May 23, 2014, Vol. 12, Issue 10

This is so exciting!  A favorite book(s) is being (could be) made into a movie.  A few years ago a client turned me on to Joan Anderson’s first book, Year by The Sea, and I devoured it — and all the sequels, too.

Although my circumstances were different than hers, I felt like Joan was talking to me — another unfinished woman.  She gave me hope that I was not alone, that I didn’t have to be perfect, that all of those soul-searching inquiries that I was going through were part of the journey, and it’s all okay. I would get through it, and come out better on the other side. At this very moment, I would dive into those books again, but alas, I can’t. I just boxed them up because — we are moving!  More on that later.

I think it’s important to support women who are doing powerful work in the world, so I wanted to let you know that she and her producer are launching a Kickstarter campaign to finance a start on the movie. This is powerful stuff, and we can support it with our contributions. You and I, we can make a difference in something we believe in, especially those of us who are Baby Boomer women. And then when the movie comes out, you could be a star, too, by inviting Joan as the keynote speaker for your women’s event!

Meantime, you can read a few musings about the rest of my (moving) story…which is pretty much about cardboard boxes and memories at this point…at the end of this blog. But mainly, read Joan’s story here; it is far more interesting. 🙂

Filming Joan Anderson’s Book by Crowd-Funding

Year by the Sea – The Motion Picture – Launches Kickstarter Campaign

Film financiers want proof…not only that a fan base exists but that these fans actually want to see the movie made!

The numbers are against them. According to audience measurement company Quantcast, only 20% of Kickstarter backers are over age 45. This demographic, however, is the primary audience for Joan’s books, which have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and have been translated into 19 languages.

So screenwriter/producer Alexander Janko and team are nevertheless hoping to draw baby boomers to the crowd-funding platform Kickstarter to contribute development funds for the feature film “Year by the Sea,” based on Joan’s three New York Times’ best-selling memoirs.

“We know we’re bucking the trend,” Janko said. “But 100 million Americans turned 55 in 2013, and the share of movie tickets sold to boomers spiked. When this audience becomes aware of a film being created just for them, we believe they’ll show their support.”

The 30-day initiative, with a goal to raise $50,000, launched Wednesday(5/21/14).

Kickstarter is an online crowd-funding platform that allows projects to raise money by offering items and experiences in return for financial pledges. Campaign creators establish their own rewards, which begin at $1 and can reach as high as $10,000. Each project must meet its goal by the stated deadline, or no money is collected.

Janko has recruited top NYC fashion guru Kenny Bonavitacola to design the reward tier merchandise, as well as provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by creating a one-of-a-kind couture ensemble for a top-tier pledger.

Other top-tier items include a day on the Cape with Joan Anderson, a speaking role in the movie, and a chance to conduct the film’s orchestra during a recording session.

The Kickstarter campaign will end June 20th at 11:59pm EST.

Year by the Sea is about a baby boomer  who realizes she’s lost her identity beyond the roles of wife and mother. Overnight she decides to take a break from her marriage and rediscover herself. While on Cape Cod she meets a slew of locals, including Joan Erikson, wife of famed psychologist Erik Erikson, who becomes Joan’s mentor.

According to data journalism website FiveThirtyEight, films that pass the Bechdel test—two female characters must talk about something other than a man—enjoy a 37% higher return on investment compared to male-centric films.

Still, “Film financiers want proof,” Janko said, “not only that a fan base exists, but that these fans actually want to see the movie made.”

Year by the Sea now claims more than 1,800 “likes” and counting on Facebook. Last month, the team hosted a screenplay reading on Cape Cod attended by fans from as far away as Michigan.

Janko anticipates similar support in the Kickstarter campaign. While he would welcome raising the film’s full budget ($5M) via pledges—as Zach Braff’s “Wish I Was Here” and “Veronica Mars” accomplished—his $50,000 goal will help finance ongoing development.

“We’ll be able to hire some crew, attach talent, and build upon our momentum,” he said, adding several notable actors have already expressed interest in the screenplay.

And, finally, ask yourself if this is something that you’d feel good about supporting. I know I do.

ABOUT JOAN ANDERSON

Joan Anderson is a Cape Cod author and motivational speaker. Her memoir, A Year by the Sea, was on the NYT best-seller list for 32 weeks and was followed by An Unfinished Marriage, A Walk on the Beach, A Weekend to Change Your Life and The Second Journey — all translated worldwide. She has appeared on “Oprah,” “Weekend Today,” and “Good Morning America,” and holds weekend retreats for women year-round.

For booking information, please contact me at 503-699-5031 or email barbara@speakwellbeing.com

My Life in Boxes

So if there’s ever a time to review life, it’s when we make a physical move.  Moving is a top 3 stressor.  My husband and I are making our move in two stages. First to a temporary furnished cottage (small but delightful) in Portland, while putting all of our stuff in storage, and then in August to our new (to us) home back in our Waluga Neighborhood in Lake Oswego.

As I was lamenting the trials and tribulations of moving, my friend Holly noted that in moving I’m confronted (that’s the operative word) with all of my choices — past, present and future.  All of the things I’ve purchased — furniture, abandoned hobbies, clothing (sizes!), hopes, dreams, memories. Oh yes, all of the memories — encased in frames, albums, scrapbooks — and those left piled in envelopes, neglected – although the hope is that someday they might be organized and memorialized in an album, or, perhaps, even online.  And then there’s the stuff given to me, as well as inherited, and all of my husband’s stuff — family and otherwise. We have mountains of stuff. What goes, what moves.  Lots of decisions, emotional and otherwise. It’s a big job.

No more time to write right now — we are shoulder high in boxes, bare walls, disarray, and feeling very unfinished. Thanks, Joan. Until next time, take care of yourself for your well being and those you love.

Yours truly,

Barbara
For Your Well Being is published bi-weekly. We bring you insider speaker reports, exclusive stories about special events around the country, meeting planner tips, and fun stuff from the worlds of health and well being. Be well and be in the know!

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