In Moose Jaw, Corner Gas alumni Patricia Bruce (centre), cameraman Larry Heisler and Randee Heisler (hair & make up artist) all celebrate Patricia Bruce’s recent screenplay sale to U.S. Director Ty Mapp of Ty Mapp Films. Based in Hartford, Connecticut, Ty will direct and produce Patricia Bruce’s short screenplay, Cheatin' Song, later this year.
According to Ty Mapp (credits on IMDB), the initial connection was made through U.S. company Ink Tip and Ty found Patricia’s short screenplay dynamic — “he could see the visual in it.”
A short screenplay is an original motion picture with a running time of 40 minutes or less. Short scripts allow a brief glimpse into a character’s life — usually a single major conflict. And, as such, short films lack the big budgets of a feature film.
In Cheatin’ Song a beautiful young woman faces betrayal in her life — but she handles the conflict with a surprising and deadly conclusion.
Patricia and Larry worked in the Sask. movie/TB business for five years as feature background actors. As well, Larry has extensive working experience as a cameraman. In addition to the highly successful TV show Corner Gas, they worked on Just Friends (starring Ryan Reynolds); Little Mosque on the Prairie; Falling Angels and others, also including three TV commercials.
For Saskatchewan screenwriters starting out in the business, Patricia recommends a free membership in SYMPIA — Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association. This non-profit organization offers upcoming news and events; educational classes; info on funding and grants and upcoming film festivals with calls for submissions.
Patricia mentioned she took advantage of many on-line screenwriting courses including those at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).
On April 3, 2021 The Toronto International Women’s Film Festival awarded Patricia’s screenplay, When Animals Kill an official Selection of the film festival.
The Los Angeles CineFest awarded No Regrets by Patricia the Semi-Finalist short screenplay winner in 2018.
“It’s important to understand” says Patricia, “that Saskatchewan writers can sell their stories anywhere – it doesn’t have to be strictly Hollywood.”
