Read the whole script :

An honest Colombian finance student in the US is framed by the Secret Service to infiltrate a money counterfeiting network in his hometown.

He learns his tuition and the lives closest to him are funded and manipulated by the criminals, who are conspiring with the agent in charge.

"What makes it different?"

Denonimations shows a Hispanic hero take down the white-privileged federal agent who set him up. It exposes a white American man who thought he could fake it till he made it from his office. When he's thrown into the field in Colombia, his 'experience' amounts to shit.

Genre

Dramatic crime thriller


FORMAT

Feature, ~98 pages (open to limited TV series adaptation)

SETTING

Colombia and Texas | late 1990s to early 2000s

Comps

Themes in these films and Denominations:

-Main character age leap
-Undercover law enforcement / citizen
-Parallel lives led by sons and fathers
-Bank fraud, decoy bank, incriminating wire transfers
-Cat and mouse chases
-Redemption and the search for atonement

Characters

BRUTO

The Colombian Costello. The last Don of the trade, head of the counterfeiter regime. Connected via a spider web of politicians, police, false identities, real estate and bank accounts. Earned his nickname in his teens, shows no mercy to anyone who dare break his stride. Lead. Late 50s.

MADELYN

Born and raised upper middle class, evolved out of a Republican family into investigative law enforcement. Sharp in any situation, chameleonesque in her ability to morph culture and class. Late 20s.

SEBASTIAN

Bookish from a young age, golden boy charm. Infinite curiosity and drive to be a good person. Enjoys social and professional progress when he moves from Colombia to Texas for college. Unphased loyalty to family, church, and childhood sweetheart Pamelita. Lead. Early 20s.

IGNACIO

Father of Sebastian, lives a life of labor to provide for his family. Enslaved into the counterfeiting industry from an early age, deeper entangles himself after a bait and switch. Early 60s.

PAMELITA

Ambitions beyond her life-shell in Colombia conflict with loyalty to her mother’s creed. Fierce environmentalist, pragmatic fashion store owner. Eternally dedicated to Sebastian though applies out of sight, out of mind when he goes to the US. Supporting lead. Early 20s.

SUZELY

The anti-cosmetic Colombiana. Works for the counterfeiters from childhood, but a real soul heats her core. Grew up under-parented (father in jail), she’s tough and more matured than most men twice her age. Controlled by the counterfeiters but empathetic to Sebastian. Early 20s.

CESAR

Uncle to Sebastian, younger than Ignacio but higher rank in the counterfeiter network. Overcasual, ladies man only in his own mind, allows girls and drugs to blur his drive. The ‘street smart’ brains of the plan to frame Sebastian. Late 40s.

ANGELA

Georgetown to downtown to Secret Service field agent. Plays the game her way, whip smart, compassionate, capitalizes on her female persuasion. Field agent based in Colombia. Rebounds up from a tragic loss of her partner. Early 40s.

RON

Stiff white-privileged type A guy. Effective only at his highest level of work, otherwise expects his rank to provide what he wants, without questioning his authority. Disregards societal and cultural norms, particularly non-American practices. Early 50s.

Reviews

“This is a strong idea for a crime thriller, no question”

“Denominations is a fast-paced and easy read, full of incredible world-building and a truly unique premise. It’s clear that the writer is not only well informed in the Latinx culture and language, but also the ins and outs of counterfeit money operations, which makes the script feel incredibly authentic.”

“A thriller with a genuine sense of history and intelligence”

“Explosively concludes while still grounded in reality”

Denominations’ world

Buenaventura’s Afro-Colombian population originally came from 17th century Spain to work in gold mines. This cruel history carries into my script as nearly each character is metaphorically enslaved. I’m hopeful to work with filmmakers that will consider this world and character makeup.

Nominated

Best Script | Madrid International Film Festival
Finalist | Beverly Hills Film Festival
Semifinalist | Scriptapalooza

My father’s words of wisdom

Dad was born and raised in the Bronx, 1940s and 50s. Discipline and a cold touch were his standout traits. One quote lingers strongest:

“Your education is the only thing in life nobody can take from ya.”

I considered — could an education be taken away from someone? And if so, how? This idea manifests in Denominations.

English as a first language

Inheriting English as a first language brings immense privilege until you're forced into a foreign uncomfortable zone. This concept is exploited by Denominations’ character, Ron.

The Colombian Peso: FACTS

Colombia's Treasury minted new denominations of Pesos nearlyevery two years throughout the 1980s and 90s:

50 Pesos ---- 1986
100 Pesos ---- 1992
500 Pesos ---- 1993
200 Pesos ---- 1994
1,000 Pesos ---- 1996

Paper note Pesos followed a similar release sequence:

500 Pesos ---- 1986
10,000 Pesos ---- 1992
20,000 Pesos ---- 1996
20,000 Pesos ---- 2000

During this time period, the Colombian Peso exchange rate decreased against the US Dollar over one thousand percent. Some counterfeits arrived to the market before the treasury’s.

Y2K - facts

Leading up to Y2K, banks feared their software would date-revert from 1999 to 1900, instead of 2000. The US government printed its largest run ever — $50 billion. Sebastian is framed on Christmas Eve, 1999, with counterfeit cash in his bank teller drawer.

“"The Federal Reserve Bank is literally printing up billions of dollars to have available on the belief that people are going to pull cash out of the bank."

- Senate Banking Committee

Tactical Advisor

Marino Rodilla

US Secret Service Assistant to Special Agent In Charge(ATSAIC): 1975–1993. Colombia anti-counterfeiting task forceleader. ATSAIC International Squad at Miami Field Office.

Special thanks

Joe Russo

Former Secret Service Special Agent in NYC, Joe led one of the largest anti-counterfeit busts of all time. He was also Special Agent in Charge of Bill Clinton’s and Al Gore's Protective Divisions. Joe consulted on Netflix’s House of Cards in association with Knight Takes King/Trivision.

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JOE ESPOSITO