My surf-themed dramatic novella “The Rise and Fall of Piggy Church” has been optioned for feature film development by Los Angeles filmmaker Madeleine Farley, who plans to shoot the picture on location in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Industry veteran Whitt Brantley has signed on as executive producer.
The story, adapted in a similar vein to a “Coen brothers” style of blended comedy and drama, involves five selfish people whose lives revolve around a pier. The film is set circa 2005 at a seminal time in the history of modern surfing.
The book was heartily endorsed by the esteemed industry publication The Surfers Journal“back when first released and sold out two printings worldwide. Am its most ardent fans is the director, who has wanted to make this movie since she first read it and tracked the author down in London to discuss over tea and coffee.
“The potential audience is vast and global,” she said. “Everyone who lives anywhere close to a beach will love it, as will those who visit and cherish the unique nature of salt life and those who live it. I think we all share a fascination and admiration for the acrobats we see out there riding the waves and this story reveals the sport, business, and peccadilloes of a handful of unique characters forced to coexist. Sharing this story on the big screen will be magic for us all.”
Author Ocean Palmer said, “This story zeroes in on five people and an anonymous pier, the existence of which is pivotal in shaping the lives these people live. Piers are important to beach towns; and this story shares the reasons why. It’s a ton of entertaining fun, since very little is how it appears.”
A timelines for production has yet to be determined. Stay tuned as more unfolds.
