Sam leaps into Max Freeman, a cabbie in New York City struggling to earn enough money to get his own taxi medallion–essentially the right to go into business for himself. His quest is both helped and hindered by the presence of Angela, an exuberant woman who claims to be an actual angel. Sam wonders if she might be sincere in her claims, while Al imagines she’s mentally unstable.
Sam leaps into Roberto Gutierrez, a local daytime TV talk show host whose program thrives on sensationalism and conflict. He ends up investigating suspicious activity at a local chemical plant, alongside fellow reporter Jani Eisenberg. Sam must prove that the plant is doing something illegal, and prevent Jani from dying along the way.
Sam leaps into Cherea, a black teenager who has dreams of forming a female singing group with her friends Lynelle and Paula. The relationship between Lynelle and her conservative and protective preacher of a father is very tense, and is destined to fall apart as Lynelle continues to pursue singing. In particular, Lynelle is sought after by the immoral club owner and music promoter, Bobby Lee. Sam must find a way to help Lynelle and her father reconcile before it is too late
Sam leaps into Dylan Powell, an aging television reporter who has gained notoriety for receiving anonymous tips regarding the activities of serial killer in San Francisco in 1985. Sam meets Tamlyn Matsuda, an apparent psychic who is assisting the police with their investigation, but who is fated to be the murderer’s next victim. Tamlyn’s unusual abilities are real, and soon she can see Sam for who he really is and even seems to be able to detect the presence of Al. Sam and Tamlyn fall in love and begin a relationship. On the day of Tamlyn’s predicted death approaches, Sam discovers that the killer is his own cameraman, Ross Tyler. Sam saves Tamlyn and defeats Ross (who takes his own life). Sam says a tender goodbye to Tamlyn as he leaps away.
In this week’s adventure on the School of Communication, I’m teaching on Writing & Composition, although in many ways I’m really talking about “Storytelling.” We’re looking at creative writing in general, and will be using some aspects of film to talk about story structure in general, and then will eventually get into writing short stories (which is the students’ assignment out of this week). It’s fun; I enjoy teaching.
Sam leaps into Joe Furlow, a young actor who is involved in a romantic relationship with an older woman named Jane Lindhurst. Jane’s family are eager for her to return home from New York, believing that her relationship is doomed. Jane is a gifted but insecure singer, and Sam believes he is there to help her pursue her dreams rather than settle into the life that is expected of her.
Sam leaps into a prisoner on a chain gang, Chance Clarence Cole, who attempts to escape while handcuffed to fellow prisoner Jaspar Boone. To save Jaspar’s life, Sam allows them to be recaptured, but finds that they are both victims of horrible abuse by the prison guards and warden. When Sam and Jaspar realize that one of the guards is actually responsible for the crimes that Jaspar is jailed for (and willing to kill to keep the secret) they have to escape once more.
Sam becomes Billy Beaumont, a self-proclaimed “rainmaker” who has returned to his own drought-stricken hometown for the first time in eight years. He at first resists giving people promises but is soon swept up in the mood of jubilant optimism over the prospect of rain. At the same time, he is contending with the fact that his ex-girlfriend, who is now married to his brother, is still in love with him. Sam forces a situation where Billy’s brother Ralph is forced to fight him for his wife, showing her that Ralph genuinely loves her. Miraculously, after all of this, it starts to rain.
Sam leaps into police detective Jack Stone just as he is discovering the dead body of a murdered woman. However, from that moment Sam experiences flashbacks to traumatic events from Stone’s own childhood. He visits a psychiatrist connected to the case in order to pursue his investigation, but also for advice regarding the confusion he is experiencing. The psychiatrist is the actual murderer, though, and Sam is almost killed in the process of working with him to unpack Stone’s memories–but he is able to save himself in the end.
Sam leaps into Katie McBain, as she is in the hospital dealing with the aftermath of being raped. Katie’s assailant was a popular and well-regarded young man that Katie had been on a date with, Kevin Wentworth. Sam believes he is there to help Katie bring charges against Kevin, something he is able to do after being able to convince the reluctant District Attorney. When Sam failes to leap, he realizes he will have to testify as Katie, something he feels unable to do. Al figures out a way for Katie and Sam to see and hear each other, so that Sam can become a proxy for Katie to testify. When Kevin is exonerated anyway, Sam wonders what he he was actually there to do…until Kevin shows up at night and tries to attack Katie again, and Sam is able to beat him to an inch of his life.
Blue Towel Productions 