Log Line
In a universe stirred into being by a Cosmic Chef, a young culinary savant must revive a mythical Sauce that can restore balance and harmony to the world — before a power-hungry duke seizes the recipe for himself.
Welcome to Bellacopia
The heart of this story is in family and identity—combining a coming-of-age story with a love story. But it is also an original mythology propelling a Hero’s Quest. Baba Pastanova is layered with symbolism and meaning to express the mystery and depth of life; but is also designed to entertain and bring joy and music to children as well as adults. I have written this screenplay to transform laughter into insight and melody into meaning—in a Utopia where beauty is a form of truth—and creativity is a form of faith.
BABA PASTANOVA --- Story Summary On the magical island of Bellacopia, where art and cuisine are sacred and chefs are revered like saints, a mystical tale begins during a meteor shower. A celestial event called the PASTANOVA SKY appears once in a generation and pours down from the heavens like linguini and stardust to awaken divine flavors and supernatural elements on the Earth. A baby is found floating in the bay on such a night, wrapped in noodles and starlight. That child is Baba, raised in a seaside orphanage that’s been transformed into a culinary school by a master chef named Papo Gostoso.From an early age, Baba shows remarkable talent and a gentle heart, learning that every ingredient in life must be used in balance and served with love. He grows up alongside Zinfandella, the daughter of brilliant inventor Leonardo, who was exiled from Milan for his affair with Duke Vincenzio’s sister, Mona Lisa. Zinfandella is raised with kindness by Leonardo and Marcel, his assistant, flight instructor and French story narrator on the island of Bellacopia.
At fifteen, Zin travels to meet her estranged mother and spends three years under the tutelage of Milan’s nobility in the royal court. Back in Bellacopia, tragedy strikes: the flamboyant and vain Prince Machabelli, jealous of Baba’s rising talent, burns down the culinary school. Papo has a permanent injury. Baba is devastated and loses his confidence—and soon his talents are enslaved in Machabelli’s restaurant-cabaret kitchen. Machabelli takes all the credit.
Years pass and the prophetic Pastanova Sky returns —signaling the time to complete the mythical Sauce of Immortality. Papo failed in his attempt to revive the dormant Sauce after breaking his oath to Renaissance genius Leonardo during the last meteor shower. Baba is fired by Machabelli in a dramatic scene during Zinfandella’s homecoming dinners while Leonardo begins the search for a new chef. After combing Bellacopia for his “Chef of Destiny”, Leonardo is finally invited by Zinfandella to join her at Aunt Chovi’s Bistro— where Baba is now the head
chef. Leonardo experiences Baba’s creativity in action and invites Baba to join the Quest after a ceremony of initiation at his vineyard estate.
🌋 Lava Salt (Courage) — found beneath volcanic caverns, guarded by molten rivers.
Falcon Seeds (Intuition) — high in the canopy of the Falcon Forest, protected by a matriarch.
🌸 Neptune Orchid (Love) — hidden in the Valley of Narcissus, offered only by seductive water nymphs to the worthy.
🌿 Moly Root (Endurance) — buried in a remote region of Bellacopia’s desert, invisible to the eye, and impossible to remove.
But standing in their way is Duke Vincenzio and Mona Lisa—greedy elitists who plan to steal the Recipe and use it to consolidate royal power. They set up Machabelli to replace Baba and claim international fame and glory. With the bumbling but dangerous agent Joey Scambuti on Baba’s trail throughout the Quest to hijack the ingredients—the stakes escalate.
As Baba and Zin grow close again, their love becomes the heart of the story. But mistrust lingers—especially after Baba is seduced by deceptive water nymphs in the Valley of Narcissus. While Baba is being poisoned by a false orchid from the Valley of Narcissus, Zinfandella sees through the illusion and returns to capture the authentic blossom from the nymphs. She arrives just in time for Baba to stir the Sauce to life. Their reunion ignites the Sauce — and their love. The emotional core of the film hinges on forgiveness and self-worth.
Marcel’s flying warriors hold back Vincenzio’s warships, except for one that bombards Leonardo’s mountain fortress that protects the Sacred Sauce. Rocks begin to rumble. Joey Scambuti holds Papo as ransom to claim the Sacred Sauce as Baba is revived by Zinfandella and stirs the true Orchid into the Chalice. The Sauce begins to whirl with galactic energy, lighting up the cavern as rocks tumble and lava flows. Zinfandella slides toward an abyss and hangs above steaming Lava. Zin calls out to Baba to “save the Sauce”, but Baba risks his life to save Zin. Rocks crumble as Papo eats a sauce-soaked piece of bread and is transformed from the physical to a spiritual body; slowly ascending through the rocks to join the Big Bear Constellation holding the Celestial Spoon— the Big Dipper of mythical origin.
Pitch Deck
Explore the Main Characters with Songs inside Details
BELLACOPIA page includes a Story Summary and links to MUSIC PLAYLISTS on SoundCloud and SPOTIFY
Supporting Cast
Duke Vincenzio
Power-Hungry Patron
A ruthless war-obsessed aristocrat who believes the Sauce can secure his legacy.
Mona Lisa
The Smile that Conceals Ambition
As sister to Duke Vincenzio her role develops from Ally to Antagonist. She teams up with Machabelli adding power to the story’s comedic villainy.
Joey Scambuti
Wise Guy for Hire
Smooth-talking con artist working with the Roman Agency of Protective Services (RAPS). Known in both religious and political circles as a discreet bodyguard and private detective.
Nostro-Duomo
Doomsday Prophet
“How do you Doom?” Nostro-Duomo often peers beyond the veil of Time—and it never looks good. Though somber, he shares rare wisdom, once predicting the Linguini Meteor Shower (but still forgetting his own appointments).
Marcel
Messenger of the Skies
Our Narrator, Leonardo’s flight instructor and warrior: Marcel races through winds, relaying messages and protecting Bellacopia. He embodies courage and loyalty, and provides us with an overview of events throughout the story.
Hans & Gregory
The Chroniclers of Chaos
An artist-reporter duo who document Bellacopia's triumphs and scandals with wit and ink.
Gregory
The Quill of Consequence
With an eyebrow permanently raised, Gregory sees the world with complete detachment. Partnered with colorful Hans, Gregory wears Gothic black, and records the triumphs and scandals of their subjects with equal precision.
Creator's Vision
“I created the world of BABA PASTANOVA to blend everything I care about most in storytelling — music, humor, emotional truth, and the wonder of myth. This project grew from years of exploring how creativity can heal, elevate, and connect people. The characters came to life through a lifelong love of musical storytelling, Brazilian and American musical influences, and the joy of building heartfelt worlds where imagination is treated as something sacred. At its core, this story is about renewal, love awakening in its own time, and the belief that what’s lost can be restored. It’s a world I’ve lived with, grown with, and refined with complete devotion — and now it’s ready to be shared.”
Legendary Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal has allowed me to use his name, likeness and music to contribute to this story.
Songs & Scenes
Images and Lyrics give you the context for the soundtrack of BELLACOPIA
Franchise Potential
A rich universe designed for lasting cross-media impact
Four-Quadrant Appeal
Designed for global audiences combining music, comedy, and adventure
Extended Universe
Storybook and streaming spin-offs exploring the world of Bellacopia
Musical IP
Original soundtrack releases with cross-cultural musical fusion
Merchandising
Character-based products celebrating culinary magic and creativity
"The greatest ingredient in any creation is love itself."
Let's Create Magic Together
After exploring the pitch deck and music, we welcome producers and studios to connect for further details and/or request the complete 104-page Baba Linguini screenplay.