Bodies of Work NYC - Series Trailer from Jorge C Perez
A fanatical Owner pulls their strings…
Demanding clients push their buttons…
Personal trainers in an elite gym run after impossible dreams and strain against the weight of life in NYC.
SERIES PREMISE:
Thomas Rotterdam is an alpha dog doctor who loses his medical license due to rule-breaking and lousy people skills. He’s a genius when working with the body, and recognizes that bodies tell stories. He becomes a supertrainer (getting financing from suspect backers) to open his own gym. Bodies of Work-NYC is a fitness church whose commandment is “Your body’s a temple. Attract worshippers.” It’s run by Neyda Farris, former U. N. worker who realizes only body and soul are universal. She spars with Thomas while juggling her buff, bizarre staff. Some trainers love what they do. For others, Bodies of Work-NYC is a pit-stop on the way to different dreams.
At BOW-NYC:
- Anorexic/Bullimic Pilates Instructors teach women to love their bodies, but hate their own…
- Supermodels sweat to lose two pounds and ignore War Vets on prosthetic legs in rehab area..
- Mark Sanchez, Derek Jeter, and Jay-Z types-work out amongst their fans and haters…
People sweat the details with their trainers that they don’t share with doctors, therapists, and spouses. It’s intimate, and lines get crossed all the time…
Every Body Works Out Drama...
CHARACTERS
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Thomas Rotterdam - a doctor who’s lost his medical license and rebounds by opening a hot new fitness franchise in NYC. He’s tough, smart, obsessed. He makes McDreamy and McSteamy look like McSofties, and his people skills make Dr. House look like Mother Theresa. He never lets go of anything, has a difficult past, never shows his cards. He’s climbed the back of a mentor, obtained financing from investors with dubious backgrounds, and pulled strings to make sure his ex-fiance’ Lora, and her new husband Michael- are part of his staff. |
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Neyda Farris - A former UN worker (Persian & Latina) - she speaks four languages and realizes after 9/11 the only universal things are body and soul. Women love her, men WANT her. She grew up in the US, London, Lebanon. Can kick your ass or make you feel like a king in seconds. She’s the manager. She juggles Thomas, staff, and demanding clientele with grace while she struggles personally (a recovering alcoholic). |
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Lora Ramos - Pretty, warm, intelligent, strong. She grew up with two older brothers and is a steel magnolia. An ex-actress turned masseuse & personal trainer. She’s a healer. She wants to open her own spa, was engaged to Thomas- is married to Michael (managing his career). She sees through people- is accepting but challenging-of what she sees. |
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Michael Vela - aspiring actor with too much integrity, Brad Pitt syndrome (an artist, hates being recognized for his looks). Acting peers have achieved success, he’s thinking about giving up the dream for something real. He’s an old-school man’s man-which clashes with his metrosexual brother Freddy. His vagabond career has forced him to leave every NYC gym- so he & Lora have to work for Thomas because they’re broke and he’s burned previous bridges. |
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Ahmad Taylor - African-American poet/guitarist who hasn’t discovered his gifts yet. He has a troubled past, and tries to act as surrogate Dad AND Mom to his nine year old sister Jordan. He wants to keep her safe from the neglect of their mother Adara, a dangerous drug addict. He straddles two worlds— is losing his footing in both. |
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Arlene McClain - Pilates instructor by day, aspiring singer by night. She’s tough if you’re not real, tender if you are, doesn’t put up with anything from men. She is a recovering anorexic who masks her type Triple A perfectionism with humor. She’s wound so tight she organizes her cabinets alphabetically. |
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Freddy Nova - Thinks he’s a lady killer. Others have a different impression. Charming, irresponsible, doesn’t know how confused he is. An aspiring writer, he “currently” personal trains and teaches core fitness/ dance. He’s a pretty boy and takes after his father, which causes endless friction between Freddy and his brother Michael. |
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Monika Gonzalez - Is a sexy Cuban-American entertainment lawyer who goes after whatever she wants. Playful, higher-minded in her personal life, does whatever it takes in her professional life. She trains with Freddy and things are getting sweaty between them , which would be fine if Freddy didn’t live with his girlfriend. And if Thomas didn’t have a strict no-fraternization policy. |
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Antonio Graziano - is a bi-sexual body builder and the chef at the BOW café. Big as a grizzly bear, emotionally a teddy bear. He’s the gym slut. He’ll put anything, or anyone- in/on his body—but at his café everything is organic and pure. He’s a hedonistic yet philosophical Renaissance man. |
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JoAnn Portello - Earthy, warm, vivacious. She’s involved with Freddy. She teaches group fitness and has a 6 year old dynamo named Sophia from a previous marriage. |
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Sean Ryan - Sean Ryan 47. Looks 35. “From QUEENSNEWYAWK”! Crab shell tough outside, soft inside. He lies about his age, worries that a youth-glorifying culture won’t value him, and Thomas will fire him. He’s dyslexic- which has led to a lifetime of improvising/adapting. His only relative is aunt Maggie Ryan—a 65 year old spitfire with health problems that Sean struggles to support. |
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Matt Blanks - a ruthless trainer. Former NYC cop who had his badge taken. He’s always playing the angles, has lots of connections, and a long running blood feud with Antonio. He pushes at all boundaries-and has a dark side that shows it’s face with women. |
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Dramatic Writing Scholarship Fund
Without Limits Productions - with support from the New York Chapter of NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producer) is proud to announce the Bodies of Work Dramatic Writing Scholarship Fund for Young Latina(o) Writers (Ages 17-22).
The fund is to financially support writing ambitions of an underserved and often discouraged portion of our community. Funds will go towards Dramatic Writing education courses at local universities, and individual classes and seminars. Scholarships are earned thru talent and demonstrated need (talent being determined by writing samples to be evaluated by professionals in the field of screen, stage, and television writing.)
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Donation
Looking to donate to a worthy cause? Our Scholarship fund invests in the future of our world by way of offering those creative minds in the Latin community an opportunity to take their dreams to reality.
Screening
Bodies of Work - NYC - TV's next great series
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Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New York City- Oct 3, 2010
BODIES OF WORK-NYC©
Indie TV Pilot makes Groundbreaking Move for Network/Cable Deal/Fan Base
In a groundbreaking promotional launch, BODIES OF WORK-NYC©, an independently produced spec TV pilot, will be screened for network and cable TV companies ( and select guests) at Times Square Arts Center in NYC on Thurs. Oct. 21st, and Can Do Fitness in Edgewater, NJ on Sat. Oct 23rd. The project, which won HBO’S LATINO PITCH COMPETITION, and is a 2010 Creative Screenwriting Television Competition Semi-Finalist, will broadcast via video stream (TBA@Facebook.com/Bodies Of Work-NYC).
Following the HBO competition in 2007, Series Creator Jorge C Perez developed the series, writing 6 one-hour episodes. While the Writer’s strike loomed, Without Limits Productions filmed BODIES… Perez cast some of NY City’s best and ethnically diverse talent (Eg. Mandell Butler, Rene Rosado, Mira Tzur) and filmed in 11 NYC and North Jersey locations. Perez (optioned screenwriter, produced NYC playwright) financed the script development process for the series, and shot the pilot in 16 days.
Kris Schoels, writer for StarPulse.com, says:
“…expect hotties w/Bodies. You’ll also get interesting characters, thought provoking dialogue, and some standout acting. Bill Freda, as the ruthless, hard-to-predict Thomas Rotterdam- is perfectly cast. Mandell Butler portrays street tough-but-sweet Ahmad Taylor, and Rene Rosado, playing foot-in-mouth-charming Freddy Nova- are sure to be breakout stars. The look of this indie pilot (with a budget 1/20th the size of the typical TV show) is, at times, impressive. A sexier, funnier GREY'S ANATOMY. A smart cabler or network will grab BODIES… and let Perez entertain us for the next 5 years!”
Is anatomy destiny? If you change your body, do you change your life?
Thomas Rotterdam is an alpha dog doctor whose rule-breaking and lousy people skills cause his license to be revoked. He’s a genius with the body, recognizes that bodies tell stories. New York’s elite athletes and entertainers seek him out. He rebounds by opening BODIES OF WORK-NYC, the cutting-edge fitness church whose commandment is “Your body’s a temple. Attract worshippers.” It’s run by Neyda Farris, former U. N. worker who realizes only body and soul are universal. She spars with Thomas and juggles her buff, bizarre training staff. Some love their work. For others, Bodies is a pit-stop on the way to American Idol type dreams: At BOW-NYC:
- Anorexic/Bulimic Pilates Instructors teach women to love their bodies, but hate their own…
- Supermodels sweat to lose two pounds and ignore War Vets on prosthetic legs in rehab area...
- Mark Sanchez/Derek Jeter/ Jay Z-types (portraying themselves) work out among their fans & haters…
People tell personal trainers things they don’t share with their doctors, therapists, and spouses.
It’s intimate, and lines get crossed all the time…
Every Body Works Out their Drama…
In the fitness world you’ll find real and desperate housewives- people tightening up abdominal “situations”. There is an estimated 95 million regular gym goers in the U.S. Biggest losers, Wall Street winners, and everyone in between- form relationships with BODIES OF WORK-type Personal Trainers. BODIES OF WORK-NYC is a dramatized world that holds a sexy, funny- and sometimes unforgiving- mirror up to reality.
Starring: BILL FREDA, MANDELL BUTLER(NCIS:Los Angeles, Everybody’s Fine) RENE ROSADO-(513, NEW 90210), OSAS IGUADHERO(Cadillac Records), Featuring: FERNANDO LOPEZ(Frankie & Johnny) , JW CORTES(We Own the Night),ELIZABETH WILSON, MIRA TZUR(Fringe) Produced: Without Limits Prod. LD Sumner,Eddie Pagan. Co-Produced; Joselyn Mirabal, Jason Flores.
CONTACT
Series Creator: JPerez@withoutlimitsproductions.com