Teleplay Script Movie: EPS: Emergency Psychiatric Service

Written by Holly Scarabosio, Christopher Carson Emmons, Michael Miceli

Created by Holly Scarabosio

Editor & Visual Design by Kimberly Villarruel

Voice Over Actors:

Matt Barnes
Kierston Drier
Allison Kampf
Shepsut Wilson
Danielle Nicole

Produced by Matthew Toffolo

EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
EPS
Pilot “NORMAL”

Psychiatric nurse Helena moves from Milwaukee to San Francisco to take a new job — accompanied by her fiancé Jake. They plan to start a new life together — she as a psychiatric nurse at a prominent EPS—Emergency Psychiatric Services; he as a computer tech and would-be writer.

Plans don’t always work out.

Helena, a vivacious, daring, go-getter, is thrown into the EPS in dramatic fashion. There is one patient, Samantha, a young, sexually abused woman, who captivates Helena’s consciousness.

Helena quickly establishes herself. She and her head nurse, Pearl, understand and appreciate each other. Helena finds people she can rely on and those that she has to be wary of. Helena’s “illness/ abilities” start to reappear. And there are two male physicians who seem to be captivated by her.

Meanwhile, and quite suddenly, Jake announces he’s found a new job — back in Milwaukee! Helena is stunned. She feels betrayed. She can’t fathom his decision.

And so the series moves ahead — with Jake leaving, perhaps for good; with Helena throwing herself into her new job and rejecting a lucrative offer to return to a hospital in Milwaukee; with new patients coming and going with each episode. All the while there is the patient Samantha, returning and affecting Helena. And there is the young Dr. Gaytan Oster, who shares an unspoken attraction with Helena — unspoken for the time being that is.

Each of the projected 13 episodes of the first season of EPS stands alone, but there are recurring characters and plot lines that link the season together — and set the stage for seasons to come.

Writer Biography – Holly Scarabosio

I have been a Registered Nurse for 30 years. I spent the majority of my career being a Psychiatric Nurse on a locked Emergency Psychiatric Service.

I created EPS, and I’ve written the pilot along with two other screenwriters, Christopher Carson Emmons and Michael Miceli. Our writing team has more than 20 screenplay and film nominations, both in the USA and internationally.

Writer Statement

My one-hour TV series EPS (Emergency Psychiatric Services) would be unique —because it would be the first medical drama to focus accurately on the mentally ill.

EPS follows an idealistic young nurse who cares for mentally-ill patients — while struggling with her own crazy life and her “abilities”.

It is a cross between E.R., One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Sex In the City — with captivating characters doing their best to serve a wide range of mentally-ill patients.

The series is based largely on my twenty years of real-life experience as a nurse in emergency psychiatric services. Each episode presents new and returning patients — who have stories to tell. As do the staff that cares for them. Stories so riveting that audiences will remain engaged episode after episode.

The main character is Helena, a young, bold, vivacious, unconventional, inspiring nurse, who moves from Milwaukee to San Francisco with her fiancé Jake, with plans to start a new life together. Plans don’t always work out!