Lights, Camera, Action

What a great story on the front page of the St. Augustine Record today! It's all about 11-year old Keaton Bicknell who wants to become the youngest screenwriter in the world. And he's starting off by writing a screenplay based on my book, "Pelican Pete: A Bird Is Born." 

Isn't that the coolest thing you ever heard? There's a whole long story all about it in the paper and you can see it for yourself at this page on-line or, if you're in the St. Augustine area, you can pick up a copy of the newspaper.

There are a couple of neat pictures in the newspaper as well including one of Hugh Keiser with Keaton. Keaton made a special trip to the Florida Heritage Book Festival a couple of months ago so that he could meet Hugh and Fran. Keaton loves the Pelican Pete books and wants to not only write a screenplay but he is getting help from some very special friends and family to actually turn his screenplay into a film.

Keaton's father, Stuart Bicknell has been working in the film business for years. He's a gaffer. That's a person who does electrical and lighting work for movies.

Another person working to make this happen was the lead animator for Walt Disney's feature film, "Lilo & Stitch" and his name is Dominic Carola. And there is even a production company from Orlando involved, "Best Friend Films."  The co-owner, Kevin Lang, has tons of experience making movies so this should be really good.

There is even going to be a casting call at the Limelight Theatre in St. Augustine on Dec. 20th. Just like Hollywood!!

Keaton is a boy with special needs. He was diagnosed with autism when he was only 2. (There's a lot more information in the newspaper article about autism.) But Keaton hasn't let that stop him. He has a dream and he's going for it!

Keaton and his sister Samantha spent some time this summer at a film camp where he learned more about making movies. It was sponsored by the HEAL Foundation (Healing Every Autistic Life). The director of the camp is John Travolta's brother, Joey Travolta. You can read more about it at the link above.

If you have any questions about the book or the film, drop me a note.  Tell me about your dreams too. My dream for this year is to explore new habitats and tell you about them. That, and being a movie star!  Send your notes to: Pete's Mail Bag

I'll be back real soon to show you a neat picture of a centipede.  Do you know what that is? 

Keep on discovering and exploring the outdoors!

                 

Comments

["Pelican Pete"]

Thanks for the comment that Pelican Pete is awesome. We just switched from a different blog host, and past followers and comments didn't post with it. Maybe you can let your friends know about Pelican Pete. We're going to be letting you know some cool things about nature.

[I Luv Neville]

wow, i am the first folower, how sad, youd think more people would follow this blog thingamajigger, pelican pete is awesome!