James P Brosnahan 614-512-7505   jimbrosnahan@gmail.com
 494 Howland Dr, Gahanna OH 43230 USA
 https://www.scriptrevolution.com/profiles/james-brosnahan

First Drop of Rain

FORMAT/GENRE: Feature Film (Drama, Romance, Biopic)
COMPARABLE FILMS: MARY SHELLEY (2017), PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, EMMA

LOGLINE: An insightful woman dreams of being a novelist, however, women’s writing is not taken seriously in 1777, so she must become as strong as the character she wrote to break barriers and publish her groundbreaking novel.
FIRST DROP OF RAIN is a female-centered historical drama that offers a unique story of female independence during a time when there simply was no such thing. This screenplay received a Gold Award at the WRPN Women’s International Film Festival. It is based on the historical novel Discovering Evelina (public domain) and my own research on the true story of Frances Burney, an author in 1777 London who first made men see women as valued novelists. Despite being set in the Georgian Era, the story’s themes of finding one’s voice and the ideal partner will resonate with modern audiences in a big way. Frances finds herself through her writing in a way the audience can see, feel, and experience for themselves. The fact it’s based on a true story that hasn’t been told before adds to the appeal. Many are familiar with Jane Austen. I desire to introduce Frances, the pioneer who cleared the path for Jane. This story reminds people that feminism is not a magical tree that sprouted in modern times. Instead, it is a garden that has been steadily growing, watered by many women throughout the years, starting with a small but decisive First Drop of Rain.
SUMMARY: FRANCES BURNEY (early 20s) is a smart, inquisitive woman in 1777 London, where it’s considered improper for women to read novels. This is why Frances’ kindly and handsome correspondence tutor, HUGH LOWE (late 20s) sneaks them to her, making sure that her father, CHARLES BURNEY (50), never learns she’s reading. Frances is quick to criticize the way in which the all-male authors portray the women in their books. Even when an author shows a woman to be her own person, all the woman’s value is placed on her chastity and eventually becoming an obedient wife. It’s an attitude that Frances sees as harmful to women and men. Charles is sympathetic to Frances’ desire to write. He’s a writer himself and though he found success with early works, his latest books haven’t sold well, putting the family in a delicate financial situation. While Charles is happy to support Frances writing a novel for her “private library,” he knows that a so-called “literary lady” won’t find a husband.

Frances needs to be married for her financial protection. Hugh’s father is THOMAS LOWE (60s), the head of Lowe and Son Publishers, who like most publishing houses, refuses to print anything by a woman. Hugh and Frances exchange secret letters. Charles finds out about the letters and forbids them. He wants Frances to find a wealthier man than Hugh.
At a ball, Frances meets MILES HAZELTON (30s), a famous opera tenor. Frances finds it thrilling to dance with a handsome man, especially since there were higher-bred ladies he could have chosen. Frances decides to write a romance novel about a young woman who is valued for her abilities and intelligence, rather than for defending her virtue. She hopes that Miles will one day be as impressed by her writing as she is by his singing, which will make them true equals.
Realizing that her writing has little chance of being received fairly if it is seen as "women's writing," Frances teaches herself the male-identified "round hand" writing style. She finishes her book, titled Evelina, and slips the manuscript to Lowe and Son Publishers as an anonymous submission. Hugh, not recognizing Frances' disguised hand, reads the manuscript and is blown away by the quality of the writing. Charles and Hugh eventually discover Frances’ hand in the writing and form a secret plan with Frances to publish her book. Evelina’s publication hits a snag when Thomas realizes it was written by a woman attempting to disguise her handwriting as that of a man. While he thinks it’s an excellent book, he refuses to publish it. Frances is furious, thinking that if she can disobey her father to write the book, then surely Hugh can muster enough bravery to defy his father and publish it. Hugh refuses. Frances vows to find another publisher. She takes her manuscript to lesser-known publishing houses and they refuse to publish Evelina because they consider it too good for women's writing and thus fear their readers will assume it is a fraud. However, Hugh manages to get Evelina to the printers and the book becomes an overnight success. Miles proposes to Frances and she accepts.
Frances tells Miles she wrote the book, and he commands her to always deny authorship. She refuses and ends their engagement. Frances reveals her authorship to Thomas and Hugh adds her name to the cover of Evelina. Women tell Frances that Evelina has inspired them to finish their own novels, proving that Frances’ book is that first drop of rain for female novelists. Frances and Hugh admit their feelings for one another and vow to take the literary world by storm with her next book.

AWARDS

Atlanta Women’s Film Festival – Official Selection (2020)

Big Apple Film Festival – Finalist (2020)

Best Script Awards, London – Best Drama Screenplay (2020)

LA Lift-Off Festival – Top 5 Screenplays (2020)

Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards – Quarterfinalist (2020)

NYC Screenplay Awards – Quarterfinalist (2020)

Atlanta Screenplay Awards – Quarterfinalist (2021)

SWN Goldman Awards – Quarterfinalist (2021)

WRPN Women’s International Film Festival – Gold (2021)