James Barr

Specialty

Character-driven drama, comedy, thriller

Bio

James Barr is an Arkansas-based screenwriter and attorney whose work blends emotional truth with sharp character insight. Drawing on his experience in law, he crafts stories about identity, resilience, and redemption under pressure. His recent feature screenplay The Blue Cage—a drama about a Hollywood actress leading a secret double life—has been praised for its grounded realism and cinematic energy. Barr’s writing combines the precision of a trial lawyer with the heart of a storyteller, creating worlds that feel both authentic and deeply human.

Jonesboro, AR

Available Now

Some of my Scripts

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Drama Character Study Slice of Life Romance Comedy

The Blue Cage

A glamorous film star, suffocated by the machine that made her, secretly takes a job at a Van Nuys strip club to rediscover her agency — and finds a new family, a daring film role, and the courage to be truly seen.

Drama Character Study Slice of Life

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A glamorous film star, suffocated by the machine that made her, secretly takes a job at a Van Nuys strip club to rediscover her agency — and finds a new family, a daring film role, and the courage to be truly seen.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The script's unique selling proposition lies in its fresh take on the 'finding oneself' narrative by juxtaposing the artificial glamour of Hollywood with the raw authenticity of a strip club, creating a powerful metaphor for female agency and artistic integrity that subverts expectations of both worlds.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: A Hollywood star's journey from scandal to redemption through her experiences in a strip club.
Major Twist: Sloan's public scandal leads to unexpected personal growth and artistic freedom.
Distinctive Setting: The juxtaposition of glamorous Hollywood events with the gritty reality of a strip club.

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Drama Character Study Comedy Romance Slice of Life

The Blue Cage

A Hollywood 'sweetheart' who’s been living by other people's scripts secretly begins stripping in a Van Nuys club and, through a double life as a dancer, rediscovers the messy freedom to choose herself — even after a tabloid leak threatens to destroy everything she’s built.

Drama Character Study Comedy

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A Hollywood 'sweetheart' who’s been living by other people's scripts secretly begins stripping in a Van Nuys club and, through a double life as a dancer, rediscovers the messy freedom to choose herself — even after a tabloid leak threatens to destroy everything she’s built.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The unique fusion of Hollywood glamour with the gritty authenticity of strip club culture creates a fresh take on the female empowerment narrative. The script's willingness to explore complex themes of identity and control through the lens of a high-profile actress's double life sets it apart from typical industry stories, offering both commercial appeal and artistic depth.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The juxtaposition of a glamorous Hollywood actress working as a stripper to reclaim her identity.
Character Growth: Sloan's journey from a controlled celebrity to an empowered individual embracing her true self.
Emotional Depth: The exploration of personal trauma and resilience in the face of public scrutiny.

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Supernatural Mystery Action Drama Thriller

The Night Society

When a habile, Louisiana-born freshman survives an otherworldly attack, she’s drawn into La Société de la Nuit — a centuries-old order guarding the thin membrane between life and death — and must learn to fight on her own terms to stop an immortal lord from unraveling the Veil and remaking the world.

Supernatural Mystery Action

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When a habile, Louisiana-born freshman survives an otherworldly attack, she’s drawn into La Société de la Nuit — a centuries-old order guarding the thin membrane between life and death — and must learn to fight on her own terms to stop an immortal lord from unraveling the Veil and remaking the world.

Audience Emotional Journey

Writing Craft Metrics

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

The screenplay's unique selling proposition lies in its authentic New Orleans setting combined with a fresh take on supernatural societies, blending Creole mythology with modern urban fantasy. The 'gumbo' approach to magic - mixing different traditions and fighting styles - creates a distinctive magical system that feels organic to the setting. The protagonist's journey from local college student to supernatural guardian provides a compelling entry point for audiences.

STANDOUT FEATURES

Unique Hook: The integration of New Orleans' rich cultural and supernatural folklore into a modern narrative.
Major Twist: The revelation of Hannah's connection to the Veil and her unique abilities tied to her birth on a blood moon.
Distinctive Setting: The atmospheric backdrop of New Orleans, with its blend of urban life and supernatural elements.