FEATURE FILM PROPOSAL

R.E.M.

LOGLINE
Behind a series of locks lives Michael Letto,
a brilliant but paranoid neuroscientist.
Since his first and only love died, he’s
become consumed with unlocking the
mystery of sleep. Based on the principles
of yoga, Michael invents a chair that
enables one to attain a full night’s sleep in a
matter of minutes. When his theories catch
the attention of the military and a religious
order that wants to use his research to
attain enlightenment, a dangerous cat
and mouse begins as Michael’s world
deteriorates.

2
 R.E.M.

SYNOPSIS
Sleep. It’s as old as time itself. It controls our
lives. It dictates certain activities and controls
how our days play out. But what if it didn’t
anymore? Thousands of years ago, yogi in India
were able to get a full rest in minutes or a few
Michael Letto is a brilliant neuroscientist working Arella, a clerk in a local bookstore he frequents, for
short hours by entering the state of yoga nidra,
desolate grays and cool greens serve as the
color palette. Raw, exposed concrete and the
filth of the decaying city that surround Michael
render the setting.
r,

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Michael Lettoforis athe
brilliant neuroscientist working Arella, a clerk in a local bookstore he frequents, for I know first hand what it is like to be trapped
on a solution human need for sleep. He companionship… and the young artist finally starts or yogic sleep. It was my fascination with this
on a solution for the human need for sleep. He companionship… and the young in your own brain. Thoughts that constantly
to gain ground in connecting withartist
him. finally starts subject that propelled me into further research,
suffers through repeat themselves, propelling your activities
his life, Eva, and thehas tragedy
difficultyoffinding
losing closure
the loveinof to gain ground in connecting with him. culminating in the idea of a chair that tricks your
his life, Eva,Because
and hasofdifficulty finding closure in Once Michael cracks SOMA, he’s not only able to into obsessions. The feeling of confinement as
her death. this, Michael develops brain, putting it through the stages of R.E.M. in
Once Michael
sleep, cracks
but it allows himSOMA,
to spendhe’s fleeting
not onlymoments
able to y. Stylistic
her death.which
insomnia, Because onlyoffuels
this, Michael develops
his obsession with a fraction of the time humans spend sleeping.
sleep,his
with but it allowslove.
deceased him to Hespend fleeting moments
also discovers that choices will be made to catch this feeling and
insomnia, which only fuels his
completing SOMA, a machine that recreates obsession withthe
with so
with hismany
deceasedwaking love. He also
hours discovers
in a day he now thathas Imagine a world where you could get a full night put the viewer in Michael’s reality. Lenses will
completing
R.E.M. cyclesSOMA,
of a fullanight’s
machine thatinrecreates
sleep a matterthe with so many waking hours in
too much time on his hands and nothing to filla day he now hasit of sleep in an hour. What would your life be like get tighter and tighter, subconsciously putting
R.E.M.
of cyclesWhile
minutes. of a full night’s sleep
he pushes forward in ainmatter
his work too much at full speed every hour of every day? Human the viewer into a cramped space. Smoother
of minutes. While he pushes forward in his work with. So hetime on his
retreats tohands and nothing
the machine, spendingto fill it
his life has degraded to the point of becoming with. andSo he retreats beings spend a third of their lives sleeping. camera moves will give way to a shakier style
his life has degraded to thebrother
point ofJimmy,
becoming more more timeto theEva.
with machine, spending
As Michael
distant to his police officer an more andaddicted
more time What would you do with all of that extra as Michael comes apart at the seams. The
distant to his becomes to with
usingEva.the As Michael
machine and less
estranged sonpolice
to his officer brother an
dying mother, Jimmy, an
introvert becomes addicted to using the machine and less time? Is your love strong enough that it could score will get sparse and sounds will be limited
estranged sonsemblance
to his dyingofmother, interested in dealing with reality, his paranoia and
with only one a friend,an hisintrovert
aging interested in dealing with reality, his paranoia and
span two lifetimes? This is the central theme but amplified as he retreats into himself. Then,
with only one semblance of a friend, his agingthat dependency start to build until he trusts no one that drives R.E.M . It is not so much about the these visual and aural trends will reverse
mentor Kolos, and an ever growing paranoia dependency
mentorare Kolos, and subtractsstart to build
himself fromuntil he is
all that trusts
presentno oneand
people outand an ever
to steal growing paranoia
his invention from himthat for and subtracts
creation of the chair by a reclusive scientist, but themselves as Michael puts things back into
people aredevious
out to steal his invention from himby for real. He comeshimself
to believe from thatall everyone,
that is present and
including what happens when he actually completes the perspective. And by the end, a sweeping,
their own devices. This is punctuated real.friends
He comes to believe
theirappearance
own devious his and family, are that everyone,
conspiring including
against him chair. brightly colored wide shot will send Michael on
the of adevices. This Armstrong
Lieutenant is punctuated who by
the appearance and that they are out to steal his invention. him
his friends and family, are conspiring against his voyage into a perpetual dreamland.
tries to convinceof a Lieutenant
Michael to combineArmstrong who
his research and that they are out to steal his invention. Regardless of genre, I find that I always
tries the
with to convince
government’s.Michael toitcombine
But his research
is a seemingly good- When he comes to the realization that there is gravitate towards stories about gifted main R.E.M will take the audience on a thrilling
with thepriest
natured government’s.
that posesBut theitbiggest
is a seemingly
threat to good- When
no onehe hecomes to the
can trust, he realization
decides to that there
destroy theis characters whose inner-struggles seek to wreck spiritual journey. It is not my goal to make a
natured priest
Michael. that poses
The secret order the biggest to
he belongs threat
wouldto no one he
machine cango
and trust,
to theheonly
decidesplacetowhere
destroy hethe is truly the greatness they possess. Films such as A forgettable romantic comedy or an obtuse
Michael.
like to useThe secret order
Michael’s he belongs
invention to speaktotowouldGod and content, at Eva’s side. Michael goes to sleep isfortruly
machine and go to the only place where he Beautiful Mind or Pi . Haunted by visions of his character piece and I refuse to let R.E.M. exist
like to use Michael’s invention to
they will stop at nothing to attain it. He turnsspeak to Godtoand content,
the at Eva’s
last time and side. Michael
joins his goesfor
lost love toall
sleep for
eternity. lost love and trapped within the confines of his among a crowded marketplace of films with
they will stop at nothing to attain it. He turns to the last time and joins his lost love for all eternity. own brilliant mind, our hero, Michael Letto, is tired subject matters. The aim is to challenge
this type of character. As the story unfolds he people with the medium, leave lingering
unravels with it. I envision the film’s aesthetic questions and a lasting impression long after
matching its somber tone. Crushed blacks, they have seen the film.

3 213-304-1412 4
 PRIMER
Budget: $7,000
Return: $424,760
Four friends and fledgling entrepreneurs, knowing that

THE
there’s something bigger and more innovative than the
checking devices they’ve built, wrestle over
their new invention.

GRAPHIC
PI: FAITH IN CHAOS
NOVEL
COMPARATIVE FILMS

Budget: $60,000 Currently in production, the graphic novel for R.E.M.

Return: $3,221,152 will be completed during the Fall of 2012 and
released in the Winter of 2013. It is being drawn and
Max is a genius mathematician who’s built a supercomputer
inked by fresh Hungarian talent Zsombor Huszka.
at home that provides something that can be understood
Although young, Zsombor had tremendous success
as a key for understanding all existence. Representatives
overseas and is ready to make a big splash in the States.
both from a Hasidic cabalistic sect and high-powered Wall
Street firm hear of that secret and attempt to seduce him.

THE MACHINIST
Budget: N/A
Return: $8,203,235
T
and hasn’t slept in a year. Slowly, he begins to doubt his
sanity as increasingly bizarre things start happening at
work and at home. Haunted by a deformed co-worker who
no one seems to think exists, and an ongoing stream of
indecipherable Post-It notes he keeps finding on his fridge,
he attempts to investigate what appears to be a mysterious
plot against him and, in the process, embroils two women in
his madness.

5 6
 R.E.M.

Ryan is an alumnus of the prestigious Peter Stark Producing

MFA Program at USC. He received his BA in Film Studies
and Production from Hofstra University, graduating Suma
Cum Laude. Before that he pursued a degree in Accounting
from Villanova University and spent a year at Cambridge
Ryan is an alumnus of the prestigious Peter Stark Producing
MFA Program at USC. He received his BA in Film Studies
and Production from Hofstra University, graduating Suma
Cum Laude. Before that he pursued a degree in Accounting
from Villanova University and spent a year at Cambridge
University in England studying Economics and Political
Science. He is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta
Communications Honor Society as well as the Gamma
Phi Business Honor Society.
University in England studying Economics and Political
Science. He is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta
having worked in development for Artisan/Lionsgate
(Blair Witch Project, The Punisher) and Disney (Pirates of the
Caribbean, Freaky Friday). In the summer of 2011, he

Ryan Colucci White Space

starring Holt McCallany, which is currently in post-production.
Ryan also worked at Snoot Entertainment, where he was a
Writer/Director/Producer producer on the CG-animated feature Battle for Terra 3D,
which was released nationwide through Lionsgate in May
of 2009.

Ryan Colucci is teaming up with Warner Brothers to

produce Terry Brooks’ Shannara
books in total). Terry is the fourth best-selling fantasy
author of all time, behind only JRR Tolkien, JK Rawlings and
CS Lewis. Along with Mike the Pike Productions, he is also
producing George R.R. Martin’s World Sci-Fi Award-
winning The Skin Trade, a horror novella by the acclaimed
NY Times #1 best-selling author from an anthology of the
same name, also featuring stories by Stephen King.

Ryan started Spoke Lane Entertainment to produce a

Harbor Moon. Financed independently and produced by

Spoke Lane, the werewolf spaghetti western debuted to
rave reviews in April of 2011 through Shuster Award-
winning publisher Arcana Studio. It was nominated for
a Goodreads and Horror Comic Award for Best Original
Graphic Novel. His follow-up graphic novels, R.E.M.,
Bulderlyns and Chasing Rabbits are currently in production
and look to make their debut in 2012 and 2013 as part
of a joint venture with Mike the Pike Productions.

16

Communications Honor Society as well as the Gamma

Phi Business Honor Society.

Mike the Pike

Productions
having worked in development for Artisan/Lionsgate
(Blair Witch Project, The Punisher) and Disney (Pirates of the
Caribbean, Freaky Friday). In the summer of 2011, he

Ryan Colucci White Space

starring Holt McCallany, which is currently in post-production.
Ryan also worked at Snoot Entertainment, where he was a
Writer/Director/Producer producer on the CG-animated feature Battle for Terra 3D, producer’s track at Columbia College. His executive
which was released nationwide through Lionsgate in May background includes his work as a wealth manager at a
of 2009.
his Series 7 & 66 licenses and helped structure creative
solutions for C-Level executives and entrepreneuers.
Ryan Colucci is teaming up with Warner Brothers to

Mark B. Newbauer
produce Terry Brooks’ Shannara
books in total). Terry is the fourth best-selling fantasy
author of all time, behind only JRR Tolkien, JK Rawlings and
CS Lewis. Along with Mike the Pike Productions, he is also
producing George R.R. Martin’s World Sci-Fi Award-
winning The Skin Trade, a horror novella by the acclaimed
Newbauer formed Mike the Pike Films to package and
produce projects with high production value, taking
advantage of on-location resources, in-kind gifts and tax
incentives to allow for maximum production value.
After more than a decade in the entertainment industry,

Executive Producer
NY Times #1 best-selling author from an anthology of the
same name, also featuring stories by Stephen King. and the business sense necessary for a thriving brand, and
launched Mike the Pike Productions, a full-spectrum
Ryan started Spoke Lane Entertainment to produce a
Graphic Novel Entertainment. Recently, Newbauer

winning werewolf thriller, George R.R. Martin’s The

Harbor Moon. Financed independently and produced by
Skin Trade; and in 2011, he produced White Space, an
Spoke Lane, the werewolf spaghetti western debuted to
rave reviews in April of 2011 through Shuster Award- Zulay Henao. In aerly 2012, Mike the Pike Productions
winning publisher Arcana Studio. It was nominated for acquired Saint James Films as a wholly-owned
a Goodreads and Horror Comic Award for Best Original subsidiary. Saint James Films specializes in low-budget,
Graphic Novel. His follow-up graphic novels, R.E.M.,
Bulderlyns and Chasing Rabbits are currently in production
and look to make their debut in 2012 and 2013 as part
of a joint venture with Mike the Pike Productions.

7 8

Jessee Clarkson
Nascent Perspective
Studios & Jens-Peter Sjöberg
Production Design
Jessee Clarkson is an award nominated Production Designer
his extensive background includes model and miniature
in the art department on smash hits such as The Dark Knight,
Iron Man, Shutter Island, Watchmen, Road Trip and The
Patriot. He has designed several music videos including
Janelle Monae’s ‘Tightrope’, Broken Bells’ ‘The Ghost Inside’
and Pic Vicious’ ‘Mirror Box’.
In early 2009, Jessee founded Nascent Perspective Studios
to provide complete concept-to-construction scenary, props
productions. His hands-on approach to design, an eye for
extreme detail, rich color palettes and creative problem
solving have insured that Jessee is now a sought after
Production Designer. He recently wrapped production on
in post-production for Nascent Perspective is The Proxy,
from Psychopia Films. Other projects designed by Jessee
and Nascent Perspective include ‘Tim Armstrong’s Rock n’
Lovett’s ‘Ghost of Old Highways’, directed by Dan Bush.
9 10
R.E.M.
Odd Post
&
Producer, Visual Effects
Jens-Peter Sjöberg has worke d in the film industry for over 18
years and has his background in post-production and VFX. He
has worked on blockbuster movies such as Lord of the Rings,
The Golden Compass, Superman Returns and Harry Potter. In
2012, he started Odd Post and Odd Pictures. Recently he Co-
Produced one of Swedens most talked about movies of 2012,
Den Heta Sanningen (The Truth) directed by the Swedish
director Johan Lundh.
Odd Post is a highly creative and flexible post-production
company that consists of experienced and engaged artists in
every field of the post-production pipeline. Although based in
Stockholm, Sweden, they collaborate with directors and
creative agencies from all around the world. Their people are
their craft, their power, and the core in their company. They
have handpicked artists that have the expertise to create
images to the level our clients expect, and beyond.
 Thank you for your interest.
For more information on R.E.M. please contact:

Ryan Colucci
213-304-1412

ryan@spokelane.com