Publish or Perish (2023) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A new professor's pursuit of tenure becomes entangled with guilt, an escalating dispute, and an unresolved police inquiry.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A New Professor's Ambition

Jim begins his English professorship at Sayles College and hopes to earn tenure. Crawley's opposition contrasts with Jim's confidence in his teaching, published novel, and dossier.

Key Events

• Jim Starts at Sayles College — Jim begins his English professorship determined to earn tenure; his wife encourages him and his daughter misunderstands the word. Characters: Jim Bowden, Allison Bowden, Amy Bowden Location: Sayles College and the Bowden home
• Tenure Requirements Discussed — Crawley admits he does not support tenure when Jim asks about its requirements. Characters: Jim Bowden, Richard Crawley Location: Sayles College
• Jim Trusts His Dossier — Jim believes his teaching, published novel, and dossier make him a strong tenure candidate. Characters: Jim Bowden Location: Sayles College

Guilt Shadows the Dossier

Jim says he has killed Derek and is troubled by an encounter in which Derek seems able to speak to him. Despite his fear, Jim submits his tenure dossier and buys a shovel after meeting Alex.

Key Events

• Jim Says He Killed Derek — Jim says he has killed Derek and becomes shaken and convinced he is a murderer. Characters: Jim Bowden, Derek Mahoney Location: Unspecified
• Derek Appears to Speak — Jim encounters Derek as if the man he believes dead can still speak to him. Characters: Jim Bowden, Derek Mahoney Location: Unspecified
• Dossier Submitted — Despite his guilt and fear, Jim submits his tenure dossier. Characters: Jim Bowden Location: Sayles College
• Hardware Store Encounter — Jim encounters Alex buying equipment for a film and purchases a shovel. Characters: Jim Bowden, Alex Delmonico Location: Hardware store
• Film Includes Amy's Footage — Alex works with Amy on a film that includes revealing footage of her. Characters: Alex Delmonico, Amy Bowden Location: Unspecified

The Tenure Dispute Turns Bitter

Jim faces an accusation of inappropriate conduct involving a student and demands Crawley's support. Their dispute escalates over Jim's work and a photograph, drawing Detective Wilson's attention.

Key Events

• Jim Faces Conduct Accusation — Jim is accused of inappropriate conduct involving a student and denies he would become involved with one. Characters: Jim Bowden, Richard Crawley Location: Sayles College
• Jim Demands Crawley's Support — Jim demands support from Crawley as their dispute over Jim's work and tenure grows bitter. Characters: Jim Bowden, Richard Crawley Location: Sayles College
• Photograph Dispute — Jim mocks Crawley's photographs and takes one; Crawley calls for security. Characters: Jim Bowden, Richard Crawley Location: Crawley's office
• Wilson Approaches Jim — Detective Wilson approaches Jim, but the reason for the inquiry is initially unclear. Characters: Jim Bowden, Detective Wilson Location: Unspecified

Amy's Image and Crawley's Attack

Amy tells Jim that Crawley sent her a creepy email with a topless image from Alex's film, and Jim promises to seek legal help. Crawley later attacks Jim, leaving him injured.

Key Events

• Amy Reports Crawley's Email — Amy tells Jim that Crawley emailed her a creepy message with a topless image from Alex's film. Characters: Jim Bowden, Amy Bowden Location: Unspecified
• Jim Promises Legal Help — Jim promises to handle the situation and says they will get a lawyer. Characters: Jim Bowden, Amy Bowden Location: Unspecified
• Crawley Attacks Jim — Crawley attacks Jim in his office and leaves him injured. Characters: Jim Bowden, Richard Crawley Location: Crawley's office

The Missing Person Inquiry

Jim's family stands by him as he thinks the tenure conflict may be ending. Wilson returns with news that Mia is missing and questions Jim about her house, her bag, and an item that appears to be blood.

Key Events

• Family Stands by Jim — Jim's family supports him, and he believes the tenure dispute may soon be behind them. Characters: Jim Bowden, Allison Bowden, Amy Bowden Location: Unspecified
• Mia Reported Missing — Wilson returns, says Mia has been reported missing, and notes that Alex is at the police station. Characters: Jim Bowden, Detective Wilson, Alex Delmonico Location: Unspecified
• Wilson Questions Jim — Wilson asks why Jim was at Mia's house and had her bag, then shows him something that appears to be blood. Characters: Jim Bowden, Detective Wilson Location: Unspecified
• Inquiry Ends Unresolved — The exchange ends before the significance of the apparent blood is explained. Characters: Jim Bowden, Detective Wilson Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Jim's Tenure Ambition — Jim begins his new academic job believing his record makes him a strong candidate.
  • First Day at Sayles — Jim starts work as an English professor and hopes to earn tenure.
  • Crawley's Opposition — Crawley says he does not support tenure when Jim asks about its requirements.
• The Derek Crisis — Jim's claim about Derek disrupts his confidence and follows him into his professional life.
  • Claim of Killing — Jim says he has killed Derek and believes himself to be a murderer.
  • Speaking Encounter — Jim encounters Derek as if the dead man can still speak to him.
• Dossier and Shovel — Jim carries on with his tenure bid while guilt and unexplained circumstances persist.
  • Dossier Submission — Jim submits his tenure dossier despite his fear and guilt.
  • Hardware Store Meeting — Jim encounters Alex buying film equipment and purchases a shovel.
• The College Confrontation — An accusation and a bitter dispute intensify Jim's conflict with Crawley.
  • Student Conduct Accusation — Jim is accused of inappropriate conduct involving a student and denies it.
  • Photograph Dispute — Jim mocks Crawley's photographs, takes one, and prompts a call for security.
• Amy's Film Footage — Amy's collaboration with Alex becomes central when Crawley sends her an image from the film.
  • Film Collaboration — Alex works with Amy on a film that includes revealing footage of her.
  • Creepy Email — Amy tells Jim that Crawley emailed her a creepy message with a topless image.
• Crawley's Attack — Jim promises to help Amy and later suffers a physical attack from Crawley.
  • Promise of Legal Help — Jim tells Amy he will handle the situation and that they will get a lawyer.
  • Office Assault — Crawley attacks Jim in his office and leaves him injured.
• Wilson's Unresolved Inquiry — The apparent easing of Jim's professional crisis gives way to new questions from Detective Wilson.
  • Missing Person Report — Wilson tells Jim that Mia has been reported missing and that Alex is at the police station.
  • Questions About Mia — Wilson asks why Jim visited Mia's house and had her bag, then shows him something resembling blood.

Directed by

David Liban

Key Cast

• Timothy McCracken — Jim Bowden
• James Shanklin — Richard Crawley
• Anastasia Davidson — Allison Bowden
• Amie MacKenzie — Lisa
• Katie Michels — Emily