It’s 1953 and Helen Parker’s husband has been MIA in Korea for 18 months. When a local bully graffiti’s her white fence, handy woman Lou Taylor shows up to paint the fence and steal her heart. In the end Helen must decide on which side of the fence to live.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Sean Ballantyne
Helen: Hannah Ehman
George: Steve Rizzo

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

The White Fence is a period drama set in the early 1950s during the Korean War. Helen Parker's husband George is an Air Force Captain who's been MIA for 18 months. Forced to move off base and into her father's home, Helen has a run-in with a piano mover who graffitis her white fence. When local handywoman Lou Taylor offers to paint the fence, it sets the women down a path from friendship to passion. Eventually Helen has to navigate dealing with the local bully, the fate of her husband, and the love of her life while navigating the homophobic scrutiny of the time.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama and Romance

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

The screenplay offers a unique, diverse perspective on the theme of forbidden love and is relatable to anyone who's had to deal with complex feelings and difficult choices. Though set in the early 1950s, the screenplay is relevant to many issues the LGBTQ+ community is facing today. This is a love story that deserves to be told on screen.

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

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

I'm going to name three: Forrest Gump, Moonstruck and Fried Green Tomatoes.

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

I'm still working on rewrites but I'd say about four months up to now.

7. How many stories have you written?

I have written two complete feature screenplays, The White Fence and A Pill to Die For, and am working on a third.

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

That's a tough one because there are really too many to say, but I'll go with Love Wins by Carrie Underwood.

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

I've been struggling with severe fatigue from Long Covid. I started in 2021 and I recovered from
it in mid-2022. However, it returned again after another bout with COVID in June and a stressful period after my stepfather died last month. I'm hoping to recover again soon.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
My family, my cat, pro football, cars, watching movies, music, and playing Rummikub at the beach.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
FilmFreeway has been a great platform to work with. I've submitted to a number of contests on it and have been very pleased with it.

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

Since the screenplay The White Fence deals with multiple LGBTQ+ issues, I wanted to submit to a prominent festival with that focus. I read great reviews about the LGBTQ+ Los Angeles Film Festival so chose to submit to it for those reasons. I've received feedback from multiple sources and the feedback I received from the LGBTQ+ Los Angeles Film Festival was one of the best. It was very constructive and helpful for my rewrite process.