Executive Summary
Format
Series
Genre
Drama
Budget
$TBD
Shoot
Late 2025
Script
8 episodes – 20 pages each
Location
Montreal
This pitch deck introduces DEERFIELD, a dark-comedy live-action series that explores themes of obsession, deception, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a quirky French language class in Montreal, the story follows Jen, an idealistic podcaster seeking personal growth, and Kate, an enigmatic classmate with a hidden agenda tied to a tragic past. As their lives intertwine, secrets unravel, relationships fracture, and tensions escalate in unexpected and thrilling ways.
With sharp humor, complex characters, and a suspenseful narrative, DEERFIELD promises to captivate audiences who enjoy shows like Fleabag and Killing Eve. This deck outlines the series’ premise, characters, tone, and visual style, offering a compelling glimpse into a story where nothing is as it seems.
Kevin Pavlovic
Director
Logline
When a lifestyle podcaster uproots her life to move to Montreal, she’s desperate for connection, but latching onto a French school classmate quickly leads to a spiral of long-buried secrets, betrayals, and okay, seducing your new bestie’s partner, but for good reasons, I swear.
Synopsis
DEERFIELD is a clever, twisty dramedy set against the backdrop of a quirky French language class in Montreal. The story follows Jen, a wellness podcaster making a fresh start in a new city with her boyfriend, Guillaume, as she navigates the challenges of language barriers, cultural adaptation, and feeling adrift for the first time in her life. Meanwhile, Kate, a charismatic yet enigmatic classmate, inserts herself into Jen’s life under the guise of friendship, hiding a personal obsession tied to a tragic past involving Guillaume.
As Jen juggles the strains in her relationship and her drive to connect, Kate’s ulterior motives and manipulative tendencies start exposing cracks in Guillaume and Jen’s partnership, as well as her own past dredging up memories of her stay at a nearby mental health facility, Deerfield, that she conveniently fails to mention to Jen. With sharp humor, layered characters, and an escalating web of deception, DEERFIELD explores the value of friendship, who you choose to trust, and the possibility–and danger–in reinventing yourself.
Main Characters
Tone of DEERFIELD
Theme: Buried Secrets Reemerging
DEERFIELD explores the secrets everyone has hidden in their pasts and the tension between reality and the stories we want to believe. Through dark humor, the series delves into obsession, deception, and self-discovery, raising the question of how well we can truly know anyone… including ourselves.
A visually aesthetic dark comedy
DEERFIELD blends a grounded, cinematic visual aesthetic with sharp, darkly comedic dialogue and suspenseful storytelling. The series juxtaposes warm, intimate moments with shadowy, tense atmospheres, reflecting the duality of its characters and themes. Drawing inspiration from shows like Fleabag and Killing Eve, the style is rich with visual symbolism, subtle humor, and striking contrasts. The pacing balances character-driven moments with thrilling twists, immersing the audience in a world where humor and tension collide in unexpected ways.
The vibrant, multicultural city of Montreal
The world of DEERFIELD comes alive in a range of dynamic locations that reflect the characters’ journeys and the tension between their public facades and private lives. Key settings include:
- The French Language School: A quirky and slightly outdated building where cultural and personal conflicts unfold.
- Jen and Guillaume’s Apartment: A cozy yet imperfect space symbolizing Jen’s optimism and the cracks in her relationship.
- Kate’s Apartment: Minimalistic and shadowy, reflecting her obsessive and calculated nature.
- The Streets and Cafés of Montreal: Lively and picturesque, these locations highlight the city’s charm and serve as a stark contrast to the darker undercurrents of the story.
Each location is thoughtfully crafted to enhance the show’s tone, blending warmth, mystery, and a sense of intrigue.
Moodboard
Character Personalities:
From Jen’s self-absorbed optimism to Kate’s calculated intensity, and the quirky charm of the French class ensemble, every character brings a unique perspective with distinct personalities and hidden depths. Their expressions—both emotional and literal—drive the humor, tension, and complexity of the story, creating a world that feels dynamic and deeply human.
Color Palette:
The palette of DEERFIELD balances warm, inviting tones for intimate moments with cool, shadowy hues for suspense, accented by vibrant pops of red and teal that offset by the wintery landscape of Montreal and the series’ emotional depth.
Visual Inspiration:
DEERFIELD draws visual inspiration from the contrasts of Montreal’s vibrant streets and shadowy interiors. The show blends the cinematic warmth of intimate moments with the stark, moody tones of suspense, taking cues from the sharp contrasts and dynamic framing of Killing Eve and the emotional intimacy of Fleabag. The visuals are rich with texture, color, and subtle symbolism, mirroring the duality of the characters and their world.
Target Audience
Primary Demographic
- Age Group: 25–45 years old.
- Gender: Balanced appeal with a slight skew toward women due to its focus on complex relationships, emotional depth, and interpersonal drama.
- Interests: Fans of dark comedy, mystery, and character-driven narratives.
Why It Resonates
- Sharp Humor and Suspense: DEERFIELD masterfully blends dark comedy with psychological drama, keeping audiences laughing while on edge.
- Relatable Themes: Universal themes of identity, connection, and deception invite emotional investment and create a thought-provoking experience.
- Complex Characters: Layered, morally complex characters challenge perceptions ensuring a compelling, binge-worthy story.
Comparables
“Fleabag”
A dark comedy about a sharp-witted but emotionally struggling woman navigating relationships, grief, and self-discovery while breaking the fourth wall to connect with the audience.
“Killing Eve”
A stylish and suspenseful cat-and-mouse game between an MI6 agent and a psychopathic assassin, exploring obsession, identity, and dark humor.
“Dead To Me”
A dark comedic drama that follows two women brought together by grief, secrets, and lies. As their bond deepens, hidden truths unravel, leading to twists that blend sharp humor with emotional depth.
“The White Lotus”
A satirical drama following the entangled lives of affluent guests and staff at a luxury resort, revealing dark undercurrents beneath privilege and facade.
Schedule
Pre-Production
Development
- Finalize script revisions.
- Secure financing and funding.
- Assemble the core production team.
- Location scouting and acquisition.
Pre-Visualization
- Create storyboards, shot lists, and visual concepts.
- Define the overall visual style.
Casting
- Auditions and casting of key roles.
- Negotiate contracts.
Crew Hiring
- Hire department heads.
- Complete crew hiring.
Budgeting and Scheduling
- Finalize budget and production schedule.
- Secure necessary permits.
Production
Principal Photography
- Shoot scenes based on the finalized shooting schedule.
- Daily coordination and management of crew and talent.
Daily Post-Production
- Transfer and back up footage.
- Initial editing for continuity.
- Review daily rushes.
Post-Production
- Editing
- Sound Design and Music Composition
- Color Grading and Visual Effects
- Post-Production Sound
Team
Kevin Pavlovic
Director
Kevin is an accomplished director and editor with 20+ years in animation, including co-directing The Addams Family 2 and editing Sausage Party. His expertise in visual storytelling, comedy, and character-driven narratives brings a unique and compelling vision to DEERFIELD.
Jilly Gagnon
Creator / Screenwriter
Jilly has worked as a senior narrative designer for mobile gaming. She is the author of eight novels, including All Dressed Up, and has written for a variety of national outlets, including Elle, Vanity Fair, and Newsweek, among others.
Mike MacDonald
Creator / Screenwriter
Mike is a former writer for The Onion and co-author of the Choose Your Own Misery Book series. He also worked as an awardless-winning journalist at PostMedia and CBC.
“As the director of DEERFIELD, I’m excited to bring this darkly hilarious and emotionally layered story to life. It’s a journey into obsession, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and perception. My hope is that viewers are drawn into its mystery, connect with its deeply human characters, and find themselves questioning what truths lie beneath the surface, all while laughing constantly. Welcome to DEERFIELD—where nothing is as it seems.”
Kevin Pavlovic