SCREENPLAYS
FADE IN:
Here is a list of completed feature film screenplays I've written or helped write, and several projects I'm currently working on. Don't hesitate to contact me with inquiries about any of these.
THE QUEST FOR TOM SAWYER'S GOLD
Written by Nick Pollack
Family Adventure
A risk-averse English teacher is forced to face her greatest fears when her son & several of her students venture alone into the southern wilderness in search of Tom Sawyer’s long lost gold. With a ‘devil-may-care’ ginger Persian cat by her side, she must outwit both a nefarious teaching rival intent on claiming the gold first and brave the dangers of the deep south so she can rescue her students, and regain her long-lost lust for adventure.
Ace Entertainment Films
JOEY & ELLA: A KANGAROO TAIL
Written by Nick Pollack
Family Adventure
When a baby kangaroo gets accidentally swept up in a jewelry heist, she becomes separated from her mother. Alone and frightened, a worldly teenager Ella, who also knows the pain of losing her mother, discovers her and nurses the joey back to health. When Joey is falsely implicated in the robbery, Ella has to reunite Joey with her mother before she’s captured by the bumbling thieves or taken into custody by a determined detective hot on their trail.
Lionsgate / Ace Entertainment Films
THE MAGICIAN'S RAINCOAT
Written by Nick Pollack
Family Comedy
When exploring their grandmother’s attic, Jack, Olivia and Chen find a magical yellow raincoat that transports them into the body of the cursed magician Augustus Semprini. Now with a wicked witch on their trail desperate to reclaim the jewels trapped within the coat, and a nefarious property developer intent on splitting up their family, the kids race against the clock to solve the mystery of the raincoat, release Semprini from his curse & win back their family home.
Based upon the middle-grade book "THE MAGICIAN'S RAINCOAT (Available through Amazon.)
GHOSTER
Written by Nick Pollack
Story by Sebastien Semon and Jerome Reygner-Kalfon-Ohanessian
Family Adventure
When a mysterious letter appears on the day they are being evicted, Elizabeth and her father can’t believe their luck to discover they've inherited Echoville Manor, a sprawling, thirty-seven room estate. Elizabeth finds that the mansion is inhabited by Ghoster, a spirit who has been trapped within a mirrored prison for fifty years. Together, they must uncover the secrets to Echoville to free Ghoster before the nefarious Yuto captures her soul as well in his quest for immortality.
Ace Entertainment Films
A.I.EXANDER
Written by Nick Pollack
Thriller / Sci-Fi
LOGLINE:
In a future where artificial intelligence governs society, a man uncovers that his identity has been stolen to pass a high-stakes life-or-death audit. With only 72 hours granted by the merciless AI judge, he must embark on a perilous quest to track down the elusive thief, facing a race against time to bring them to justice and avoid his own imminent termination.
THE RACE THAT STOPS A NATION
Written by Nick Pollack
Crime comedy
LOGLINE:
When an unscrupulous betting company goes back on its word, a rag-tag team of gambling addicts plans to even the odds by plotting a heist during the three minutes which captivates every eye in Australia - the running of the Melbourne Cup. A caper in the vein of OCEAN'S ELEVEN & THE STING.
REVIEW:
"Written with an evocative comic book economy, THE RACE THAT STOPS A NATION presents an overly large constellation of well-constructed characters, each drawn with layered emotional complexity, motivated desires, and elaborate arcs that elevates the conflict and deepens our connection to their circumstances... Most impressively, the irony of a fellowship of Gamblers Anonymous forced to make a huge personal “bet” to reform the gaming industry is brilliant... showcases the fresh voice of a fearless storyteller."
THE EVERGREEN MISTLETOE MATCHMAKERS AGENCY
Written by Nick Pollack
Rom-Com / Christmas
LOGLINE:
In this modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's 'Emma', a popular social media influencer-turned-matchmaker, Emma, navigates the complexities of love and relationships while trying to find her own soulmate. As she meddles in the love lives of others, Emma's idealistic approach clashes with her pragmatic angel investor, George, leading to a series of misadventures, unexpected romances, and a grand romantic gesture that may just lead to a Christmas Eve filled with love and forgiveness.
SPACE RIVER RUNAWAYS
Written by Nick Pollack
Family Adventure
When Finn escapes from Space Academy and his oppressive father, he unexpectedly gains a new travel companion - a runaway alien slave. As they navigate through a dangerous galaxy, Finn's carefree nature is balanced by his partner's astute guidance as they dodge menacing bounty hunters while learning to rely on each other to get the alien home safely. Inspired by Twain's 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
WITCH'S HARVEST
Written by Nick Pollack
Horror
LOGLINE:
Trapped in a nightmarish time loop orchestrated by a malevolent witch, four old friends must navigate a treacherous game of sacrifice, where demons rise from the ground and time itself is a twisted weapon. As they witness future echoes of themselves, encounter visions of past events, and grapple with the guilt of their actions, the women must find a way to break free from the entanglement of cycles before they are consumed by the witch's harvest.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
Written by Nick Pollack
Thriller / Crime
LOGLINE:
Deborah’s life is the epitome of perfection: a dream job, a successful husband, and a home that's the envy of all in her exquisitely-manicured neighbourhood. But over the next ninety minutes, her enviable existence will unravel faster than she ever imagined.
EACH WAY BET
Written by Nick Pollack
Crime / Action
LOGLINE:
After losing a parlayed bet that would set his life back on track, a desperate professor seeks retribution from the footballer he holds responsible.
REVIEW:
"Tight, witty, deliciously nasty neo-noir is another winner from this writer, crammed
with clever twists, memorable characters, and sharp, vicious dialogue... This one is
delightfully twisted, with a wide array of plot strands and characters that also give it a feel of the early Guy Ritchie capers like “Snatch”'
ANY GIRL WHO LOVES THE BEATLES IS BOUND TO BREAK YOUR HEART
Written by Nick Pollack & Ryan Hayward
Musical Romance
SHORTLISTED:
2018 WARNER BROS / VEERHUIS PICTURES / THE BLACKLIST'S AUSTRALIAN SCREENWRITING OPPORTUNITY
SYNOPSIS:
The paths of a vivacious touring English musician and a despondent Australian travel writer cross at Sydney airport one summer's morning. When ejected from his flight, he is forced to take a job showing her around the city he’s grown to hate, in order to pay for a new flight the next day. Over the course of their day together, they fall for each other’s unique charms and he in turn finds hope in himself and in the city that he once loved.
REVIEW:
"This is a great example of a romance that blends genuine characterizations and dialogue with crowd-pleasing moments that feel earned. The use of pop culture landmarks (The Beatles, Salinger, etc) and Sydney landmarks lends a delightful sense of specificity to the proceedings, and Grant is depressive and angry while still being engaging and fun to watch. Overall, the biggest success of this screenplay is how badly the audience wants to see Nina and Grant end up together..."
PACK ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
Written by Nick Pollack
Romantic Thriller
LOGLINE:
Being dragged to a rom-com is a form of torture for most guys but when charming rogue Guy crosses paths with sociopathic cinephile Carly on a train in Germany, the torture is very real as she chases him across Europe and drags him through scenes of well known romance films.
REVIEW:
"This is a clever, inventive script that spends its first half being an enjoyable “Before Sunrise” imitation, and then wickedly turns the genre on its head and morphs into a “Fatal Attraction”- type thriller while still somehow managing to retain the charm and whimsy of the first half. It boasts a very likable, resourceful protagonist and a terrific villain who is a fascinating mix of the diabolical and the endearingly vulnerable. Script is refreshingly willing to revel in its movie-geek creds, from its brazen title to its cheerful, direct references to “La Dolce Vita” and “Roman Holiday”; this is a script by a movie-lover, for movie lovers."
CRAWL AWAY TO DIE
Written by Nick Pollack
Horror / Monster Film
LOGLINE:
When two diametric opposites - one a werewolf, the other a vampire - become shackled together for twenty-four hours, they discover their greatest fear may not be the horror that awaits them in the outside world, but the realization of just how similar they truly are.
A twisted fairytale for the post-COVID era.
REVIEW:
"Crawl Away to Die delivers a fast-paced horror film in a secluded area where vampires, werewolves, and other mysterious, violent creatures seem to be commonplace. The vivid descriptions bring the monsters and the violence they enact on one another (or human hunters) popping off the page. There are wrinkles to iron out, but the script has an excellent base to work off of in the future."
BALLOON ANIMALS
Written by Nick Pollack
Thriller
LOGLINE:
When his wife is murdered, Quinn must work with his delinquent brother Sebastien to prove his innocence whilst trying to outwit the loan sharks chasing them to collect Sebastien's gambling debts. A series of dominoes fall as they attempt to solve one problem but end up creating two more in its place.
Murder mystery in the vein of 'FARGO'
A.K.A. NICK CLAUS
Written by Diane Drake & Nick Pollack
Story by Diane Drake
Family Adventure
LOGLINE:
The untold, REALLY true story of how notorious cat burglar and con man Nicklaus Kringle turned his life around and became the much beloved Santa Claus.
REVIEW:
"This is a wonderful Christmas comedy movie that creates an entire history for the creation of Santa and how he came to be. It's funny through and through and features a fantastic duo of Nick and Syd that the audience is able to connect with in every way. The script is sure to catch the attention of industry readers looking for a fresh new take on the genre and the easter eggs will keep readers wanting to go on and see how else the writer has masterfully created the world to back up the infamous tale of Santa Claus"
FINALIST : Gateway LA Script Comp 2015
ESCAPE
Written by Nick Pollack
Family Adventure
LOGLINE:
When a freak accident causes the animals at a high-tech zoo to become talking living beings, the chief technician and her kids must find a way to help the animals escape permanent captivity at the hands of two zealous zookeepers.
An Ace Entertainment Production
BOPPINGTON
Written by Nick Pollack
Family Adventure
LOGLINE:
In the quest to escape her bullied life and runaway to Boppington, the backwards world hidden within a bus stop poster, a determined schoolgirl finds the courage to face her fears and discovers the quirks which make her stand out most might ultimately be her greatest strength.
WORK IN PROGRESS
ZODEE ACK,
MY IMAGINARY FOE
Written by Nick Pollack
Family Adventure
SYNOPSIS:
Jade Chung is the brightest, most knowledgeable ten-year-old you’ll ever meet. There’s not a math equation or scientific formula that she can’t solve. As brainy as Jade is, she’s hopeless at anything creative. But after a confrontation with a gang of bullies, she’s forced to finally use her inventiveness to challenge them in a creative writing competition.
Enter Zodee Ack, the product of Jade’s imagination who, much to his frustration, transforms every two hours into a different animal on the Chinese zodiac. When Jade’s writing efforts pulls Zodee from his world into ours, he proceeds to turn her life upside down. While only she can see him, he creates chaos for her at every opportunity. However, with the wicked plans of the new town mayor afoot, Jade & Zodee must overcome their differences and work together to save the children of Australia from his villainous schemes.
Based upon the middle grade book series
RED RIGHT HAND
Written by Cameron Pascoe & Nick Pollack
Horror / Thriller
SYNOPSIS:
Ellie dreams of escaping life in regional Australia. But after running away with a group of backpackers to an idyllic property owned by a celebrated local painter she discovers that life in this tropical utopia isn't what it seems. With the sheriff racing against time to rescue her, Ellie must find the strength to fight back and escape.
REVIEW:
"RED RIGHT HAND recontextualizes the bucolic wanderlust of modern travel—an experience idealized by every millennial with an iPhone—into a grisly and disturbing nightmare. Like MIDSOMMAR or THE SHALLOWS before it, this script revolves around one woman's vacation gone horribly awry..."
CLICK GO THE SHEARS
Written by Cameron Pascoe & Nick Pollack
Thriller / Horror
LOGLINE:
Twenty-five years ago, they tortured him to the brink of death for a crime he never committed. Tonight, on the anniversary of the crime, The Shearer returns for revenge.
REVIEW:
"Click Go the Shears is a horror/gore flick that does not hold back once blood and guts start flying... There’s something to be said for a script that somehow finds a balance where a family getting violently torn limb from limb doesn’t automatically result in hopes of escape. That’s impressive considering how gruesome everything was."
ODDS
TV PILOT
Written by Nick Pollack
Drama / Black Comedy
SYNOPSIS:
As self-destructive gambler MJ hurtles towards rock bottom, she receives a mysterious email from a man known only as ‘H’ requesting an arrangement of financial domination, a humiliation fetish where she takes full control of his finances. The opportunity seems heaven-sent, saving her from spiraling debt while funding ongoing vices. But as she begins to claw back her life, his begins to unravel and he draws her closer in an effort to conceal both his proclivities from the world and prevent her discovering that he’s actually her boss.
A 30-minute pilot episode.
THE PART OF YOU I LOOK
FOR IN EVERYONE I MEET
Written by Nick Pollack
Romantic Drama
SYNOPSIS:
When musician Tim Chaucher (65) announces his first tour of Australia in fifteen years, dormant feelings Nelly held for the lover she left under mysterious circumstances get stirred. Risking her marriage, she flies to Sydney to orchestrate an ‘accidental meet-cute’. When they discover the connection they had all those years ago is still strong, they spend a romantic weekend in Sydney, against the backdrop of the Vivid Festival. A companion film to 'Any Girl Who Loves The Beatles...'
REVIEW:
"It’s a little bit of “Before Sunset”, a little “Once”, a little “Le Weekend”, a little “Notting Hill”, a little “Music and Lyrics”, and many others, and yet, still its own thing, a poignant and funny “weekend affair” flick that will hopefully find the right leads to carry it off. Another solid piece of work by this writer, who has the invaluable skill of making chemistry between his leads practically leap off the page. An uncommonly wise and wistful script..."
WORSE OFF DEAD
Written by Nick Pollack
Horror / Comedy
LOGLINE:
After failing to achieve success while alive, a musician returns from the grave to revel in the post-humous celebration of his music. However, he's soon torn between the desire for fame & fortune and his newly acquired lust for brains.
REVIEW:
"Breezy, offbeat horror satire of the music world is a new twist on the zombie genre, showing influence by everything from “Warm Bodies”, “Return of the Living Dead”, and “Shaun of the Dead”. Light-hearted, cheerfully gory, and frequently clever concoction."
BUCK'S NIGHT
Written by Nick Pollack
Story by Nick Pollack & Andy Abraham
Horror / Black Comedy
LOGLINE:
When a gifted yet deranged surgeon kidnaps a group of friends celebrating a buck's party at the mysterious Fur Fur Club, the bride-to-be and the best man race against time to piece together the clues of their whereabouts before the Doctor can realize his plan of creating surgically-enhanced deer-men.
REVIEW:
"A wild, highly original script that throws horror films as divergent as HOSTEL, RE- ANIMATOR, and BAD TASTE in a blender, BUCK’S NIGHT bubbles over with rich, innovative sequences that pop off the page. Enough cannot be said about the sheer audacity of some of the horror sequences – they manage to create a sense of horrified squeamishness even as the reader laughs out loud..."