"FALLING TO GRACE" - Feature Length Narrative.
COMPLETED: 1
1/2 Days of Production in Santa Fe, New Mexico for the FALLING TO GRACE TRAILER SCENES.
The Trailer will be used to shop the project to distributors and fundraising purposes.
Taking advantage of the NEW MEXICO STATE FILM INCENTIVE PROGRAM, this is currently slated as a low budget independent production. The current plan is to photograph in an HD Video Format in a Mountain Community of Northern New Mexico.
The film will be Directed and co-Produced by DAVID FLOETER who is also the Writer and creator of this original story & screenplay. Joining as a Line Producer is TONY ESTRADA of Wild Horse Films and Set Photographer, Genevieve Russell (Story Portrait Media). We will be relying largely on the Professional New Mexico Acting Community such as the popular and veteran actor, JD GARFIELD in a lead role as Gary Anderson.
This is the story of A Dilemma Of Every Generation as told through
The LENS of the 60's Generation.
With the dilemma being:
"How can we stay True to the Ideals of our Hearts while traversing the Various Stages of Life?"
This story is of three childhood friends who were hippies together in the mid-west. After 36 years of separation, GARY, still the Idealist Hippie Musician of the group is thrown into the laps of his now conservative friends over a long holiday weekend. His former girlfriend is OHLEE, who is the long suffering wife to an emotionless but angry TONY who has shunned his past as the group's Trailblazing Activist Leader and first hippie in their home town. Gary's arrival coincides with Tony beginning his re-election campaign for Sheriff in a small New Mexico community. After decades of successfully hiding his "sordid past" from the world and even from his "secret activist" daughter MARIANNE, his chronic fears of being "exposed" are multiplied with Gary's arrival. TONY is also being pressured the CEO of the new nuclear facility who has offered to hand him the election in trade for stopping "by any means", the Native American and Environmental Activist Groups who are opposing the final verification of the facility due to rising radiation levels being found in the rivers. It is eventually revealed that TONY's "emotional shut down" was due to a long ago tragedy which he still cannot face when suddenly, a new shared tragedy occurs which threatens Tony's family and his comfort zone. Will he remain in his status quo level of existing or will he again begin choosing those Ideals he once so adhered to? In short, will Tony summon his courage to finally...
"Fall to Grace?"
This film will have an accompanied with a set Character Themes and other "Singles" in the Score which will be suitable for separate CD release.
This is an entertaining comedy-drama which includes insight, depth and humor, this film will appeal to ages from 24 years old and above. Anticipating a 22 to 25 day shooting schedule and we will soon become actively engaged with distributors and potential producing partners.
"A GREATER HARMONY" 60 to 90 Min. Documentary
This program will focus on numerous people who have trained in the non-aggressive martial art of Aikido for 24 years or longer. It will show how they bring the principles (or Tools Of Aiki) into their daily lives, their careers and into their communities.
One of the principles includes "blending" with whatever comes to you. In other words, not fighting anything but rather unconditionally accepting all that comes into our lives.
One such example is MOLLY RUTH HALE who only months before her 3rd degree black belt test became involved in an auto accident and sustained a broken neck in an auto accident. Rather than accepting her doctor's pronouncement that she would be a quadraplegic for the rest of her life. She accepted the situation but not the doctors judgement. Instead, she created her own rehabilitation program and now almost 14 years later is now walking with assistance. She also travels to Switzerland each year to teach a movement seminar.
Another person is Ethiopian, Tesfaye Tekelu. Having recently attaining his "Shodan Rank" (first degree blackbelt). He has returned to his homeland and applies the Aiki Principles into the organization he founded, namely the Awassa Youth Campus. Through the organization, he teaches leadership skills, healthy lifestyle education, acrobatics, gymnastics, music, art and aikido.
Another person is FORREST KAN in Northern California who created his own temporary position in the troubled local school system. He trained school personell and the school board in the Aiki Principles and was instrumental in fixing what had been a broken system.
There are other individuals and group to be considered as well. Such as those who teach the Aiki Principles to the Corporate Worlds and another that teaches Peace through cooperation and understanding to Palestine and Jewish youths in joint camps.
One FOCAL POINT will be Aikido Teachers of varying styles as they demonstrate the principles "on the mat" when they are teaching. During the interviews, we will see the "artistry" of each interviewee as they are practicing their expression of the art on the mat as they are UKE (person throwing) and as NAGE (person attacking and being thrown).
