LEVEL X
Television format Notes

The following is a brief overview of the Level X storyline. It has been broken down into episodes as suggested for hour long segments. The motivations and character developments are not in detail here and this outline serves primarily as a sequential chain of events.  It is similar to the film outline with some obvious differences as it is viewed with a continuing premise.

The series proposal features an evolving storyline that builds on each succeeding episode. It is suggested, especially in the earlier episodes, that mechanisms to bring viewers up to date with the events be incorporated. These can be such mechanisms as flashbacks, a new character introduction who must be told what is going on, or just utilize a "previously on…" segment which is often utilized by drama shows.

Also contained here are the detailed treatments for the first three episodes which give a great deal more background on the characters and the events shaping the storyline.

The storylines will work on different levels. There is of course, the dreams themselves. Sometimes there will be a particular quest within a dream that the group will attempt to solve. At other times, the dreams will be secondary to the dreamers’ quest in getting out of this mysterious dreamland.

The major quest for the group is to unite. One member, through a memory loss, is floating from dream to dream and the others relentless pursue. That is the linear quest although there are a considerable amount of sub quests that surface through the series.

Other subplots evolving through out the series include the secret agenda of someone at the institute in keeping the research going, to the detriment of the group itself.

An evil force within the dreamworld will also attempt to use the group to manifest it’s own power. This force has it’s own agenda which of course, is in conflict with the dream group. The agenda of the evil threatens not only the group but can be developed to threaten mankind as well…perhaps because it will either control or possibly eliminate their dreams.

The PARTICIPANTS

The Dreamers
Sheila Barnes
Thaddeus Goldstein
Daniel Winston
Howard Johnson
Jennifer Edwards
Cyril Richards

The Researchers
Richard Grant- Director
Randall Paxton-Head of Research Team
Wanda Hendricks-Assistant to Paxton
Liza Goodman- Computer technician
Rachel Murray-Artificial intelligence interface expert
Rajiv Patel- Artificial intelligence interface expert

The Watchers
Karl Woodson "watching" Cyril Richards
Linda Fisher "watching" Jennifer Edwards
Pam Churbrinski "watching" Daniel Winston
Lawrence Perkins "watching" JJ Howard
Dan Harbinson "watching" Sheila Barnes
Jack O’Daniel "watching" Thad Goldstein

 

Episode One

Introduced to all of the major characters, both dreamers and researchers. The mission of utilizing certain types of dreamers is explained and the hook-up to the computer which allows observation. The dreamers are hooked up to a central computer center and each of the dreamers is monitored by a specialist who are referred to as "watchers". Richard Grant is the Director of all operations although not actually participating in the experiment. That is the task of Randall Paxton who is assisted by Wanda Hendricks. Two new researchers specializing in artificial intelligence and the interfacing of the computer with the dreamers are Rachel Murray and Rajiv Patel. Liza Goodman, a computer specialist confined to a wheelchair, serves as the informational liaison between the dream research team and the computer specialists. An important element is that Liza is disappointed that she was not chosen as one of the dream subjects.

The dreamers are hooked up to the computer as they engage in the experiment. However, it is soon evident that something has gone wrong as the dreamers begin to cross over into each other’s dreams. JJ, a comic book artist connects his dream with Cyril, who is a computer game designer. Thad, a psychiatrist secretly harboring a desire to be a jazz musician, crosses over with Jennifer, a sociology major who dreams of the trauma of her family dying in a fire. Sheila, a frustrated dance performer finds herself in the dream of Daniel Winston, a history teacher. Eventually, the dreamers find themselves all pulled into Winston’s dream which takes place during the black plague.

The researchers soon discover that not only have the dreamers cross over into one single dream, but that they have essentially joined a new consciousness which is unapproachable by the researchers. The dreamers after a harrowing experience of the medieval period, find a safe place harbored by one of the dreamers as they contemplate what to do next.

EPISODE TWO

The dreamers find themselves bouncing from dream to dream as each member of the group manifests their own terrors. From a zombie plagued world to a plane heading for a crash to being lost in the woods, the dreams are realistic and terrifying to the group.

The researchers discover that the computer has enacted an anti-virus program

which threatens the existence of the dreamers. Murray attempts to impart a message to the dreamers via a computer program and this attempt to create a character in the dreamer’s world is thwarted by the computer. Discovering that the computer is downloading all of the files of the dreamer, the research team frantically attempts to transfer all the files to the hard drive and time becomes a crucial element.

The dreamers find that the dream excursions have stopped…for awhile. Now they sense that they are in a different realm…a different level of existence. Sheila spies some unique characters that resemble floating mantas but no one else sees them and she figures it is a figment of her imagination. Daniel, in a morbid sense of humor, and delves into the legends of the Boogie Man. To the horror of the others, they watch as mysterious creatures abduct him and all they can hear is his agonizing screams. The researchers are stunned as they see that Daniel’s vital signs go flatline.

EPISODE THREE

The researchers feel now that if a dreamer dies in his/her dream, they will die in reality. But do the dreamers know that? The dreamers are confused and scared and lash out at each other with Thad being the voice of reason and they decide as a group that Daniel isn’t really dead and if they can find a way to wake up, the dreams will end. Liza figures out that the dream group can return if they somehow connect all with each other and be transferred as a single entity but she also realizes that without Daniel, that task might be impossible.

The mantas that Sheila saw do actually exist as all of the dreamers now see them. They are surprised by an old man who comes to them and explains that they are indeed in a different realm and he himself is a dream walker who can traverse through the dreams. The mantas, he explains, are dream riders which absorb all of the remnants of the dreams left over from dead people and unfinished dreams. The group does not think to ask at this point, what they do with that information.

As the researchers try to finish transferring the files, the last one, Cyril’s, is attacked by the anti-virus program of the computer. His file did not transfer successfully and in the dream world, the other dreamers watch as Cyril’s body is gone…piece by piece.

Liza finds Cyril in another area and he is completely separated from the group. Cyril has lost part of his memory and has found solace in going to something he knows…a video game that he created. Liza guesses this and plans to incorporate the game into the computer so it joins the reality of the dream world. Liza wants to venture into the dream world and run on a separate file so she can help lead the group out but Paxton refuses.

The dreamers, stunned by the loss of first Daniel and now Cyril, spot a figure approaching them. Assuming that it is Cyril, they are surprised to see it is Daniel. However, the researchers show no activity on Daniel and as far as they know, he is still dead.

We are introduced to a dark mysterious figure who is in someone’s dream and there is a mention of obtaining power although we don’t know how. This foreshadowing remains mysterious.

 

Sub Plot Storylines

Liza goes into the dream world. At first, she treasures the ability to walk again and that seems to consume her energies. This will be a recurrent theme as the end of the quest will also bring an end to her new found mobility. It is a dilemma that she must contend with. She is on a separate file and is soon lost to the researchers much to the dismay of Paxton who instantly regrets his decision to allow her to go in. Daniel seems a bit subdued and the dream group guiltily feel it is because he feels they deserted him.

The computer game is loaded into the computer and Cyril finds his way through it since it is based on one of his games. Cyril begins to be pulled into other people’s dreams and the dreamers find themselves also being pulled into other people’s dreams. Unknowingly to them, they are following the track of Cyril which they discover a few dreams later as Cyril in some dream has made a lasting impression and is now incorporated into the dream.

The "quest" of the dreamers becomes a pursuit of Cyril in an attempt to hook up with him and bring a unity to the group which will allow for the transfer back. Liza joins the group and gives them this crucial information and also serves as a conduit of information of what their goals are. Cyril, because of his partial memory loss, attaches himself to different dreams based on sometimes minute fragments that trigger a response for him. The group, likewise, can follow his path based on these fragments as Cyril leaves residual memories incorporated into his game on the computer. With the apparent demise of Daniel, Liza’s file is incorporated in place of Daniel’s so she becomes a vital component of the group, essentially replacing Daniel.

Daniel, it will be revealed, is truly dead. His essence has been absorbed by the mantas and then delivered to the mysterious figure shown at the end of episode three. The figure calls himself the "Boogie Man" as he is the manifestation of all the terrible dreams that kids have had since the beginning of time. he does not have a consistent look as it fluctuates but for the dreamers, the body of Daniel serves as the host. Apparently, Daniel help to manifest the Boogie Man into their existence by his insistent stories. The Daniel that travels for a short time with the group (after his apparent death) is indeed the Boogie Man, striving for more information.

The dream walkers are all different. Some get there by meditation but most arrive by being in a REM sleep as they died. Their goals and quests are also unique and their occasional meetings with the dream group are inconsistent. Some will be helpful, some totally uninterested in the team, and some hostile towards them. They are variables that the group has no idea of how the interactions will be. The one thing that they do have in common is the mention of the mysterious "One" which none can explain. This "one" which will be featured in much later episodes serves as the divine aspect but there is no single coherent explanation on what it is. It will be purposely kept vague.

One of the watchers, Pam, will hook up to the dream team in an episode as the group actually dreams of returning to the institute. There, finally, they are all together as via Pam’s dream, they connect. However, they find they establish contact with each other and nothing happens and it appears that their long quest was for naught. We see later Pam investigating the situation and she discovers that there was someone at the institute that had erased the program that would allow them to return. Although it can be easily put back in, it is a lost opportunity and now they wonder who the "traitor" could be and why. The idea of a traitor is confirmed when Grant sadly informs the research team that Pam was found dead. The dreamers’ one contact is now gone.

As we continue to see the dark figure, now revealed as the entity who calls himself the Boogie Man (in a mocking sort of way), we see that whomever the traitor is, it is someone at the institute. It will be revealed to be Grant. The Boogie Man needs the essence of the others to gain power within the realm and to have access to all of the dreams. He can utilize this power to transfer information to Grant and therefore, both will be able to obtain almost virtually unlimited power. Grant, who throughout the earlier episodes, confesses his desire to somehow keep the dreamers going realizes that somehow, there can be a benefit in this, both financially and in power.

Within the dream realm, the motive of the Boogie Man is obvious and the group will periodically come up against him. We will see the dark realm which is at the center of all nightmares which the evil being controls. Sometimes, a dream walker may assist the group, sometimes oppose it. The Boogie Man threat will always be there but sometimes in a more direct way whereas other times, the group will be in dreams that the Boogie Man has no knowledge of.

The Dreams

Throughout the storyline, the dreams that the group descend into will have variable importance. Sometimes, the dream itself will the focal point of the story and other times, it merely serves as the setting. I think this is important so the show doesn’t fall into the trap of repeating itself each and every week.

The below mentioned dreams are listed in no particular order nor how they will be utilized (focal point or setting). A great deal would depend on how the dreams are incorporated in the storyline and when. Sometimes the group will actively be involved in the dreams and other times, they will be supporting characters. Essentially, their essences (and images) are introduced by them coming into the dreams and then the dreamer will incorporate them in. A good example is that a teenage boy might incorporate Jennifer into a romantic role but would likely have little use for the elderly Thad. So Jennifer could be portrayed as a Queen and Thad might be a simple advisor or non-descript member of the court.

"Coma"- the group is pulled into the dream of a man in a coma. This might tie in well with the group heading to the lair of the Boogie Man as the man seemingly exists in this world. We find out later that the man was abused by his uncle or father as a boy and the vision of the dark figure in the doorway continues to haunt him. After an accident, the man went into a coma. The problem is that the group can’t leave because the man is in a coma and they can’t leave until he wakes up. The research team investigates by utilizing the image of the man and other images within the dream to track down where the man is (scenery, matching driver’s license, etc.). Now the research team has a dilemma. How do they get the man to wake up…or another option, do they kill the man and thus, end the dream? A question of morality as they ponder the life of one near dead person against the potential of six other people.

"Most Dangerous Game"- a take on the classic story, probably from a student who is reading it for a class assignment, which has the group set off on an island and they are hunted down like animals one at a time.

"Serial Killer"- inside the dreams of a serial killer as he hunts down his prey.

"Nazi Camp"- dreams of a German prison guard and we see from his perspective, the nazi camps. Of course, Thad, having been in a camp when he was young, will be very resistant within this dream bringing a unique conflict into play.

"Cajoined Dream"- a unique setting as the dreamers are bounced from dream to dream yet they almost seem the same. However, the dreams have some differences and they find themselves unable to connect within the dreams. Almost like glass barriers exist within the dream and they find that they are in the dream of Siamese twins joined at the head. Based on a true story of twins that was featured in a documentary.

"Psychic Connection"- the group enters a dream and find themselves able to converse with the dreamer who has psychic abilities.

"Cyclic Dreamer"- sort of the Groundhog Day scenario in which the group is put in to a dream that repeats itself over and over and how they try to manipulate it each time.

"Celebrity Calling"- a dream of an old movie fanatic who places himself in key roles in classic movies. The dreamers find themselves cast in many of these different movies as different characters.

"Santa Claus"- the group finds themselves in the world of Santa Claus. Of course, there is the standard image but also the other images of St. Nick. This can be a more upbeat storyline, of course, perfect for the holidays. But a key element within this story is that the group realizing that this is such a prevalent dream, now know that time is passing in the real world which adds even more pressure to their quest.

"Hell"- a journey through hell…which is obviously the dream of a scared kid who has heard a sermon on the horrors of the fire and brimstone that await. Could tie into Dante’s Inferno as that is deemed more "fictional" rather than based on religion.

"Spy Vs Spy"- A storyline develops via the dreams of someone who envisions themselves in their dreams as a master spy.

"Peter Pan Syndrome"- The group finds itself in a dream where the dreamer sees everything through the eyes of a child so the entire world is childlike…including the group who would be portrayed by children.

"Tunnel Rat"- the group enters the frenzied dreams of a Vietnam Veteran. Instead of bringing in a political view, we focus on this particular vet and his horrifying experiences as a tunnel explorer. Could be truly frightening, especially as it can be factual.

"Dream a Little Dream"- the dreamer envisions a world where he/she is small so consequently, so is our group. Think of the film "The Incredible Shrinking Man" brought up to date with modern special effects.

"The Body Defense"- One of the common aspects of holistic medicine is to think of the immune system as warriors in defense of the body against the invading infection (usually cancer cells). The group could take on this task inside a human body as a sick person is dreaming this holistic approach to fight off the cancerous growth.

Others- There can be a variety of the more common type of dreams, those of conquest, or erotica, and some unique twists such as black and white dreams, dreams of a blind or deaf person, perhaps a quaint scene of the simple pleasures of life and we find it was the dream of the family dog, etc. The possibilities of genre type dreams are open and can include westerns, pirate stories, dramatic battle scenes, etc. The dreams should sometimes be used to move the other story plots along but also to exist on their own as important stories in of themselves. The balancing act of the dreams and how they relate can keep the storylines fresh and unpredictable.

 

LEVEL X POTENTIAL

The landscape of dreams and the dream world is virtually wide open and only limited by our imagination. It can cover any area of religion, language, nationality, or time. Whereas the dreams center on "American" dreamers in the series, it could easily span the globe. This would be a great way to tap into some of the more interesting, or controversial, events occurring through out the world. Since there is no logistical reason to limit the dreams or the storyline to our American perspective, this could truly be a universal show and would be one of the few that could operate on that level.

The format of the show is also expansive in that virtually any kind of show can be done. Although the intent is to offer a serious drama with fantastical or science based influences, the show can grow in a variety of ways. The treatment of specific shows would allow for humor, surrealism, or just plain off beat themes that will keep the show totally unpredictable. Of course, this would be totally optional but Level X would be one of the few shows that would even have that option.

The scope of potential stories within the series is far reaching. The stories can be personal or carry a wide impact. They can be moralistic or action based. They can bring resolution in some cases or tap into the hopelessness of what a single person can do. With a cast of main characters that the stories can revolve around, we also have the potential to delve into the stories of new characters who are introduced via our group entering their dreams. Again, it is only our imagination that limits what we can do with Level X.

MORE ON LEVEL X
The Participants
Film Background
Film Story Outline
Interview with the creator
Back to Caliber Entertainment's Level X