What a wonderful story:
Ben Resella wants to sell a screenplay. Not an unusual dream, but Ben has already “made it” once in Hollywood. For decades he worked on movie sets as a scenic designer and painter in the Philippines and found his way into Hollywood. But that never kept him from his dream of writing. Even though he’s never so much as pitched a story to anyone, he’s determined to try and sell his a screenplay. He will not be denied his chance. His last chance. Ben is 91 years old.
Filmmaker Marie Tang decided to make a documentary about Ben Resella and his efforts to sell his screenplay. You can see the trailer for “Script for Sale” here.
Those of you living in So. Cal., there will be a screening of the movie on June 5th:
that great storytelling is timeless?”
www.mptvfund.org/scriptsforsale
And here’s the kicker:
The Motion Picture & Television Fund would like to invite all ADG members to the screening of ADG Scenic Artist member Ben Resella’s story entitled “Scripts for Sale” a film by Marie Tang. Ben worked as lead Scenic Artist and resident perspective expert at J.C. Backings for decades at Twentieth Century-Fox and MGM Studios. This film tells Ben’s story – his quest at the age of 91 to finish and sell his screenplay based on a forgotten legend of Filipino history. Helping him with his quest is his screenwriting mentor, his film-student granddaughter and young director/editor, Marie Tang. Ben is also a World War II veteran and survivor of the Bataan Death March.
Ben is a WW II veteran.
How’s that for a story on Memorial Day weekend?
You can go here to the movie’s Facebook page.
Again, you can go here for ticket information for the June 5th screening at the Sunset 5.
I’ll have more background on the movie tomorrow.
If anybody knows Marie Tang, the movie’s director, please let her know I’d be happy to interview her to help promote Script for Sale.
H/T to my friend Gary Frutkoff who forwarded me info on “Script for Sale.”
91?
He's GOT to make that film!
Jeez, whenever I start getting bitchy about this here writing career or that I'm "too old for this shit," I shall reference this story.
Remarkably inspirational!