What happens when a determined coach on a recruitment mission ignores warning signs that his workplace could prove dangerous? Find out in this real-life story about Holy Cross football coach Dan Allen.

On February 24th HSSW will review A COACH’S STAND – THE DAN ALLEN STORY.

The meeting will be held virtually from 7:00 – 9:00 PM EST.

Some of you have seen the pitch deck.  Now read the script.

Logline: When award-winning Holy Cross football coach Dan Allen is exposed to chemical toxins and develops ALS, he must find a way to continue to inspire his players, while his wife Laura pursues a legal case to see that justice is done for her husband and family.

Some of you read an earlier version or have seen our pitch deck, which was part of a prior workshop. Now, you can read and react to what we hope is a close-to-final draft.

Genres: biopic; sports drama; medical mystery; legal suspense; coming of age

Some questions we’d like to address:
– what, if anything, would you cut?
– did it keep your interest?
– were there any parts that lagged?
– how did you feel about the various characters?
– did you understand why Dan Allen’s case was landmark?

About the Authors:

Andrew Lemelman has been an attorney in Boston, Massachusetts for over thirty years. During this time Andrew has handled a variety of contracts and life story rights agreements involving feature and documentary films, including the independent project, Freedom Park, and the Emmy-nominated, Farrelly Brothers’ produced, sports documentary The Lost Son of Havana, the story of baseball great, Luis Tiant.

Andrew has also written several screenplays and TV pilots. Since 2019 he has been a member of Harvard Square Script Writers where he has worked on a variety of projects, including a TV series Iron Walkers involving a Boston construction dynasty.

Relevant to this proposed project, Andrew worked with Laura Allen after the settlement of Dan Allen’s case to further Laura’s wishes to see Dan’s legacy honored.

Andrew wrote an initial draft of A Coach’s Stand several years ago which immediately piqued the interest of Harvard Square Script Writers Director, Genine Tillotson. They then embarked on further research into the details of Dan’s life and the legal case concerning his fight with ALS and re-wrote the screenplay.

Genine Amada Tillotson is the director of Harvard Square Script Writers (HSSW) and is the principal of Magic Lantern Multimedia LLC. She has been writing, producing and directing award-winning video and multimedia projects for over 30 years.

She has written and directed programs supported by the National Science Foundation and the US Dept. of Education, and has created an assortment of video projects for broadcast, web and large-scale events.

Her multimedia exhibits have been showcased in over 24 museums around the world.

Her awards include a Silver New York Film Festival, a Gold Muse Award, three Gold Nebbys, including two “Best Overall Achievement,” and three ITVA Gold awards, among others.

Genine has been a guest speaker at NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) and has lectured at Lesley University, Harvard University, Northeastern, and Emerson College.

Most recently, Genine completed the first 7 webisodes of the comedy Next Great Hire which she wrote, directed, and co-produced. Next Great Hire will be available for screening on Vimeo and YouTube shortly. Stay tuned!

She is a member of Women in Film and Video – the NE Chapter, Film Fatales, and Harvardwood/Los Angeles Chapter.

Genine holds a BA in English and Psychology from Rutgers College and a Masters and CAS from Harvard University.

But, perhaps most importantly, in 2020, Genine lost one of her closest friends to ALS, after witnessing her battle with the disease over five long years.

So, Be Sure To Sign Up:  Simply pay $10.00 via Zelle or Paypal using the links genine@hsswriters.com or 978-505-5652. Indicate 2/24/25 Review. Or  signup  right here at our website by purchasing a ticket. All proceeds go to the volunteer, non-profit HSSW in support of our programming.  Deadline for sign-ups is noon on Monday, February 24th EST. The Zoom link will be sent out on the day of the event by 2:00 PM.

Hope to see you then!