SHOCKED TO DEATH short
#Drama
By
Kathleen
Hof
After discovering an insane asylum psychiatrist is administering electro-shock treatments to patients for sexual gratification, an idealistic social worker puts her job and life on the line to stop him before her beloved patients are shocked to death.
Awards
Approved
Winner Draft #1
Summary
3 Reviews |
15 pages |
1 year ago
|
Draft 1
The setting for this short is the infamous New Jersey State Run insane asylum known as Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.
Kathy is an idealistic social worker at the infamous Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in the 1970's. When she discovers the asylum psychiatrist, Dr. Puvac, is using ECT treatments on all the patients for his own sexual gratification, she tries to end his reign of terror. But, every attempt to protect her patients fails. To make matters worse, back in the day, no one in the sane world cared about mental patients. The mantra was - Lock them all up and throw away the key.
At the same time, deinstitutionalization was taking hold in the United States. Monty, a lawyer with heart, is appointed guardian ad litem for all 4000 patients in the asylum. Kathy figures with his help, she can protect her patients until they are free.
Eventually, Dr. Puvac loses control and kills two patients during a maniacal ECT sexual bender.
Fearing Monty will stop him, Dr. Puvac attempts to shock Monty to death. Kathy battles with Dr. Puvac. Her adrenaline is super fueled by the knowledge Dr. Puvac used ECT on her own mother. He shocked her until she slept with him and ultimately resulted in Kathy's birth. Then, he gave her one shock too many and she left the asylum in a coffin.
The battle ends when Kathy overpowers Dr. Puvac.
Kathy succeeds in banning shock treatments in Greystone.
A year later, only 313 out of the original 4000 patients remain in the asylum.
Kathy is an idealistic social worker at the infamous Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in the 1970's. When she discovers the asylum psychiatrist, Dr. Puvac, is using ECT treatments on all the patients for his own sexual gratification, she tries to end his reign of terror. But, every attempt to protect her patients fails. To make matters worse, back in the day, no one in the sane world cared about mental patients. The mantra was - Lock them all up and throw away the key.
At the same time, deinstitutionalization was taking hold in the United States. Monty, a lawyer with heart, is appointed guardian ad litem for all 4000 patients in the asylum. Kathy figures with his help, she can protect her patients until they are free.
Eventually, Dr. Puvac loses control and kills two patients during a maniacal ECT sexual bender.
Fearing Monty will stop him, Dr. Puvac attempts to shock Monty to death. Kathy battles with Dr. Puvac. Her adrenaline is super fueled by the knowledge Dr. Puvac used ECT on her own mother. He shocked her until she slept with him and ultimately resulted in Kathy's birth. Then, he gave her one shock too many and she left the asylum in a coffin.
The battle ends when Kathy overpowers Dr. Puvac.
Kathy succeeds in banning shock treatments in Greystone.
A year later, only 313 out of the original 4000 patients remain in the asylum.
Industry Reviews
Overall, a very intense and exciting script, both action and subject-wise. I would definitely consider suggest using this as a jump-off to a much bigger story/idea. The challenge will be creating a character-driven story and generating a solid plot that can tackle all the issues without going overboard.
Top Reviewer
Peer Reviews
Overall the story was engaging and fun and not your normal short read. I think the twist comes in nicely, but I would love t see more of a set up with it and have it be an even bigger reveal. I wish the characters had more expansion to create the feeling better we are given throughout it. Overall a solid script and an enjoyable read :)
Top Reviewer
It was an enthralling read. The intro to the Dr Puvac's sadism, drew us in. The tension of the justice system about to fail was felt. And the ending was pretty satisfying
Top Reviewer
