Synopsis
'Meet Me Under the Bleachers' follows two alienated teenagers navigating the suburbs of Los Angeles in the aftermath of 9/11.
Our story opens in a provocative L.A. nightclub. Caroline, the black sheep of her white evangelical family, and her best friend Jin dance the night away after snorting their first lines of cocaine. They, then, head down an electric Sunset Strip to see her punk rock boyfriend perform at The Viper Room, where he unexpectedly breaks up with her.
Her 'live fast, die young' mentality begins to unravel as she becomes painfully aware of one brutal fact: she's still just a kid. And no matter how hard she fights it, she is still trapped by the drudgery of her suburban shackles.
Emilio begins his journey in our story at the tail end of his stay at a psychiatric hospital. His father's untimely death on September 11th drove him to an impulsive suicide attempt, and now he is struggling to adapt to a terrifying post 9/11 world. And it is only through the encouragement of his benevolent therapist that he decides to seek out the most unlikely love interest.
'Meet Me Under the Bleachers' is a raw exploration of youth, isolation, and the fragile connections forged in the shadows of a crumbling American dream.
"Everyone's so full of shit
Born and raised by hypocrites
Hearts recycled, but never saved
From the cradles to the grave
We are the kids of war and peace
From Anaheim to the Middle East
We are the stories and disciples of
The Jesus of Suburbia"
--Billie Joe Armstrong, American Idiot
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THE CREW
Author's Statement
SERGIO CASTILLO
SERIES WRITER
Originally from California, Sergio has an extensive background in theatre and film. His new pilot Meet Me Under The Bleachers is an official selection at The Burbank International Film Festival.
The early 2000’s was a pivotal time for the nation, for it was a period of no return. After 9/11 the country would never, could never be the same. 'Meet Me Under the Bleachers' offers a glimpse into a time that has been, ironically, forgotten by American media.
What happened to the youth of America in the aftermath of 9/11? A generation conditioned by 80’s nostalgia, 90’s cynical optimism, and the devastating realization that the world their parents thrived in lied buried in the ruins of the world trade center.
How did teenage dissidents survive in an era of blind ultra nationalism when even questioning patriotism would deem anyone suspect? How did the young cope with history unraveling before their very eyes? What happened to the Teenage Riot? Who were the disciples of the Jesus of suburbia?
'Meet Me Under the Bleachers' follows two alienated teens imprisoned by the monotony of suburban life and find that the only escape is in one another. Whether they are battling religious dogma, trauma & anxiety, survivor's guilt, pop culture Fascism, heartbreak, or plain old teenage angst, these youthful millennials discover they are breathing their last innocent breaths before the country succumbs to the evils of futile wars and the demise of American capitalism.
'Meet Me Under the Bleachers' is more than just a period piece; it is an exploration of the moments that define who we become. Growing up in the early 2000s, there was a specific kind of quiet tension—a world caught between the analog past and the digital future.
My intent with this series is to capture the raw, unpolished energy of that era while telling a story that resonates today. It is about the secrets kept in parking lots and the heavy weight of expectations put on the young, even in the face of tragedy and loss. Through these characters, we look back to understand the end of one world and the beginning of another.
Forge the Future
We invite networks and investors to join us in bringing this cinematic vision to life. As we move forward with the development phase, we are seeking partners who share our commitment to high-impact storytelling and the unique atmosphere of this new television pilot.
Please Contact
Name
Sergio Castillo
meetmeunderthebleachers@gmail.com
Message
Interest in the development of Meet Me Under the Bleachers