Mattan Hamou, Producer, Writer 

Sloan Grant(s) Received: 2022 NYU Tisch School of the Arts Screenwriting Grant

Project Type: Pilot

Genre: Drama

Length: 60 Minutes

Field of Science: Psychology, Anthropology, Scientific Method

Stage: Development 

Synopsis: 

Set in Palo Alto, a town grappling with a disturbing series of teenage suicides, our story focuses on Lily Chen: an overworked Gunn high school senior struggling to manage an intense academic and extracurricular schedule. Lily is under immense pressure from her own self-judgement and her demanding parents to excel in her AP classes, swimming team, and SAT prep. Due to the chaos of her internal life, Lily is blindsided by the sudden and tragic death of her best friend and swim team captain, Christina. Lily is left devastated, riddled with guilt for not seeing signs of depression or self-harm in her friend. Christina’s death by suicide at a local BART train crossing is the latest in a pattern of teen suicides. A wave of fear and confusion spreads in the community as the school board is unable to provide answer on why these suicides keep occurring.
To address this crisis, the CDC sends Will Nolan, an epidemiologist, to investigate the suicide cluster in Palo Alto. Will’s preferred methodology of studying this social issue relies on quantitative data and isolating the investigation from the community. Will’s approach in the past has received criticism for not providing actionable results to communities in crisis. Which is why this time, the CDC has sent an unexpected co-lead to help Will with his investigation: Amanda Thorston. Will and Amanda’s strategies clash as she recommends a more hands-on approach with the community. Will agrees to a more holistic approach in investigating the community’s dysfunction, but warns that it runs the risk of exposing the CDC to the public’s scrutiny. As Will and Amanda question a local news outlet for their reporting on suicides Amanda’s brazen attitude causes Will and his team to be ridiculed by the news outlet for being incompetent and potentially dangerous to the public health.
Back at Gunn High School, Lily is desperate to make sense of Christina’s death and starts a survey among her classmates to uncover hidden feelings of depression and suicidal ideation. Her actions attracts the attention of the school’s Principal Suzanna De Alma, who believes that discussing suicide openly will only exacerbate the issue. She forbids Lily from continuing to survey students despite the potential benefit it may provide the school.
By the end of the pilot, Lily and Will’s paths cross in a pivotal moment, as they realize that solving the crisis in Palo Alto requires combining their efforts to get a complete picture. Lily and Will come to an agreement to help each other in their respective investigations, at the risk of destroying Will’s reputation and Lily’s potential expulsion from school.