Story by Wendy Weiner Photo by Mona K Photography
feature
Over the Rainbow
One of the
most often quoted movie lines comes at the very end of The Wizard of Oz, and is uttered by the newly enlightened Dorothy played by Judy Garland. ''There's no place like home.'' My earliest memories involve nodding my head in agreement with her words, and I'd like to think that as an enlightened child I recognized the importance of Dorothy's life lesson. Deep down, however, I know that I believed Dorothy because she had sparkly shoes. When I graduated from Central High School (Class of '83), preppy was cool, mastering the English language was an essential tool for success, and the only wrinkles we had were in our clothes. Time flew. I graduated from Touro College in New York City, got married, popped out four beautiful, energetic and mildly saucy children, and have managed to stay married to Peter. My career? Marketing and development projects of all shapes, sizes and flavors were my stock in trade. I've always been a professional Jewish mother where I brought people and projects together for the maximum impact. Seeking bigger challenges, I accepted a short-term consulting job where I met Zach LeBeau, and it was just like the striking of a match. We were "partners at first sight." During our first (and last) project for the client, I recognized that he would write and direct commercially successful films that uplift, inspire and entertain, and he knew that I would tirelessly gather the necessary components to finance and manage our film projects. Three years ago I gathered all of my experience, contacts and a wheelbarrow of chutzpah only to find myself in Oz. On February 14th, 2007, Zach and I sneaked off the Court House and went into business together. I know that I probably should have told my husband first, out of common courtesy, but when it's right, it's right. Whoops. More than 25 years after I last tortured Doc Moeller as the Student Council President from Hell, in the long shadow of that glorious high school on the hill, I am the Executive Producer of a full-length feature film, THE SCIENTIST, primarily filmed in Council Bluffs. Our production company, Polynation Pictures LLC, is producing THE SCIENTIST for domestic and international
www.readonlinenow.com
march/april | 2010
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