The Special Defects Dept. feature

Fall, 1979 - Corduroy pants and station wagons reign supreme. Teenage outcast, BEN WALDORF, has one burning ambition: to win first place in his school's annual craft fair. He is not alone in this modest goal. His best friend and fellow nerd, WALTER CHONG, also shares this passion - the passion for building fantasy and science-fiction models.

Ben is a victim of his own success, however. In his drive to secure a first-place ribbon, he has become so adept at what he does, the school's judging panel no longer believes his models are the work of a sixteen-year-old kid and regularly pass him over for the cupcake stands and crochet blankets at the next table over.

Ever magnanimous, Ben continues with his offbeat life amongst the jocks and mill workers in the small blue-collar town of EAST CLAYTON.

When Ben's elderly neighbor, MRS. HOLBROOK, goes into a nursing home, Ben takes on the responsibility of caring for her friendly pet dog, WINSTON, while navigating his own troubled home life with alcoholic single father, POPS.

Unbeknownst to Ben, he has a staunch ally in East Clayton's amiable principal, MR. VICKERS, who genuinely recognizes the artistic talents on display. Principal Vickers allots Ben an unused mobile classroom so he and his friends can further foster their talents.

Ben's world changes forever when his elderly neighbor's estranged family move in temporarily to get the house ready for market. Feisty granddaughter, BEATRICE "BOOKSIE" SHOOSTER, befriends Ben after a chance encounter in the backyard and soon discovers his extraordinary talent for model-making.

While perusing her favorite place, the library, Booksie learns of a personal ad requesting prop-makers for an upcoming science fiction movie by the reclusive visionary director, HELTON CANE, entitled: "SPACE WARP!"

At first, Booksie keeps her motivations a secret, fearing that Ben and his friends will be too overwhelmed by the task ahead. Instead, she surreptitiously convinces Ben that they are entering the STATE FAIR instead. Ben agrees, and the friends unwittingly start building the prototypes for Helton Cane.

Ben's world is further turned upside down when Principal and ally, Mr. Vickers, is transferred to another school, and bitter disciplinarian, PRINCIPAL BOGGS, is sent to replace him.

Now dealing with unplanned absences due to his father going into rehab, Ben falls foul of the new principal, who decides to make it his life's work to shut down Ben's hobby once and for all. Will Ben and co triumph in the face of such adversity? Can they help propel Space Warp into pop culture stardom? The Special Defects Dept. are coming your way.