Year of Graduation
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MFA in Screenwriting
Directing Professor
Hunter Phillips
Abstract
Ambitious TV news producer Lex is killing the game at work but on the brink of failing when it comes to parenting her 6-year-old son, Sawyer. Her life in a high-pressure newsroom—defined by urgency, metrics, and relentless tragedy—has made her forget what is really important in her real life.
A bad call that puts her son directly in the path of some serious gun violence forces her to take a professional break and retreat to her family’s farm in Virginia to regroup. There, she reconnects with her no-nonsense Aunt Mel and a cast of characters from the past and is forced to confront a childhood event that drove her into the news business in the first place: one that she doesn’t fully understand.
As Sawyer begins to ditch screentime for the joy of independence on the farm, Lex struggles to slow down, constantly pulled back toward chaos and chasing down “the story.” Her instinct dive into the next crisis comes at a cost, one that damages an old friendship and makes her realize she’s missing her son’s life in real time.
When a larger, national tragedy draws her back into the newsroom, Lex faces a defining choice—not just in how she reports the story, but in who she chooses to be in the victims’ worst moments. This time, she resists the industry’s impulse to exploit grief and pulls back on the coverage with a new sense of responsibility.
In the end, Lex steps away from the news cycle, choosing to be present for her son over her own ambition.
Recommended Citation
Goolrick, Allie, "Nonesuch Road" (2026). Screenwriting and Film Studies Theses (MA/MFA), Hollins University. 13.
https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/screenwritingtheses/13
Contact Information
alliegoolrick@yahoo.com
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the MFA/MA Thesis in Screenwriting and Film is to provide a definitive record of student development and achievement in the program prior to completion of the degree. The thesis does not reflect any revisions to work made subsequent to the degree completion. If you would like to read a more current version of the screenplay or inquire about optioning agreements, please contact the author or the Hollins Graduate Screenwriting and Film Department.