Frederick K Van Patten

A Month in the Jungle: a Novel Frederick K Van Patten

Henry Cooper, an aspiring San Francisco screenwriter, has his first real writing job scripting a B-movie. The melodramatic story takes place on a coffee plantation in Africa during WWI, and although it isn't what Henry would call art, it's a potential break for his early career.

On a shoestring budget, the producer secures the use of a run-down antebellum rice plantation in the sweltering heat of South Carolina's swamp country. And the cast and crew have only a month to get the film completed. During his month in the jungle, Henry struggles to find his creative voice and to nurture a budding affair. But he nearly ruins his career when he becomes entangled in politics. He joins in a collaboration with the brilliant cinematographer, Bj¿¿rn Depew, against the perverse and controlling director, Teddy Rollick, and it nearly costs him his job.

Romance, artistry, betrayal and murder pepper the plot of this spicy novel as the filmmakers rush toward their goal to complete the film on time and under budget.