occupied with another African-American man. As the guard sarcastically invites him into his ‘new accommodations’, he emphasizes his name – Judge Mosely. The cellmate looks up. The cellmate was one of the men who Judge M. sentenced.
Flashback to the scene where Judge M, in his late thirties, imperiously sentences this man and moralizes to him. The man is tough and talks back to the Judge proclaiming his innocence. He says that the Judge has sentenced him unfairly, saying he has sold out to the big, white establishment against him. The man says, ‘You should know better’. Judge M holds him in contempt of court and sentences him. The Gavel slams.
Then we are back in the cell, and the man is actually quite mellow towards Judge M and asks him how he ended up in prison.
Judge M starts to narrate his story.
1950’s – We go back to Alabama early 1950’s and we see Judge M as a six-year-old boy heading to his first day of school.
The first day of school there is an incident where a bully steals the teacher’s apple and unjustly frames young Fred. The words evidence, allegation and injustice become understandable to him from this early age.
Over the next few years we see that being unfairly blamed created a shadow on his attitude and he is starting to be rebellious, but then one Sunday when he is in Church with his parents the Pastor calls him out and tells him that the Lord ‘sees’ him and has something special for him.
He starts to change and became an achiever at school.
SYNOPSIS CONTINUES AFTER THE FOLLOWING IMAGES
1960’s – He graduates high school, and goes to a segregated College (Wilberforce University) where he is a football, social and academic star.
Judge M. meets his future wife, Rosalyn(Rose), in a campus Meet-Cute. Then we have some romantic and slightly humorous scenes as he tries to win her heart. She remains his sweetheart throughout his College years.
He graduates College and asks Rose to marry him. He also tells her he will be going to an Integrated University up North to obtain his Lawyers degree. She is not comfortable with this – but chooses to marry him.
When he enters Law School in Ohio, it is the first integrated experience of his life. We see college age Fred and also Rose experiencing some intimidation. Fred has a new best friend, Shawn Fairman, who is a white man, also a Law student, and together they walk through this minefield of early integration.
He graduates and starts an illustrious career in Law, but he starts to aggrandize himself with status and an expensive lifestyle.
Finally, Judge M is offered a position as a U.S. Judge. The staus means a lot to him, but the pay is much less than his thriving Law Career.
He explains this to Rose and she says she is willing to live modestly.
Judge M.is sworn in as a U.S. Judge. However, he is not willing to live modestly. We see his lavish lifestyle, with prestigious home in the city and a country estate with his initials in the iron gateway. We also see his many expensive cars.
His wife trying to remind him to be humble but he explains to her that won’t impress anybody.
He finds himself over his head in debt and reaches out to the City Councilman who might be able to help him find extra income through a job teaching or writing.
He does not expect to be offered an opportunity to make income through granting favors. But, it is explained to him that he is helping the City recoup lost income by using a certain company to obtain lost fines.
He justifies this offer in his mind. But when the truth comes out – he is set up and indicted.
Then the courtroom scene where he is judged. The Gavel slams.
SYNOPSIS CONTINUES AFTER THE FOLLOWING IMAGES
Then we are in the cell again and the two men find a place of peace.
We follow Judge M. as he navigates the Prison world.
In his first week there, while alone one evening, he has an experience with the Lord, which he shares with his cellmate.
We understand the revelation about the Laws of Life, as he shares his understanding about transgressing God’s Laws, not just man’s laws with his friend the cellmate.
A new life opens for Judge M. as he continues to teach inmates. He is also a part of a government program that uses these teachings to bring in young offenders in order to ‘frighten them’ about being in prison. These teachings give them tools through the Word of God to help them to stay out of trouble and live productive lives.
Tensions in prison mount, there are conflicts and we see Judge M. sharing Laws of Life revelations with other inmates in order to help them. The Prison Officials sees the fruit of this, and offer hope for a shortened term
Despite a 25 year Sentence, he is released in the 7th year. His Jubilee.
We end this movie with seeing Judge M being released from Federal prison even in the middle of a prison riot.
The ending credits show Dr. M. going back to the prison sharing the Laws of Life with the inmates and guards. There are actual photos showing what Judge Mosely went on to do with Laws of Life Publishing and TV since his release in 1993.
The screenplay is extremely true to life in accuracy.
*Dr. Fred M. Mosely is a Doctor of Jurisprudence, a former trial attorney with the United States Justice Department, a former State Prosecutor, a former D.A. – Defense Attorney and a former Judge. Dr. Mosely understands that there are immutable universal truths that govern our lives, which are found in the Bible and he calls, The Laws of Life. So, when we ‘transgress’ these laws, there are inherent consequences. He endeavours to educate (especially young people and those incarcerated) regarding the Laws of Life so that people everywhere can live fruitful lives.’
This film brings an important message of hope especially to young men who are stuggling with their identity. It addresses current mindsets regarding racial injustice in that the answer for our society is found in Jesus and the Law of God stated in the Bible.
“The Judge” Opportunity
The Judge represents a cinematic opportunity to ride the wave of conservative films that are presently proving highly successful in the box office. It is a values match for production houses that are looking for engaging story lines with inspiring themes.
This timely screenplay has already won significant laurels in the Manhattan Film Festival and as a WINNER at the New York International Film Awards in the category for Best Inspirational Film. This indicates that the Judge is a quality production that resonates with industry professionals who recognize the potential for such a project.
For inquires please contact:
Michael-David michael@michael-david.com 862-213-7345 or
Zsiporah zsiporah@gmail.com 570-520-8495
For an overview of their award-winning past productions visit:
https://michael-david.com/productions/