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Eight-year-old Pat watches 2001 and a lifelong dream to create special effects movies is born. He begins experimenting in his backyard with an 8mm camera, dreaming of Hollywood. The film's impact sets the course for his creative ambitions.

Pat's father initially supports his filmmaking but eventually leaves the family, altering the home dynamics. He persists with making his own sequels to classic films despite the upheaval. The lack of a stable father figure pushes him to pursue independence through cinema.

As a high school senior, Pat has yet to finish any of his films, which frustrates his best friend and partner Bill Holmes. The two struggle to fit in at school while continuing to work on their projects. Their dynamic reflects both ambition and social conflict.

Pat begins dating Linda after she reads 2001, but his relationship with Robin remains a fixture in his life. Linda's protective friend Tony distrusts Pat and Bill, adding drama to Pat's social world. The mix of affection and rivalry shapes Pat's senior year.

Pat's mother calls American Cinematographer editor Herb Lightman, who agrees to host Pat on a visit to Hollywood and try to introduce him to Trumbull. The chance to meet industry legends becomes a beacon of possibility. Pat travels with Lightman hopeful for a breakthrough.

They visit Trumbull's studio, where they stumble upon Steven Spielberg and his team shooting Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Pat is overwhelmed by the scale and talent around him and wanders the set in awe. The moment cements his dream of working among legends.

Lightman takes Pat to Industrial Light & Magic, where John Dykstra explains the models and processes behind the effects. The tour ends with a screening of an unfinished work print of Star Wars, igniting Pat's fervor for the film's potential. He returns home with a starry-eyed hunger for more.

Pat returns to his family to face the reality that his Hollywood connections haven't translated into a concrete breakthrough. He remains enthralled by what he saw, but struggles to translate that inspiration into progress at home. The gap between dream and opportunity weighs on him.

Pat becomes deeply engrossed by Star Wars, convinced it will change everything for him. He counts down to the release date, hoping the town will finally share his excitement and validate his obsession. The anticipation becomes a central emotional thread.

On Star Wars' release date, a chain of events keeps Pat from the first show's start: a fight with Bill, taking Robin to the hospital, and sleeping with Linda, which ends their relationship. He also confronts Tony before racing to the theater, only to learn the film isn't showing in his town. The day is a mess of personal turmoil and missed opportunities.

Two weeks after the chaos, Robin takes Pat to a theater where Star Wars is finally showing and the line stretches around the block. The finished film meets all of Pat's hopes, delivering the cinematic experience he longed to share with others. He finally feels seen and understood by the world around him.

With his family's blessing and Bill's encouragement, Pat packs his bags and leaves for California to pursue his dream in Hollywood. The journey marks a turning point from backyard projects to real ambitions in the film industry. Hope and determination define his next chapter.