WSF Screenwriting Experience Top Five Announced!
TOP FIVE…
“Fruit of the Tree” by Fran Kaplan and Aaron Greer
One man alone speaks for thousands of silenced voices. He insists we remember our country’s tragic past – yet dreams of us as “one single and sacred nationality.” Fruit of the Tree is the true story of James Cameron – the only known survivor of a lynching – and his courageous life-long struggle to bear witness and promote racial healing.
“Just Deserts” by Tom Dunn and Phil Heckman
Three brothers road trip from the Midwest to the desert southwest to help a relative “settle” her deceased spouse’s estate. But they soon find out that estate is much more dangerous than they bargained for…and lots of people are determined to get it, no matter what.
“The Lifeguard” by Rebecca Williams Spindler
Living in the water park capital of the world, Allen Banske has the ultimate job – Lifeguard. Except for he’s 20 years too old, out-of-shape, and uninspired to do anything else. He finds his job in jeopardy and has to enroll in night school where he falls hard for his stunningly beautiful teacher. It’s been ages since he’s been on a date and lucky for him, his teacher is in the same boat.
Allen’s suave brother tries to give him love tips while Allen navigates the unchartered waters of dating. Meanwhile, his teacher motivates him to expect more of life. Back at work, however, his new unruly boss digs deep into keeping Allen right where she wants him, under her control.
Allen has to decide where his future will lead, and ultimately he ends up disappointing one of these new women in his life. His comical journey takes Allen through a hotel water park, a spa treatment, a wedding crashed by drunks, and a rock climbing excursion. All of which brings Allen to find his destiny, happiness, and true love.
“Papa’s Hand” by JoAnne Mills
When a white drifter poses as black to legally marry a mixed-raced woman in segregated 1920s Virginia, he experiences bigotry from whites and blacks for the first time. He fights back by using the town’s superstitious fears against them, but it all unravels when his past crime of murdering a white man is uncovered and the Klan seeks revenge.
“Sweet William” by Baron Reed
A long time ago, Willie McSlide was the meanest player in baseball. Now rotting away in a nursing home, he finally gets a chance to tell his side of history when a documentary filmmaker comes to interview him.
And what a story he has to tell. Decades ago, Willie’s greatest rival – the goody-two-shoes “Gentleman” Johnny Johnson saw his career end in a terrible sex scandal. Willie’s about to lay it all on the line and tell the world exactly who was to blame.
Honorable Mentions: “Living Without a Net” by Peggy Williams and Christine DeSmet, “The End of the World” by Karen Lindholm-Rynkiewicz, “Heartless” by Tim Toepel and Steve Doyle, “Shiloh” by Larry Sommers, “Translating Marco” by Julie Konsor, “Red and Dead in Detroit” by Robert Laurence Baunoch III, and “Frankie Big Leagues” by David Thome.
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