Dead List (2018) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An aspiring actor's pursuit of success becomes entangled with rivalry, resentment, and a roommate's concealed opportunity.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Audition Race

An aspiring actor waits anxiously for an audition and faces a rival's taunts. At the casting office, he discovers that Bob is also competing and hears Bob claim to be rebuilding his life.

Key Events

• Waiting for an Audition — An aspiring actor anxiously waits to learn whether he has been called in to audition. Location: Not specified
• A Rival's Taunt — A rival taunts the aspiring actor and insists that he is too late. Location: Not specified
• Bob Joins the Audition — At the casting office, the aspiring actor learns that Bob is also auditioning. Characters: Bob Location: Casting office
• Bob Claims a Fresh Start — Bob says he is clean and focused on changing his life, mentioning his work entertaining children in a clown suit. Characters: Bob Location: Not specified
• Doubts About Sobriety — The aspiring actor's friends doubt that Bob will remain sober, while Bob rejects an offer to smoke. Characters: Bob Location: Not specified

Ambition at Home

The aspiring actor and his established actor roommate clash over scarce roles and Hollywood's competitiveness. Resentment grows amid panic at home and a confrontation about the roommate's past harm.

Key Events

• Roommates Clash — The aspiring actor and his actor roommate argue about career opportunities and Hollywood's competitiveness. Location: Not specified
• Resentment Over Roles — The younger actor believes his roommate has repeatedly taken roles that might have gone to him. Location: Not specified
• Panic at Home — An unexpected encounter involving an old woman leads to panic at the roommates' home. Location: The roommates' home
• A Past Harm Confronted — A woman from the roommate's past confronts him over the harm he caused her. Characters: First Girl Location: Not specified

A Dangerous Bargain

The two roommates turn to an occult-style ritual, reading names from an envelope and offering blood in pursuit of opportunities. Courtney separately insists on fair treatment during a business dispute.

Key Events

• The Occult Ritual Begins — The aspiring actor and his roommate begin an occult-style ritual by reading names from an envelope, starting with Zander. Characters: Zander Location: Not specified
• Blood Offered for Success — The two men offer blood and pray for power to take opportunities they believe others do not deserve. Location: Not specified
• Courtney Challenges a Dispute — Courtney pushes back during a business dispute and insists that a customer be treated fairly. Characters: Courtney Location: Business setting

The Hidden Opportunity

A message reveals that the roommate has a contract for the film the younger actor believed was beyond his reach. The roommate explains how he used a producer connection to secure the opportunity, and their argument fractures the friendship.

Key Events

• The Contract Message — The roommate receives a message about a contract for the film the younger actor thought he could not audition for. Location: Not specified
• A Hidden Audition Revealed — The roommate admits he met the producer at a networking event and persuaded the production to rearrange its plans for him. Location: Not specified
• Friendship Fractures — The younger actor accuses his roommate of hiding the audition and taking his opportunities; the roommate argues that he earned the chance. Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Audition Competition — The aspiring actor and Bob enter a contest for a coveted film role.
  • Anxious Waiting — The aspiring actor waits to learn whether he has been called in.
  • Bob Joins — At the casting office, the aspiring actor discovers Bob is also auditioning.
• Bob's New Start — Bob presents himself as someone trying to move beyond addiction.
  • Clown Work — Bob says he has taken work entertaining children in a clown suit.
  • Skeptical Friends — The aspiring actor's friends doubt Bob will stay sober, while Bob rejects an offer to smoke.
• Roommate Rivalry — The aspiring actor's friendship with his established actor roommate is strained by competition for roles.
  • Career Arguments — The roommates clash over opportunities and Hollywood's cutthroat nature.
  • Role Resentment — The younger actor believes his roommate has taken roles that could have gone to him.
• Troubling Encounters — Events at home and an accusation from the roommate's past add strain to the relationship.
  • Panic at Home — An unexpected encounter involving an old woman leads to panic at the roommates' home.
  • Past Harm — A woman from the roommate's past confronts him over harm he caused her.
• Occult Ambition — The roommates turn to a ritual as their desire for success undermines trust.
  • Names from an Envelope — They begin the ritual by reading names from an envelope, starting with Zander.
  • Blood for Power — They offer blood and pray for power to take opportunities they believe others do not deserve.
• Courtney's Dispute — Courtney challenges an unfair approach in a business disagreement.
  • Business Conflict — Courtney pushes back during a business dispute.
  • Fair Treatment — She insists that a customer should be treated fairly.
• The Contract Betrayal — The roommate's concealed route to the film role becomes the breaking point between the two actors.
  • Message Arrives — The roommate receives a message about a contract for the film.
  • Producer Connection — He admits meeting the producer and persuading the production to rearrange its plans for him.
  • Friendship Fractures — The younger actor accuses him of hiding the audition, while the roommate says he earned the chance.

Directed by

Holden Andrews, Victor Mathieu, Ivan Asen

Key Cast

• Deane Sullivan — Cal
• Jan-David Soutar — Trevor
• Matt Fowler — Zander
• Nick Franchik — Scott
• Eric Pierce — Jason