Sarantos Screenplay: 10 Reasons Why I am a Bad Idea
Logline:
When a reckless consultant and a control-obsessed executive are forced into an unwanted partnership on a career-defining pitch, their volatile chemistry ignites into something neither can contain—threatening not just their futures, but the carefully built walls around their hearts.
Genre: Romantic Comedy (Rom-Com)
Subgenres:
- Workplace Romance / Office Rom-Com
- Opposites Attract
- Enemies-to-Lovers (through banter, rivalry, and eventual surrender)
- Emotional Growth / Character-Driven Comedy
Why This Fits:
- Tone: Witty, fast-paced banter with sharp comedic beats balanced by moments of vulnerability and heart.
- Structure: Classic rom-com arc — forced partnership (meet-cute in the elevator), flirt/fight push-and-pull, romantic complication (Nate’s past, Kat’s sabotage, Olivia’s control), break-up and reckoning, and a grand public reconciliation.
- Characters: Two high-functioning professionals with opposing worldviews locked in proximity, their clash fueling both comedy and romance. Supporting friends (Grace, Jason) add levity, wisdom, and parallel stakes.
In Studio Terms:
If you pitched it to studios or streaming platforms, you would call it:
"A sharp, contemporary Romantic Comedy with workplace and rivalry elements."
Or simply:
"Rom-Com in the spirit of The Proposal meets Set It Up."
Awards
Budget:
Low-to-mid budget range for a studio or streamer-backed romantic comedy.
Estimated Budget Category: $5M–$15M USD
This puts it in the same league as other recent high-style, dialogue-driven rom-coms designed for streaming or prestige theatrical runs.
Why this Budget Range Works:
Primary Costs:
- Cast: Two leads with strong star power or rising talent, plus 4–6 recurring supporting roles (Grace, Jason, Beringer, Kat, James Street).
- Location: Contemporary urban setting (New York City or stand-in).
- Core locations: sleek corporate offices, conference rooms, bars/restaurants, a hotel suite, apartments, and one gala/charity event.
- No heavy VFX or costly exterior builds.
- Production Design: Clean, aspirational interiors and high-end corporate aesthetics, achievable with minimal dressing.
- Wardrobe/Look: Modern, professional, and stylish — tailored suits, cocktail dresses, aspirational yet achievable.
Production Style:
- Dialogue-driven, interior-focused scenes that allow for a tight 20–25 day shoot.
- No stunts, large-scale action, or VFX-heavy moments.
- Relies on chemistry, pacing, and sharp dialogue rather than expensive set pieces.
Comparable Projects:
- Netflix’s Set It Up (Est. ~$10M)
- Amazon’s I Want You Back (Est. ~$8M–12M)
- Hulu’s Palm Springs (slightly higher due to sci-fi element, ~$17M)
Special Studio Note:
If location count is streamlined (e.g., reusing office/hotel interiors with redress) and the gala sequence is staged efficiently, the budget could push closer to $5M, increasing buyer appeal while still delivering a glossy, cinematic feel.
Synopsis
Nate Williams is a charming, emotionally unavailable consultant with a running list of reasons why he’s a terrible idea for any woman. Olivia Martin is a razor-sharp corporate executive who doesn’t believe in distractions—especially not romantic ones. When fate (and a stuck elevator) throws them together, sparks fly... and not the good kind.
Tasked with saving a high-stakes pitch against a rival firm, Olivia and Nate are forced into an unlikely partnership. Olivia sees Nate as a liability with a great jawline; Nate sees Olivia as the first person who sees through him—and still might want more. As Nate’s chaos collides with Olivia’s control, a toddler briefly mistakes him for her dad, their banter gets dangerously intimate, and a real kiss in a broken elevator cracks both of their defenses.
Things spiral when Nate’s ex, Kat Monroe, reappears to stir up trouble, weaponizing history and jealousy just as Olivia and Nate finally give in to their chemistry. Olivia questions whether Nate will ever be more than a bad idea, while Nate—haunted by family scars—has to show up with something real. He quietly protects her work, buys Kat out of the deal, and, at a glittering gala, risks public humiliation to tell the truth: he’d bet everything on her.
With biting banter, escalating sexual tension, and careers on the line, this opposites-attract rom-com explores the chaos of unexpected connection and what happens when love isn’t part of the plan... but just might be the best bad idea of all.
Comps
Comp #1 (Two Films):
It’s Set It Up meets The Proposal.
A workplace-driven romantic comedy with sparkling banter, reluctant partnership, and escalating professional stakes — colliding with an opposites-attract romance that transforms both leads.
Comp #2 (Film + Genre Element):
It’s How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with the emotional honesty of Good Will Hunting.
A glossy rom-com surface with witty friction-to-flirtation, but layered with deeper emotional scars — a control-obsessed executive and a charming consultant who must strip away their defenses to earn each other’s trust.
Comp #3 (Streaming-Friendly Framing):
It’s Friends with Benefits reimagined for Netflix.
A sharp, contemporary romantic comedy where attraction sparks in the wrong place at the wrong time — and two guarded professionals are forced to choose between their walls and something real.
Elevator Pitch:
He’s the man who can charm anyone — as long as they don’t ask him to stay. She’s the woman who’s mastered every pitch but the one that matters: her own heart.
In this banter-fueled, high-style romantic comedy, Nate Williams — a charismatic consultant with a self-proclaimed list of reasons he’s a “bad idea” — collides with Olivia Martin, a razor-sharp executive who sees through his charm and refuses to play along. Forced into an uneasy partnership on a career-making account, their verbal sparring turns into combustible chemistry neither can ignore.
But when old wounds resurface, rivals circle, and Olivia’s flawless control meets Nate’s reckless avoidance, they’ll have to decide if risking their hearts is worth more than winning the pitch.
Think Set It Up meets Crazy, Stupid, Love — an opposites-attract workplace rom-com with the emotional honesty of Good Will Hunting.
Character Conflict:
Character Conflict Summary:
Olivia vs. Nate
Olivia's Core Conflict:
She’s razor-sharp, hyper-organized, and emotionally fortified. Olivia equates control with safety — in her work, her routines, her carefully curated life. But the very control that fuels her professional success walls her off from authentic connection.
- Wound: Past heartbreak and professional betrayal have convinced her that vulnerability equals failure.
- Flaw: Perfectionism; she measures herself (and others) by impossible standards.
- Fear: If she lets go of control, she’ll lose both her career trajectory and her sense of identity.
Nate's Core Conflict:
He’s disarmingly charming, quick with a quip, and allergic to permanence. Nate protects himself with charisma and constant motion, never staying long enough for anyone to rely on him—or to leave him.
- Wound: Estranged family and unresolved grief make him believe attachment is temporary and dangerous.
- Flaw: Uses humor and bravado as armor to avoid accountability.
- Fear: Being truly seen, needed, and ultimately abandoned again.
Where They Collide:
When forced into collaboration on a high-stakes corporate pitch, Olivia and Nate’s clashing philosophies explode.
- Olivia sees Nate as a liability — a distraction who could undo her meticulously built career.
- Nate sees Olivia as the one person who won’t fall for his armor — and resents her for unmasking him, even as he’s drawn to her.
Central Emotional Conflict:
Can two people who sabotage relationships in opposite ways — one with rigidity, the other with chaos — dismantle their defenses long enough to risk something real?
Bonus Conflict Dynamics:
- They mirror each other’s worst habits: Olivia hides behind control, Nate behind charm.
- They each need what the other fears: Olivia needs to open up, Nate needs to stay put.
- Their professional goals force intimacy they’d never choose — creating tension that fuels both romance and sabotage.
Why This Conflict Is Strong:
- It’s deeply personal (their emotional wounds stem from family and trust).
- It’s philosophical (control vs. freedom, order vs. chaos).
- It’s plot-driving (their collaboration makes or breaks the pitch — and their hearts).
One-Line Character Conflict Summary:
Olivia must risk losing control, and Nate must risk staying, or they’ll destroy both the pitch and their chance at love.
Character Info:
Tailored specifically for industry listings like screenplay databases, pitch portals, or competitions.
Character Profiles:
- Olivia Martin
Lead – Female, 30s. Relentless. Brilliant.
Description: Olivia is a razor-sharp, ambitious corporate executive who thrives on precision, performance, and control. Her wardrobe is as polished as her career trajectory, and her life is meticulously curated to leave no space for chaos. Romance? Distraction. Vulnerability? A liability. But beneath the armor is a woman who longs for authenticity — and fears what will happen if she lets her guard down.
Character Type: Strong, career-driven female lead with emotional complexity and hidden vulnerability.
Think: Sandra Bullock in The Proposal meets Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich (with rom-com wit).
Arc: Olivia begins as emotionally walled-off and hyper-focused on career success. Over the story, she’s forced into proximity with Nate, whose chaos challenges her rigidity. Through their conflict and connection, she learns that vulnerability isn’t weakness, and true strength lies in embracing imperfection.
Casting Notes: Works best with actresses who can balance sharp comic timing with subtle emotional nuance.
- Nate Williams
Lead – Male, 30s. Charismatic. Guarded.
Description: Nate is a charming, quick-witted consultant who disarms with banter and hides behind charisma. He thrives on short-term wins and avoids long-term ties, wearing his emotional unavailability like a self-aware joke. But beneath his effortless charm is a man haunted by estrangement and grief, terrified of letting anyone close enough to matter.
Character Type: Charismatic male lead with hidden emotional depth and a redemption arc.
Think: Ryan Reynolds in Definitely, Maybe meets Chris Evans in Playing It Cool.
Arc: Nate begins as a lovable rogue, a self-proclaimed “bad idea” who cycles through women and jobs with zero attachment. But Olivia challenges his defenses, forcing him to show up, take responsibility, and risk being known. By the end, he chooses to stay, proving he’s capable of the very commitment he’s always feared.
Casting Notes: Best suited for actors with effortless charm who can pivot to raw vulnerability without losing likability.
- Grace
Supporting – Female, 20s. Bright. Witty.
Description: Olivia’s assistant and closest confidante, Grace brings levity and warmth to the high-pressure corporate world. She’s whip-smart, endlessly supportive, and unafraid to call Olivia out when she’s spiraling. The comedic voice of reason who nudges Olivia toward risk.
Character Type: Comic relief and truth-teller best friend.
Think: Zoë Kravitz in High Fidelity (series) meets Rebel Wilson in Isn’t It Romantic.
Arc: Grace doesn’t need a dramatic arc — she exists as Olivia’s mirror, showing her the humor and humanity she risks losing by holding on too tightly.
Casting Notes: Perfect for a scene-stealer with sharp comedic instincts and grounded emotional beats.
- Jason Cole
Supporting – Male, 30s. Loyal. Laid-back.
Description: Nate’s longtime friend and sparring partner, Jason is a voice of grounded honesty cloaked in humor. He teases Nate mercilessly but sees through the armor, pushing him toward growth while providing the story’s male friendship counterweight.
Character Type: Best friend/confidante with comic timing and heart.
Think: Anthony Mackie in She Hate Me meets Nick Frost in Shaun of the Dead.
Arc: Jason’s role is to hold Nate accountable. His loyalty provides a foil to Nate’s avoidance, underlining the importance of showing up.
Casting Notes: Best with actors who balance comedic energy with emotional gravitas.
- Kat Monroe
Supporting – Female, 30s. Polished. Strategic.
Description: Nate’s ex and Olivia’s professional rival, Kat is sleek, competitive, and weaponizes charm as effectively as Nate. She’s not a caricatured “villain” but a woman who knows how to play the game and isn’t afraid to use every advantage.
Character Type: Antagonistic foil who mirrors both Nate’s worst impulses and Olivia’s competitive drive.
Think: Kathryn Hahn in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets Rosamund Pike in I Care a Lot (but lighter in tone).
Arc: Kat’s role isn’t to transform but to pressure-cook the leads, forcing Olivia and Nate to either implode or rise above.
Casting Notes: An actress with magnetic presence, capable of being both likeable and ruthless.
Pitch Sheet:
Project Title: 10 Reasons Why I’m a Bad Idea
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Subgenres: Workplace Romance · Enemies to Lovers · Smart Banter Comedy
Tagline:
She’s all business. He’s a beautiful disaster. Falling for each other was never in the pitch.
Elevator Pitch:
It’s Set It Up meets Crazy, Stupid, Love — a whip-smart, chemistry-charged rom-com where a charming commitment-phobe and a control-obsessed executive are forced to team up on a career-making pitch. What starts as friction spirals into fire — forcing both to confront the emotional truths they’ve spent years dodging.
Tone & Vibe:
The Proposal meets Notting Hill, with the bite of The Mindy Project. Fast-paced banter, high emotional stakes, glossy corporate backdrops, and real vulnerability beneath the jokes. Sexy, sharp, and modern.
Logline:
A commitment-phobic consultant with a self-proclaimed list of reasons he’s a terrible idea for anyone is forced to work alongside a brilliant but emotionally guarded executive on a high-stakes pitch. As rivalry turns into reluctant attraction, both must decide if risking their carefully built defenses is worth the one thing they can’t plan for: each other.
Key Selling Points:
- Classic rom-com DNA with a modern twist — witty, sexy, character-driven, bingeable.
- Star vehicle potential — two juicy leads for A-listers or rising talent with breakout chemistry.
- Budget-friendly — sleek interiors, aspirational corporate settings, no heavy effects.
- Emotional depth layered under comedy — not just about laughs, but about two flawed people learning to risk love.
- Streaming-ready — plays well with Netflix, Hulu, Prime, or Apple’s rom-com audiences.
Primary Audience:
Fans of Set It Up,Friends with Benefits,How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Crazy, Stupid, Love. Targeted at millennial and Gen Z audiences who crave smart, funny, emotionally grounded love stories.
Market Positioning:
Perfect for buyers and streamers looking for rewatchable, star-driven romantic comedies with festival-ready dialogue and global appeal. Ideal for festivals/programmers seeking a sharp rom-com that balances wit with emotional weight.
Budget Category:
Low-to-mid budget ($5M–$15M range). Mostly interiors, manageable shooting schedule, high style through wardrobe, music, and city locations. Commercially viable for streamers and indie distributors.
Lead Characters:
Olivia Martin – 30s
A razor-sharp executive with a steel spine and a calendar that doesn’t allow for failure — or feelings.
Nate Williams – 30s
A charming wildcard who hides his emotional wounds behind punchlines and pitch decks.
Themes:
- What happens when your walls meet someone patient enough to climb them?
- Love as risk, growth, and mutual disarmament.
- Emotional avoidance vs. vulnerability in a world obsessed with control.
Why It Works for Big Studios or Streamers:
- Built-in genre audience: Rom-com fans are loyal, vocal, and rewatch endlessly.
- Contained scope: Stylish but manageable production design, ideal for budgets under $15M.
- Strong festival/streamer crossover: Crowd-pleasing but with emotional bite.
- Viral marketing hooks: Banter, “bad idea” list, workplace romance tropes — tailor-made for social clips and second-screen buzz.
Script:
