LGBTQ+ Drama

This is a study in gender rights and the rights of all humankind. What truly makes one female or male?

A female attorney is assigned to represent a transgendering inmate seeking a transfer from a male to a female prison. This is a study in the struggle for the balance of rights: personal, political and global. A glance into our past suggests nothing has changed in 3,000 years. Insight comes from an unexpected source.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Geoff Mays
Philippa: Hannah Ehman
Casey: Sean Ballantyne
Charlotte: Elizabeth Rose Morriss

Writer Statement
I am a litigation attorney with 35 years experience as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx NY, an Administrative Law Judge in Queens and an Assistant Attorney General in Manhattan practicing in New York Federal Courts (Southern and Eastern Districts) and State Courts.

I mention this because I have actual hands-on knowledge regarding this Screenplay and all of the issues contained herein.

The theme is timely and important. I have the unique, authentic expertise to tell this story having evaluated and tried numerous cases such as this.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?
A female attorney is assigned to represent a transgendering inmate seeking a transfer from a male to a female prison.

This is a study in gender rights and the rights of all humankind. What truly makes one female or male? Portrayed is the struggle for the balance of rights: personal, societal, and global and, how amazingly, this struggle has existed and been depicted in literature and theater for over 3,000 years.

The screenplay deals with where we are now, what should be guiding our actions, what rules or laws should govern us - especially when those rules conflict: the laws of man (US constitution), personal conscience, or God (whose god by the way).

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama, LGBTQ+, Women's, Courtroom Drama, Period Drama

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

This is a firsthand insight into issues that govern how we live and the quality of that life. These issues have consumed mankind for thousands of years seemingly without resolution. What is the significance and effect of gender? How should society treat those who are classified as "different"? Who, if anyone has the right to decide? And how does any one of us, who walk this earth, determine how to proceed when the laws of one's faith, country and conscience conflict?

The story is compelling and the events are an authentic depiction of many aspects of life in various settings, including the prison system, courtroom proceedings, raising an autistic child, and growing up "different".

4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Timely. Timeless.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
The March of the Wooden Soldiers (every Thanksgiving).

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I've been working on this, and numerous other projects, on and off, for about 25 years.

7. How many stories have you written?

Dozens of short stories. Two full length screenplays and an outline for another.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the
most times in your life?)

I listen to Rock, Classical, folk, reggae, jazz all my life. I can't think of a single favorite.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Having no connections to the industry, my biggest obstacle is being granted audience. In other words, if you are an unknown, unpublished, unconnected entity, even if you should have talent, it becomes extremely difficult to be read, heard, seen, entertained etc. FilmFreeway has been a refreshing exception in that it affords opportunity to those who reach out.

Also, being a woman, sad to say, has made it more difficult to be taken seriously. I do not say this lightly. I've often been naively surprised when being treated this way, since I've always felt so instinctively that we all are born with the same abilities. Interestingly, I've found that, having been a litigator especially in very high stakes, seemingly aggressive venues, that when my adversaries underestimated me for being a female ADA, opponent, it quite "bit them in the butt". For example, when an older white male defense attorney doesn't take a young, passionate Assistant Attorney General seriously and doesn't, perhaps, prepare as much, they compromise their success at trial and the representation of their client. Basically what I'm saying is, when you assume things on "appearance", you really screw yourself.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Friends, family, and trying as much as you can to make things better especially for those who especially need a voice.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your
experiences working with the submission platform site?

I find FilmFreeway to be responsive, professional and inspiring in its efforts to find talent.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings
on the initial feedback you received?

I feel this festival REALLY read the screenplay. Their analysis was detailed, nuanced and specific. I didn't get comments that misstated facts of the plot, nor did I get boilerplate advice that could be applied to any writing.