Miracle In Malibu is a short documentary film introducing surf therapy to families of very special children.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Karen Shaver

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made Miracle In Malibu as a family momentum to Todd and Barbara Cornish, the parents of Kristopher the 14-year-old boy featured in the film. A little back-story: Todd and I were high school sweethearts married in 1988. Although the marriage ended in 93, Todd, Barbara, my husband Matt and I successfully raised a daughter together. Giving Matt and I a glimpse of Kris’s therapy throughout the years.

One year, after learning Kris loved the ocean, Todd learned how to sail. With this information I led Todd to the beach with Kris and family in tow to introduce them to “The Mighty Under Dogs” a non-profit organization that surf with special families in Malibu. My husband and I have worked in advertising, and commercial production for 20 years, so we asked our very talented friends to bring their sound equipment and camera gear to the beach to watch, and roll the camera and sound as we waited patiently for Kristopher to warm up to the idea of surfing.

Todd Cornish, the lead subject in the film, and I were high school sweethearts and married as kids in 1988, split in 93 we share a 27 year old daughter. My film partner and present husband, Matt Shaver and I’ve witnessed Todd and his wife Barbara raise Kristopher since his birth. Matt, pictured here with the camera, was one of the camera operators on the film and supports the Cornish family and Miracle In Malibu 100%.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You should watch Miracle to witness the pure power of surf therapy and relay the information to those who may benefit from surf therapy.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Autism has become a universal issue. Ongoing research has benefited many families, with several forms of therapy creating fabulous changes to so many. From surfing, horseback riding, and music, even flying an airplane. The US Government has stripped its funding to some very important therapies such as Applied Behavior Analysis, a form of therapy many families have benefited from, and now it has completely been taken away. The Ocean has a form of healing and comfort to so many autistic children. If government-funded programs continue to go away why not use the benefits from the Ocean, a resource God given and granted, not controlled by man. Controlled by the universe, and the constant motion of the earth. It’s absolutely universally connected.

Growing up surfing in Southern California, Todd Cornish was open to introduce surfing to his 14 year old son Kristopher who has Autism.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It has been two days since we have won The Audience Award after our World Premier, and the response has been phenomenal. Not only will our film air on Virgin Atlantic International Airlines, we have already received several people looking to donate to The Mighty Under Dogs Organization. Aka MUD, who take their watermen to an Orphanage in Mexico and surf with special children across the boarder.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It is no surprise how the film has been received, the message is strong and impacting. The only thing that has challenged my view is the reality to the challenge of how we are going to give the children who do not live near the Ocean, the same opportunity to surf.

Miracle In Malibu Director Karen Shaver at Dances With Film Festival where Miracle received The Audience Award in the short Documentary film category. “I look forward to sharing meaningful stories that will inspire, provoke thought, reminisce emotions, and give insight with love, and passion.”
Upon receiving The Audience Award at Dances With Films, “Miracle In Malibu” is now eligible to receive an Academy Award consideration. You can view the short documentary here: https://vimeo.com/215845865

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I am looking forward to sharing this film across the Heartland of America, mostly in land-locked states, to help raise funds for families with special children giving them the opportunity to travel to Malibu to surf with MUD. I would love to film each encounter and share these stories, and help inspire watermen around the globe to do the same. The fantasy reception would be for WSL Surfer Kelly Slater, who just launched the “endless wave pool”, to create an endless wave on our 20 acre farm in Indiana, where kids can come surf on the farm, if they can’t make it all the way to Malibu. A girl can dream right?

Let’s get some kids on a tube on the farm! That is the dream! Take a look at the wave here: http://www.theinertia.com/surf/wsl-speaks-out-on-future-of-kelly-slater-wave-pool-olympics/

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I’ve always had a great respect for the work of Eli Holzman, one of the creators of“Undercover Boss”. He has recently created the intellectual Property Corporation which focuses on meaningful and insightful documentary stories that have an impacting message. http://www.theipcorp.com

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Do you need to know how to surf to utilize surf therapy? Nope!

Come Surf with us!!

Interview: June 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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Miracle In Malibu

To Have Yes Be The Answer

Length: 04:56

Director: Karen Shaver

Producer: Karen Shaver

Writer: Karen Shaver

About the writer, director and producer:

Karen Shaver and her husband Matt run a production company based in Los Angeles called 30.60.90. INC. / SHLEEGY ROCKS PRODUCTIONS. They’ve worked behind the scenes as crew members on several feature films, and high-end advertising campaigns for over 20 years.

SHLEEGY ROCKS, the documentary division is currently in pre- productions on the soon to be released documentary film, “These Three Chords A Songwriting Journey”, a project that includes 9 years of research around capturing songwriting advise by professionals, and relaying it to a family rock band in rural Indiana. This will be wrapping end of summer 2017.

Key cast: The Mighty Under Dogs the non-profit organization utilizing surf therapy can be reached at. http://www.mightyunderdogs.org

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Yes, all of the above. I would love to connect with a production company who can fund filming families in land locked areas, travel to Malibu to watch more Miracles. http://www.theipcorp.com

Social media handles:

Face book: https://www.facebook.com/MiracleInMalibuDoc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracleinmalibu?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miracleinmalibu/

Other: A peek at “Three Chords Project” https://vimeo.com/88699599

Funders: 30.60.90. INC

Made in association with: SHLEEGY ROCKS PRODUCTIONS

Where can I see it in the next month?

Enjoy the film Miracle In Malibu here please leave a comment on how it impacts your life!

https://vimeo.com/215845865