Screenwriting
The movie, based on Joan Bauer’s classic New York Times Bestseller
“When hope gets released in a place, anything is possible.”
Joan wrote the feature-length screenplay for this independent film, and says: “We’ve carried this film project through the pandemic, through the Writers Strike, through the LA fires… and the hope in this story has only grown stronger.”
The director, Bertha Bay Sa Pan (Face, Almost Perfect, Fighting Fish, Queen Sugar, Lucy in the Sky) told Deadline: in an exclusive post: “I am thrilled to collaborate with this team of veteran creatives who share the vision of Hope Was Here — the journey of a 16-year-old who is no stranger to hardships and heartaches, yet through humor and heart (and hearty comfort food!), experiences hope that arises amidst all the brokenness. Young people everywhere should be encouraged to educate themselves by listening and learning despite differences and speaking up for what’s right. We hope this film will inspire them to do so.” — DEADLINE (see full Exclusive Post)
SYNOPSIS: Food is in Hope’s blood. With her aunt Addie, comport food chef extraordinaire, she’s moved too much, but always hones her waitress skills, impressing hungry people everywhere. After losing their restaurant in Brooklyn, Hope and Addie leave the city they love to run a diner in rural Wisconsin, finding themselves in a town divided with real problems and deep-seeded corruption. Hope and Addie meet the pain of their pasts head-on in this story about honor, trust, and serving up your very best.
- A New York Times Bestseller
- Winner of the Newbery Honor Award
- Winner of the Christopher Award
- An American Library Association Notable Book
SQUASHED The Musical
Based on Joan’s award-winning young adult novel
Commit to Something Big
This is the story of a magnificent obsession — an agricultural obsession — set in the tiny town of Rock River, Iowa. Pumpkins are kings here, like chocolate reigns in Hershey, PA. As preparations build for the annual Great Pumpkin Weigh In and Harvest Festival extravaganza, the audacious sport of giant pumpkin growing in is full swing. Cyril Pool, despicable weigh-in champ is growing an unbeatable contender he calls, “Big Daddy”. Ellie Morgan, 16, is laser-focused on one goal — to win first prize with her giant pumpkin Max and be the best.
But growing giant pumpkins is about proving yourself in the heat of battle. The adult growers in town don’t want a teenager collecting the winner’s purse. Ellie’s father, a motivational consultant, doesn’t want her spending time with “an over-sized gourd”. Ellie’s grandmother who raised Ellie after her mother died, tries to remind her that size matters, but not as much as heart. Pumpkin thieves strike. Newspapers run stories about Ellie’s grit. She thought she was ready for fame. She’s not. Her labor of love turns dark and desperate.
Wes, the new boy, a devoted grower of corn, tells Ellie the secret of growing prize-winning vegetables. Pickups back into Founders Square for the Great Weigh-In as Rock River waits to learn who will prevail and who will be squashed. Big Daddy is impossibly huge, it will take a miracle for Ellie to win. Suffice it to say that the ag world is rocked, for there is something about a good seed planted in good soil that has ridiculous power.
**Squashed was performed for a two day staged reading at The Refuge Theater In Chicago. Directed by Christopher Pazdernik, called “a near-encyclopedic knowledge of musicals” by Newcity. Music Director — Jeff Bouthiette of Second City. Book by Joan Bauer. Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bouthiette and Joan Bauer. We are looking for a company or program for the next production of SQUASHED.
Close to Famous
Screenplay by Joan Bauer, based on her award-winning novel
Foster McFee wants to make the world a better place one cupcake at a time, but first she has to face the thing that makes her feel like an all-out loser.
Foster’s dream is huge — one day she hopes to have her own TV cooking show like her idol, Sonny Kroll. But it’s hard to hold onto a big dream when you’ve been chased out of Memphis by an Elvis impersonator and end up in the tiny town of Culpepper, WV where nothing much seems to happen. Still, Foster has learned, no matter what, you’ve got to keep baking.
Soon she discovers she’s not the only one in Culpepper with a dream of fame. Macon desperately wants to make documentary films. The town’s famous recluse, actress Charleena Hendley, longs to return in triumph to Hollywood, and Foster’s mother hopes to be a headliner instead of a backup singer. Culpepper seems to be a safe haven for now, but Foster and Mama can’t hide forever.
COOK’S TIP: Bake every day. If you have to leave town fast, you’ll always have something good to eat in the car.
- Winner of the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award
- Winner of the Christopher Award
Available for option.