Narrative Non-Fiction Writer & Story Researcher
About the Project
We are preparing a preliminary research and background package for an upcoming project (think: The Dropout meets Painkiller, Black Bird, and The Big Short).
This is the real-life, untold story of a grassroots entrepreneur from the early 2000s who built a massive business, hit explosive growth, faced severe civil regulatory conflicts, and ultimately ended up in a high-stakes legal battle with the federal government.
Important Scope Note: We are not asking for a script, beat sheet, treatment, or book outline yet. We need a sharp researcher/consultant for the critical step before creative development: taking messy notes, interviewing the founder, synthesizing court documents, and building a structured factual package.
Scope of Work & Deliverables
•Founder Immersion: Conduct 2 full days of intensive interviews with the founder.
• Timeline Refinement: Clean up, structure, and expand existing 50-page rough timeline.
• Story Overview: Write a sharp 3–5 page summary of the core narrative.
• Character Breakdown: Detail key real-life figures involved.
• Interview Roster: List essential secondary interview subjects.
• Legal Case Summary: Synthesize the government investigation, regulatory gray areas, and prosecution into a clear overview.
Required Mindset & Experience
• Perspective: You must have a strong, critical eye toward big business, government regulatory overreach, and the terrifying weight of federal prosecution. We are not looking for a corporate PR pitch or a standard investigative exposure—we need someone who understands legal gray areas and founder psychology.
• Context: Ideally lived through, remembers, or deeply understands the cultural and corporate landscape of the early 2000s.
• Skills: Background in narrative non-fiction, legal/investigative research, or story consulting. Able to digest massive documentation and pull structure out of chaos.
To Apply: Submit a brief note on your experience with non-fiction research, legal/business stories, or story structuring. (Specifics on the company, founder, and case will be provided after an initial review.)