Childrenopolis Advances in AFF
Hello everyone,
In September 2021 the screenplay to the movie/musical Childrenopolis advanced to the 2nd Round in the Austin Film Festival Comedy Screenplay Competition Feature Category! Nearly 15,000 screenplays entered, so we are told this is a pretty big deal!
Part of the competition was getting feedback from a reader. Here it is:
Dear Timothy Reed,
Congratulations again on placing in the 2021 Austin Film Festival Script Competition! We really can't stress enough what a great accomplishment it is to advance from a record field of 14,648 entries.All eligible entrants are provided complimentary Reader Feedback (below). Please note, however, that these comments do not reflect the opinion of Austin Film Festival, its staff, or sponsors; they are the opinion of the reader assigned to your material.
Script Title: Childrenopolis
Category: Comedy Feature
ID: 11715
Concept:
The concept is strong and unique, full of the stylistic elements that are familiar to the genre but in a fresh, new application. The central themes stay consistent throughout the film.
Plot:
The world of the film is established in a very effective way, full of vibrant visuals and other unique elements. The plot sets up a strong and satisfying narrative.
Structure:
The structure of the film is unique to the story it is telling, and the pace gives it a varied, compelling rhythm that keeps the audience excited for every scene.
Character:
The characters in the film are complex, unique, and well-developed. They have clear motivations and emotional arcs that resolve in mostly satisfying ways.
Dialogue:
The dialogue feels authentic to the characters, the genre, the style, the format, and the world of the film. Much of the film's comedy comes from the dialogue, and the execution works in an effective way.
Overall:
Childrenopolis is a film about following your dreams. The concept is unique and interesting, full of music, heart, and comedy. The world is intriguing and compelling, with each new development in the plot adding towards the worldbuilding. The narrative is established in an interesting style, the structure helping frame the plot into a consistent pace and rhythm. The ensemble is made up of well-developed and peculiar characters, each having their own reasons and motivations to be present in the narrative, and their individual arcs make up the majority of the subplots of the film. The dialogue feels fresh and authentic to the story, and the more expository parts of it do not come off as heavy-handed. Overall, a solid script of an exciting and musical story.
Since September, I have made around 50 trips to the Louisville area to meet with David Heavener, as we continue to revise the screenplay, expand some of the songs, and I am currently writing a brand-new song entitled "The Ballad of French Lick". Once that's completed we will have 13 songs for the musical, and several recitatives, as well. We are about a month away from completing this latest screenplay draft. Then we move into strategizing about how to make the movie. David thinks if we make the film entirely independently, we would need investors to put in about 11 million. If we get a couple stars to play a couple roles, we'll need 30-40 million. And if Disney or another big company produces Childrenopolis, we'll need about 100 million.
I would prefer to make it live action, but if a company offers to produce it animated, that would be great, too! I was so impressed with the animation in Encanto, a recent Disney musical.
Here are some people that I think might be interested in Childrenopolis, either as investors, actors, or just helping us in any way. If you happen to know any of the following people, please let us know! Here is our list:
Gayle Karch Cook
The initial idea for the story for Childrenopolis came from my experience working as an actor and music director at the French Lick Hotel. The story has since taken on a life of its own, but nevertheless, we still hope to film part of the movie at this beautiful historic hotel, which Bill and Gayle Cook helped renovate. Also, one of the themes of the film is historical preservation, which is one of Mrs. Cook's passions.
Larry Bird
Another theme of the movie is basketball. We have even written in a cameo appearance for Larry Bird, during one of the basketball scenes near the hotel. In case you didn't know, he was born and raised in French Lick. He's known as "the hick from French Lick".
Anthony Pizzo
Mr. Pizzo lives in the same town I do: Bloomington, Indiana. He's the writer of one of my favorite films, Hoosiers. I have heard him talk before local screenings of that film. But I have yet to meet him. I think he might be interested in Childrenpolis, because it largely takes place in Indiana, and because of the basketball scenes.
Jesse Eisenberg
Mr. Eisenberg married a woman from Bloomington, Indiana, so he often visits here, but I have yet to meet him! He's a successful actor, producer, and writer in the film world, and he might be interested in the world of Childrenopolis!
Dustin Hoffman
One of the lead roles is a very eccentric old theater director named Boris Von Winkle. We often imagine Dustin Hoffman playing this role.
Johnny Depp
Mr. Depp could also be a fantastic Boris Von Winkle.
Mark Ruffalo
Another theme of the movie is how companies put their profits over the health of our environment. Mr. Ruffalo is an environmental activist, and might be interested in our movie.
Lin Manuel-Miranda
As writer of the musicals Hamilton, In the Heights, Moana, and Encanto, he might be interested in the movie/musical Childrenopolis.
Thanks so much for your interest!
So far, of the 13 songs, we have demos recorded for 6 of them. Here are the links in case you have not yet heard them, or would like another listen!
Love Makes the World Go Round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-U_gr56_wY
Tell 'Em About the Dream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjERfXrzxW8
The Paper Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM5FP-odTOU
Under the Rainbow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxhU_sU5-QU
For Once in My Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJQ9jhKfF8
All the Things I Used to Love
Here is the complete Childrenopolis Song List:
1.The Holidays Will Soon Be Here
2. All The Things I Used To Love
3. Love Makes The World Go Round
4. The Paper Song
5. Tell ‘Em About the Dream
6. The Ballad of French Lick
7. The Answering Machine Quartet
8. Good as New (change of title-formerly Run-Down Buildings)
9. For Once In My Life
10. Let It Go and Let It In
11. Under the Rainbow
12. Our Time Is Overdue
13. Dream Together
More demos coming soon!
Cheers!
Tim