Search Committee Script 75 Pages -

I’m sorry. But Vance is a predator. You’d be his tool.

Logline: A seemingly routine academic search committee for a new university president unravels when one quiet member discovers the leading candidate is a fraud—forcing the committee to confront their own ambitions, biases, and secrets before a unanimous vote destroys them all.

Vance arrives early for his “campus visit” (scheduling change by Martha without notice). Vance in the hallway, charming. He shakes hands. Helen: “Dr. Vance, before we begin, can you explain why your former dean was convicted of fraud?” Vance’s smile freezes. “That’s a serious accusation.” Martha intervenes: “This is inappropriate. Dr. Vance, please follow me.” Vance, to Helen: “You’re making an enemy.” Walks away with Martha. Amir: “He just threatened a search chair in front of witnesses.” Helen: “Record it. Send to legal.” search committee script 75 pages

Claire distributes binders. Amir notices a discrepancy: Vance’s publication record has a gap year. Lisa dismisses it as sabbatical. Helen: “We’ll probe in interviews.” Trevor: “Or we could Google.” James laughs bitterly. Martha: “Let professionals work.”

Private room. Vance and Martha. Martha: “They have documents. Withdraw.” Vance: “No. You’ll vote for me. You know what I have on you, Martha.” (Reference to her past scandal—he implies evidence she falsified data, which she didn’t, but the rumor exists.) Martha: “You’re bluffing.” Vance: “Try me.” Martha leaves. In hallway, she vomits into a trash can. Lisa sees her. “Martha. Come back to the committee.” Martha whispers: “He’ll destroy me.” Lisa: “Only if you let him. Tell us everything.” I’m sorry

Final shot. Night. Helen alone in the room. She looks at the empty chairs. Picks up a framed photo of the original committee—taken before the storm. She sets it face down. Turns to a blank whiteboard. Writes: “Integrity is not unanimous. It’s unilateral.” Fade to black. DIALOGUE EXCERPT (Scene 8, p. 38–40) JAMES (slurring slightly) You want to know why I vote for Vance? Last year, my wife needed a trial drug. Not covered. I begged the college for an advance. Denied. Vance’s people called me two weeks ago. Offered to fund the entire oncology wing. No strings. Except my vote.

Thriller / Drama Format: 75-page feature screenplay Setting: Prestigious but financially struggling liberal arts college, Upstate New York. February. CHARACTERS (7 main) | Name | Role | Age | Trait | |------|------|-----|-------| | DR. HELEN RIVAS | Chair, History | 58 | Principled, exhausted | | PROF. JAMES KELLER | Senior, English | 62 | Cynical, alcoholic | | DEAN MARTHA CHO | Admin, Business | 49 | Ambitious, strategic | | PROF. AMIR SINGH | Junior, CompSci | 34 | Idealistic, tech-savvy | | DR. LISA MENDES | External, Education | 44 | Empathetic, observant | | TREVOR BANKS | Student rep, Senior | 21 | Angry, perceptive | | CLAIRE DUVALL | Secretary (non-voting) | 55 | Quiet, all-seeing | Logline: A seemingly routine academic search committee for

She died anyway. But the money? Still there. For the next person. You think principles kept anyone alive in my house?