COMING SOON: ROMANTIC FAMILY DRAMA WEB SERIES
(scroll down to watch the 10-minute pilot episode)
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Heartsong was written straight from the heart of a granddaughter whose life plans were 'disappointed' when she became 'reappointed' as a full-time caregiver.
WATCH THE TEASER (1-minute)(Scroll down to watch the full 10-minute Short Film)
Many movies entertain; but stories have the power to spark movements and influence change. That is our mission.
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Inspired by one incredible woman and the Butterfly Effect of her life on those around her...
MEET THE CHARACTERS:
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Our story follows Jessica Rae, an ordinary girl who dreams of an extraordinary life as a Show Jumper! However, when she moves out to her grandma’s acreage to train with her horse in thrilling anticipation of a long awaited riding career, she is not at all prepared for the struggle that lies ahead, following her grandma's devastating diagnosis. Jessica's fragile identity - wrapped up solely in her need to succeed - is stretched to the max as her perfectly-planned life spirals out of her control.
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"I’m Eulene; you lean on me, I lean on you!”
With unrelenting faith and a passionate love for her Lord & Savior, Eulene strives to “be a light without blinding anybody.” Her trusting spirit and constant gratitude is both a blessing and an annoyance to those who can’t seem to find the beauty in their own situations. Though her disease throws her into a state of vulnerability and confusion, her beauty, grace and sense of humor remain vibrant. “My memory's only half bad and my forgetter’s getting better!” |
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Scott Ryder is a free spirit who sees life as a spontaneous adventure! Despite the attention his endearing charm and good looks attract, he is more interested in freedom and adventure than the ties of a relationship…until he meets Jessica.
Stopping at nothing to reach her heart, he becomes a charming source of inspiration to Jessica as he challenges her to venture outside her comfort zone, escape her dependency on her own plans and discover the pure adventure in everyday life. |
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Jessica's dream appears to be coming true when her show jumping idol, Suzanne Stalon, recognizes her potential and offers her a job at one of the most elite equestrian centers in the country - and, if she delivers, the coveted opportunity to join their team on the show circuit!
With British charm, a presence that demands respect, and a solid track record of success in the prestigious world of show jumping, she motivates Jessica to rise to her potential and pursue her dreams before it's too late...but at what cost? |
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Beth Rae is Eulene's daughter and from her mom's perspective, she is the problem. The "Martha" of the story, she often trips herself up by her well-meaning attempts to save the day by DOING things to care for her mom. In the end, she discovers that the richest form of love comes from simply BEING present. |
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HEARTSONG: PILOT EPISODE (10-minutes)
TARGET AUDIENCE...
Heartsong is a heartwarming story that is sure to evoke laughter, tears, and touch the hearts of families!
- The romance element appeals to teens and young adults.
- Younger girls connect with the irresistible bond between horse and rider.
- Parents are drawn to the solid core values that our characters learn about love that goes beyond romance, the fulfillment found in service over self, and the special beauty that can only be found in the midst of struggle.
OUR CORE PURPOSE...
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Alzheimer's AWARENESS - Despite being the fastest growing disease in North America, Alzheimer’s remains a mystery. The cost of care for Alzheimer’s patients is twice as much as for Cancer patients, yet the funds raised are minimal in comparison. There are 14 Million Alzheimer’s victims at this very moment who are unable to speak up for themselves, and their caregivers are too worn out and overwhelmed to advocate for change. When was the last time you saw a run for Alzheimer’s?
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INSPIRATION for Caregivers & Family - Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s takes a tremendous toll on the physical and emotional health of the caregiver. Aside from loneliness, depression, anxiety and exhaustion, levels of cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) often skyrocket in caregivers, leading to greater risk of heart disease and cancer. In fact, 40% of Alzheimer’s caregivers die from stress-related disorders before the patient does! (according to a Stanford Medicine Study)
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EMPATHY for the Patients: Frustration and anger is a common response from family and friends who don’t understand the disease: “She knows how to take a bath, she’s just being stubborn.” Even though they won’t remember what you said, they seem to remember how you made them feel. They literally live IN the moment! Living there with them – not 2 minutes in the past or in the future – is key to learning the language of their Heart's Song so you can sing along.
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OUR KEY TEAM...
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LAURA LIEBEN
Screenwriter/Producer/Actress |
Laura Lieben's work as an actress has taken her from Alberta, to Vancouver, to the mountains of Colorado and to a palace in Croatia, Europe. She is best known for the emotional depth and endearing vulnerability she brings to her characters in dramas such as In His Steps, based on the bestselling novel by Charles Sheldon, and Stolen Path, based on a true story and screened in festivals internationally.
Most recently, she starred in Neshama Entertainment's Finding a Killer to be distributed by Marvista Entertainment, and made an appearance in Heartland, Season 16, Episode 5, aired on October 30, 2022. She received a Best Performance" nomination in AMPIA's Rosie Awards for her self-written and produced short film, Heartsong: Silver Lining. |
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Alberta born director Justin Brunelle has worked extensively as an industry professional in the western Canadian film industry over the last decade. His films have been seen around the world on television, airlines and have been recognized internationally with numerous awards at international film festivals.
He spent the summer of 2017 directing 14 episodes of a new travel series which took him on the road across Canada for five months. Most recently, Justin was flown to Haiti to direct a documentary. |
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DAVID BARON
Cinematographer |
David Baron has worked with Moving Artistry Productions as a Cinematographer since 2014. He has been a full-time Cinematographer for five years in Edmonton, Alberta and is quickly building a strong name in the Alberta film industry. David’s career exploded after shooting his first independent feature Love/Hate (Superchannel). Since then, he has worked on hundreds of film productions in every imaginable environment.
He is experienced in 35mm, 16mm, HD and 4k production and keeps up-to-date with the current equipment and stylistic trends. As a Director of Photography, David has created content for many broadcasters and distributors including Superchannel, CTV, CBC, eOne, and Telus Optik. |
Letters of Support
Alzheimer's experts believe in our story! Here's why...
G. Allen Power
MD, FACP, Author of
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| support_letter_-_al_power.pdf |
Frida Hållenius
PhD, Senior Lecturer
| support_letter_-_frida_hållenius.pdf |
Teepa Snow
Founder & CEO of
"Positive Approach to Care"
| support_letter_-_teepa_snow.pdf |
FUNDING - Where's it coming from?
TELUS STORYHIVE awarded Heartsong with a $10,000 grant to produce the 10-minute pilot project you viewed above. Upon seeing the completed pilot, the team at TELUS connected with us to say that they "really saw the potential in Heartsong and would love to find a way to work together on seeing it grow." We were invited to apply for the "TELUS Fund."
TELUS FUND'S PURPOSE: "Fund exceptional content that promotes the health & well-being of Canadians through stories that appeal to our emotions, change our perceptions, stimulate empathy and share knowledge in an entertaining way."
*WHAT IS THE BUDGET?
"There are no per project maximums for production financing at the Fund. Applicants are encouraged to request only what they need to achieve realistic measured success objectives. Each year 15-25 projects have received on average $200,000 in production financing... a few exceptional submissions have received more than $500,000."
TELUS FUND'S PURPOSE: "Fund exceptional content that promotes the health & well-being of Canadians through stories that appeal to our emotions, change our perceptions, stimulate empathy and share knowledge in an entertaining way."
*WHAT IS THE BUDGET?
"There are no per project maximums for production financing at the Fund. Applicants are encouraged to request only what they need to achieve realistic measured success objectives. Each year 15-25 projects have received on average $200,000 in production financing... a few exceptional submissions have received more than $500,000."
Want to get involved? Contact Us today and let's connect! :-)
