AMÉRICA JONZE
A Streaming Series
Series Created by Brian Cirulnick and Zareh Artinian
Pilot Written by Zareh Artinian
Based on an idea by Brian Cirulnick
Initial accolades for América Jonze!
Honorable Mention
Quarter Finalist
América Jonze
A Streaming Series
Created by Brian Cirulnick and Zareh Artinian
Logline
When América Jonze was seven years old, she covered herself in her classmate’s blood and played dead to survive a school shooting. Despite being shot and left paralyzed from the waist down, she grows up to become the first disabled, female member of Gen Z elected to U.S. Congress. Determined to prevent future tragedies, she must face the greatest obstacle of her life: her fellow politicians. Just how far will she go to get her way? Will she prevent the next act of senseless violence, or will she instigate it?
América Jonze is a political thriller: House of Cards meets Dexter for Generation Z.
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From the Blacklist Evaluation of América Jonze
“The premise of a young Congresswoman crusading for gun legislation feels very timely and has a lot of potential. Political dramas are a tried and true genre, and this one feels especially fresh and welcoming of a younger audience. Even before the ending with Bowman, América is a complex protagonist. There are the hours she spent shooting with her grandfather even though she abhorred gun[s], and also her knee-jerk desire to out Bowman. These make her seem human and therefore more interesting than if she were just an angelic crusader for a worthy cause. The flashback scenes are disturbing and very effective, and they serve to remind us what America is fighting for at a pivotal point in the script. Vera is an interesting character; having someone who survived the same circumstances but came out feeling very differently from America creates a lot of opportunity for complex, thoughtful conversations and dynamics.”
From the 2024 BlueCat TV Writing Competition Analysis
“There’s a deep admiration that comes from reading a script such as this. The way that it handles the debate of gun control is real and honest, especially seeing how it handles the political versus the emotional stakes of the debate. It never feels performative or disrespectful for real shooting victims, something that is superbly articulated through América’s character. She is a school shooting survivor who has used the trauma and death she witnessed to try and create real lasting change with gun control, and numerous times throughout the script she is confronted with and accused of using her trauma for political gain. It’s so interesting to watch how this script critiques that line. It isn’t about what politics people agree on or disagree on—as evidenced by her conversation with Vera, a fellow survivor who leans Republican rather than leftist—it’s about getting to the root of the problem and stopping anything like this from happening again, the right way. What’s even more admirable is how the script still refuses to cop out with an easy answer, including the idea of centrism, that “both sides have something to say.”
“The structure of the potential show is also very interesting—sort of a look at America’s life and political career as a dramatic epic about her life. The flashbacks to one of her first protests are an excellent jumping-off point for further flashbacks down the line—to show how America has been defined by her young political career. It’s a fantastic way of tying in exactly who she is and what she wants.”
Cast
América Jonze boasts a diverse cast of charcters that offers oppotunities for representation of members of the BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and disabled communities, as well as a range of ages, with strong roles for women of various ages. This is a show dedicated to authenticity and respects both the audience and people who make up these communities. Here are just a few of the show’s characters.
América Jonze: Lead, Woman, mid- to -late 20s, Latina / Middle Eastern. When América was 7 years old, she survived a school shooting that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Convinced that she’s always right, her stubbornness may harm her more than her political rivals on Capitol Hill.
Jaime Hernandez: Supporting, Non-binary, mid- to late-20s, Latinx. Openly queer and proud, Jaime has been América’s friend and confidante since they met at an anti-gun violence student group. Jaime acts as a sounding board and is often the voice of reason when América proposes her more outlandish and extreme ideas.
Stephanie Maddox: Supporting, Woman, 60s, Black. América’s mentor and inspiration, Stephanie Maddox is a no-nonsense U.S. Congresswoman from Los Angeles. Her anti-violence initiative became a model for other cities struggling with inner city violence.
Jim Sonderson: Lead, Man, middle-aged, White. The Teetotaler from Texas, Representative Jim Sonderson is América’s greatest political adversary. Sonderson's loss of his father at the hands of an armed robber galvanized his belief that only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun.
Mallory Prescott: Supporting, Woman late-40s, Any Race. A traditional newspaper reporter for the Washington Herald whose career is waning, she’s hungry to become relevant again in the age of citizen journalism and online reporting.
Sophia Coleman: Supporting, Woman, middle-aged, Any Race. A youthful middle-aged woman, with New Age sensibilities, Sophia Coleman was the last therapist after a long line that América has blown through. Coleman knows all of América’s darkest secrets and could pose a threat to undoing what América is working for.
Vera: Supporting, Woman, mid- to late-20s, Middle Eastern / Other Race. A classmate of América, Vera was also shot and left paralyzed from the waist down. Confined to a wheelchair, Vera harbors deep bitterness and exhibits more explicit signs of PTSD. She favors arming teachers and increased security measures for schools
The Marshal: Supporting, Man 45 - 50, White. A H.S. History teacher and member of the Texas School Marshal program that allows teachers to carry guns in schools, he loves his job because it combines his favorite things: shaping young minds, U.S. History, and guns: the tool that tamed the West.
Learn More!
For more information about América Jonze contact Zareh Artinian at zareh.artinian@gmail.com
Copyright © Zareh Artinian. All Rights Reserved.