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Good

Written by: Monte Albers de Leon

Number of Pages: 132 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

Hostage to AI amid apocalyptic chaos, Eli, Eva, and four colleagues attempt to save the world.
An uneaten apple sits on a desk of the regional headquarters of (not Amazon) Nile.com where a
group of colleagues are introduced:
A. Main Characters – 6 Everyday Personality Archetypes
i. AJ: The Leader (white or mixed, early thirties, brilliant and arrogant (e
Miles Teller or Jesse Williams))
ii. ELI: The Good One (white or Jewish, late forties or early fifties, affable and
easy going (Paul Rudd or Robert Downey Jr.)
iii. EVA: The Clever One (mid 30s, white or mixed, strong (Blake Lively or
Zoe Kravitz))
iv. LEO: The Genius (Middle Eastern or Subcontinental, early forties,
introvert, (Tomer Capone or Rami Malek))
v. LILY: The Bad One (Mid 20s, Asian, or White, petite, fiery) (Tati Gabrielle
or Chloe Grace Moretz))
vi. JOHN: The Introvert (black man, early-thirties, beefy, no-bullshit (
Michael B. Jordan or Winston Duke)
The introduction is interrupted by the abrupt, unexpected, and shocking unraveling of
humankind.
In recent days, the UN Secretary General outed an American non-profit worker kidnapped by
ISIS, who then broadcast the worker being thrown from a building. The US retaliated by
destroying ISIS headquarters in Nigeria. The US strike against ISIS inadvertently killed a number
of Wagner fighters, and in response, Wagner provided ISIS with nuclear material absconded from Ukraine. ISIS outfitted a nuclear weapon onto the private jet of a Saudi sovereign wealth fund
representative, who inadvertently delivered the bomb to the annual shareholders meeting of
Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, Nebraska, where it detonated upon landing.
FEMA announces the United States is uniquely prepared to meet the moment, as FEMA’s
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fully integrated with the AIs of the nation’s military and critical
infrastructure . FEMA’s AI mistakes a unique mutation bloom of Covid in Arizona as a bioweapon,
and alerts the Pentagon AI to attack China, its deciphered source. A cascade of algorithmic
reactions leads to all-out war. The FEMA AI locks down access to all egress, and the main
characters are trapped inside their work building, as the FEMA AI believes they need protection
from rotating sources of danger outside throughout the movie.
One-by-one, the circumstances of humankind’s downfall team up with the unique character of
each archetype to cause their death, until only two characters remain: EVA/the Clever One and
ELI/the Good One.
EVA/the Clever One, finds a way to stop and even reverse the apocalypse, but to do so the Good
One must die. Tortured by this dilemma, EVA considers letting the world end rather than be
responsible for the ELI’s death. ELI, the Good One, understands the gravity of the situation,
reflexively saying, “Oh god,” to which a bitter EVA snaps back that the situation has proven that
no god exists. Instantly, there is no sound, no wind, no violence, no shaking, all kinetic activity
abruptly stops, and the Good One turns to her saying, “But I’ve been here the whole time.”
Eli/God explains that he is having a “time out,” for the first time in a while regarding humanity,
which Eva/the Clever One quickly interprets as existential and defends humanity’s potential,
despite everything. The characters are then instantly returned to the movie’s critical moment,
and Eva, with surprise help from a character thought dead, saves the world.
The survivors banter with Eli/God as the credits begin and the camera pulls away. And away. And
away, stopping when it reaches a beefed-up international space station. Inside, mega-wattage
actor cameo astronauts observe the ravaged earth below. discussing – among themselves their
plans to restore the planet with the provisions stored there. The film ends with a close-up on the
(bitten) apple.
After the credits, the audience is finally shown the never-shown back story of John, who is
revealed to have previously been an arms dealer in Nigeria (suspiciously dealing in bioweapons),
who had recently transitioned to cyberweapons and was hired by a mysterious consortium to
develop the very machine sought after to save the world in the movie. It is revealed that he is
the one who told Eva/the Clever One the secret password she needed in the end to save the world.

Monte was born in 1977 to a Guatemalan immigrant mother and a blue-collar Texan father who were both divorced and met at a singles party in Twin Peaks, San Francisco. He grew up in the rural hills near Napa, California, leaving at 18 to acquire a bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College, and then a law degree from Harvard and a master’s degree in real estate from NYU.

He has been an attorney in Manhattan for the last 22 years, where he has his own practice and lives with his husband and two sons on the Upper West Side.

This is the first draft of anything creative I have written since high school. The response to the film has been humbling and disorienting to say the least, surpassed only by the joy felt creating it.

The Makeover Man

Written by: Adam Sandel

Number of Pages: 110 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

A disgraced phonetics professor, who’s cancelled for an offhand classroom remark, tries to reclaim his reputation by transforming a homeless street kid in this modern gay update of George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion.”

Adam Sandel is an Emmy-nominated screenwriter and playwright who’s had more than 20 productions of his plays performed internationally. He wrote, produced, and directed the satirical web series The Gay Husbands of San Francisco which is streaming on Comcast, Pluto, Oasis TV, and YouTube.

His musical Watch Me Shine (with Richard Link) earned Sandel and Link Certificates of Honor from the City of San Francisco and the California State Assembly.

His play Love Life was performed at L.A.’s Mark Taper Forum Lab, Paramount’s Chicago Theatre Project, and a television production of Love Life won several Chicago Emmy Awards and a special nomination for Sandel.

Stage productions include This is Not My Life (Magic Theater), musicals Gideon’s Dream (Vienna, Austria, JCCSF and Dominican University), and Dream World (San Francisco State University).

Screenplays include The Makeover Man, My Wild and Secret World, and Dave’s New World (Best Screenplay, Canadian Diversity Film Festival and Platinum Winner, LGBTQ Unbordered International Film Festival). TV pilots include It Had to Be Lou (Winner, SF International Screenwriting Competition) and Medium Raya.

King of Blades

Written by: Paul Hikari

Number of Pages: 109 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

Makoto Yamasaki’s father, Yoshihiro, is a champion in the gladiatorial virtual reality sporting event, Children of the Earth—its King of Blades, as the title would have it. Unfortunately, on the night after his latest win, the train he rides home crashes, leaving him paralyzed. Makoto thus aims to compete in the competition herself, determined to prove that she’s worth more than just being Yoshihiro’s daughter. After many years of training, she successfully enters, but standing in her way of the championship is the current King of Blades, Joshua Strada, who had once fought Yoshihiro and lost. Furthermore, over the years, she has become increasingly cold and distant, even to friends and family, to the point where she may even risk her own life to get by on her own. In order to win the competition, she must accept their support and find a way to overcome her opponents—and herself.

From writing scripts for Emperor Pigs to publishing his scrapbook novella, Voices, Paul Hikari keeps thinking, “I can do better than that,” and has let that propel him through both his voice acting and scriptwriting, largely for YouTube stuff.

Ska Rhythms

Written by: Samuel Vogel-Seidenberg

Number of Pages: 73 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

“Ska Rhythms” is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about Danny, a 16-year-old who stumbles upon his parents’ old ska music collection. Curious and bored one afternoon, he plays a CD and is instantly hooked by the upbeat rhythms and lively horns. This discovery ignites a passion for ska music that Danny never knew he had.

Danny decides to start his own ska band and recruits Sarah, Mike, and Chris, a group of equally enthusiastic friends. They name the band “Padio Brian” and dive headfirst into the local music scene. From their first awkward practice sessions to playing small gigs, they pour their hearts into their music, determined to make a name for themselves.

Their dedication pays off when they win a Battle of the Bands competition, giving them a taste of success and a boost of confidence. The story follows their adventures and challenges as they grow closer as friends and better as musicians.

The real turning point comes when they get the chance to join their idols, Streetlight Manifesto, on tour. This opportunity pushes them to new heights and shows them the true power of their music. Along the way, they learn about unity, perseverance, and the joy of sharing their passion with others.

“Ska Rhythms” is a feel-good film about friendship, dreams, and the infectious energy of ska music. It’s a journey of discovery and growth, set to the lively beat of ska, that will leave you smiling and tapping your feet.

CREDIT CARD

Written by: Kevin Ndango

Number of Pages: 117 Pages

Country of Origin: Cameroon

In the vibrant city of Munich, Germany, we meet Malik Cooper, a 20-year-old African-American student, on a crisp September day in 2006. With his studies coming to an end, Malik prepares to journey back to his home in the bustling heart of New York. We also meet members of his social group, including his doting girlfriend Tyra, good friend Edwin, and party-animal athlete Malcolm. We see Edwin try to seduce a local girl by touting his connection to famous musicians.

Malik has to go to get his school transcript, a simple task that ends up taking longer than it ought to. On his way to the airport, his car breaks down, further delaying him as he’s forced to sell the vehicle to a passerby who stops to help him. He arrives late at the airport and it seems now to be a given that he will miss his essential connecting flight from Frankfurt to New York.

His efforts to secure a seat or any alternate route are all defeated. He finally manages to get a seat on the next day’s flight, but he must pay an additional hundred Euro fee in Frankfurt airport. They will not accept his credit card initially when he attempts to pay this fee, forcing him to seek a means of getting the requisite cash.

We also meet Julius Ndango, a fiery tongued and energetically ambitious African refugee who is apprehended by immigration authorities for trying to use a fake passport and visa. Julius tries to brand the employees as being racist and states that he’s seeking asylum in Germany. He cites United Nation articles to prove his point that he’s being unjustly detained, but is held nonetheless.

At the Volks Bank location within the airport, Malik undertakes a routine task — depositing 600 euros into his credit card account to cover the flight penalty for missing his original return trip. The hitch in this seemingly straightforward plan? A minuscule 75 cent debt lurking in his account, a debt that, under the watchful eye of stringent student account policies, effectively locks his funds.

As Malik endeavors to book a new flight, the relentless hands of time deal him a cruel blow. He misses his 1 PM flight from Munich to Frankfurt, and Lufthansa, in a gesture that could be considered ruthless, slaps him with a 100 euro penalty for the tardy booking.

A ray of hope shines through when Mrs. Hilbert, the compassionate bank manager, steps in. She attempts to navigate the labyrinthine system and implores her seemingly heartless senior supervisor, Rose Anthea, to release Malik’s funds to settle the penalty. Unfortunately, Rose’s reluctance leaves Malik in a desperate predicament.

With no other recourse, Malik finds himself trapped in an unbearable purgatory at Frankfurt Airport, a stark contrast to the vibrant life of the city he had just left behind. For four agonizing days, he sleeps fitfully on uncomfortable chairs, his stomach gnawing with hunger. The 100 euro penalty, now doubled to 200, looms like a formidable obstacle, and the bank remains resolute in denying him access to his own money.

As desperation mounts, Malik resorts to selling his phone to scrape together 100 euros, a last-ditch attempt to break free from this nightmare. However, fate deals him another harsh blow as he’s swindled out of a fair price, leaving him with a fraction of the amount he needs.

Amidst this despair, Malik’s path crosses with Arona, a kind-hearted airport worker. He not only provides Malik shelter in a detention cell but also shares a humble burger, a gesture that transcends mere charity and embodies humanity.

Begging for money from indifferent passengers becomes a heart-wrenching endeavor for Malik, a desperate plea for help met with cold indifference. The bank’s unforgiving stance persists, holding his accounts hostage.

In a moment of sheer desperation, Malik attempts to rob an ATM and, in a frenzied act, assaults a man. This leads to his arrest, a dark chapter in his journey. Yet, even in this dire situation, Arona empathizes with Malik’s plight and extends an empathetic hand by releasing him.

Amid this despair, Malik’s path crosses with Julius, grappling with being jailed for the fake documents. Both men are ensnared in the bureaucratic quagmire of Frankfurt Airport, and Julius recognizes the desperation in Malik’s eyes. He understands that only audacious action can extricate them from this Kafkaesque nightmare. Working together, they manage to break out of their confines and escape the airport.

Their camaraderie blossoms as Julius persuades a weary Malik to take matters into their own hands. The Frankfurt Volks Bank becomes an unlikely stage for their audacious plan – taking hostages, including patrons and employees, to make a single demand: a chartered Lufthansa flight destined for New York, exclusively for them and the flight crew.

Detective Black, the lead negotiator for the local police, steps in, aiming to defuse the situation peacefully. He works tirelessly with Malik and Julius to secure their requested flight. In a moment of remarkable bravery, Mrs. Hilbert secures the payment for the chartered flight by exposing Rose Anthea’s malfeasance and having her account debited. This act of courage becomes the linchpin that finally secures Malik’s victory over the bureaucratic quagmire.

However, the situation takes a perilous turn when Chief Randall, driven by bigotry and arrogance, intervenes, sabotaging the delicate negotiation process. Ignoring Detective Black’s wisdom, Randall orders a German SWAT team, led by the overzealous Captain Huberman, to storm the bank. Chaos erupts, and Julius sustains life-threatening gunshot wounds, while an innocent Russian bank customer falls victim to the crossfire between police and suspects.

Amidst the chaos, Chief Randall, with his arrogance and political ambitions, attempts to leverage the crisis for publicity. A power struggle ensues with Detective Black, who stands as the voice of reason and morality. However, tragedy strikes, and Randall’s true colors are exposed on live TV, leading to his removal from duty.

Meanwhile, inside the bank, Malik forges an unexpected bond with the hostages by sharing a source of solace – marijuana. This seemingly unconventional act ultimately leads to a thoughtful discussion that transcends the boundaries of captor and captive, humanizing both sides of the crisis.

Detective Black eventually regains command. He secures a passage for Julius and Malik to New York on their chartered Lufthansa flight. Julius, clinging to life, extracts a solemn promise from Malik – to deliver his cherished personal effects to his sister, Jossy, who resides in New York, ensuring his memory lives on through this connection.

Touching down at JFK Airport in New York, Malik’s arrival is anything but ordinary. While peacefully taken into custody by awaiting police, he is celebrated as a folk hero by a throng of supporters. Tears of joy flow as he reunites with his loving mother, sister, girlfriend Tyra, and best friend Edwin. In a poignant moment, Malik fulfils his pledge to Julius by handing over his personal effects to Jossy.

Despite the gravity of the laws Malik has broken, public opinion overwhelmingly supports him, a testament to the shocking racism, cruelty, and excessive force displayed by the German authorities. Following a one-year prison sentence, Malik marries Tyra and becomes a prominent advocate for social justice and reform, partnering with the United Nations.

This epic tale circles back to where it all began – New York. Malik left America as a student and returns as a man whose audacious determination has been forged through adversity, thanks to Julius, the catalyst who awakened his resilience. The story, rich with characters like Detective Black, symbolizing morality and reason, and Police Chief Randall, emblematic of entrenched racism and police brutality, as well as Mrs. Hilbert, representing empathy in powerful institutions, invites us to ponder the complexities of justice and the indomitable human spirit.

In summation, this odyssey intricately chronicles Malik’s harrowing four-day journey through the labyrinthine bureaucracy and prejudiced authorities. Along this tumultuous path, he discovers hidden wellsprings of courage and forms an unlikely bond, ultimately returning home to New York forever transformed by his epic journey.

FINDING ONESELF

Written by: AGNIESZKA EWA FINDYSZ

Number of Pages: 12 Pages

Country of Origin: Poland

Imagine that there are different voices and characters in your mind that enter into a dialogue with each other. First, they scrutinize each other so that they can later negotiate on your soul.
You are gradually entering the tunnel of dark thoughts. You are feeling fear. The real fight is about to begin. Who is smarter? Who is brighter? And you stop hearing yourself, and you no longer know who you are- is that even you? Or is it someone else?
You see everything like it’s the first time, and your old stories are slipping through your fingers and fading away in the dark. You are lying on the ground and feel with all your heart that they have taken your soul.
A storm is raging all around you, and the only thing you’ve got is this lifebelt. You’re in another space, trying to survive. You are setting off for a long journey following the Bright Voice and you have no idea if you ever see the sun and find yourself.

An actress, musician and writer.

Finished Theater Academy in Cracow and Lee Strasberg in New York 
I played many drama, comedy and musical roles in different Theaters in Poland (Musical Thater Roma in Warsaw, Trzyrzecze Theater in Białystok, Stu Theatr in Cracow, Polish Theater in Poznań, Theater in Tarnów, Rampa Theater in Warsaw) and an international films (Wildflower, Homeless, Grandma says Bye Bye, If you read those words, Heavy Wings, Three Circles of Life, All Mathew’s Women).

I have a music band Fairies where I sing, write lyrics and melodies.
We relased our album called Fairies Garden available on music platforms such as youtube, spotify, apple music, itunes.

To our songs I produced videoclips directed by Małgorzata Findysz where I perform, awarded on multiple film and music festivals all around the world such as:

Imagination video (Winner at Paris Play Film Festival France, Winner at Crown Wood International Film Festival India, Winner Butterfly International Film Festival France, Finalist at Canadian Cinematography Awards Canada, Semi-finalist at Los Angeles Film Awards USA, Nomination at Septimus Awards Holland).

Hey video (Winner at Cannes World Film Festival France, Winner at Better Earth International Film Festival India, Quarterfinalist at Student World Impact Film Festival USA, Nomination at Japan Indies Music Awards Tokyo, Special Mention at Europe Music Video Awards Slovakia, Nomination at Red Movie Awards France, International Music Video Underground France).

I performed in many different stages and countries with our original music (for ex. in Philharmonic in Rzeszow, Charity Ball in Arłamów, Concert for a Peace on the top of the Kasprowy Wierch, Rock Wood Music Hall NYC, Cultur Art Festival, Music clubs in Warsaw and Cracow, Cannes World Film Festival France).

I write poems, songs and stories since I was a child. My imagination has no limits. I love to travel, discover and describe all emotions and different psychological topics included in human nature. I want to express all scripts that my mind is showing me. I am passion about life and I admire all people who create their reality in the best possible way.

As an artist I would like to inspire and give people hope, love and guidepost to their soul.
I love the sentence of Albert Einstein which we chose to put on our premier album Fairies Garden.
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of coming attractions.”

Turtle On A Fence Post

Written by: James Patrick Costello

Number of Pages: 121 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

“Turtle on a Fence Post” is a story of two siblings (twin protagonists) on opposite sides of the struggle to save a livable climate. Adam is eager to follow in the footsteps of his Oil Co executive father, while Zelda’s rebelliousness leads to her estrangement from the family and pursuit of a career as a climate scientist. The title, a recurring visual and conceptual theme, is a metaphoric answer to the question: Why hasn’t humanity taken the obvious actions necessary to avoid the climate crisis?

Alex Haley once said: “Any time you see a turtle way up on top of a fence post you know he had some help.” My screenplay depicts the climate crisis (the turtle) as not the result of humanity’s failure to confront a slow-moving emergency, but in fact the result of Big Oil’s dirty tricks and obfuscation of the decades-old warnings of their own scientists (help). The fictional plot is based around pivotal climate events that actually occurred in late 2009 – the faux email hacking scandal known as “Climategate,” and Climategate’s target: the UN sponsored international climate summit in Copenhagen.

After a tough childhood, raised by aunt Maryanne, Zelda attends university and embarks on an ice core research project in Antarctica. In early 2009, hoping to impact the UN Climate Summit in December, she publishes research linking increased atmospheric CO2 to rising temperatures/catastrophic sea level rise.

Suddenly their father dies. Adam’s Oil Co. boss Walter persuades him to surreptitiously video Zelda’s laptop activity while they’re together for the funeral. Walter hires Crypto to use the video of Zelda’s keystrokes to hack into the climate scientists’ email network. Just before Copenhagen, phrases from Zelda’s emails are cherrypicked and used to smear her and her scientist colleagues in the media and invalidate their research.

The Copenhagen summit fails and Zelda is devastated. She reverts to self-destructive behavior and is hospitalized with serious injuries after a late night car crash. After a government investigation exonerates her, and as she recovers physically, she has startling visions, both utopian and dystopian of what humanity’s climate future could be. Regaining her determination, she resolves to rejoin the fight to hold Big Oil responsible for climate destruction. Zelda becomes a professor and well known speaker about climate justice and the rapidly escalating damage to the planet’s climate from global heating.

Two years later, Walter asks Adam to search Oil Co. archives and remove documentation of warnings from Oil Co scientists, going back decades, that fossil fuel emissions would heat and destabilize the climate.
During a lecture to university students, Zelda muses that it would be wonderful if a whistleblower surfaced with proof of fossil fuel industry dishonesty about their own internal scientific warnings.. The video goes viral. Adam sees it, and combined with what he learned from the archives, has a change of heart. He copies documents and sends them anonymously to Zelda. He tells Heather he’s considering quitting his job and she leaves, threatening not to return.

Filled with rage, and more than a little guilt, Adam goes to work the next morning, knowing Walter will be preparing for a shareholder’s meeting. He holds him hostage at gunpoint, forcing him to make a video accepting blame for Climategate. The police are called. Adam refuses to release him until the video is played by the media. Zelda also chose that day to demonstrate at the Oil Co. When she hears the news about her brother, she’s patched into the phoneline by the SWAT team and persuades Adam to surrender. Out on parole a couple of years later, Adam and Zelda hold a triumphant public rally touting his whistleblowing efforts leading to a spate of lawsuits from jurisdictions all over the world, suing Big Oil for knowingly damaging the climate in their avaricious obsession with maximum profits.

Patrick Costello develops screenplays with meaningful social justice, political and climate related themes with a goal of informing and motivating people as well as entertaining them. He serves on the boards of environmental non-profit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and has published a book on Socially Responsible Investing. He is also an accomplished musician, composer, singer and songwriter.

WHY THIS FILM WILL SUCCEED

1) There is worldwide demand for more climate themed films – not just documentaries, of which there are many. The call is for intelligent films with an optimistic, positive message about humanity’s ability to address this profound, existential challenge. My film delivers, featuring a heroic protagonist who overcomes internal, family, professional and other external obstacles to explore and educate herself about climate science and boldly challenge a powerful industry that has historically used its vast financial and political power to suppress the science the world desperately needed – and needs – to know.
https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/590135-earth-to-hollywood-make-more-climate-movies

Extract from the article above: It goes straight to viability and the worldview of hardboiled film executives: “And while McKay set out to make a film to help raise awareness about the climate crisis, other Hollywood filmmakers don’t need to share his good intentions. They can be solely interested in box office results and come to the same conclusion that we need more climate movies. I doubt they’ll overlook the massive demand for climate films that “Don’t Look Up” revealed.”

2) The scientific community’s primary critique of DLU is that it failed to point out the pivotal role played by the fossil fuel industry in misleading the public about the scientific evidence developed decades ago proving that emissions from burning their products is the primary cause of the global heating crisis. The world is still suffering from this multi-decade disinformation campaign and only by identifying the actual causes of the existential threat faced by humanity can we effectively address the challenges and obstacles that must be confronted to preserve a livable climate for our children, and their children.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jan/08/dont-look-up-four-climate-experts-on-the-polarising-disaster-film

Extract from article above: “Weirdly absent from the film is a clear analogue of the fossil fuel industry (Rylance’s techy disaster capitalist wants to exploit the mineral wealth of the comet, but he isn’t piloting the asteroid for profit). Considering the film is touted as holding up a “devastating mirror”, the absence of the main character of the climate crisis is unforgivable. Similarly, the toxicity of the fossil industry’s impact across both sides of politics would have been a richer, funnier and more accurately reflective approach. “

3) Another critique of DLU is lack of optimism and a positive message of “we can do this”, regarding the climate crisis. My screenplay (Spoiler Alert) ends on a super positive note with main protagonist overcoming numerous obstacles, fully engaged in the struggle to hold the malefactors responsible for the damage caused (which in the “real world” has not yet happened), secondary protagonist making his own journey from climate denial to whistle blower/understanding, all culminating in a feel good ending with siblings reunited.

Extract from same theHill.com article presented under #1 above: “With a challenge as great and complex as climate change, we could be telling countless heroic tales of humanity engaging in the crucial work of solving the crisis — transforming the wasteful, polluting, industrial society ripe with inequality into a more sustainable equitable society — what environmental activist and Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy calls “The Great Turning.”

4) Although DLU has garnered a lot of attention, film critics have panned the cinematic aspects of the film, making clear a need for a more sophisticated, nuanced drama with characters who model the courage needed to tackle the daunting climate challenges humanity currently faces.

Extract from Guardian article about climate scientist critiques of “Don’t Look Up” cited under #2: “The film wastes hours hand-wringing about celebrity culture, algorithms, memes and data privacy. But the real villains of the climate crisis aren’t citizens distracted by Ariana Grande and Twitter. They’re the decision-makers in the fossil fuel industry, their lobbyists, their marketing firms and their broadly spread political defense squad. I hope the next time this opportunity comes up, Hollywood aims for the people piloting the asteroid, and I hope they put effort into ensuring they hit those targets.”

Race Wars: A Eugenics Experiment

Written by: Eric Faulkner

Number of Pages: 152 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

Won over 70 Laurel Awards from both US and International Film Festival competitions on the FilmFreeway.com platform

Powder Milk and Ice Cream

Written by: Brian Jewell

Number of Pages: 99 Pages

Country of Origin: Australia

Forging a friendship can sometime be difficult. But not for these two twelve-year-olds, like Joey, a shy introvert, who secretly falls in love with his best friend, Mandy. As they navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Through their shared adventures and experiences, they form a deep bond that is tested by Mandy’s tumultuous relationship with David. The story takes a tragic turn, leaving their friends, families and the community to grapple with the aftermath.

I was born to Tony and Pauline Jewell in Leeton, New South Wales, Australia, in 1963. I studied dramatic arts and went on to be cast in stage productions like The Wizard of Oz, Up the Down Staircase, Big Rock at Candy’s Mountain and others. In 1981, at seventeen, I pursued a career in the Australian Army. After two blocks of Military service, spanning over twelve years, I became a Health Care Professional. I took up screen acting in 2014. Then, in 2018, my partner convinced me to put pen to paper, and I wrote my story “Fields of Green”. I’ve now written my second screenplay, “Powder Milk and Ice Cream”. Both are snippets of my life experiences over the past sixty years.

“Powder Milk and Ice Cream” is a story very close to my heart. The audience is unaware that the older man (Brian) is actually Joey until the end of the story. My middle name is Joseph. My parents always called me Joe. Mandy was my very special friend, and I did have a big crush on her. We had a fantastic friendship. My life changed the day Mandy lost her life. I still miss her today. I want to share my secret love for Mandy to the world.

'Til the Buzzer Sounds

Written by: Mike Alter

Number of Pages: 90 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

38-year-old graphic designer Emmett Reeves lives in Duluth, Minnesota with his wife Lily and two kids – Ava and Evan. Despite Lily’s reservations, Emmett continues playing recreational hockey, believing it teaches his kids to live fully. Emmett also encourages his talented hockey player daughter Ava to develop her skills.

After suffering persistent heartburn, Emmett is diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He undergoes chemotherapy, trying to balance treatment, family, and work. However, the cancer spreads to his ribs and liver. His doctor regretfully informs Emmett, who is now facing terminal illness, and Lily, who is newly pregnant, that treatments are now only palliative.

With only months left to live, Emmett is determined to continue playing hockey and inspire Ava to attend a USA Hockey national development camp, despite her fears of not being good enough. As Emmett’s health rapidly declines, he takes time to thoughtfully write goodbye letters to his family.

Emmett passes away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. At his funeral, Ava shares how Emmett’s zest for hockey and grace inspired her. Going through Emmett’s desk, Lily finds his letter encouraging her to coach hockey.

Two months later, Lily coaches Ava’s team. Ava attends the national camp wearing her father’s jersey number. Emmett’s team memorializes him by adding his initials and number to their jerseys, honoring his talents and passions.

The Stylite - Christmas in Alexantine

Written by: Shane Hallawa

Number of Pages: 112 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

The country and world are returning to normal after the defeat of the Daemoklos demons by the stylites and the Saracen. Now at Christmastime in the rising city of Alexantine, Teresa Amadei is mourning the loss of her old friend Alice Marion, and meditating on life and death as Christmas Day approaches.

But while she and her cousin/fellow stylite Matthew Abbate meet friends and family, an old threat looms again with the return of the Azdharkins, descendants of humans raptured from Earth by the Daemoklan Azhgok 1500 years ago. Teresa and Matthew, on the advise of their mentor, the desert hermit Father Simon, befriend the four Taishis, vigilantes who fought and defeated the Kingdom of the Red Sun crime syndicate using ancient and modern technology. This group of six must prepare to face Azhgok in the wilds of Turkestan before he can re-establish his demonic kingdom on Earth.

The novelization of my story “The Stylite” is now available on Amazon.
I have developed a list of actors and actresses who I believe could play the characters in the story. Any who are interested in the script can discuss casting possibilities with me.

The Stylite

Written by: Shane Hallawa

Number of Pages: 502 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

Adapted from my novel “The Stylite” now out on Amazon.

Teresa Amadei is a young stylite, a wandering, ascetic demon hunter, trained in the Way of Fire. Her teacher, Father Simon, a Byzantine martial artist monk, sends her on a journey to the city of Alexantine in the Midwestern US, where many are moving to escape the growing chaos in the world. Along the way she stops at towns and cities and battles the Daemoklos, demons who have escaped from their prison, to seal them away by writing them back into their eponymous grimoire. She is aided by her older cousin and fellow stylite, Matthew Abbate, and crosses paths with the mysterious black knight, the Saracen, with his own agenda.

The novelization of my story “The Stylite” is now available on Amazon.
I have developed a list of actors and actresses who I believe could play the characters in the story. Any who are interested in the script can discuss casting possibilities with me.

The Language of Wolves

Written by: Nan Schmid

Number of Pages: 106 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

After being embedded with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, which ends in tragedy, a journalist heads to rural Maine to fully recover and finds herself on the frontlines of another battle, between a family of wolves and the ruthless land developer who wants them hunted down.

After a comrade dies in a horrific incident on the frontlines in Afghanistan, a war correspondent, forced to take time off, travels to Maine, only to stumble upon a exotic-animal hunting resort that threatens the local wolf population. When two wolf pups come under her care, she risks everything to stop the corruption and return the wolves to their pack.

Tinker's Christmas

Written by: Sandra Jones Cropsey

Number of Pages: 104 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

Asked to babysit his grandsons, Poppy reads Tinker’s Christmas to them, and the animated fantasy comes to life. The story takes on special meaning to Tim and Mattey, as Tim is experiencing some of the same social problems as Tinker.
Tinker, a young intern elf at Christmas Village, is uncommonly clumsy and lacks a basic belief in himself. Santa asks Father Chris to try to help Tinker find his particular ability—his gift.
Father Chris invites Tinker to share his cottage, but when Tinker nearly sets fire to the cottage, Tinker insists on moving. When assigned to take care of the reindeer, Tinker experiences two more mishaps. As a result of these mishaps, the other elves taunt and tease Tinker. Alone and lonely, Tinker’s best friend becomes a chimpanzee named Mathias. Upon failing at all previous assignments, when Tinker is assigned to work in the mechanical toy department, to everyone’s surprise, Tinker performs quite well and eventually becomes Chief Mechanic of the Christmas Village Express.
A week before Christmas, Tinker visits Father Chris, whose niece Pixie is also visiting. Immediately smitten, Tinker becomes so nervous he falls and accidentally sets his hat on fire. Sweet and kind, Pixie is also smitten.
During Tinker’s visit, Santa arrives to inform them that the reindeer have the chicken pox. When Santa asks Father Chris and Tinker about the possibility of delivering the toys in the train, Tinker says he can both modify and fly the train. All agree that Tinker would need help with the tasks; Tinker suggests Mathias, as no other elf would be willing to assist him. To everyone’s surprise, Pixie also volunteers. Reluctantly, Father Chris agrees, a decision that will test his own beliefs.
After the modifications to the train are completed, the little troop practices at an abandoned farm. All goes well until the barn upon which they are to land collapses. Tinker points out that the rafters of the barn are rotted and most likely would not have held the sleigh either. After additional modifications to the train, the next day they accomplish their practice goal.
Upon loading the train for the Christmas Eve run, Santa reminds everyone that just as they open their hearts to the world, they must open them to each other.
The train-flying troop is successful, and when they return home, they find everyone waiting for them with a banner, a band, and a parade. When Tinker finds his gift, he also finds acceptance.
As Father Chris observes the celebration, he surmises, “Sometimes we simply believe, sometimes we practice believing, and sometimes we must test our beliefs.”
Throughout the story, Poppy takes time to talk to Tim and Mattey about being the story, and by story’s end, both Tim and Mattey have learned much about true gifts.
Tinker’s Christmas is a story about belief—belief in yourself, belief in your family and friends, belief in something greater than yourself.

Please note: Through a Grassroots Arts Program grant, Tinker’s Christmas was recorded as a radio drama and as such was a finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s “Book of the Year Awards.” Original music was also included in the production. Tinker’s Christmas was also selected as suggested reading by the “Character Counts” program in that it met three of the six points of developing character. Photos from the book can be seen on website: www.cropseyauthor.com. Should you desire to see the book, the recording, or both, I would be happy to supply them.

2022 – Who’s There? Quarter-finalist in Faith in Film competition
2022 – “All My Trials, Lord” quarter-finalist in Emerging Screenwriters Drama Screenplay
Competition
2021 – Completion of biography Clarence Cross – Gentleman Farmer
2018 – Life Like a Fair semi-finalist in 2017 ScreenCraft Short Story Contest
2017 – “All My Trials, Lord” semi-finalist in Acclaim film competition
2016 – Book Tinker’s Christmas quarterfinalist Story Pro Awards
2015 – Staged reading of Playmate by Main Street Players
2011 – Awarded grant for reading for play reading
2011 – Selected as one of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading 2010-2011”
2010 – Directed Who’s There? with Main Street Players*
2009 – Rec’d GAP grant to produce Who’s There? with Main Street Players
2009 – Tinker’s Christmas radio drama finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s “Book of the Year Awards”
2008 – Tinker’s Christmas aired as radio drama
2008 – Who’s There? nominated for EVVY award
2008 – Who’s There? finalist “Book of the Year Awards”
2008 – Who’s There? finalist “Georgia Author of the Year Awards”
2007 – novel Who’s There? Published by Outskirts Press
2004 – story The Legend of White Wolf published in Snake~Nation~Review
2004 – play Playmate, “honorable mention” in Jane Chambers Playwriting Competition
2004 – screenplay Life Like a Fair recognized in American Screenwriters
Association & Writer’s Digest annual competition
2004 – Life Like a Fair rec’d “honorable mention” American Gem Short Script Contest
2004 – radio drama Life Like a Fair aired nationally & internationally
2003 – play Jesus Called published in Snake~Nation~Review
2003 – screenplay Jesus Called finalist in Tuscan Film Competition
2003 – story The Legend of White Wolf 2nd place, Porter Fleming Literary Competition
2002 – children’s book Tinker’s Christmas published
2002 – play Jesus Called 2nd place in Porter Fleming Literary Competition
2002 – screenplay Jesus Called “honorable mention” in competition
sponsored by American Gem Shorts
2001 – screenplay Who’s There? rec’d “honorable mention” in int’l competition
sponsored by American Screenwriters Association and Writer’s Digest

*Who’s There? was produced by the Main Street Players of Giffin, GA with a run date of
February 25 – March 7, 2010

Writing encompasses most genres including playwriting, screenwriting, children’s stories, novels, devotionals, and on occasion a poem or two.

Zero Point Girl

Written by: Rob Hammond

Number of Pages: 106 Pages

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

After a teenage girl and her father encounter aliens, they fight a rogue airforce general to be able to publicise a world saving technology.

Rob is an author, inventor and entrepreneur. He has published four books, invented and owned two patents for best selling products, built and sold two businesses and found time to raise four children. He lives in the UK by the sea.

THE TRUTH SERUM

Written by: Martin Kenneth Zitter

Number of Pages: 117 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

When a Soviet pianist-turned-spy is kidnapped and drugged in San Francisco, he uses the experience to hatch an audacious plan to secretly dose world leaders with truth serum in a bid for global peace and harmony.

Former bohemian, beatnik, hippie, USAF Air Traffic Controller, and Merrill Lynch stockbroker. Married … with grown children, retired, and living in historic Bungalow Heaven, Pasadena, California.

The screenplay follows Soviet pianist and war hero Dimitri Bukov who is sent on a spy mission to the United States to uncover secrets about American truth serums. He is kidnapped and drugged in San Francisco as part of a CIA operation, but escapes with evidence of the program. Dimitri then partners with American psychologists Timothy and Mary Leary to secretly dose world leaders with the serum to promote world peace and harmony. The plan culminates on the first day of Spring 1956 as Dimitri leads simultaneous “peace” toasts with drugged cola drinks at high-level government meetings in the US, USSR, UN, and UK. In the end, Dimitri returns to his wife Anna and they have another child, with the message that peace and harmony prevailed in the world.

Viri Utopia

Written by: Azhin SHEKHI

Number of Pages: 20 Pages

Country of Origin: Luxembourg

In a society where individuals are confined to predetermined gender roles, Lillian challenges the expectations placed upon her. Assigned to a powerful man, Dynastes, she dares to challenge the norms that control society. With the support of her friend Lavinia and others who share her desires for change, Lillian seeks to unravel the restrictive system and find her own path to freedom.

Azhin Shekhi is Writer and Director, He graduated from the Physics Department at Koya University. His first work in Cinema starts in 2019 by Directing Between Life and Death short film and then he participated as a crew in other productions, in 2021 he made his second short film (Reborn: past is now).

What Kind of Woman

Written by: Israela Margalit

Number of Pages: 86 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

On a fall morning Carlie steps onto the porch of her home in Connecticut and drinks her first cup of coffee, entirely unaware that her life is about to turn upside down. Interweaving reality, fantasy, memory, dreams, fears and hopes, she explores her relationships until she thinks she’s ready to face the next chapter of her life—is she—?

Israela Margalit is a playwright and a screen writer, an author and an internationally-known concert pianist and recording artist, with awards and honors in all categories. They include: Gold Medal, the New York Television and Film Festival; Best Screenplay the New York Film Awards; Best Screenplay/Feature Vegas Movie Awards; Best Short Screenplay Vienna Indie Shorts Film Festival; Best Thriller Screenplay Festigious International Film Festival LA; Honorable Mention Best Screenplay FilmCon Awards, Honorable Mention Outstanding Play the New York 15 minute Play Festival; Prime Time Emmy Nomination; Best CD the British Music Industry Awards; Runner up the Leapfrog Press Fiction Prize (story collection;) Finalist the Long Island Film Festival, the Vancouver Independent Film Festival; the Tennessee Williams Short Fiction Contest.

Centurions

Written by: Sally Claire Stubbs

Number of Pages: 110 Pages

Country of Origin: Canada

An awkward eighteen-year-old who lives to make films is stubbornly silent when interrogated by savvy detectives about a missing boy – his best friend – but his memories, fantasies, film footage, and an unexpected visitor unlock the secrets he holds closest to protect the girl of his dreams.

Sally Stubbs is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and educator who sometimes acts, directs, and produces. Much of her writing is inspired by true stories, both personal and historical. A recent convert to screenwriting, her work includes: Centurions (feature screenplay), Underbelly (TV Pilot), and Doors & Windows (short). Her stage plays include: Our Ghosts, Wreckage, Herr Beckmann’s People, And Bella Sang with Us, Centurions, Doors & Windows, and, in process: Polly in the Penthouse: A Spirited Cabaret. Sally studied and performed theatre in Canada and abroad. She completed Masters Degrees, in Art History and Writing, at University of Victoria, where she also taught playwriting. She is particularly pleased to have received the Canada Peace Play Prize for Herr Beckman’s People and a Prime Minister’s Award for her work with youth and theatre and to be a co-founder and advisor of the CASA Project, which aims to support women-identified playwrights living in South Africa. Sally, her partner, and their kitty live in Vancouver, but spend as much time as possible on Vancouver Island where she grew up.

Sand: Part I "Invasion"

Written by: Rhyess Nash

Number of Pages: 93 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

After an invading foreign army razes their village and kills their son, forcing them to flee, a veteran warrior, and his resourceful wife, seek to return to the enemy-occupied village and risk their lives to retrieve the boy’s body in order to give him a proper burial and, them, much needed closure.

I am an independent filmmaker and an emerging professional screenwriter. I have written dozens of shorts and features; along with several TV pilots. Linked below are a few film projects that I either wrote and directed or just wrote.
“The Gargoyle” FB Page- https://www.facebook.com/TheGargoyleShortFilm/
Other Film Links:
“The Right Call” https://youtu.be/It5FQRzTn4g
“Geiger” https://youtu.be/0i98PGBzDJQ
“Nigh” https://vimeo.com/565479201

Samson

Written by: Colin Duncan

Number of Pages: 108 Pages

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Jason (AKA Samson) in his early forties, returns to Belfast following a career in the military, after the sudden and unexplained death of his father. As a boy growing up in Loyalist South Belfast, Jason was a junior amateur boxer, who was on the brink of being recruited into a loyalist paramilitary organisation, (The Sons of Ulster). To escape this potential life of criminality, Jason’s father encouraged him to join the army and leave Northern Ireland. Jason now embarks on a mission to uncover what happened to his father. He meets old friends, rekindles relationships and takes matters into his own hands. He finds Belfast to have modernised, but in many ways has stayed the same. Jason clashes with Ulster Loyalism and finds it is fighting internally, between the old brigade and new form of criminal gangsterism. Jason, a veteran special forces operative, favours brain over brawn, finds himself navigating a series of complex situations throughout the working class streets of South Belfast. Jason is assisted by ex-military pals, who struggle with a loss of identity, culture and PTSD from their former military life. Nothing but nothing, will stand in the way from Jason finding the truth and seeking justice.

Colin Duncan is a retired Civil Servant and graduate of the University of Ulster, having studied criminology and criminal justice. Colin has worked closely with military and police within the UK and has developed an understanding of the complex geopolitical word surrounding Northern Ireland and its struggle to reconcile, whilst maintaining cultural identity following conflict. This is his first fictional script, in which, he explores personal and cultural complexities within loyalist para militarism, and the struggles of servicemen returning home to a modern Northern Ireland.

I write sensitively and strongly from a pragmatic point of view, trying to keep the script real yet imaginative. In this script, I’m conscious about the cultural and religious complexities within post-conflict Northern Ireland. Instead of creating conflicted characters between Catholic and Protestant communities, my protagonist experiences the conflict within Protestant loyalism (an area, I feel not as widely explored as that of Irish Republicanism). I adjust my views at several points during this script, highlighting various dynamics of what is a complicated and modern Northern Ireland.

The Dakota

Written by: Douglas Walter Fisher

Number of Pages: 100 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

An unwitting bystander at the Dakota Building saves John Lennon’s life on the night of December 8, 1980, forcing Lennon to reexamine his life and his new friend to forge his own path in an unfamiliar world.

Douglas Fisher was born and raised in South New Jersey and graduated from Rowan University with a degree in Communications. His passions include writing on his film review blog, pickleball, and his three very demanding cats.

Doug’s screenplay for The Dakota was awarded First Place at the 2022 Williamsburg International Film & Music Competition.

I came up with The Dakota after watching news footage on YouTube of the night John Lennon died. I was ten years old at the time of his death and at the time hadn’t fully grasped the effect his passing had on the world. While watching the videos, I wondered what it would have been like if Lennon were not shot and continued on his journey which was ultimately cut short on December 8, 1980. After many rewrites and detours, I present The Dakota, dedicated to my late son Ryan, my father Frank, and my uncle Bob, who like Lennon were taken from us too soon.

 

The Color of the Evening Sky

Written by: Linda Kampley

Number of Pages: 43 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

A nurse in a busy chemotherapy office is fighting for her job and against the new overcontrolling supervisor when a patient , her life on the line, enters.

The Color of the Evening Sky, received the “Outstanding Achievement Award” for a short script, in the Indie Short Festival. Winner of the 2019 Jerry Kaufman Award for excellence in playwriting for “Fastened to the Moon. “Fastened to the Moon” was recently published by NEXT STAGE PRESS. Received an Equity Showcase at the Chain Theater in NYC. She has written 5 full-length plays, several short plays and one-acts, including GIRLS and SMALL TALK, both of which are published with YouthPLAYS.com. . Her collection of monologues, BEAUTIFUL IN HATS is published on Amazon.com. Her collection of poetry NEITHER LAUGHTER NOR TOUCHING is also published on Amazon. Her full length play VISITORS’ DAY received a reading at the UpTown Theatre in Manhattan, and WHICH WAY DID THEY GO or MARGARET’S DAYDREAM, received a reading at the Frederick Loew Room in NYC, with Zach Grenier, Kate Kearney Patch, Richmond Hoxie, Bonnie Black . SLEEPWALKER TIME received a production by American Renaissance Theater Company in their Winter Series. The Lamp was also produced at the Equity Library Theater; and the WRONG CARD was seen at the New York Festival of one-act plays. Her one-act play THE COLOR OF THE EVENING SKY has been produced twice in New York City: at St. Clement’s, and at St Jean’s Playhouse; and also in Los Angeles by the West Coast Ensemble. Her one act SMALL TALK also received a production at St. Clement’s in New York City. THE COLOR OF THE EVENING SKY and SMALL TALK are both recorded at the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Linda is a member of Dramatists Guild , SAG-AFTRA and Equity.

I wrote The Color of the Evening Sky first as a theater piece, but I think it would also be a lovely film. The characters are strong and emotions universal. One reviewer said “the play is remarkable intelligent and humane. Its images of human cruelty and compassion have poetry, humor and are shudderingly authentic.”

Meeting Director Sam Peckinpah

Written by: Nancee LaFayette

Number of Pages: 61 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

One cold morning at the Apachieland saloon two men walked in and sat at the end of the bar to my right. One was a big fellow with wavy hair down to his shoulders, mustached and bearded—he looked like he’d seen better days. The other man was smaller, also bearded and mustached, and wore a bandanna on his head. I asked the big fella, ”What’s your name?” “Frank Kawaloski,” he smiled. “Are you guys with the film crew?” They nodded. I looked them over and said, “I hear the director is a Little Cesar and when he says jump, you ask how high?” The smaller man asked, “Do you want a shot of brandy in your coffee?” “Yes,” I replied, as it was freezing in the saloon. Frank asked if I was afraid, and I said, “NO! That guy better not try pushing me or…” and I raised my little fist and shook it. Frank looked at the smaller man and said, “Do you see that SAM? You better behave, or this little girl will part your hair!” “Really? I’m Sam Peckinpah.” We stared at each other for a bit then I said, “Gotta Go”, finished my coffee, jumped off the barstool, and skedaddled.

When the film crew started working in town, I was an extra. Every time I turned around, I caught him looking at me. Understand, although people said I looked like Doris Day, I didn’t think so. I always had a weight problem and I didn’t like myself. I didn’t understand what was happening, as all my emotions were going crazy. Why this man? Why did I have these strong feelings for this old grizzly guy? I felt like I’d been hit by a truck, my heart hammered, and my head hurt. I wanted to run but needed the money, so worked and tried to keep my distance.

The following day, Sam worked the crew from 8 AM to 3 AM. There was always tension on the set, but that night electricity was in the dry cold desert air. Sam looked at me and said, ”You walk by with that cowboy over there and be happy and gay.” “No, I’m tired, find somebody else.” Lucian Ballard looked at me pleadingly. “Ok”, I said, and picked a cowboy from our street shows, walked past the camera, turned, looked into the camera, and said, “Ha. Ha, Ha,” and kept walking. Sam softly said, “Cut… you, my dear are a rotten, rotten, Rotten actress!” “Do it again, Goddammit!” The second time I did do it perfectly.

The next morning up at the barn standing near a beautiful black horse, I looked down the street and watched Sam standing in the middle of the road giving orders to the crew. You’ve heard of road rage, well, I had horse rage. Before I knew it, I was up on that black horse leaning down his neck and said, “You see that man? He called me a rotten, rotten, rotten actress. Let’s kill ‘em.” I kicked that horse and we thundered down the road hell-bent for leather. Sam saw us coming, didn’t move a muscle, and just stood there. Luckily the horse was smarter than me, sidestepped at the last instant so that my leg hit Sam’s arm, and twisted him into the direction we were going.

Pulling up the horse, I looked back and saw Sam standing there looking at me with a Mona Lisa smirk on his face.

The story is emotional, funny, and sad…

The film ends with a mini-documentary…

My career in acting and singing started as a young girl in Rhode Island. Education in making movies and television shows began at Apache Land Movie Ranch, Arizona. I was dragged up the street and shot five times a day in live street shows; I also worked as an extra and stunt woman for productions that used the Ranch’s town as a location. In this environment, I worked with many Hollywood Legends including Director Sam Peckinpah, who did “ The Wild Bunch”, Elvis Presley and Audie Murphy.
Universal Studios was my film school and greatest teacher. This is where I studied the many different aspects of the motion picture industry for thirteen years. All the studio departments (titles, film editing, special effects, etc.) opened their doors and invited me into their domains. It was a great experience to be allowed on sets to watch and learn from many of the great actors, actresses, directors and fine crafts people.
I started as a tour guide and worked my way up to middle management. As a tour guide I gave VIP Tours and worked on special events for Mr. and Mrs. Lew Wasserman and other studio executives. At the same time, I was working on my acting and got my first role at Paramount Pictures in “The Day of the Locust” as Ginger Rogers. My studio told me that “…Doris Day’s look was out and so was I.” It was difficult to lose the tour guide image and, being young, I didn’t accept offers from many departments to join them. (Edith Head wanted me to have my head examined.)
I kept up with the Industry by continuing my education. I have studied Independent Producing at UC Berkeley, screen-writing seminars and have been perfecting my directing skills.
Stories help us to learn about life, and with the knowledge that I have both lived and learned, it’s time to write my sagas. I’m turning my movie scripts into books, my animation stories into graphic novels, and will take a private investigator course.

Working at Universal Studios gave me access to so many talented directors, and working with Director Sam Peckinpah was a major event in my life. This is my true story…

MAGGIE: Never Bitter

Written by: Theresa Ann James Shotwell

Number of Pages: 116 Pages

Country of Origin: United States

A young and loved teacher, Maggie, learns her father is dying, returns home, and becomes unexpected prey for her deranged stepmother. MNB is a modern reality and part fable family drama/mystery that weaves wealth, danger, betrayal, love, and faith into a richly satisfying story framed in songs.

Dr. Taj Shotwell, aka Theresa Ann James Shotwell, educator, author, poet, screenwriter, playwright and songwriter. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee by a career Army Sargent and a gospel singer/homemaker during segregation as the sixth child of eleven children. Obtained former education in San Francisco where she taught business at colleges and universities while working as an accountant. Later joined the faculty at FAMU in the business school and later in education. She taught accounting, professional development, educational leadership courses, and Chaired a department before retirement. She has written and published non-fiction and fiction books including a 3-part coming of age in Memphis based on her life called Middle Child. Founder/President of the upcoming day and boarding school called the, Business of Arts Academy International for 7-12th graders. The keystone for the school is the book she wrote Professional Development for Preprofessionals… She wrote a dramatic faith-based book Maggie: Never Bitter which she adapted as a musical and won awards. The related album of 16 songs is sold on iTunes. Her book Family and Faith, is an inspirational memoir of fifty short stories/poems about several generations of family and friends in Memphis and her international travels. On her birthday in 2019, Taj humbly received a “Memphis Living Legends Award. “ Taj currently lives in Tallahassee. Has one daughter and two grandchildren. Her website is www.tajshotwell.com