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Watch the Feature Script Pitch by Doris B. Gill:
Get to know writer Doris B. Gill:
1) WHAT IS THIS STORY ABOUT?
Grace, a beautiful and spunky French immigrant, lives in Minneapolis, until she finds her prosperous, but philandering husband in bed with their Nanny. It is the latest of many such encounters and broken promises. Grace packs her bags and four small children and flees by train to visit her friend in Olympia, Washington. Upon arrival, Grace learns of the untimely death of her childhood friend. Now she is alone in a strange town.
Just as Grace is making a new life, her Spouse locates the family and abducts their son, Coy (5) in an attempt to lure his wife home. He and Coy are in Seattle to catch the train home but, characteristically, he leaves the little tyke outside a saloon. When his father is killed in a barroom brawl, little Coy is on his own until Mary Beth, a wealthy and needy, young matron takes him home.
In spite of limited resources, Grace continues to search for Coy. Blain Robbins, a wealthy, local man is taken by the feisty Grace and falls in love with she and her Children. Blain’s Father threatens to disinherit his Son, so Grace and Blain marry and try their luck panning for gold in Fairbanks. They strike it rich, but become targets of a charlatan, who almost kills Blain and steals their gold. They outsmart the con man and regain their fortune.
Meanwhile, back in Seattle, Mary Beth finds an old clipping that Grace ran in the newspaper. She promises Coy to find his Mother. The next evening, at Grace’s Fourth of July, birthday celebration; amid fireworks and music Coy is finally reunited with his family.
(2) WHY SHOULD PEOPLE READ THIS STORY?
It is an inspirational tale of devotion and never giving up. Characters are well-developed with many twists and turns along the way.
(3) HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
My first story, “I am Fire” was published for Fire Prevention Week, I was eight years old. I’ve always been writing, in school, serving in USMCR. while raising my children and during my career in transportation. While remodeling condos,I wrote two columns for “The Contra Costa Times and many articles for other newspapers and magazines. And now, I write screenplays.
(4) WHAT MOVIES HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOST IN OUR LIFE?
Still love: “SOME LIKE IT HOT”, “OUT OF AFRICA, “THE BEST OFFER, and old Shirley Temple movies.
(5) WHAT ARTISTS WOULD YOU LOVE TO WORK WITH?
There are so many new talents out there in the US and Canada. I also love the BBC talent. Basically, actors that fit the rolls.
(6) HOW MANY STORIES HAVE YOU WRITTEN?
I have three completed feature screenplays, two shorts and a full-length script started (a sequel to Grace).
(7) IDEALLY, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN FIVE YEARS?
Alive would be nice, but no kidding, I’ve worked hard and would like my work produced.
(8) DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS; DO YOU HAVE A SET ROUTINE, METHOD OF WRITING?
No set routine, just stolen hours. Can’t wait to open a script when I have a bright idea or my characters talk to me. I do a lot of editing. Rewriting is what writing is all about.
(9) APART FROM WRITING, WHAT ELSE ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Nutrition, swimming daily, politics and astrology, for starters.
(10) WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO ENTER WILDSOUND FESTIVAL?
I’ve entered many times,. One of my scripts was performed. I especially like the feedback and I gain a professional view. I encourage many writers to try it.
(11) ANY ADVICE OR TIPS YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON TO OTHER WRITERS?
Although “Writer’s Digest” is mainly for novelists, I always find something valuable for my scripts. Don’t ever give up, just keep writing.
WILDsound Festival 