Supernatural film: is a genre that centers around supernatural elements, such as ghosts, gods, goddesses, and miracles. Supernatural films deal with the unknown questions of life; therefore, they tend to incorporate religious elements into the plot. Since they emphasize the unknown, Supernatural films are considered quite suspenseful. (www.thescriptlab.com)
Supernatural Films: These are films that have themes including gods or goddesses, ghosts, apparitions, spirits, miracles, and other similar ideas or depictions of extraordinary phenomena. (www.filmsite.org)
Thriller and Suspense Films: These are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. Thriller and suspense films are virtually synonymous and interchangeable categorizations, with similar characteristics and features. A genuine thriller is a film that relentlessly pursues a single-minded goal – to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging at the ‘edge of their seats’ as the plot builds towards a climax. The tension usually arises when the main character(s) is placed in a menacing situation or mystery, or an escape or dangerous mission from which escape seems impossible. Life itself is threatened, usually because the principal character is unsuspecting or unknowingly involved in a dangerous or potentially deadly situation. Plots of thrillers involve characters which come into conflict with each other or with outside forces – the menace is sometimes abstract or shadowy. (www.thescriptlab.com)
Historical Fiction: Is a literary genre in which the plot takes place in a setting located in the past.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_fiction)
When I sent the script for coverage, (this is where professional script readers take it apart and analyze it), they said that Summer’s feels more like a “supernatural, suspense, thriller.” Had I actually taken the time to understand what those genres meant, instead of brushing them aside, I would have had a different angle in which to promote the series. But the above definitions are truly what the story is all about. But as a faith based film, I wanted more than anything to promote the Lord. However, if I am pitching it wrong, the very people who need to see the film might shy away from a “Christian” film. Not that there aren’t great ones out there because truly there are. I just do not think Summer Ray fits the normal Christian based film. So, I am regrouping and changing the genre to Historical Fiction/Supernatural/Thriller! Just by changing the genre – it adds a much higher level of suspense.
After I didn’t win an award at the Content21 Film Festival, even though I was nominated for “Best Feature Screenplay,” I will still bummed. It truly was an amazing experience with so many wonderful people. But I will still bummed. I felt somewhat out of place and perhaps it’s the reason why we couldn’t attend. I knew that if God wanted us to be there, He would have most assuredly provided. Still, the funds just were not there for us to do so. I prayed and sought the Lord about His thoughts. Some people may accuse me of taking Him out of the script by changing the genres – but it is simply not true. If people are turned off about certain aspects of the film, they might not go and see it. To me that would be tragic. The Lord is all throughout the film. But in more subtle ways. This is NOT a Christian film where Jesus is the main character. He is the character that the film points to, or the One the film leads to like a river.
But rivers are bumpy, winding, fast then slow, some have rapids and waterfalls. The story of Summer Ray is like this. It is not a clear shot to the Lord. But He is with Summer since the day she was born. Her Guardian Angel Rory is proof of that.
Just because Summer Ray is a Christian, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t have real life issues. The pilot is an authentic story. But it is filled with twists and turns that will leave the viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering what happens next as it explores the past, present and yes – even the future.
“No” doesn’t always mean, “No!”
It just means find out how to make it better and keep going till there is a, “Yes!”
Onward!
THE MEMOIRS OF SUMMER RAY 