Semester of Graduation
Spring 2026
Degree Name
Masters in Professional Writing
Department
English
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Mitch Olson
Second Advisor
Albert Lee
Abstract
This capstone project, Ghosts of the Resistance, is a feature-length screenplay that follows a morally gray intelligence operative compelled to reenter the clandestine world of espionage after he’s discovered hiding from the British SOE. Set against the historical backdrop of World War II and the European Theater, the narrative explores the tension between duty and personal autonomy, using its protagonist as a lens to examine the moral ambiguities inherent in intelligence work. As he confronts the decision to disable the German Intelligence operating in France or keep running, the story interrogates the psychological burden of service and the lasting consequences such choices impose on personal identity and familial relationships.
Ghosts of the Resistance is grounded in the conventions of espionage and military thrillers. My project aims to blend action-driven storytelling with a character-focused exploration of ethical conflict. My goal was to draw from both genre traditions and personal experience in military intelligence. The screenplay seeks to present a nuanced portrayal of the intelligence community, capturing its dual nature as both intensely dynamic, and routine. Influenced by cinematic works that balance spectacle with introspection, the project situates its narrative within a broader discourse on sacrifice, loyalty, and the psychological costs of operating in the shadows.
Ultimately, Ghosts of the Resistance seeks to contribute to the spy thriller genre by foregrounding the internal struggles of its protagonist while immersing audiences in the complex moral and psychological realities of espionage.