‘Simon Sees’ an opportunity
Local author Othello Bach's work being developed for film
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Othello Bach has written dozens of novels and children’s books. She has topped best-seller lists with her thrillers. And now one of them just might make it to the silver screen.
The transplanted Kokomo resident recently celebrated her 84th birthday among friends and family on the city’s southeast side. There was live music, plenty of food and drink, and one particularly special guest. Michael Harris of Sastun Media was in attendance to talk about Othello’s supernatural thriller, “Simon Sees.”
Harris and Sastun hope to produce a film adapting the novel, with filming tentatively slated for later this year.
“We're hoping to get ‘Simon Sees’ produced this year, and we’re still looking for the money,” said Harris. “We’re trying to make it happen. So, if anybody wants to talk about helping us out, we're happy to do that.
“Othello is an incredible writer, and her work deserves to be out there in the market. That's what we're trying to do. If we can get this one done, hopefully that will lead to more of her work being adapted.”
Harris explained that independent film production is challenging, especially in Indiana. Angel investors in the Midwest aren’t particularly familiar with the process or the potential returns on investment. The State of Indiana, however, does provide certain incentives for film production, he said. It’s an educational process on top of film production, but Harris believes he is up to the task.
Sastun already has a “sizzle reel,” which is a basic proof-of-concept video used to attract interest. It has some actors selected, but until the funding is secured, everything remains fluid.
“It’s always the money and the talent,” said Harris. “In order to get the talent we need, we need the money. In order to get the money we need, we need the talent.”
But it is Bach’s novel that is really what can sell the film. As Harris explained it, “Simon Sees” is the story of six-year-old Simon Daniels, an orphan who possesses the supernatural ability to see haunting visions of the future. A foster child who is shuffled from family to family due to these premonitions, Simon faces several challenges.
But Simon’s latest vision has changed his life. He has seen a man who knows about his birth mother’s disappearance. Now he has to convince his skeptical foster mother Elise that the vision is real. Together, they will uncover a dark conspiracy that threatens to tear their world apart.
Harris describes the story as a coming-of-age tale wrapped inside a psychological drama with a bit of fantasy thrown in for good measure. He portrayed it as a cross between “The Sixth Sense” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
“It's really a parallel journey between the kid and his foster mother,” said Harris. “She's recovering from trauma herself and has gone through a long period of feeling like the wicked stepchild. And Simon, whose mother has apparently abandoned him, has to deal with foster parents and the conflict caused by his gifts and abilities.
“It's their parallel journey of healing which results in them becoming family. That's what appeals to me most about the story. It’s really a story about finding home, finding family, finding a place, and just coming to your own.”
Harris earned his undergraduate degree from Ball State University in theater and social work. After performing social work for several years, he decided to put his theater education into action. He has filmed several commercial and industrial productions, and he has developed a number of small, low-budget films.
But “Simon Sees” could be his first major production.
“I want to make something beyond pure entertainment,” said Harris. “As I started to look into ‘Simon Sees,’ I realized it is an important story that needs to be told. It’s about living in a world that doesn’t understand you.”
Additional information about the Sastun Media production of “Simon Sees” can be found at www.simonseesmovie.com. The sizzle reel for the film can be found by visiting https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/822520638