I started work on a screenplay titled, "One More Christmas" back in August of 2014 and I am now on Version 5. Each version I start, I'll do four rewrites; some minor, some major. For instance, I run like this, 1.a.b.c., 2.a.b.c., so forth and so on. So being on version five is pretty amazing thing for me. I think that is the highest number of rewrites I've ever achieved on any of my projects. Is it ready for prime time? Let us hope an pray; because, if not I'll be flipping burgers or locked up soon. :)
Title: “One More
Christmas”
Genre: Drama –
Romance: Central Hero, Character Driven,
Faith Based, Family Friendly, Love Story.
Overcoming Obstacles, Rural Setting, Strong Male Lead, Teens, Wide
Audience, Tragedy, War - Military.
Author: Steven B. Newman
sbnou@live.com
Logline: Leo Harper is a wounded warrior who prays
for “One More Christmas” with those he loves, with those who live in his heart,
in his memories, and in his soul.
Synopsis: Leo
Harper is a wounded warrior who learns to reconcile who he was with the reality
of his new capabilities. Set with the back drop of “Bode’s Christmas Tree Farm,”
the story explores important themes around PTSD and recovery. It investigates the generational aspects of
war and manhood and represents a return to family values. It is a story about living in the real world,
in a world where children are not coddled and spoiled. The story also brings a strong moral
message: that helping others is a way of
helping yourself.
After becoming a wounded warrior, Leo opens up to Dr.
Birmingham about his life and how his mother passed away. He explains that he was raised by his great
grandfather, Vernon Bode, a Vietnam Veteran who lives by the tradition of the
Wolf’s Code. Bode uses the code as a
teaching tool after taking on the responsibility of raising Leo and his older
brother, Brian. He shows the teens how
to become men and how to treat others with respect and dignity. He teaches them frontiersman-like self-reliance
and more importantly, how to recognize love and what it truly means to be a
warrior.
Leo returns home and begins to balance his expectations for
himself against the certainty of his injuries and although he struggles to
overcome the debilitation of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he finds peace through
God, surrounded by family. He learns
that in life, what he truly wants for Christmas simply cannot be bought. Bottom line, we all pray for one more
Christmas with those we love, with those who live in our hearts, in our
memories, in our soul.
Bio: Steven B. Newman’s perspective as a Veteran
brings truth and realism to his writing. He reveals the heart and spirit of our
nation’s greatest warriors and shows them for who they really are; the young
men and women who grew up next door and went on to become something
extraordinary. Steve is a graduate of Columbia College Midwest City , Oklahoma
