Meet Greg Danker, a 54-year-old retrenched banker, who trades his corporate suit for a Fender Telecaster after stumbling upon an ad for a rock guitarist.

Unbeknown to him, the ad was placed by his daughter Charlene’s boyfriend, Ian, who fronts a band called The Bandits. Despite initial resistance from Charlene and Ian, Greg aces the audition, joining the band as their lead guitarist. What begins as an impulse soon spirals into a pandemonium of reinvention, as Greg navigates the clash between his rockstar dreams and his responsibilities as a father and husband.

Greg’s renaissance as a musician disrupts the Danker household. His wife, Janice, resents his new career shift, while Charlene is mortified by her dad’s presence in her boyfriend’s band. Meanwhile, Greg’s younger daughter, Michelle, discovers her Gothic phase, adding to the family’s growing tensions. As The Bandits land a gig at Mel's Place, a pub in Katong, Greg finds himself caught between the youthful energy of his bandmates and the realities of his age, finances, and family obligations.

Complicating matters is Maia, the pub’s seductive bartender, who sees Greg as a challenge to her irresistible charm. Her brazen flirtations test Greg’s loyalty to Janice, while also stirring jealousy and suspicion in Ian and Charlene’s relationship. Amidst the chaos, Greg’s best friend, Clarence, serves as a grounding force, reminding him of the importance of family and stability.

As Greg strums through midlife crises, mounting bills, and rockstar fantasies, he discovers reinvention isn’t just about hitting the right notes — it’s about finding harmony in life’s crazy symphony. From awkward rehearsals to tense family dinners, his journey becomes a poignant yet comical exploration of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.

CHORDS is a tale of second chances, proving life’s most beautiful melodies often emerge from discordant moments.

FORMAT

Genre: Comedy
Audience: Gen Y and Millennials
Medium: Micro-Drama
Number of Episodes: 60
Episode Duration: 90 seconds

EPISODIC SYNOPSES

Episode 1: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

OPENER:

Greg Danker, 54, freshly retrenched from his banking job, is updating his LinkedIn profile and archiving his rejection emails. He picks up his old Fender Telecaster and strums it gently. His phone buzzes with a WhatsApp message from best friend, Clarence. The text reads: “WANTED: Lead Guitarist for Up-and-Coming Band.”

CONFLICT:

Fuelled by a childhood dream, Greg auditions for the band. He nails it, impressing everyone and himself with his musical talent. But when he learns that the ad was placed by Ian, his daughter Charlene’s boyfriend, things get awkward. Charlene storms into the rehearsal space, furious that her dad is now part of her boyfriend’s band.

CLIFFHANGER:

As Greg tries to defend himself, Ian nervously interrupts: “Actually… we’ve already booked our first gig tomorrow night.” The camera cuts to Greg’s panicked face as Charlene screams blue murder.

Episode 2: “Leader of the Band"

OPENER:

The Bandits are setting up for their debut gig at Mel’s Place, a laidback pub in Katong. Greg instinctively takes charge, barking orders as though he's still Vice-President of Compliance. Ian seethes in silence.

CONFLICT:

During soundcheck, Greg insists on changing the setlist to include more 80s rock songs he knows well, ignoring Ian’s original lineup. Tensions flare backstage when Ian snaps, accusing Greg of undermining his leadership. Meanwhile, Maia, the sultry bartender, introduces herself to Greg with a suggestiveness.

CLIFFHANGER:

Just before they go on stage, Maia leans over to Greg and whispers, “Break a leg, handsome”. Across the bar, Charlene covertly uploads this encounter to TikTok.

Episode 3: "Drive"

OPENER:

Greg hands the keys to his BMW to a used-car salesman at the carpark. His youngest daughter, Michelle, rolls her eyes and mutters, “Welcome to public transport, Dad.” Cut to Greg crammed onto a crowded bus during rush hour, looking utterly miserable.

CONFLICT:

Greg arrives late for band practice looking dishevelled after a gruelling commute. He vents about how much he hates taking buses, but Ian consoles him with, “Welcome to the real world.” Back home, Greg struggles to adjust to their tightened budget while Janice starts working as a teaching assistant. Things escalate Janice comes across the TikTok of Maia and Greg.

CLIFFHANGER:

Janice confronts Greg about the text, demanding to know who Maia is. Before he can explain, Charlene walks in, overhearing everything. Her expression crumples as she reveals that Maia is queer and was just being friendly.

Episode 4: “When I’m 64”

OPENER:

Greg is disgusted by his reflection. Determined to look cooler, he dyes his grey hair jet black and dons trendy sunglasses. When he shows up at breakfast, Janice chokes on her kaya toasts, and Michelle bursts out laughing.

CONFLICT:

At band practice, Greg’s new look earns mixed reactions. Maia supports self-expression, while Ian looks unimpressed. Meanwhile, Michelle retaliates against Greg’s embarrassing makeover by showing up to dinner dressed in Gothic black, complete with black lipstick and dark eyeliners. The family erupts into chaos, arguing over whose behaviour is more ridiculous.

CLIFFHANGER:

As the argument escalates, Charlene announces that she is moving out to live with Ian.

Episode 5: "Working 9 to 5"

OPENER:

Charlene poses uncomfortably in tight leather at a car show, surrounded by leering men snapping photos. Meanwhile, Michelle sits at home, aggressively pitching timeshare deals over the phone, earning praise from her boss. Everyone is bringing home good money except Greg.

CONFLICT:

Ian shows up at the car show, livid about the attention Charlene is getting. They argue loudly as Charlene justifies her pay will cover his rent. At home, Michelle brags about her sales success, only to be met with disdain from her parents, who worry she’s being exploited. Greg, feeling guilty about not contributing enough financially, decides to secretly take on extra gigs.

CLIFFHANGER:

Late at night, Greg sneaks out of the house with his Telecaster. Janice wakes up and follows him, watching from afar as he enters a dodgy bar. Inside, Maia greets him warmly, handing him a drink.

PRODUCTION TREATMENT

CHORDS is a mash-up of Ted Lasso meets TikTok. It blends the charm of 80s sitcom with the fast-paced, interconnected world of social media. The show’s visual style will reflect the pervasive influence of digital devices, with split screens, text bubbles, and TikTok-style overlays seamlessly integrated into the storytelling. Scenes will often transition through smartphone screens, showing characters texting, scrolling, or recording videos, creating a dynamic and modern aesthetic.

CONFLICT AMPLIFIED

The production will amplify conflicts through: Charlene’s TikTok uploads, Ian’s Instagram stories, and Greg’s old-fashioned Facebook posts to his 69 followers (half of whom are inactive). The Bandits’ gigs will be live-streamed, and their rehearsals will feature YouTube tutorials and Spotify playlists, grounding the story in today’s digital culture.

DICHOTOMY BY COLOUR

The colour palette shifts between warm tones for domestic settings (symbolising familiarity) and cooler tones for external spaces like pubs and public transport (reflecting uncertainty). Locations like Mel’s Place feature vibrant, Instagram-mable neon lights and retro decor, while the Danker home feels lived-in but subtly tech-savvy, with smart devices and charging cables scattered throughout.

MUSIC VIDEO EDITING

The editing will shuffle between the frenetic energy of modern life, with quick cuts, split screens, and slow-motion for pivotal emotional beats. The soundtrack blends original tracks performed by The Bandits with iconic rock songs and modern indie tracks, appealing to both older and younger audiences.

By embracing the digital world, CHORDS will resonate with today’s viewers, offering a fresh take on family dynamics, midlife reinvention, and the pursuit of dreams in the age of social media.

TARGET AUDIENCE APPEAL

CHORDS strikes a chord with a broad audience by blending universal themes of family, reinvention, and resilience with a modern, digital-first approach. For Millennials and Gen Z, the show’s integration of social media like TikTok uploads, Instagram stories, and live-streamed gigs, mirrors the characters daily lives. Use of Gen Z slangs, fast-paced editing, and indie-rock soundtrack, will further distill the stories into bite-sized, binge-worthy content.

For Gen X audiences like Greg, the challenges of middle age will resonate and offer a heartfelt exploration of second chances and mid-career change. The nostalgic nods to 80s rock and references provide a comforting familiarity, while the modern twists keep it fresh.

Families will appreciate the show’s balance of humour and heart, as it tackles real-world issues like financial struggles, generational clashes, and marital dynamics with wit and warmth. By blending nostalgia with contemporary storytelling, CHORDS appeals to the target audience by offering a harmonious mix of laughter, music, and life lessons.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION / ARC

Each character’s arc intertwines, creating a symphony of growth, conflict, and heartwarming moments.

Greg Danker (54): A recently retrenched banker, Greg trades his corporate suit for a Fender Telecaster to chase his childhood dream. As lead guitarist of The Bandits, he navigates midlife crises, family tensions, and financial struggles, learning that reinvention isn’t just about making music. His arc explores resilience, humility, and the courage to embrace change.

Janice Yeo (52): Greg’s pragmatic wife, Janice, transitions from homemaker to teaching assistant, grappling with her own identity while keeping the family afloat. Her journey highlights the challenges of re-entering the workforce and redefining her role in the family.

Charlene Danker (24): A creative, eco-conscious graphic design graduate, Charlene struggles with her dad’s presence in her boyfriend’s band. Her arc explores independence, self-expression, and navigating relationships in the digital age.

Michelle Danker (20): A Goth-aspiring NUS dropout, Michelle rebels against her family’s expectations while secretly seeking acceptance. Her journey is one of self-discovery and finding her voice amidst chaos.

Ian Fong (26): Charlene’s boyfriend and The Bandits’ frontman, Ian battles ego clashes with Greg while trying to prove himself as a leader. His arc explores ambition, maturity, and learning to share the spotlight.

Maia Lee (27): The seductive bartender at Mel’s Place, Maia tests Greg’s loyalty and stirs jealousy in Janice, Ian, and Charlene. Her arc reveals vulnerability beneath her confident exterior.

Benny Choo (60s): The penny-pinching, Elvis-loving proprietor of Mel’s Place, Benny adds comic relief with epic one-liners while reminding audiences that entrepreneurship is hard.

Adam Rezel (25) & Sadiq Hussein (26): The Bandits’ bassist and drummer, respectively, provide youthful energy and camaraderie. Adam’s prankster nature contrasts with Sadiq’s quiet, unrequited love for Charlene.

Clarence Dass (54): Greg’s best friend and voice of reason, Clarence grounds Greg with humour and wisdom, reminding him of what truly matters.

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

1. Branded Content & Product Placements

Musical Instruments & Gear: Partner with brands like Fender or Yamaha to feature their guitars, amps, and accessories. Greg’s Fender Telecaster could become iconic, with characters discussing gear upgrades or practicing on branded equipment.

Streaming Services: Collaborate with Spotify or Apple Music to create playlists featuring The Bandits’ original tracks and classic rock songs from the show. Characters could be seen using these platforms during rehearsals or downtime.

Fashion Brands: Feature trendy, age-appropriate clothing for Greg’s midlife makeover (e.g., Levi’s, Uniqlo) and Gen Z styles for Charlene and Michelle (e.g., H&M, Uniqlo).

Tech Brands: Feature smartphones, tablets, or headphones (e.g., Samsung, Apple) as essential tools for the characters’ digital lives.

Transport Services: Collaborate with ride-hailing apps like Grab to promote Greg’s transition from driving to taking buses.

Pubs: Partner with local pubs like Mel’s Place to create themed menus or host CHORDS "watch" parties, complete with live music.

2. Social Media Campaigns

TikTok Challenges: Create viral challenges around The Bandits’ songs or iconic moments from the show (e.g., Greg’s awkward dance moves, Charlene’s TikTok uploads).

Instagram Takeovers: Have characters “take over” the show’s Instagram account, sharing behind-the-scenes content, band rehearsals, or personal stories.

Hashtag Campaigns: Encourage fans to share their own reinvention stories using a branded hashtag like #FindYourChords or #LifeInHarmony.

3. Live Events

Concert Tie-Ins: Organise live performances by The Bandits (real-life band) at music festivals, pubs, or shopping malls, sponsored by local businesses or streaming platforms.

Workshops: Offer workshops on guitar playing, songwriting, or social media branding, featuring the show’s cast and sponsored by music or tech brands.

4. Merchandise

Band Merch: Sell The Bandits’ merchandise (T-shirts, hoodies, posters) featuring their logo or iconic quotes from the show.

Digital Downloads: Offer downloadable content, such as sheet music for The Bandits’ songs or exclusive behind-the-scenes videos.

5. Government Agencies

Workforce: Partner with Workforce Singapore (WSG) to promote mid-career conversion or pathway programmes.

Some formulae boil down to three simple rules. Others have 22 points. It's just a matter of how granular each formula is. As long as your story resonates with your audience, you've cracked the code!

Bookmark these references and get writing.

As Ellen Sandler, writer of Taxi and co-executive producer of Everybody Loves Raymond, once advised, "Write right now for two minutes!"

WRITING FORMULAE & RESOURCES:

1. The 12 Stages of the Hero's Journey
   Joseph Campbell's monomyth (i.e. a theme that occurs in mythologies).
   https://www.grammarly.com/blog/heros-journey/

   

   ---

2. Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling
   It's a bit pedantic but undeniably successful.
   https://toaststudio.com/en/pixars-22-rules-of-storytelling/

   

   ---

3. Michael Arndt - Endings & Beginnings
   Subscribe to Arndt's excellent video lectures
   https://www.youtube.com/@michaelarndt8848

   ---

4. StudioBinder
   A blog on Scriptwriting with great resources.
   https://www.studiobinder.com/category/scriptwriting/writing/

   

   ---

5. Pixar in a Box: The Art of Storytelling
   A free online class at Khan Academy.
   https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/hass-storytelling/storytelling-pixar-in-a-box

   ---

6. Simply Scripts
   Links to download TV and movie scripts (some links are broken though).
   https://www.simplyscripts.com/

While storytelling formulae offer valuable guidance, don't get too bogged down by rules. Go with your gut and write away!

"A lone cigarette smoulders in the ashtray beside the Smith Corona, its keys clacking rhythmically under the fingers of a screenwriter lost in thought. Sunlight streams through the dusty window, illuminating the faded movie posters on the wall. The writer's furrowed brow and rumpled attire speak of relentless toil to create a perfectly imperfect character."

Reality singing competitions have been pretty formulaic in the last two decades. It’s built around a singer going through rounds of audition, melodrama, and eventual victory. In short, it’s a hero’s journey.

But if we raise this formula to the power of ², we have DEFYING DUETS — a talent show for duos with double the trouble/treble.

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A duo act comes with implicit tension because one member will always overshadow the other. Think Simon & Garfunkel, Sonny & Cher, The Everly Brothers, Kat & Alex, Hall & Oates, and Wham!

Now throw in some curveballs and DEFYING DUETS would guarantee twice the amount of the drama beneath the musical performance. And before the fat lady sings, lifelong friendships will be broken. But if the partnership survives the highs and lows, a winning duo will emerge and be crowned the pitch-perfect pair.

LOGLINE

An ensemble of singing duos must manage their egos, personalities, and differences, to harmonise their voices into pitch-perfect harmony, in this high-stakes singing competition.

Genre: Reality
Audience: Mass
Medium: FTA, meWATCH, Tiktok

FORMAT

DEFYING DUETS takes the conventional singing competition format and adds an exponent of 2 by exclusively featuring duos. This fresh approach injects extra layers of conflict by spotlighting the intricate balance between two performers and their own unique personalities on stage and off.

COMPETITION MECHANICS

DEFYING DUETS is designed to test musical compatibility, chemistry, tenacity, and loyalty through various stages of competition.

1. Auditions: Pairs of contestants showcase their vocal harmonies by performing a song on TikTok. Friends of the contestants can tap on the “Duet” button to join in, lip-sync, or comment.

2. Bootcamp: Successful contestants with most TikTok views are prepped with vocal training, outfit coordination, stage presence, choreography, etc.

3. Live Shows: Each week, the duos will choose to perform a song from a themed list, with the stakes heightened each week with challenges such as:

   1. Transpose: Duos are instructed to swap their harmony parts (i.e. soprano becomes alto and vice-versa) to assess their versatility.

   2. Two Halves: Duos are separated for their next song, reuniting only during the live performance. No combined practice is allowed.

   3. Switch-Up: Duos are split up and paired with another duo, and the new pairs must perform to avoid elimination. The original duos revert at the next stage.

   4. Song Fusion: Reunited duos are tasked to fuse two different songs into a seamless performance, to demonstrate creativity.

   5. Duelling Duets: Both members will perform separately, and the worst solo performer will eliminate the other member.

   6. TikTokBoom: A “wild card” duo selected from TikTok, based on their popularity, is thrown into the mix, and competition heats up towards the grand finals.

   7. Grand Finale: The top two duos engage in a thrilling live finale, where they share the stage with guest artists, culminating in an electrifying showcase of talent and collaboration.

4. Rules: Each week, the duos will choose to perform a song from a themed list, with the stakes heightened each week with challenges such as:

   1. Duos must consist of two members who share a close personal or professional relationship.

   2. Each duo member must have an active role in the performance, combining their strengths.

   3. Performances can include singing, vocal harmonies, instrument playing, and choreography.

   4. Duos are judged based on vocal harmonies, stage presence, creativity, adaptability, and overall performance.

   5. Eliminations are determined through a combination of audience votes and judges’ decisions.

WHAT MAKES THIS CONCEPT OUTSTANDING

Human beings are social creatures by nature. Yet, many of us strive to carve our own personal space and identity. DEFYING DUETS tackles this proverbial conundrum through a singing competition. So, here’s why this reality show will be a smash!

1. Music transcends language, culture and class. Politicians and peasants bond seamlessly over a popular song as it taps into our shared humanity and connects us on a deeper level.

2. The show exploits basic existential dilemmas — the desire for personal identity versus the collective goal of shared ambition.

3. The show mirrors the complexities of our own relationship dynamics. Between husbands and wives (eg. Kai & Alex), business partners (eg. Hall & Oates), best friends (eg. Wham!), and even twins (eg. Everly Brothers).

By witnessing the journeys of singing-duo contestants, the audience is reminded of the beauty in finding common ground and navigating the intricate dance of human connection.

TRANSMEDIA PLATFORM

DEFYING DUETS is perfectly suited for the TikTok platform, especially on its “Duet” feature. Audiences can post their videos side-by-side with the contestant’s video. The “Duet” thus becomes two videos in a split screen that play at the same time.

To up the ante and encourage community participation, audiences are encouraged to partake via TikTok’s Duets. This has two outcomes:

1. The contestants’ fans, friends, and family can show support by “karaoke-ing” their preferred contestants.

2. Potential singers with the most views on TikTok Duet will be given be a “wild card” and fast-tracked into the finals.

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