Things are not always what they appear to be.
TYLER HUDSON'S CHRISTMAS EVE ADVENTURE (Comedy/Family/Action Adventure) A know-it-all boy, who is afraid of heights, gets caught up in a sleigh-jacking with Santa while trying to prove there is no Santa Claus.
When Tyler's mom drags him to Santa Land, the eight-year old wanders off (with his stubborn little brother who is in one of his moods and refuses to talk) and snoops in Santa's sleigh for proof that Santa is a phony. Before they can climb out, a bumbling gunman robs a jewelry store and takes Santa and Santa's singing elf hostage in the sleigh. Santa and the elf try to assure everyone that the boys are okay, but the media and detectives believe Santa and the elf know the gunman and are criminals, too. Tyler must overcome his fears and find a way to save Santa, the elf, his brother, himself and Christmas.
Awards:
A/Exposure Script of the Month - Winner. Writers on the Storm - Finalist, Film in Arizona, WriteMovies.com, PAGE International Screenwriting - Semifinalist. Fade In Magazine, The Writer's Network, Hollywood's Next Success, Scriptwriters Network - Quarterfinalist, FilmMakers.com/The Radmin Company - Honorable Mention, Austin Film Festival - First Round Finalist.
Coverage and Contest Reader Comments and Feedback
Writers on the Storm: "I loved this story! A well-written story with a great premise! The author puts her own unique spin on this genre film. The characters are wonderful. The dialogue is crisp, clear and concise. The pacing of the script is good as well as the tone and mood. Overall the script is very good!"
Film in Arizona: "Absolutely delightful. A quick and enjoyable read."
"I was actually sorry when this script was over."
"Great fun. Not too much saccharine."
"Writer should consider submitting to Disney Channel or some other such family cable."
BlueCat Screenplay: "The film has a great action filled, child’s adventure storyline to it similar to films such as The Goonies."
WriteMovies.com: "You took a simple often told children’s story of a disbelieving kid meeting the real Santa and brought a new and fresh take on it. It’s in the same arena as THE SANTA CLAUSE and HOME ALONE, and your script has the same charm and sweetness that made these films successful, with also the possibility for a franchise."
SYNOPSIS
TYLER HUDSON finds a present at his house from Santa before Christmas and is convinced that he can prove Santa doesn't exist. His mother attempts to explain it but nothing she says changes his mind. He's one of a growing number of kids who don't believe in Santa, causing layoffs at the North Pole. SANTA has to do something so he pays Tyler a visit at Santa Land in Cleveland, Ohio. Tyler gives Santa a hard time and upsets the children. Nothing Santa says changes Tyler’s mind. While his tattletale sister is with Santa, he sneaks off with his stubborn, little brother and snoops in Santa's sleigh for more proof. Before they can climb out, a bumbling gunman, armed with a paintball gun that everyone thinks is a real gun, robs a jewelry store at the plaza and gets away in the sleigh with Santa and his singing elf, LOUIE.
Tyler is scared to climb the ladder to the top bunk bed in his room, so zooming above Lake Erie in the sleigh is not his idea of fun. It takes all of his courage to stop his brother from climbing out in midair. Santa lands at a secluded house and Louie tries to overtake the gunman. Tyler rescues Louie without revealing he’s in the sleigh. A young couple at the house spots them and the gunman makes Santa fly away.
At the North Pole, Tyler and his brother are found. Tyler protects his brother while trying to figure out whether Santa and Louie are bad guys, too, because things aren’t adding up for Santa. The gunman is ready to raid the packing and shipping room, however, Tyler scares him into scrapping that plan. Santa deletes the master list of names on his computer so the gunman can't see it. Running out of options, the gunman decides to use Santa to rob homes. Tyler creates chaos in the sky and the confused gunman bails out. The police won't take a missing persons report because Santa and Louie don't know the gunman's name or where he was last seen. Santa finally remembers who the gunman is and tells the media. Santa convinces Tyler he is Santa and Louie insists the boys are okay, but the media and detectives believe Santa and Louie know the gunman and are criminals, too. Santa's off to deliver toys so Louie takes the boys home in his flying car. It goes out of control and Tyler must face his fear again.
When Tyler and his brother turn up at a church, Tyler is eager to share details of the adventure. His brother refuses to talk. Their worried parents take them to the hospital. Santa isn’t about to let them spend Christmas there and comes to their aid. On the way back to the North Pole, Louie spots the gunman stranded by a stolen vehicle. Tyler finds an unexpected gift under the tree and insists it’s proof he was with the real Santa, giving everyone something to think about. He surprises his parents when he is nice to his sister and his little brother breaks his silence.