CAST LIST:

Narrator: Shawn Devlin
Astrid: Val Cole
Norma: Elizabeth Rose Morris

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

A former Army lawyer, Gemma Lightwater battles troubled family and calculating investors to reopen her Missouri Ozarks ranch that pairs broken veterans with broken horses

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GEMMA LIGHTWATER a mid-30s Army veteran struggles to reopen the Red Rock Ranch that serves female veterans wellness. That is until she receives a five million dollar offer from her former captain, ASTRID MITCHELL, but the money comes with a ticking clock and giving up decision-making control to her former JAG leader. As the new veteran arrivals, tensions run high as NORMA JONES, Gemma's right hand at the ranch tries to help Gemma and Astrid understand what a deal means for them. After a few rounds of will they or will won't they sign, Gemma and Astrid find common ground to finalize the deal. Then tragedy strikes leaving Gemma conflicted and suspicious at the exact time she is supposed to be opening a new chapter for the only real mission she has left, saving others to save herself.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Thriller, Drama, Suspense

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

As a female veteran, I look into the eyes of women in uniform and remind them that our service matters. They remind me to tell their stories. The doubts of if female veterans deserve a seat at the table of service will be removed. And in this show, we ARE the table. This pilot should do for women veterans what Orange is the New Black did for incarcerated women. And do for Missouri what Yellowstone did for Montana. What Band of Brothers did for male veterans. We have a long historic legacy that quickly being erased. Women have put their lives on the line since the beginning of time, when do we see them as the main characters.

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

Veterans, horses

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

Auntie Mame, "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!"

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

2021. I developed it during the Veterans Writing Project by the WGA.

6. How many stories have you written?

Five finished, two are published novels.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

As a female veteran, I am not seeing us portrayed us as deeply and richly as we deserve. We deserve to see many versions of a veteran.

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

Learning to show and not to tell - as a former journalist and award-winning author, formatting a screenplay still gets me. Thankful for editors.

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

Speaking on behalf to and for female veteran advocacy. My background in the Army was Public Affairs Specialist so I realize I have to use my voice and ability for all those women who will not speak up.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings

on the initial feedback you received?

I was looking for a way to have my script read. The feedback was spot on. I believe "good books not written, they are rewritten" shows the value of iteration listening to your audience. It's not always about what I think makes sense.