Production values: Higher, Lighter, Simpler, and With More Joy!

Scientists have long known that oxytocin (commonly referred to as the “cuddle hormone”) is the hormone that helps to bond mother to child after birth, but recent research shows increases in oxytocin in new fathers as well.  Moreover, oxytocin is the hormone responsible for creating a sense of empathy and concern for our fellow human beings.  

There is compelling evidence that a well crafted story can increase oxytocin levels in audiences as they connect with characters who are facing great obstacles.  

Our goal is to use well-crafted stories to boost the oxytocin levels of our audiences, particularly in relation to the foster children who are at the heart of our stories, with our ultimate hope being that this empathy will translate into a genuine concern for the real-life foster children in our own communities.

The primary story engine for Chaos in Paradise is the foster care system, and because every child who enters foster care brings with him or her their own unique story, there is a never-ending supply of compelling and interesting plots. Moreover, a prime source of conflict is Becky and Tim’s struggle to balance a normal, healthy upbringing for their biological children with their passion to provide a safe and loving home for the damaged foster children who show up at their door.  

These are just a small sampling of the many story ideas under consideration (many inspired by actual events). Clearly, foster kids can come from many different races, religions, and socioeconomic classes. The abuse and neglect that create the need for foster care crosses all social and racial lines. There’s plenty of opportunity for diversity.

Just like the real-life foster kids who inspire our stories, the foster kids who show up on the Smith’s doorstep may be in their home for only a day, several weeks, or for a year. Some will become a permanent part of their family as an adopted “forever child”. Accordingly, some of the foster kids’ storylines will begin and end in the same episode. Others will span several episodes. Each season will feature storylines that will span the entire season.  

Here are some of the notes the pilot script has received from industry professionals...

"CHAOS IN PARADISE is a genuinely heartwarming, funny and resonant family drama. 

The pilot’s depiction of couple Becky and Tim gradually making the difficult, rewarding decision to become foster parents is emotionally involving, and keeps the reader fully invested. 

Building the story around Becky’s observation of the abuse and neglect occurring in young girl Hannah Barnhouse’s family, which moves her to want to become a foster parent, gives this story about becoming a foster parent a strong sense of specificity, as well. 

The pilot’s nicely anchored by the protagonist Becky and her husband Tim, who are both strongly likable, charismatic and relatable. They also have an appealing chemistry together that makes it enjoyable to see them interact, make tough decisions as a couple and keep their chaotic homelife afloat. 

The dialogue is one of the strongest elements of the pilot, as it has a distinct sense of witty humor that keeps the story upbeat and high energy, even when dealing with heavy subjects like child abuse, PTSD and foster care. Through the comedic dialogue, Becky’s effervescent personality comes through clearly, as does the writer’s comedically strong voice. 

The supporting cast well developed and fully dimensional, as well, especially within Becky’s household, but also within the deeply troubled Barnhouse family. 

Edna Washington is another memorably distinctive character with an enjoyably bold personality, who also brings an element of faith-based mysticism to the story with her God-sent psychic visions about Becky and the Barnhouse kids. 

The faith-based element that Edna brings to the story will also help this series appeal to viewers seeking out more faith-based entertainment, which can be found on streaming platforms like Netflix, and on cable networks like Freeform, Lifetime, Hallmark Channel and CMT. 

The show will also strongly appeal to fans of family-driven ensemble network dramas like THIS IS US and PARENTHOOD. 

The story has a strong, well-paced dramatic arc, as well, swiftly and steadily building in high stakes, dramatic tension and urgency to its explosively violent ending. 

...genuinely moving, funny and uplifting pilot."  -- ScreenCraft Analyst E76C7  

"CHAOS IN PARADISE is a highly compelling family drama that focuses on America’s foster care system, including the foster parents, the administrators, and the kids who are caught up in the system. The script offers some absolutely outstanding characterization and dialogue. 

Becky’s handling of the trash is a fantastic way for the audience to meet her. We learn so much about her from the grit, determination, and total lack of ego she displays in getting that garbage to the truck. (It’s also a fantastic moment of levity coming after a troubling and emotionally challenging cold open.) 

As we meet the rest of the Smith family, we come to learn who they are in the same compelling way – through their actions and conversations with each other. (Tim putting the toy in the fridge is such a dad move!) The family might be struggling financially, but they aren’t struggling to be good people or a happy family. 

As the story progresses, Edna Washington also becomes a textbook example of how to establish a character in a page or less (and assure the audience will love her forever), and to a lesser extent, the same is true of Justin, Dot, and Shannon. 

The script also does an excellent job of showing how naïve Becky is when it comes to the entire foster care system. To her – and likely many in the audience – putting the kids first should be a relatively easy thing to do. The script is very careful to show that this isn’t reality at all. We learn that Carol has a tough demeanor because she needs one to survive the brutality of her job. 

Justin clearly picks up that bat to protect his mother and siblings, but this is a devastating act of violence for a boy his age and there will surely be emotional and legal repercussions. It’s genuinely heart-wrenching." -- ScreenCraft Analyst B0FE7

"My favorite thing about this, and something you do so, so well, is your theme. The message was so uplifting, and one that we really need to hear in today’s day and age where people have seemed to forgotten it in the wake of all the world’s events. So well done on that! This really helped your script stick out from others I’ve read in a way that warmed my heart. I think others will react similarly." -- ScreenCraft Analyst 3BA62 

I was honored to be featured in Action on Film's MegafestMag.

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