On a colonized planet threatened by a solar storm, an Eagle Scout exploring the alien wilderness has a fateful encounter with someone thought long dead.

Narrator: Julie Shppard
Clark: Shawn Devlin
Jacob: Steve Rizzo
Tanner: Sean Ballantyne

Get to know the screenwriter:

1. What is your screenplay about?

16-year-old Eagle Scout Tanner Gernhardt longs for a last chance to experience the lush forests, scenic mountains, and sparkling streams of New Honua, an exoplanet 94 light-years from Earth that is soon to be opened for settlement.

Thing is, nobody is allowed to leave Alpha Colony, owing to the fearsome dinowolves that stalk the forests, one of which supposedly killed Tanner's elder brother, Gus, seven years earlier. However, Gus's remains were never found, so Tanner cooks up a plan to escape Alpha and search for them--while getting in some excellent scouting!

But Tanner could never have imagined what he is fated to find in the alien wilderness... or rather, what is fated to find him.

(Thematically, think Lost in Space, Forbidden Planet, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in a Stargate sandwich.)

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Science Fiction, Action/Adventure, Drama

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

It offers a much-needed break from superheroes, weak men, girlbosses, and divisive sociopolitics.

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

Sci-Fi fairytale.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Mirrormask, Blade Runner, Forbidden Planet.

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

Screenplay development began in April 2019. The SF novel is in submission to agents and publishers.

7. How many stories have you written?

Four novels and their screen adaptations, three short screenplays, and a short musical stage play.

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

Robert Schumann's Mondnacht (Liederkreis, Op. 39) never gets old.

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

Wrestling with the fateful decision to expand it from a 120-minute feature into a 6-hour limited series.

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

Tree-growing. I have 108 grown-from-seed Pacific Madrones that fully expect to be planted out by next spring.

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

Very satisfied with FF's project-hosting and submission services.

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

I have had uniformly positive experiences with the Wildsound festivals. The actors and production crew involved in scene readings do a super job. The feedback is incisive, supportive, and actionable. Highly recommended!