“Major League” meets “Friday Night Lights” in “Halftime,” the story of one team’s efforts to figure it all out while the game is unfolding aroundthem.
In theatre, and all storytelling really, writers are encouraged to “start in the middle” – as far into the story to pull the reader immediately into the action, but not so far as to lose context orbackground – that is what this series will attempt to do as we catch up with this group of misfitsevery week, right in the middle of the game.
I was inspired to create thisseries after several (stalled) efforts to sell my stories to people (producers, studios, network execs) who could get them made on screen. There are tons of variables that come into play when you put the destiny of your work into someone else’s hands. So, I wanted to figure out a way to follow my characters in a format that I could control and execute (without spending a fortune).
And hence, “Halftime” was born. I have always been a HUGE fan of football (I was born and raised in Pittsburgh)! So writing about a football team was fun for me, not to mention, I love humanizing characters who sometimes seem other-worldly. But more than that, I developed this series for the non-sports fan: it’s a look at the off-field action between the plays. It’s about this group of men and women and their struggle to work together to do something great! (much like my production team!).
Last year, I wrote one episode of this series and entered it into the Austin Film Festival, where it placed in the Finals (out of thousands of projects). I’ve created3 more episodes since then in an effort to stretch my series-writing muscles, and to demonstrate what a full 16 game/episode season might look like. I’ve been working as a field director and story producer in LA & New York for 8 years: I’m leaning on all my colleagues and contacts to help bring this to life. I am really grateful for their help and yours! I look forward to sharing this experience with you. Please visit the “wishlist” section to learn more about how you can get involved.
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Current Team
Writer-Director
Actor-Producer
About This Team
Matt Demblowski isa writer/producer/director living and working in Los Angeles.He has produced numerous television programs for networks including Bravo, National Geographic, MTV, truTV, Travel Channel and The Food Network. His screenwriting has won several awards and placed in national competitions including: Final Draft Big Break Competition, The Austin Film Festival, Creative World Awards and Stage 32 WAN Competition.
