Project Description:
Fleabag meets Dexter in this story that explores themes of loss, purpose, and justice through one woman's journey from Midwest schoolteacher to bloodthirsty serial killer; think Janine in Abbott Elementary devolving into a female Heisenberg -- and that's "Inconceivable." The story follows LILY SUMNER (34, weary of "Midwest Nice"), a grade school teacher who would kill to be a mother. After a failed IVF and her fourth miscarriage, she and her husband, GREG SUMNER (38, likes to fix things), reach the end of their fertility journey. While Lily wishes to keep trying, an emotionally and financially spent Greg reveals he no longer wants children. At the same time, Lily discovers a student is being abused at the hands of her mother, SUPERBITCH (31, a grown-up Tracy Flick). Channeling her grief into saving her student, Lily attempts to go through the proper channels but gets nowhere. Forced to take matters into her own hands, Lily murders Superbitch, and discovers a newfound, bloody purpose.
Bios:
Lesley Fera's love of screenwriting began as an actor appearing in numerous television shows, including SOUTHLAND, 24, and seven seasons as Veronica Hastings in the megahit PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. In 2018, after a two-decade career in theatre, television, and film, Lesley pivoted to writing and joined Bad Pitch Writers Lab, where she discovered a passion for screenwriting. Since then, she unearthed her bliss, creating two original pilots, four specs for existing television shows, a feature, and three one-act plays. Lesley relishes writing characterdriven stories about flawed, complex women who learn to embrace their long-buried authenticity to cope with life's obstacles. Her goal — disarm an audience with humor, then punch them in the gut with powerful themes. Lesley’s latest project, INCONCEIVABLE, a half-hour dark comedy inspired by her fertility journey, has received the following accolades: Orchard Project Episodic Lab 2023, Black List Recommended 2023, The Black List/WIF Episodic Lab - Semifinalist 2023, Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest - Runner-up 2022, and WB Writers' Workshop - Finalist 2022. Lesley has a BA from California State University, Fullerton, and an MFA from Florida State University Asolo Conservatory. She resides in Pasadena with her husband, two rescues, and her trusty MacBook Pro.
A Little Extra
How has your process changed over time?
As an actor for many years, I used to fit my writing around auditions and acting gigs. But then Covid happened. I lost someone very dear to me and had a "Shawshank Redemption" epiphany -- "Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'." From January 2021 forward, I dedicated myself to following my bliss, which is writing. Now, I write daily, and it's my meditation. I'm that freak who can write eight hours straight, and my husband has to remind me to go to the bathroom.