MR. MIDNIGHT OWL synopsis

LOGLINE

A well-meaning owl chased by nasty park rangers gives unwanted advice to visitors at Yosemite National Park. 

PITCH

Patience is a virtue, according to Mr. Midnight Owl, the resident sage of Yosemite National Park, who gives unsolicited wisdom to campers until two park rangers try to unsuccessfully capture him time and again. 

SYNOPSIS

Mr. Midnight Owl is wide awake at midnight, sitting on the edge of a tree branch in the moonlight at Yosemite National Park. Each night, he tries to give advice to visiting campers, but of course, avoiding silly park rangers. Before Mr. Midnight Owl can decide which way to fly, a flashlight glares in his face and blinds him. Park Ranger Scott warns the Owl to stay away from the campers. The Owl is not supposed to disrupt the tourists’ sleep with unwanted advice in the middle of the night. As Mr. Midnight Owl flies away, he plops owl droppings like pellets on the park rangers’ heads, and Park Ranger George threatens to lock him up in a cage if he catches him. Before getting back in their beat-up truck, the park rangers scrape the owl droppings from their hair and shoulders. Then, they wash their hands in Tenaya Lake, wishing for some soap. 

In the meantime, the Owl sets off on his nightly flybys, where he looks for camp guests in need of help. Even if the campers don’t know that they’re in need of help, he’s sure he can identify those people looking for advice. Watching the park rangers approach with big flashlights, a sleepy little girl takes pictures of the moment. The father explains to them that the Owl has been keeping them awake by talking about patience for the last few minutes. Park Ranger Scott throws a lasso around the Owl without the bird realizing that the rope was even in the dark air. Park Ranger George grabs Midnight by the feet, explaining that he was clearly saving the campers' lives by teaching about patience.  

With that, the park rangers wrap the lasso around the Owl, put the Owl in an iron cage in the back of their truck, lock the door, and throw away the key, but Mr. Midnight Owl whispers that he is patient enough to get out of any situation. As the truck pulls away, the park rangers taunt the bird. When they aren’t looking, Mr. Midnight Owl uses his beak to chew through the lasso and unlock the door. He pushes the door open with his wings and flies out into the night sky. Park Ranger George spots Mr. Midnight Owl in the dark sky, wondering how he got out this time. Park Ranger Scott threatens to quit if the Owl doesn’t stop tormenting them with his wisdom. Both park rangers decide that if they can only have patience, they will eventually catch the Owl, even if it’s not tonight.

Copyright 2022 Jennifer Waters