Electric Road is the winner of the 2023 ScreenCraft Feature Screenplay Competition.

Check back often for developments on this screenplay and project.

What is Electric Road about?

BRUCE and MORIAH WACHTER don’t notice when ex-con WADE PERDUE carjacks Bruce’s Subaru sedan with 10-year-old EDDIE inside. That’s when their nightmare begins.

The Subaru’s dashcam sends Bruce an alert. The couple chases after Wade, remotely connecting to the dashcam to track his movements. After a furious police pursuit, the Subaru disappears.

Wade Perdue is desperate. His two-year-old needs epilepsy treatment, and he didn’t realize a boy was hiding in the Subaru’s trunk. The ex-con connects with the autistic Eddie, trying to figure a way to return him and avoid prison. That’s when he receives a call from THE RISK MANAGER. The mysterious woman who offers to pay Wade to destroy the car and the child.

As Wade wrestles with his choices, the Wachters and the FBI race to rescue Eddie before he shuts down— and before The Risk Manager deploys her army of operatives to achieve her ultimate objective.

Is Electric Road based on a book or a real incident?

No, Electric Road is an original screenplay and story.

Why a Subaru Impreza?

I had a Subaru turbo seize up on an interstate trip, and I was tasked with selling off the vehicle remotely. I learned there was a dedicated parts market for this particular car.

Is that where you got the idea for Electric Road?

I had always wanted to write a chase story, one where the stakes were high for the characters, but had little impact beyond their small world. The Wachters and the Perdues are very much modeled on people I know, including their children. Electric Road, the Norfolk Southern railyard, and many of the other locations are real.

How realistic is Eddie’s autism?

I have worked with ASD kids in my capacities as a teacher and volunteer. Eddie is very real to me. Using the phone to communicate was inspired by a broken phone my son used when he was small.

Is this your first screenplay?

I produced and directed my first feature screenplay in 1997 and have been writing since. Other screenplays have won awards, including the FadeIn Grand Prize, and are being shopped by producers. I have written and directed some short films and some productions for hire. You can see my IMDb profile here. I will post when I have concrete news.

Is Electric Road in production?

Why not be my partner in making Electric Road a reality? Contact me at mark@markching.com and let’s make a movie together!