Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure
The journey follows Maire, a 23-year-old cancer patient, as she battles a rare heart cancer. Maire faces end of life issues and questions about where we go when we die. She befriends a blind carpenter who crafts her a small 3 ft wooden sail boat for her remains to go on a extraordinary journey in hope she will reach the ocean.
CAST LIST:
George: Shawn Devlin
Narrator: Olivia Jon
Maire: Rachel Rain Packota
Monika: Lesley Ballantyne
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about?
Maire’s Journey is a journey of a young ladies fight with a rare cancer and the journey she takes us all on as she’s facing her end of life . Along the way she befriends a blind carpenter and small bird named Fern who eventually travels with her remains that are sealed in a small sail boat built by George the carpenter. Along the way we learn about life thorough the many people that encounter Maire , each of these new friends are touched by Maire’s desire to reach the ocean . We witness as these people from all walks of life choose to help Maire reach the ocean.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Hmm I guess adventure / drama
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
We are confident this story will resinate with anyone who has been touched by cancer in someway or those who have lost a love one thorough cancer.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Inspirational Journey
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Hmm tough one , I guess my go to feel good movie for a variety of reasons would have to be the first Indian Jones , If I had to choose another one it would be Silver Lining
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Maire and I were close friends , she is real, George the carpenter is real. This screenplay is based off the real life documentary I had produced Maire’s Journey http://mairesjourney.com/
So I’ve been on this journey with Maire for five years.
7. How many stories have you written?
I have been producing documentary films for many years now, almost all of them air on PBS.
This is the first completed script I have written for an animated film. If interested in what we are working on now http://www.v-prod.com
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
In My Life , the Beetles
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I guess for me was the emotional side of telling Maire’s story through an animated character. Since Maire really lived and did go on this journey I was always trying to decide how if any of the life characters Maire came in contact with should be part of the animated story verses new charecters I created. For me what was always most important is that the story would offer a sense of hope about the ability for humanity to care about a small pink sail boat with a young girls ashes in it trying to reach the ocean. Would anyone care? If So Why?
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I love doing what I do as a story teller / documentary producer. The film we are working on now will for sure touch so many people.
Those on the Front Lines of Alzheimer’s & Dementia “ http://ontodaysfrontlines.com/alzheimers/ So for me at my age I guess I am just passionate about life and friends I make on my journey of life. Our time here on this planet is far shorter than anyone really understands until its too late.
11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
I did not know what to expect, this has been an absolute wonderful experience , the team offered me wonderful insight into my story that I feel has helped Maire tell her story .
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
We were searching festivals where a screenplay of this nature could fit. FilmFreeway brought us to the festival. As I mentioned above I very much appreciated the very detailed feedback
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel
Camera Op: Mary Cox
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