Genre: Drama, LGBT
A father believes his nine-year-old daughter is sexually conflicted and puts her in a clinic dedicated to modifying behavior when, the town drunk, grandpa, finds out.
Narrator: Sean Ballantyne
Obie: David Schaap
Sheriff: Neil Bennett
Laurence: Noah Casey
Emily: Clare Blackwood
Agnes: Lauren Toffan
Penny: Val Cole
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
My screenplay is about the conditioned cultural ignorance that believes we can change a persons sexual orientation. It accents the generally held mythology and folk lore that sex is alterable and that we can change people to fit our beliefs. It is about the fear of differences. In other words, A father commits his nine-year-old daughter to a behavioral modification clinic to insure she doesn’t become a lesbian. Grandpa, the town drunk, is the only person who can help her. Laurence Shepherd, a decent and respected member of the small farming community of Deuteronomy, Utah, thinks professional female athletes are lesbians. When an Olympic coach, scouting for talent, sees nine year-old Cassie Shepherd perform she asks the Shepherds if she can train Cassie for the Olympics. Laurence must save his daughter from becoming a homosexual. He commits Cassie to a three-month conversion camp where brain washing technics and electroshock therapy are used to guarantees positive changes in sexually conflicted individuals. Grandpa, recently released from prison, is on parole. If he lifts a finger to help Cassie he goes back to the cold, dead existence of prison life.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Family, LGBT, Drama
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The more senses involved in experiencing another persons life the higher becomes the possibility of change. Great theater is historically informative, entertaining, and educational and in movie format can change lives. Our values come from our stories, old (sadly) and new.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Provocative, Exciting
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Shakespeare In Love, West Wing
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Year and one half
How many stories have you written?
One fiction novel and three screenplays.
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
All of Tchaikovsky. Whitney Houston’s The Star Spangled Banner
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I believe character is everything. My character’s must be creatively authentic. When I finally found Cassie’s voice things started to come together. Grandpa, Obie, in this case was a natural. I am a grandpa. About my grandchildren I am a Grandpa On Fire (another story in progress).
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Women’s rights, but that too is another story.
You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
Saves time.
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
What influenced me to enter your film festival was the LGBTQ point of focus. Feedback was excellent.
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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Camera Operator: Mary Cox
LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival 