Witness the Dramatic Fall of a Nation and Its Chilling Aftermath
One man stands determined as the nation splinters and the world unravels
Explore America's Fractured Future
Uncover the high-stakes intrigue and betrayal at the heart of After America
Podcast
Covering the story and core themes of After America
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Synopsis
Synopsis
History is littered with the remains of once great empires. When the U.S. fades into oblivion, what will have been the cause, who will survive, and what will become of the rest of the world, after America?
The president has been assassinated, civil unrest is escalating out of control, and the United States is on the verge of economic collapse. Newly sworn-in President David Ramirez finds himself at a perilous and pivotal moment in the nation’s history. His predecessor’s sweeping cuts to military and government infrastructure, as well as record taxation, have done little to turn the tide of hyperinflation and ballooning debt spurred by an overextended government.
With insolvency comes instability, and military leaders have begun to lose faith in their civilian leadership’s capacity to keep Americans safe. Untested and unsure, the new president falters in his leadership, and backdoor discussions ensue to remove him from office. The president’s tenacious wife, Ana, who filled his vacated Senate seat, manages to garner just enough support to stave off impeachment. But, their troubles are only beginning.
At the Pentagon, the charismatic and respected Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Douglas Yates, has fueled military distrust by suggesting the president has become a domestic enemy by placing the nation in such a vulnerable position; and the unthinkable prospect of a military coup gains support. Unbeknownst to the president, a conspiracy is brewing which is about to set into motion a chain of events which will forever change America; and, unwittingly, he continues to play right into the hands of those orchestrating the upheaval.
Once leadership has been seized by Vice President Thomas Finch, who is little more than a figurehead for General Yates, new founding documents are drafted which place military officials in positions of greater influence in order to ensure that future civilian leadership can never again compromise the security and welfare of the nation with senseless and self-serving policies. However, these brazenly subversive actions enflame the states; and following a flurry of secessions, none remain in the union except a handful put under martial law at the command of the general and, now president, Finch. The territory they have commandeered is dubbed Reformed America and they are determined to subdue the estranged regions
In the months that follow, economic depression ravages the former nation and small alliances of states emerge to bring some semblance of sovereignty. Among these are the Unified States led by President David Ramirez who, by sheer force of inspiration, has managed to retain a remnant of constitutional continuity. But Ramirez will not rest until he sees a complete restoration of the nation he was elected to preserve, protect, and defend.
Thus, the stage is set for a battle of wills and ideals as each faction vies for supremacy in the ultimate game of winner-take-all — and the stakes have never been higher.
ABOUT
After America
Drama, Thriller
Series Logline
A political drama chronicling the intrigue and treachery behind the fall of the republic, its aftermath, and the desperate attempts of an untested president to restore the fractured union.
Pilot Logline
President David Ramirez struggles to rescue the nation from economic collapse while standing against political and military leaders who have lost faith in him.
Audience
Geared toward a wide audience, the political conflicts in the series are of its own making. With our lead characters fighting for survival and ideological supremacy in their new political reality, current controversial topics are of little importance, allowing the series to present the audience with new thought-provoking issues rather than relying on divisive and clichéd contentions.
Additionally, the series includes compelling characters spanning a wide age and ethnic range, and features a modern telling of a story with timeless themes, allowing the series to resonate with the 18-49 demographic and beyond.
Format
The feature-length pilot will establish the backstory, characters, and setting, with remaining episodes at 60 minutes each.
Though the series is serialized, each episode will include a “story of the week” that shows how the political fallout affects everyday people. These stories provide a window into life in a fractured nation, connecting to the main plot and characters. While these subplots may resolve each episode, key elements will reappear and evolve. Additionally, creative use of visual cues like animated maps and infographics will guide the audience through the unfolding events and the evolving factions.
Key Factors
The forces ultimately responsible for the nation’s demise are internal rather than external. America is compromised from within.
The premise is not fantastical or post-apocalyptic. An emphasis is placed on plausibility.
We are very much interested in exploring how these scenarios could actually play out and what the repercussions would really look like, albeit in the most dramatic way possible.
In addition to being a “political” drama/thriller, the series also covers military and geopolitical issues, with special emphasis placed on the unique ongoing relationship and tensions between civil and military leadership.
Tone
Urgent, high-stakes political drama/thriller injected with moments of poignancy and liberal amounts of tension, the gripping series After America features modern cinematic production steeped in sophistication, emotional depth, and credibility.
Theme
At its core, the series is about a son of immigrants who earnestly believes in the American dream, even after America itself has fallen. As president, his steadfast belief in these ideals serves as a beacon of hope to the unraveled nation, as well as the audience, throughout this story of great adversity.
That said, President Ramirez is repeatedly pulled in directions that threaten to compromise his principles for the greater good. Through this, we explore the question of whether a good man can achieve greatness while remaining good.
Throughout this timely series, President Ramirez’s sincerity and optimism are a welcome antidote to the cynicism and fear pervasive in the current political climate.
Additional Themes
- We are stronger together than we are apart.
- Our greatest enemy is often found within.
- Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
- Sacrifice can bring redemption.