WRITER PROFILE
It’s always great to get together with a large group of writers and investors and keep up to date on what’s new, the screenplay contest, any recent deals, new dealmaker contacts, agents or managers that are looking and simply encouraging everyone to keep going after every dream in this difficult industry. For the hard working writer we want to do as much as we can to continue the exposure and word of mouth in the investment circles of the industry. Another way we do this is with writer interviews that we send far and wide and showcase at all possible meetings and markets.
We want to encourage your writing spirit, motivate you and again give you the accolades you so deserve.
Out of My Comfort Zone
Written by Ivy Vale
What motivated you to become a writer?
As an adolescent, I wanted to read every book that I could get my hands on that talked about boys, boobs and besties. I worshipped at the altar of Judy Blume and that, plus a healthy dose of unrequited pubescent love, is why I started writing funny, angsty stories in 6th grade. Growing up in New York City as the daughter of a TV commercial icon, I was surrounded by a pulsing music and art scene, and my experiences ignited a desire in me to create.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
Out of My Comfort Zone evolved from my seeing too many news stories about kids bullied to the point of taking their own lives, particularly LGBTQ+ kids or those perceived as other. I thought, “What can I do to help? I’m one person,” but I’m also a writer, musician, and parent. I wanted to write something uplifting while addressing the bullying epidemic head on. My daughter was in a professional children’s acting company in New York and the kids were reaching the age where they wanted more relatable material. I approached the Artistic Director with my idea and she said, “Write it and I’ll produce it.”
I co-wrote the music with my husband, Rick Reil, a songwriter and producer, and we workshopped demos in our home studio with the young cast. Running material by the audience it’s geared for is an invaluable opportunity as a writer.
Out of My Comfort Zone began off-Broadway as stage musical and is now in post-production as an independent feature film musical with an all-teenage cast and an Emmy-winning editor. Out of My Comfort Zone is comfort food for families to watch together, but with enough edge to appeal to ‘tweens and teens.
Do you write projects knowing that so many other factors need to happen to get it to screen and does that come into your project creation?
If we think too much about those other factors, screenplays wouldn’t get written. I visualize and write from a place of “what do I want to see happen?” When we began pre-production on Out of My Comfort Zone, someone in the film industry told me that we would never find a school to use as a location, that it was too difficult for a variety of reasons. I’m glad I didn’t listen. Through the New Jersey film commission, we were able to secure a high school and a summer shooting schedule. People will constantly tell you what is and isn’t possible. It’s our job as artists to defy them. The complete and unshakable belief in the value of your project is always going to be the driving force in what takes it to the next level.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
Part of the dream has been achieved. With a dedicated team behind me, I have taken Out of My Comfort Zone from page to post-production, and also directed the film. The mission of this project from its inception is to create positive social change using currency that kids connect with: catchy, original music, humor and diverse, relatable characters. Marginalized kids need to know that they’re not alone.
Logline: Josh and Rachel’s close friendship is tested when a high school cyberbully with a hidden past threatens to expose secrets in this feature film musical comedy about having the courage to be who you are.
Between the feature film, live productions of the stage musical, school productions (which could include a talkback about bullying and Q&A), and productions by children’s theater companies, Out of My Comfort Zone and its message of hope and positivity has the potential to reach a wide global audience and promote lasting social change. Out of My Comfort Zone could birth spin-offs based on any of its 16 characters and could be repackaged as a TV series or an animated series. The music and music videos are also appealing as a stand-alone soundtrack and music videos.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Incredible! The Out of My Comfort Zone screenplay has won over 80 awards in film festivals and competitions, including 21 wins for Best Script. Most encouraging is that this is before anyone has even heard a note of the catchy music of this musical! These awards have raised visibility for my project and have opened doors to return to these festivals with the finished film.
If you could stand in a room full of investor partners looking at many projects what would you like them to know about you and this project?
Out of My Comfort Zone is the little musical that could. Indie High School Musical meets Love, Simon, with a hint of Grease. With a microbudget of $250,000, a group of dedicated female filmmakers have set out to create a film where quality was not compromised, a musical that families can watch together and one which opens up dialogues about how kids are treated at school, their gender, and their sexuality.
Our team is seeking $150,000 in finishing funds to complete postproduction: animation/VFX, sound, color correction. Filming is complete and was shot on location in NYC & in a NJ school with a talented, diverse cast of young New York actors. Cast includes rising star Igby Rigney (The Midnight Club, Midnight Mass, Netflix).
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?
www.outofmycomfortzonemusical.com
Out of My Comfort Zone film trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvebyY8Gb5c