Summary: On the run from a job, Steph finds herself in danger and a target. She falls and lands under a Boulder which traps her for 2 days. While trying to survive as long as she can for help to arrive, she reaches an unpleasant realization.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

This single location thriller is about a woman named Steph who is forced to confront the choices she’s made in life – lying to her biological son about who his mother is, leading a life of crime because it was the easier path to follow – all while trapped under a rock as hired thugs try and find her.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Action. Thriller. Single location.

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

Not only is it a thriller, but I’m trying to say something as well about the decisions that we make as we move along in our life.

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

Claustrophobic. Emotional.

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

I got the idea over 15 years ago, set it in an office building, and struggled to make it work. Then in the summer of 2021, I threw everything I had written out the window. Decided to start from scratch which included changing the location to the deep woods. Wrote the first draft in 2 weeks. Since then, I’ve done a couple of polishes and here we are.

6. How many stories have you written?

Again, no idea. I wrote my first screenplay in 1988, my first stage play in 1989, went through a poetry phase in the 90s (are those stories?), have written a fair amount of screenplays, a couple of stage plays, shorts, and so on. In the last few years, I’ve been writing more short stories. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote my first microfiction piece – 98 words. That was an interesting challenge.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

It started as a writing challenge. Could I make a single location script work? There’s a Canadian film called “Cube” which I love that really got me thinking about writing something like this. All I needed was a strong character to anchor the story, which led me to Steph.

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

When I first had the idea, I set it in an office building. Nothing worked, nothing felt right. It was a disaster. So the story sat and percolated in my head for many years. Then in 2021, I quit working for a year and I revisited this idea, starting from scratch.

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

Dogs, cycling, books, movies, new adventures, stories in general. People. I also like helping people – I’ve taught and mentored throughout my life. I also like challenges – whether it’s a 24 hour bicycle race or writing a short story in under 100 words.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I’ve gotten emails about your festival for years, but since it’s a female festival, I thought it wasn’t for me. Then last fall, I emailed you all and asked if I could enter since my lead character is a woman.

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

No idea. In the last few years, “Apples” which is a Greek film that I love; “Interstellar” or “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Just a few weeks ago, I went to the laundromat where “Everything Everywhere All At Once” was filmed. That and Nakotami Plaza are the only two film locations that I have actively sought out.