The conference room at Beacon Studios buzzed with a mix of excitement and tension. Every seat was filled, and the table was surrounded by some of the best and brightest minds at the studio. From the Old Guard veterans who had dominated the studio for years to the New Bloods, who were starting to make waves, everyone was here for the same reason—a chance to take the next big step.
Mr. Davis stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding as always, but there was a noticeable energy in the air that hadn't been there before. This wasn't just another meeting. This was an opportunity, and everyone in the room knew it.
Ethan and Liam sat toward the middle of the table, with Rachel next to them. The success of Breaking Point had given them more credibility than they'd ever had, but they were still up against some of the most established creatives in the studio. Around the room, people like Paulson and Nancy Park sat quietly, their expressions unreadable, but their intent clear. This was a battle for the next big project, and the stakes were high.
Mr. Davis cleared his throat, calling the room to attention. The low murmur of conversation quickly died down as everyone turned to face him.
"Alright, let's get started," Davis said, his voice calm but firm. "As many of you know, we've recently been approached by TRN Network, a cable broadcaster that's seen the success of Breaking Point and wants to collaborate with Beacon Studios on a limited series. This is a big opportunity for us, and TRN is looking for something fresh, something that can compete in the growing market for high-quality, short-run content."
There was a ripple of excitement through the room. TRN was a well-known network, with a reputation for taking creative risks and producing cutting-edge shows that often gained critical acclaim. Partnering with them would be a huge deal, not just for Beacon Studios, but for whichever team was chosen to lead the project.
"Here's the deal," Davis continued. "TRN wants a pitch and a pilot script for a limited series. The series will be eight episodes, one season, and will air on their prime-time lineup. They've given us creative freedom to come up with something that aligns with their brand, but they want it fast. We have one week to deliver a prompt and a rough script for the pilot."
A few murmurs spread around the room as the weight of the task began to sink in. One week wasn't a lot of time, but this wasn't the first time the studio had been under pressure. The best ideas often came out of these kinds of high-stakes situations.
Davis paused, letting the information settle in before delivering the final piece of news. "We're going to treat this like a competition. Every creative team in this room will come up with their own prompt and pilot script. The best one will be presented to TRN, and that's the project we'll move forward with. I'll be the final judge, along with a few of my top executives."
Ethan felt his pulse quicken. A competition. It was both exhilarating and daunting. Winning this would mean not only creating something incredible but outshining some of the most experienced people in the studio. This was their chance to show that the New Bloods weren't just a one-hit wonder.
Davis leaned back, surveying the room. "You'll have access to studio resources for this, but you'll need to move quickly. One week to brainstorm, write, and submit. I don't need to tell you that this is a huge opportunity, and TRN isn't interested in anything generic. They want fresh, bold ideas."
Paulson, sitting near the head of the table, raised a hand. "What's the budget for the series? Should we factor that into our pitches?"
Davis nodded. "Good question. TRN hasn't given a final budget yet, but they've indicated they want something mid-tier—enough to look polished, but not a massive production. Assume a reasonable budget, but the idea itself is what will sell this project. They're more focused on the strength of the story and the characters."
Nancy Park leaned forward, her tone thoughtful. "And the genre? Are they leaning toward anything specific?"
Davis shook his head. "They've left it open, but they're looking for something that will appeal to their core audience. Think character-driven, grounded stories with room for emotional depth and tension. But beyond that, the genre is up to you."
Ethan's mind was already spinning with ideas. He glanced over at Liam, who had that familiar look of excitement in his eyes—the look he always got when a challenge was thrown at them.
Davis glanced at his watch. "That's all the information I have for now. You all know what's at stake here, so I expect everyone to bring their best. You have one week. I'll expect to see polished prompts and pilot scripts on my desk by the deadline."
With that, Davis stood, signaling the end of the meeting. There was a brief moment of silence as everyone processed what had just been laid out. Then, like the starting gun had gone off, the room erupted into motion. People began talking in low voices, exchanging ideas and forming strategies.
Ethan, Liam, and Rachel stood and headed for the door, walking out into the hallway, which was already bustling with creatives scrambling to get a head start on their pitches.
"We need to come up with something fast," Liam said as soon as they were clear of the crowd. "One week is nothing in TV time."
Rachel nodded. "We need something that stands out but also fits TRN's style. It's got to be emotional, character-driven, but with a hook that grabs them from the first episode."
Ethan felt the pressure building, but also the excitement. This was exactly the kind of challenge they needed. If they could win this, it would be another step in cementing their place at Beacon Studios, and another project to push the New Bloods forward.
"I've already got a few ideas," Ethan said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "Let's meet tomorrow, brainstorm, and refine it down to the strongest concept."
Liam grinned, his energy infectious. "We've got this."
Rachel gave a small, determined smile. "We need to make sure whatever we pitch is impossible to ignore. We can't afford to play it safe."
As they made their way out of the building, Ethan glanced back at the other teams still gathered around, some of the Old Guard members already deep in discussion. The competition was fierce, and Paulson and his crew wouldn't make it easy. They had experience, resources, and relationships with Davis that ran deep.
But Ethan knew one thing: Breaking Point had shown them that the New Bloods were capable of more than anyone had expected. And now, they had to prove it again.
As they walked into the evening air, Ethan felt a surge of determination. One week. That's all they had. But it was more than enough time to come up with something brilliant.
And they weren't going to lose.
The game was on.