THRILLER/SUSPENSE Best Scene: THE LANGUAGE OF WOLVES, by Nan Schmid (interview)
BEST SCENE SCREENPLAY READINGS
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4m 10s
After being embedded with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, which ends in tragedy, a journalist heads to rural Maine to fully recover and finds herself on the frontlines of another battle, between a family of wolves and the ruthless land developer who wants them hunted down.
After a comrade dies in a horrific incident on the frontlines in Afghanistan, a war correspondent, forced to take time off, travels to Maine, only to stumble upon a exotic-animal hunting resort that threatens the local wolf population. When two wolf pups come under her care, she risks everything to stop the corruption and return the wolves to their pack.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Shawn Devlin
Joey: Val Cole
Mrs. Petrona/Wren: Hannah Ehman
David: Sean Ballantyne
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about?
This script is about a war reporter experiences the death of a close friend, she thinks she never known a tougher battle until she inherits his dog and they witnesses the murder of a wolf, then a brutal land developer set his sights on them when she informs his his land
belongs to the Penobscot Tribe, now with the two wolf pups they’ve rescued as she wages the biggest battle of her life to save them and absolve herself of her friends death.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
My screenplay is an action/ adventure/thriller with a kick-ass female lead.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
This screenplay is about a woman stepping outside of herself to do something for the greater good in a world she knows nothing about. We have become so detached from nature and what the true meaning of what balance is and how important it is, I know this- you won’t find any true meaning to life buried in your phone. This movie will remind everyone who sees it what it feels like to be connected to something bigger than your
little world when you experience nature through the eyes and hearts of animals.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Redemption. Love.
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
When I was a kid, I watched, It’s A Wonderful Life at least 5 times every Christmas. And if I had had kids, I’m sure the answer would be Frozen!:)
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I have been working on this screenplay for about six years. I don’t remember how many rewrites I’ve done, but it’s been a lot!
7. How many stories have you written?
I have written two produced plays and about four unproduced plays. I’ve also written, produced, and acted in two short films, both to critical acclaim, and I have written 7 screenplays and am starting a new one soon, and I have written one sit-com.
8. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I read an article about the slaughter of 260 wolves in Wisconsin in less than two days. The next day 236 wolves were murdered in Montana in 60 hours. These are fascinating and brilliant creatures who taught Native tribes how to take care of their children, form a family and a community that works equally for all. Humans have been demonizing them since the
beginning of time because they are misunderstood and the majority of people have not taken the time to learn how amazing they are. When I looked down at my dog, and she looked up at me, I couldn’t imagine my life without her. So, I thought, why do we love our dogs to the tune of spending 136 billion dollars a year on them and millions on killing their
ancestors? In a survey 7*% of people want to see a wolf in the wild and Yellowstone, has done this and increased its economy by 30 million annually. I just couldn’t understand the centuries of cruelty. But as Dostoevsky said, “No animal has ever been so cruel as a man.”
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I faced the same obstacles every writer faces, doubting myself and wondering if I’m a good enough writer. I don’t know if I am, but I do know I’m determined to get my story out there in the best way possible for the sake of the story.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Aside from writing, I do voiceover work and I am an animal and political activist. I spend time with my dog and my husband hiking and being in nature as much as possible. But my favorite thing is to laugh with my friends and be reminded how lucky I am to have them and how much I love them.
11. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I read some great reviews about your festival and wanted to be part of it. To be honest, when, I first started getting feedback there were times when I would have tears in my eyes thinking I can’t do this. But i have a much tougher skin now and realize that people who give notes are trying to help and if they’re not getting what I wrote that’s a problem I need to fix.
I got that with your notes.
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