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"Ghosts" is the story of one man’s search for meaning after the promise of his beautiful Christian life goes sadly wrong. It’s “The Big Chill” meets Jesus.
Life was beautiful for David Herrick, mid 30s Christian speaker and author until Jessica, his recently pregnant wife of 13 years, succumbed to a sudden and unexpected illness. His will to keep living teeters on the brink of suicide when he receives a mysterious invitation to a weekend with old friends in one of England’s most haunted houses.
David isn’t ready to rejoin life and certainly not to reacquaint himself with people from his old youth group but the invitation comes from one of his wife’s oldest friends, Angela. The offer becomes more intriguing when Angela promises to give him something from his darling Jessica. With hesitation, David makes his way to the dark and foreboding Headly Manor.
The house lives up to its billing. And the cast of characters gathered there doesn’t even resemble the bright-eyed teens from the youth group nearly 15 years ago. Mike Ford, the hard-drinking salesman, Andrew Glazier, still thin, serious, and very tense. Peter Grange the answer man, always sure of just what to say. Jenny Thomas, still seeming to stand in the shadow of everyone else. Little Graham Wilson, an anxious sort of fellow. And Angela, the hostess, still beautiful, the envy of other girls, but alone now, and like the others bearing a dark burden.
To break the ice and spark conversation they each agree to share their greatest fear. The kind of ghosts they dredge up as the weekend progresses make for some amazing interaction between old friends, clashes between old enemies, romance, danger, and intrigue. Long hidden secrets and painful present day struggles are the topics of lively dinner discussions and secret meetings. The issues of celibacy, homosexuality, anger, lust, fear and loss of faith are the burdens, which are laid out for all to observe. Lest we forget, no fireside nightcap would be complete without a spine tingling ghost story to accompany the guests to their bedchambers. In the end the old friends and acquaintances will never be quite the same again.
And for David, will revisiting his past force him to confront what he really lost when Jessica died?
What
Critics Are Saying:
"A beautifully conceived and executed
book."
- Publisher’s Weekly
‘Ghosts … signals that a reassessment of Plass is in order… The rollicking satire of the earlier books is here replaced by a gentler humour of character. It is a moving psychological drama that raises important issues of life and death, and takes an honest look at how the certainties of teenage faith weather over the years. And I defy you not to get a lump in your throat towards the end of the book.’
- Church Times
"This is a story that will grip you. But far more than that, it’s a book which will help you face up to the ghosts of your past. Ultimately, this is a book about redemption. Beware, it could change you."
- Rob Frost, Director,
Share Jesus International
No one is better at making us laugh and cry than Adrian Plass. He sees right behind our masks, but he is also the most compassionate man I have ever met. Add these qualities to his remarkable storytelling ability and the result is Ghosts…’
- Jennifer Rees Larcombe
I've read Ghosts three times now. I've read the bible more often, Frederick Beuchner's Godric as many times, and
everything else less. Adrian's writing has a quality of truth telling that is more nuanced and more entertaining than most. Like the best of writing, it leaves you remembering the story as if you were your own. And it leaves your life richer and more readily
embraceable. Ghosts is simply a great read.
- Steve Bell / Award winning Canadian singer and songwriter
Frequently
Asked Questions about the 'GHOSTS' Film:
Why does this film need to be made?
This is a ‘rubber meets the road’ story of how real faith meets real life issues. This is a story that deals honestly and openly with current cultural issues, which confront both Christians and non-Christians. It deals with grief, celibacy, sexual temptation, homosexuality, loss of faith, rage and inadequacy. Through the main character’s journey of despair, we see the hope that truth and honesty provides. All seven characters have issues that they want and need to deal with. It is the presentation and discussion of these topics that will win over every audience member. This film deals with issues that people can relate to or fear; and provides answers!
Who are we making it for?
This film is designed for a cross-generational audience of savvy moviegoers! They want films that challenge and reflect their own exploration of their faith and culture. Ghosts will lead to many conversations around the dinner table and in coffee rooms. This film is for people who are seeking the truth about God, (authenticity). This will also be a film, which causes believers to re-examine their priorities, doctrines and what the bible really says.
Is this a Religious film and if so can it be viewed by all audiences?
Our intent is to make a film, which can be released in the theatres and enjoyed by any adult audience. The book has proven this to be possible. We have had many people of faith as well as non-believers read the book. All have been touched by David’s journey and the core message of the book; love based on truth!
Who is the audience?
Target audience age group is 18 to 35 years of age. We will attempt to make the film as relevant as possible to this age group for a number of reasons. There is a lost generation who are looking for stories which depict the real world in which they live. We call it -lost- because there is a vacuum in Christian literature and film which addresses the crisis of a generation confronted with celibacy in a sexually charged world, a success driven society and fitting the media driven cultural mold. Most importantly this generation faces questions of faith and loss in a time which has to deal with issues like September 11th. Audiences need to identify with characters and stories, which reflect their own lives and concerns. The Producers of Ghosts see this market exploding in the publishing and film world in the next couple of years. This production is on the cutting edge of this growing market. Popular magazines such as Relevant reflect this new trend. Research at this year’s CBA has clearly indicated a need and demand for this type of film!
Audiences are eager and open to issue driven discussions.
Their choice medium is film. Film is clearly the literature of the day.
They spend a significant amount of disposable income on movies.
They are actively seeking ’truth’ and films that reflect their own lives.
Where will the film be made?
The story in the book is set in England. We would love to make the film in England. However in order to save funds, and because we are having success in finding some excellent locations, we may film in Canada.
When will the film be made?
The film can take place at almost any time of the year. The dead of winter would not be as scenic, nor as cinematically enchanting. Our goal is to be in production in either the Spring or Fall seasons.
How long will the project take from the time you get funding for the script?
Funding the scriptwriting process allows us to hire a screenwriter, develop the story and complete the script. Once the script is written we can use it to attract further investment, actors and distributors. We will also be able to set up a production schedule that will begin once funding is complete. Once financing is in place and actors contracted, the project will take approximately six months to complete.
Who will see this presentation?
We hope to have this package presented to as many people and organizations as possible in order to raise funds. We will also use it to begin discussions with distributors and actors/agents.
What will it cost to produce Ghosts?
We are budgeting roughly 1.5 to 2.5 million US dollars for making the film. This budget can be fine tuned and specific once a script is completed and actor cost is calculated.
Why is the cost of making the film so high?
In the light of Hollywood budgets and even small independent films, this is a reasonably low budget production. This film is actor and story driven, not special effects and computer images. This is an excellent project to do lower budget. We could never return the same quality standards on a film that is a period piece, takes place in outer space, incorporates animation or lots of travel within the script. With the co-operation of actors, crew and suppliers, not to mention many years of industry experience, we believe we can deliver a high quality product for a relatively low cost!
Why is the cost of making the film so low?
The market will only pay back so much. We are hoping for a big success, but budgeting for realistic, well-planned business venture. Our goal is to produce a well-crafted product that returns a profit for all the investors. No one will invest if they do not believe in both the story and the ability to recoup their investment. We plan to deliver both. We also plan to call in a number of favors that will push production value up but keep our cash outlay very low. We can do this because of our contacts and years of working experience in the industry.
Are you picking these production costs out of the air?
Combined, our production team has roughly 140 years combined experience in the film and television business. We have participated in projects with budgets ranging from two thousand to 140 million US dollars.
Why are we doing this?
Individually we have track records that prove our success and keep us in demand. Our hope is that we can corporately accomplish what we all dream of individually. We desire to use our skills and experience to produce quality programming that makes a life changing difference.
SO WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Invest in the film Ghosts. We need committed partners to make this happen!
Could you pass this presentation package on to someone who may be interested in supporting this type of project. Perhaps you could pass on a name or two of potential investors to us so we can contact them directly.
To contact us about 'Ghosts' The Movie, fill out a
simple on-line
contact form
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