The Magnolia (TV Pilot)

The Magnolia is a fictional four-star hotel located on the southern end of Burbank, California. Its proximity to Universal Studios, Hollywood, and Disney’s corporate offices makes it a prime location for vacationers and business people.

The Magnolia is a workplace dramedy. As is the case with any pilot episode there is a fair amount of world-building and establishing characters. In the opening sequence, a forty-something hotel manager (Nick) is interviewing a young woman (Amy) for a front desk position. Amy is hired and becomes a surrogate for the audience. We learn about the hotel through her experiences.

I think the transient nature of hotels makes for a good storytelling vehicle. I’ve only written one sixty-minute episode so far, where the story goes and the themes it explores could change but my idea is to show the other side of the hospitality industry. While also highlighting the contrasting experiences in any workplace. From Nick the disillusioned protagonist, to Amy the excited new hire, to Maci the artist/bartender, to Bob the slow-to-react head of security and retired police officer. To name a few.   

If you’re curious about how the pilot ends, just ask.