Frozen River Film Festival - Adventure Unknown
Professional wakeboarder, Alexa Score, perseveres through pain and impossible odds.
Interview with Director/Producer Dana Johnson
Watch Adventure Unknown on Audpop
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Alexa's story has always encouraged me to persevere through extreme challenges. If Alexa can live every day with her illness and still keep a positive outlook, then I should be able to as well. Her story has helped me push on through adversity. I thought if I made a film about her, it could help to inspire others who are struggling to keep pushing.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film will make you feel inspired and also teach you about living with terminal illness. It's about human connection. You can step inside her private life and experience the strong bond she has with her family. It's comforting and emotional. You can't watch it and not feel something. Whenever I watch it, I still feel it's energy rubbing off on me.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I do a lot of stories on people who are different and in some ways removed from average society. I also like stories of people helping each other. I suppose this is because I feel different and sometimes displaced. Making these stories helps give me hope and shows how we are all facing our own battle.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Originally, the film was supposed to be straight forward from the beginning, but we changed the order of it to not let everything out right away. The true story is revealed after a smaller story is told in the beginning. I liked the element of surprise. It imitates what I felt when I found out the news about Alexa.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have loved this film. Many people have not experienced what Alexa has, but there are greater themes that people can relate to. I think at the end of the film you feel really connected to the character and her ability to move on. People see the need for that in their own lives. A lot of people have commented about crying during the film. I still can't get through her dad's interview without crying!!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was surprised that so many people related to the film and showed an overwhelming support for Alexa. She really reached out to the community and the world.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope to help other people who are going through a hard time. I also want to educate the public about what it's like to live with her condition.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Getting the word out there and getting people to watch it is going to go a long way. The message is a gift I would like to give to the audience, the same gift that was given to me when I heard her story.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope this film will keep people positive and show them that anything is possible no matter what cards you are dealt.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What do you do with your life knowing you could die soon? How do you process that?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are working on a short doc about 4 young siblings with autism who have found solace in starting their own fire dancing show.
Interview: February 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Adventure Unknown
Professional wakeboarder, Alexa Score, perseveres through pain and impossible odds.
Director: Dana Johnson
Producer: Dana Johnson
Writer: Dana Johnson & Kristofor Gieske
Key cast: Alexa Score