Denominations: A Colombian finance student is forced by the Secret Service to inform on a counterfeit money network that’s enslaved his father | Script lookbook
Denominations shows the life of Sebastian Juanez — a native Colombian whose father is enslaved by a counterfeiter regime that’s infiltrated by a decoy bank operation. Deep into his fourth year of college in the US, Sebastian works as a teller at a Lone Star bank branch in Texas. There, he’s framed to circulate counterfeits just before Y2K when cash was at peak demand. Secret Service agent Ron flips Sebastian to collude with the counterfeiters and inform on their labyrinthine business, implicating his family ties. It’s based in the late 90s/early 2000s, in Colombia and Texas. Sebastian’s life journey to the US bundled with his English-as-a-second-language learnings are the story core.
White privilege allows Ron to ease through life until the foreign tactics of the counterfeit cartel ensnare him in their grip. Lack of Spanish language skill and underestimating their intelligence expose his inexperience in ways a federal agent is usually protected against.
Immigration, religion, law enforcement, father-son relationships, Y2K, shell companies, illegal mining and deforestation all collide in Denominations. It’s a feature spec screenplay but I’m open to a series adaptation or other content medium.
“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”
“Displays a rich tapestry on counterfeiting’‘
“Explosively concludes while still grounded in reality”
— The Black List
Secret Service agents turn tactical script advisors
My tactical advisor is the Secret Service’s most tenured agent of anti-counterfeit missions in South America. Some scenes, characters, and dialog of Denominations are inspired by stories from the prime of his career, which is my script’s time period (1990s-2001).
Marino Rodilla:
US Secret Service Assistant to Special Agent In Charge (ATSAIC): 1975–1993. Colombia anti-counterfeiting task force leader. ATSAIC International Squad at Miami Field Office.
Here’s an excerpt from my interview with Marino. We were eating cuban sandwiches, sipping on beers at an outdoor cafe in Miami. He was concealed carrying, an unexpected layer of interest.
I’m also working with Joe Russo, former USSS Special Agent in New York City who lead 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 for various terms. Joe consulted on Netflix’s House of Cards in association with Knight Takes King/Trivision.
My father’s words of wisdom
Dad was born and raised in the Bronx circa 1940–1980. An NYPD and USPS retiree (2 jobs, 20 years each), discipline and a cold touch were his standout traits. Wear your seatbelt, take care of ya teeth, learn a foreign language… these were father-son pillars he preached to me from a young age. One quote lingers strongest:
“Your education is the only thing in life nobody can take from ya.”
I considered this for many years after his death: could an education actually be taken away from someone? And if so, how? This idea manifests itself in Denominations.
I heeded Dad’s words and also learned Spanish. Inheriting English as a first language is typically a blessing until it’s a curse. This concept is exploited in Denominations’ character, Ron. I’ve spent a good deal of time in South America and noticed wealthy families typically choose to only know Spanish whereas less-resourced parents may enforce English as a means to charter through more ideal societal conditions.
Watch Ozark? Interested in the occasional gentleman’s club and casino scene? Recreational cocaine use? A Latin Steven Tyler character? Denominations has that too.
Buenaventura, Colombia — my hero’s world
Sebastian grows up in the outskirts of Buenaventura. He and his family spend much of their time in nearby Cauca Valley, made up of lush forest and exotic marine life. The New York Times recently reviewed Buenaventura, summing it up thusly: Love and tradition are key ingredients in the food — and drink and music — of Colombia’s rainy Pacific Coast region. This port city of 400,000 is at the center of it all.
The city has a large Afro-Colombian population, originally brought from 17th century Spain to work in gold mines. This cruel but truthful history carries into my script as nearly each character finds themselves enslaved in some fashion, especially Ignacio (Sebastian’s father). I’m looking for a casting director (and producer, director, etc) that will consider this.
PRODUCTION INCENTIVES—Variety summed up Colombia’s Film Law 1556 nicely: foreign production companies of feature films and TV movies investing over $600,000 in Colombia can receive a 40% cash rebate on local qualified film spend and a 20% cash rebate on logistical expenses such as hotels, catering and transportation.
Characters of Denominations
Below are archetypes of each character’s look, wardrobe, and hair/makeup. I’ve intentionally chosen more well-known actors to provide a layer of familiarity. Notable dialog excerpts also included.
Sebastian
Bookish from a young age, golden boy charm. He sees social and professional progress when he moves from Colombia to Texas for college. Unphased loyalty to family, church, and childhood sweetheart, Pamelita. Early 20s.
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.
Ron
Stiff white-privileged type A guy. Effective only at his highest level of work, otherwise expects his rank to get him what he wants, without question from above or below. Disregards societal norms and dedication to craft. Late 40s.
Pamelita
Small town girl with ambitions beyond Colombia, conflicting with loyalty to her roots. Fierce environmentalist, pragmatic fashion store owner. Eternally dedicated to Sebastian though applies out of sight, out of mind. Early 20s.
Cesar
Uncle to Sebastian, questionably higher rank as Ignacio’s younger brother. Over-casual, ladies man only in his own mind, allows girls and drugs to blur his drive. Late 40s.
Suzely
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. The anti-cosmetic Colombiana. Early 20s.
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. Late 50s.
Angela
Georgetown to downtown to Secret Service field agent. Plays the game her way, whip smart, compassionate, capitalizes of her female persuasion. Rebounds up from a tragic loss of her partner in the script. Early 40s.
Fernando
Born and raised Colombia, US degree. Tried to stay in the US but was sucked into the underworld. Head tech and counterfeit press operator. Loyal to Bruto for his connections. Hot temper. Early 30s.
Ignacio
Father of Sebastian, teaches his son about money and ‘your education is the one thing in this world no one can take from you.’ Enslaved into the counterfeiting industry by too many wrong turns. Lives for his kids. Early 60s.
Victor
Successful under the radar counterfeit investor. Holdings in a shell company, cautious about money, hates risk. Late 30s.
I’m a self-taught screenwriter and I can tell you one fact I’m painfully aware of — it is DAMN hard to get someone to read your script. Be it a filmmaker to whom I’ve been warmly introduced or someone I trust and love — no one reads screenplays. Failure is guaranteed. But that’s what makes life fun, right? Right.
I really thought about including the link to my script right here. Please email me at JWEsposito@gmail.com if you’d like to read. I promise to not follow up every week. Every month, max.
P.S.
MONEY—Denominations illustrates the craft of 1) mining for nickel to create fake coins and 2) washing one dollar bills to be reprinted as hundreds. Money counterfeiting is a surprisingly underserved cinematic theme, given it’s why the Secret Service was initially created.
IMMIGRATION—After I started writing Denominations, I married an undocumented woman from a South American family. Her path to citizenship required we visit the Department of Homeland Security in New York City’s famed downtown courthouse. First for the interview and then the swearing in ceremony. The experience forced me to realize how much I’ve taken my citizenship for granted. Juxtaposed with the Trump administration’s immigration policy, my perspective and its companion emotions are the pulse of the screenplay and the energy of my main character’s drive.
DEFORESTATION—I care deeply about the environment and Denominations is a sort of homage to two news stories: 1) an 800-year-old red cedar was cut down by poachers in Canada and 2) a beautiful old oak at my friend’s house was felled during Hurricane Sandy. Both incidents affected people in profound ways and hatched a key location for Denominations– lush forest covered by natural canopy. The land is very much a part of Sebastian’s family and the fabric of his community. To illustrate meaningful conflict, I knew the villain had to take the land away from them. Likewise, I examine the logging and mining industries that are an integral part of Colombia’s history.
RELIGION—Regardless of your religious tribe, everyone knows two Catholic mass traditions. The sign of peace, and the collection. We exchange peace first with family and friends, then with strangers who you may never see again. This is how young Sebastian first encounters villainous Bruto. When ‘the collection’ comes, Bruto splashes the pot with counterfeit coins. The title Denominations is a double entendre — religion and money.
PESO—The history of Colombia’s treasury from the 1980s on is in a word, unbelievable. Due to rampant inflation caused by drug cartels and counterfeiters alike, incremental denominations were released nearly every two years. Sometimes counterfeiters hit communities before the government’s. I’ve spent way too much time on Wikipedia’s page on the Colombian Peso.
FILM COMPS—my project relates to The Place Beyond The Pines as two people lead concurrent lives with drastically different father figures, and meet as late teens. American Gangster compares in that it features a craft-wise antagonist and corrupt law enforcement. The Infiltrator RE its plot but with a Hispanic lead on a much wilder, higher stakes journey.
LOCATION—I’ve chosen Texas as a second location for a number of reasons. If it had to be replaced, Miami would be logical .
As a film, the Denominations audience will be anyone who’s fought to climb in life. It’s for those who’ve had to deal with any evil, immoral or illegal practices, brought on by friends, family, or foe.
