Video Pitch for Family Tree, Novel by Andrea Carr

Watch the Dramatic Novel Story Video Pitch by Andrea Carr

Get to know writer Andrea Carr:

1. What is your story about?

It’s about love, family, empathy and confusion.

“Family Tree” by novelist Andrea N. Carr with a family saga where an incarcerated woman gains a four-day release to attend the funeral after her sister’s suicide. Story uncovers dark secrets with suspense and pacing that is in comparison to Raymond Carver. I’ve conducted an interview with the author on the power of storytelling to create empathy and change. Cristina Deptula, Literary Publicist

2. Why should do people need to read/watch this story?

To help understand the human condition, a little better. In my script, the story is presented from one perspective Angel the main character’s thoughts, opinions and feelings. As in life, we see only, what we see – with emotions affecting how we feel in the end about the actions or words of others. I think it isn’t realized the impact we can truly have on others, sometimes. I love this story, for helping to bring about that realization. Our family is the most important influence in our live’s wanted or not.

3. How long have you been writing stories?

A long time.

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

“To kill a mockingbird,” next “Pulp fiction” I think the screenwriting is great for both of them. The ease of how the stories unfold is writing genius in my opinion. Also, the 25th hour Spike Lee I love that film and Malcolm X by him as well.

5. What artists would you love to work with?

chitwell wjiofor, Idris Elba, Quentin Tarantino, Oprah Winfrey (as an actress.) I wouldn’t mind making Denzel Washington a true bad guy in a film. I don’t feel “training day” convinced me of it didn’t work for me, anyway. I liked the film, I didn’t like him in it. He is a good actor but, I never felt convinced he was truly bad. I felt he struggled with it and if he was truly as bad as he was supposed to be in the film, he wouldn’t have died in the end. Too smart for that to happen, Ethan Hawke should have died then, I may have been convinced.

6. How many stories have you written?

In my lifetime? I can’t count but, the thing is I’m a better writer now. Periodically, I toss everything, start again. I think, I am past that stage now. I can write a story on command now.
I have a few genre’s I want to explore, sci fi and comedy. I have done a documentary, already.

7. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years?

Does it have to take that long? (LAUGHS) I’m kidding, there are steps I believe, I need to take in order to prepare myself for the future. Ideally, I would like to have a feature film out. I have a few more personal goals to meet. Because of the writing style I use; streamed narrative is more difficult to show thought in film. At this point, for me but I want more ease with it. I didn’t choose to write in this way, I simply do, naturally. I want to try to write another way, why limit myself.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

To be honest, I don’t even think about style ever. I can’t when I write, it’s the feeling behind the writing I keep my focus on. It would ruin my creative flow, if I concerned myself with anything other than the story, at first. I want to convey, how I’m feeling in hopes the reader can relate.

The style comes with “the telling of the story” what it’s about, the circumstances and who is in the story, who is telling us. I don’t think the style determines, if it is a good book or not. Either, the story is relatable or not based on how you feel from what you read and understood.

I happen to write everything as a narrative. I always, want to know what characters are thinking, what is behind their actions when, I read. In fact it’s why I read.

However, “The Piano” had all my attention to the end it is a brilliant movie in my opinion. I did know her thoughts, she couldn’t speak in the movie. How inspiring is that for a writer, I would fall over to meet who wrote that story. (Holly Hunter) the main character leaving her husband or was trying to leave, I should say… (Sam Neill) her husband went to such lengths, to keep her away from (Harvey Keitel) when she is clearly, in love with him. Her husband was right you know, but let God deal with her. How do we know, when to give up? We don’t it’s personal.

Anyway, I want my readers to know everything, no guessing game involved with the narrator’s motives readers come to their own heuristic end to the story at hand. Human nature is to find answers for things but, often times, it’s forced on us to do so alone. Because, the answer we think is in need to move on may never come – if the person is dead, unwilling or incapable (emotionally) to talk about it. We have to come to peace with ourselves and worry about what can kill us instead.

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

Anything, I decide to do I am passionate about.

I think, it’s just part of who I am. I am on scripts now, so until, I feel satisfied my passion will remain here. I suspect, it will be directing a film after that. But I find the most comfort producing a film you know, making it happen. I used to watch “project greenlight” video tapes and I identified most with the producer. I found myself saying, “if you don’t have control of your scene, don’t film it.” I saw ways, to make things work and keep the integrity of the story. Doing a closeup, can fix a lot of budgeting problems. (laughing) But, it’s true. Directors think producers don’t understand or care about their vision. Not true, if I produced a film, everyone would be happy in the end. I truly believe that.

I guess any story telling really, in any form. I absolutely adore a great story. There is nothing else like a good story and it’s meaning when delivered together making an impact on people. Has them talking about it afterwards. I love that. For example “Boys don’t cry” with Hilary Swank powerful movie, I loved it. Also, “The King” with Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt. I like those types of films.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Festival?

The fact that my novel could be entered with the uncertainty, of my script writing abilities. I have written a lot of stories, not a lot of scripts. The fact also, I could learn through the experience. That’s what it is about for me, win or lose. Improving.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Stick with it, find what works for you.

Once you have your story, figure out what you want to do with it. Pursue it, writing the story is the easy part.

Making it known, is more difficult.