MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Shekhina-Morgaine Beaulet

An interview with screenwriter Shekhina-Morgaine Beaulet regarding the One in Ten Writing Competition.

A: First, I wrote the script under my pen name Jodie Lewis. It became a pen name when my Registered Domestic Partner and I finally, officially, legally took a common last name, and because of spiritual reasons I also changed my first name as well.

The script is entitled CAROLINE'S WISHES. It finished 2nd in the 2004 One In Ten Contest and I am deeply honored for its recognition.

As a lesbian woman in a long term committed relationship Caroline's Wishes is an everyday tragedy of which I am all too painfully aware. The story centers around a Lesbian couple (Caroline and Rose) who have been raising Caroline's biological daughter for the last ten and a half years with little, no help, from bio-dad. The girl is now eleven years old.

When Caroline is killed in an automobile accident the story becomes Rose's fight to stay in the life of her daughter when they are forcefully separated by the re-emergence of bio-dad, Caroline's parents (who had always *seemed* to accept Rose as part of the family) and a court system which views Rose as a legal stranger to this child. Caroline's Wishes are her living trust and other legal documents regarding what she wants to happen after she's gone, including guardianship of her daughter. These numerous legal documents are must have's for gay and lesbian couples and families in order to protect themselves. Unfortunately, the inordinate amount of time and thousands of dollars spent on these documents doesn't always assure they will be honored.

As is the case in Caroline's Wishes. Suddenly, the time Rose has spent in a decade plus long uncontested role of a parent, not to mention the deep emotional bond between her and her daughter, is completely and utterly made inconsequential by personal and societal morality judgements and the court system fashioned by them.

A: The One in Ten competition seemed a natural match for this project. I've only entered this script in one other contest and that has yet to be decided as of the date I'm writing this.

A: Very satisfied. I was just notified this week of Caroline's Wishes second place finish, so the awards have not been distributed yet. I did receive notification when the administrators received my script and several times again as finalists were chosen and with the second place finish this week.

A: This contest doesn't mention offering any feedback. It would always be helpful, but I'm not expecting it.

A: The win is a bit too recent to judge properly. At this point, no, I haven't been contacted by anyone on this project.

A: I actually started my career writing children's books. I have eight published ones. Then I moved into writing for television in the eighties and was lucky enough to be able to make a career out of it. I'm indebted to producer/writers such as William Blinn and the late Roy Huggins for believing in me and my work. I owe much to both of them. So, I guess the short answer to your question is yes, I've written other material.

A: I'm one of three people actually born in Los Angeles. My parents recently passed away and my wife and I now live in the home they bought when it was built in the early '50's. This is the house where I was conceived, so it's a bit Waltonish to find myself back here. I'm the cantadora (storyteller) for our neighborhood, the only one who knows who lived where, when, and the evolution of this part of the San Fernando Valley. They say you can't go home again because the things you remember change so much. I've lived this backward, staying in the area and watching the metamorphasis as it happened. Fascinating.

A: I leave this to the goddess and let her take me where she will.

Posted Thursday, November 18, 2004