Author: Dennis J Manning
Dennis@danforthmusic.org
401-644-4759
1165 NW 30th Street, Wilton Manors, FL 33311
www.danforthmusic.org
"The Shaft"
Murder Noir set in the 1950’s New York City
LGBTQ-Unbordered GOLD Award
"Undertow"
A modern-day Fairytale of love and romance set in Gay Fort Lauderdale, FL
Murder Noir set in the 1950’s New York City
LGBTQ-Unbordered GOLD Award
"Undertow"
A modern-day Fairytale of love and romance set in Gay Fort Lauderdale, FL
LGBTQ-Unbordered SILVER Award
"More Going Down"
LGBTQ Murder, Mystery, Musical set in present-day
LGBTQ-Unbordered BRONZE Award
Hispanic International Film Festival GOLD award
"Strings Attached"
FORMAT: Animated Short (8-10 minutes)
GENRE: Psychological Drama / Dark Comedy / Supernatural Animation
LOGLINE:
When a washed-up musician returns to his sacred studio to write one last song, the guitars
he abandoned come alive, forcing him to face the haunting truth about the silence he
chose—and the music that never died.
SYNOPSIS:
Dennis, once a celebrated singer-songwriter, now hides from his art in a lonely, dustcovered studio filled with three guitars he hasn’t played in years. Each guitar personifies a
part of his soul: Guitar #1 (De Niro-style) is the hard-nosed voice of his past glory and
bitterness; Guitar #2 (Amy Adams-style) is the vulnerable, soulful heart he’s tried to forget;
and Guitar #3 (Ryan Reynolds-style) is his inner cynic and rage. As the guitars argue and
unravel Dennis's history of retreat, broken promises, and artistic betrayal, they begin to
physically and emotionally push back.
When Dennis finally picks up Guitar #2, a quiet harmony is born, leading to a final, poignant
performance of his original song "Solitary Man."
UNIQUE ELEMENTS:
• Voice cast stylized like De Niro, Amy Adams, and Ryan Reynolds
• Darkly humorous, emotionally grounded, dialogue-driven animation
• An original 1982 song, "Solitary Man," weaves throughout Dennis's character arc and
has appeared in two other screenplays by the creator ("Now & Then" and "Chasing
Truths")
TONE / COMPS:
• Inside Out meets Love, Death & Robots
• Toy Story with psychological scars and adult edge
Hispanic International Film Festival GOLD award
"Strings Attached"
FORMAT: Animated Short (8-10 minutes)
GENRE: Psychological Drama / Dark Comedy / Supernatural Animation
LOGLINE:
When a washed-up musician returns to his sacred studio to write one last song, the guitars
he abandoned come alive, forcing him to face the haunting truth about the silence he
chose—and the music that never died.
SYNOPSIS:
Dennis, once a celebrated singer-songwriter, now hides from his art in a lonely, dustcovered studio filled with three guitars he hasn’t played in years. Each guitar personifies a
part of his soul: Guitar #1 (De Niro-style) is the hard-nosed voice of his past glory and
bitterness; Guitar #2 (Amy Adams-style) is the vulnerable, soulful heart he’s tried to forget;
and Guitar #3 (Ryan Reynolds-style) is his inner cynic and rage. As the guitars argue and
unravel Dennis's history of retreat, broken promises, and artistic betrayal, they begin to
physically and emotionally push back.
When Dennis finally picks up Guitar #2, a quiet harmony is born, leading to a final, poignant
performance of his original song "Solitary Man."
UNIQUE ELEMENTS:
• Voice cast stylized like De Niro, Amy Adams, and Ryan Reynolds
• Darkly humorous, emotionally grounded, dialogue-driven animation
• An original 1982 song, "Solitary Man," weaves throughout Dennis's character arc and
has appeared in two other screenplays by the creator ("Now & Then" and "Chasing
Truths")
TONE / COMPS:
• Inside Out meets Love, Death & Robots
• Toy Story with psychological scars and adult edge