Lana Caputi and Dan Thiessen have written a television screenplay they plan to pitch to Hallmark and Super Channel.
But first, they need to hear how their characters are brought to life.
So Caputi and Thiessen are inviting male and female actors from age 25 and up to be part of a cast to read through the script.
What’s Your Normal is a story about Rosee Mason, whose life is interrupted when she meets the autistic Bill Wilcox.
“She tries to change him, but in doing so faces the biggest change of her life,” says Caputi.
A South Shuswap resident, Caputi is a director and choreographer who has directed two plays at Shuswap Theatre and is now switching from live theatre to film.
She has written an animated musical, The Bubblegum Tree, that is going to be pitched in China and deals with autism.
It is a subject Caputi is familiar with, having studied about the condition for two years in order to help her sister and brother-in-law with their autistic child. That expanded to a Vancouver organization that works with people with special needs, on a one-one-one basis, a theatre program, home care and skills programs.
“When I wrote Bubblegum Tree, there were two boys from Salmon Arm who really touched my heart, and were part of the writing team,” says Caputi, who still mourns the loss of Shane Gorner, who was killed last year in a workplace accident. “He was a big part of Bubblegum Tree.”
Caputi also has high praise for Vitaliy Demens, a filmmaker who owns his own company Raven Productions.
She works closely with the Okanagan Film Commission and is hoping the movie will be filmed locally.
Thiessen is a Kelowna songwriter and novelist.
The read-through will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Shuswap Theatre.
“It will be an opportunity for actors to network and make their talent known,” says Caputi, noting the session will be held in workshop fashion. “We’ll also get a feel for the talent in the area and the people who come onboard will be part of the workshop.”
There will be no formal auditions but actors who wish to participate must contact Caputi prior to the read-through by calling 250-801-7775 or 250-675-3737.