Whitfield vs Love Treatment

“Whitfield vs. Love”

(00:02:50)

By Justice Obiaya

3/11/14

Tagline: A high school student files a lawsuit against cupid after he discovers he has a homosexual crush on a man.

Logline: High school student Max Whitfield has just discovered he has a new crush, yet things are not as he expected when he discovers that his high school crush is for another man. Unhappy with his current situation Max files a lawsuit against Cupid for shooting him with a defective arrow. Only after witness accounts and life altering evidence is revealed will Max learn to come to terms with his circumstances.

Synopisis: At St. Valentine’s Christian Academy MAX WHITFIELD is the all-star student, head of his class, quarterback and class president. He is truly the perfect teenager that any parent would love to call son. The only thing that is missing from his life is the love of another. Yet his final missing piece will be found when CUPID arrives. While talking to his lifelong friend, PHILLIP, after class Cupid makes his rounds, striking as many souls as he can with his arrows of love. One after another he smites each of his listed targets with the power of amour.  During his final shot one of his arrows seemingly goes astray and hits Max in the shoulder. Quickly he is overwhelmed with a deep feeling of affection but is shocked when he discovers that these emotions are directed towards his male friend Phillip. Alarmed, he notices the freshly fired arrow embedded in his shoulder and realizes that something is not quite right. He instantly searches for the owner of the arrow only to discover that the sniper is none other than Cupid himself. The feeling of love that recently filled Max’s heart is suddenly replaced by overwhelming rage. Unable to reconcile his new feelings he seeks the council of lawyer ALEXANDER BRIMSTONE. A strongly conservative man, he personally feels disdain for the circumstance that Cupid has forced Max into and instructs the teen to file a lawsuit against the deity.

Public eye is soon drawn to the attention to the court case of a mere boy who sues a god for his perceived affliction. Once in court Brimstone assaults the annoyed Cupid with a barrage of accusations, blaming the deity for the perverse nature of his client. To prove his point Brimstone calls upon Max to give his account of the events that led to his current state. Yet Max’s testimony falls on deaf ears as Cupid has become numb after millennium of hearing mortals complain of his services. Unconcerned by Max’s grievances Cupid nonchalantly pulls out the one piece of evidence that will decide the entire outcome of the trial, his divine list of soul-mates. Upon reviewing the list the judge discovers that Max’s homosexual feelings is not an accident but the intentions of the universe. Cupid is instantly found innocent and Max is grief stricken to know he will not receive the resolution he desires. Upon exiting the courtroom he is surprise to see Phillip waiting for him.Phillip admittedly reveals that he also has feelings for Max and proceeds to ask him out on a date. Understanding that this could be his lifelong love Max reluctantly accepts his invitation and proceeds to give his new love a shot.

Character Descriptions:

Max Whitfield: An overachieving high school student that is enraged when he discovers that he is gay. Unable to deal with his new feeling he files a lawsuit against Cupid, The God of Love.

Cupid: He may be the god of love but Cupid is anything but lovable! Charged with the task of uniting true soulmates for all of eternity, he sees mortals as nothing more than names he must cross off a never ending task list. Both the perfect blend of apathy and snarky cupid is a deity not to trifle with!

Alexander Brimstone: Single minded and ultra conservative prosecutor, Alexander Brimstone, takes a personal vendetta against all accused individuals he deems as immoral. Armed with his beefy biceps, deceitful wit and furiously loud mouth he will stop at nothing to make sure all individuals he deems as threat to “normal” society are punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Phillip: Max’s lifelong friend and future soulmate.

Technical Breakdown

“Whitfiled vs. Cupid” is a 2D animated short film intended designed to appeal members and allies of the LGBT community at all ages. The visual style will be heavily influenced by courtroom illustrations.