Andrew J Rodriguez, Writer 

Sloan Grant(s) Received: 2020, Sloan Student Discovery Award, Tribeca Film Institute 

Project Type: TV Pilot 

Genre: Drama 

Length: 60 pages 

Field of Science: HIV Medicine 

Stage: Development 

Synopsis 

Plus follows the story of Zaire Ruiz, a New York City college student who is suddenly diagnosed with HIV. With a disease that still carries such shame socially, Zaire will navigate through self-esteem, intimacy, and mental health challenges as he moves to accept his new life. He moves through his day-to-day life interacting with his friends as if nothing has changed while coming to terms with his new lifestyle of medication and constant doctor’s appointment. This will affect his relationship with his friends, with his mom, and more importantly himself. People don’t fear HIV; they fear the stigmas behind it. Along with the medical and physical challenges, Zaire’s views on things like love and trust will change. Everything in life is now seen through a slightly different lens but how different?