“Rebirth” is a stunningly-visual, extraordinarily-researched story with well-written dialogue and fully-developed characters. Great use of scene transitions and subtext. Judge can feel the writer’s deep attachment and feelings for this personal family saga…”

For more information, visit the Extreme Screenwriting contest page.

Q: What’s the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what’s it about?

A: ‘REBIRTH” is inspired by a true story, a provocative mix of lust, love, politics, war and religion; as it opens in the diffused white light of the Lourve, amid a grand library and gallery of renaissance images.

The timeless works and heights of humanity are juxtaposed against the depravity of civil violence between religious factions and the corruption of Church and State.

In this world torn between Renaissance and genocide, a young boy loses his faith and his faith in humanity. Twelve years later, he’s grown into an amorous young man, a student at the University of Paris, who chooses to be largely oblivious to politics or the swirl of intolerance that still rushes around him. He soon finds love that changes his life, and risks it all in a fight for the civil liberties of a minority.

Ultimately, “Rebirth” reminds us of the perils of unbridled power, and inspires us to never lose sight of the true power of love and honor. I will never be the same for knowing or telling this amazing story, and will never look at our freedoms and the sacrifices for civil liberty never quite the same again. I hope one day, should the film be made, that it would also have a similar impact on the lives and legacies of others.

I tend to think that Rebirth has the passion of “Braveheart” and the promise of “Ever After.”

Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?

A: I saw the Greenlight Competition posted on Moviebytes. and when I visited the webiste, I was very impressed with the content and professionalism. This is Rebirth’s Fourth FIRST PLACE WIN, and is ranked in the top five on Movie bytes/ Winning Scripts (along with many other wonderful screenplays) in Drama, Historical and Romance genres. Someone asked me recently, when are the AGENTS/PRODUCERS going to realize that winning scripts more likely will be winning films? I and a few other winning screenwriters, are anxiously awaiting their enlightenment.

I think with each placement or win, especially first place wins and consistency over time, gives a writer more credibility and attention. Then the query letters suddenly get more attention, or more requests are made to read your script. Actually “Rebirth” is now in the hands of a major agency, as I type. I still know the odds, but I know that it is also in good hands. Wish me well.

Q: Were you satisfied with the administration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?

A: Extremely satisfied and impressed with the professionalism! Gordon Rogerson, the director, did everything promised and more. He also created a special page that highlights the top winners, their bio and showcases their scripts. http://the-greenlight.hostei.com/tllewis.html If the same level of professionalism continues, this contest is destined to be one of the biggest and best.

I would highly recommend this screenwriting contests to beginning writers as well as to seasoned ones. I would advise them not to get defensive, but to keep and open mind to keep learning, improving and enjoy the process.

The feedback was a huge plus and the main reason I’ve entered this and other contests. Most writers are sensitive, their writing very personal, and sometimes criticism hurts, even when it’s constructive. But, if you listen, it can make you a stronger writer. I know that it did me. I was a writer, not a screenwriter– I needed feedback and guidance, and I think I am finally getting the hang of screenwriting. You tell me.

The following comments are from the Greenlight judges:

“One the best scripts we have ever read! The writing is superb. The characters, locations and story are exciting, rich, and would dazzle any cinema going audience…The writer has captured the essence of a tumultuous time in world history and delivered it to the page like a newborn naked, screaming, and with a tenderness. This is a gorgeous looking script. It has what we call the holy trinity… Sex, Violence and a well crafted story. BRAVO!!!! RECOMMEND!!!”

Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?

A: Since ”Rebirth” is an epic, the script took approximately eight months from the beginning of research (that filled a 3-inch binder). Then about eight more rewrites. The following year was spent in tweaking as I entered contests with feedback, then another ten- twelve drafts and polishes. I still polish. But as far as outlines: the more I learned of this heart wrenching story, the less of an outline I needed, because these characters so touched my heart, that they literally came to life and they led me on this journey into their lives of honor and courage. I couldn’t stop writing– and I truly felt as if I were living in the French Renaissance for many months in these “best and worst of times.”

Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?

A: MovieMagic seems to be all I need. I’m sure Final Draft and others are great too, but I won MovieMagic a couple of years ago in the Brass Brad contest, and have happily used it since. I think I’ve read every book written on screenwriting, and am partial to Truby and Campbell and the “Hero’s Journey.”

Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?

A: I cannot get through a day without writing. No matter how busy I am, it is my escape, my relaxation, a true passion.

Q: Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, how do you deal with that?

A: N/A. I never run out of ideas, just hours in the day– in spite of needing only an average of 5 hours per night.

Q: What’s your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?

A: Sometimes I am so driven to write I wonder if writing is part of my cellular memory, as I actually share 5th Greatgrandfathers’ and Grandmother’s with writers Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Alred Tennyson, Sir Walter Scott and Jacqueline Bovier Kennedy. I like to think writing is in my genes. I definitely share their love for a great story.

Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?

A: I lived in L.A. as a child, and always wanted to go “home” to visit. I know it would be quite emotional, as I have many fond memories. But with the advent of the Internet, and ‘ at the fingertips’ communication and transportation, it is not as critical to live there as it once was.

Q: What’s next? Are you working on a new script?

A: The REBIRTH Sequel… Seriously, I’m always writing and actually have several shorts complete as well as a few feature scripts in progress that I often work on simultaneously. I write daily for pleasure and in the case of “Rebirth”– for the passion to tell the story–to bring these amazing characters back to life on the big screen. I also want to congratulate the other screenwriter winners Rhys Gledhill, and Richard Sartore and wish all the other great writers that entered the contest only the best. And to all passionate writers, keep writing, not for the product but for the joy of the process. It’s quite an emotional roller coaster, but oh what a ride.

For more information, view the Moviebytes “Rebirth” profile: http://www.moviebytes.com/ws/WinningScripts.cfm?ScriptID=5137

Click Here to View the Full Coverage Scorecard

Writing is in my genes…

* Alfred Tennyson, writer Paternal through: Elizabeth Darcy (1584-1650) 12th Great Grandmother of Teresa L Powers Lewis/ 6th Great Grandmother of Alfred Tennyson

Writing is in my genes:

Henry David Thoreau, writer through: Thomas Barnes: 9th Great Grandfather of Teresa L Powers Lewis/ 4th Great Grandfather of Henry David Thoreau.

* Louisa May Alcott, writer “Little Women” and “Little Men”. Related to both Thoreau and Alcott through Thomas Barnes(1623-1691) 9th Great Grandfather of Teresa L Powers Lewis / 4th Great Grandfather of Louisa May Alcott.

* Sir Walter Scott Scottish Novelist and Poet Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, and The Lady of the Lake. (through Paternal: Jaelia Stallard line) 8th Great Grandmother of Teresa L Powers Lewis/ 7th Great Grandmother of Sir Walter Scott.

* Robert Graves (1895-1985) Paternal Browning line: English Author, scholar, poet, and novelist; Robert Graves produced over 140 works. His famous works include The Long Week-End. Through: Arabella Williamson (1676-1737) 11th Great Grandmother of Teresa L Powers Lewis/ 9th Great Grandmother of Robert Graves.

Now, with more than a dozen awards, reviews and recommends of “Rebirth”, this rough diamond is waiting to be polished into a profitable film. I know the production process takes time – to get the word out, to get the script read, to inspire a producer also wanting to leave a legacy.

When one law, one faith, one king is the rule of the day, those who dare to think otherwise risked being the targets of terror and intolerance. Only a few are brave enough to speak their conscience, but not without the risk of death or dungeon. Soon, the name Huguenot (pronounced hoo-guh-no) is applied to these reformers and dissenters, and many Huguenots and Humanists alike stand together in civil disobedience against the combined corruption and and cruelty of church and state.

The Huguenot persecution began with the bravest and best educated nobles and soon included massacres of  innocent women and children, simply for their stand on the ideals on freedom, the right to speak their conscience and the right to assemble without fear of persecution. This courage and sacrifice begin the philosophical debate on basic civil liberties and directly led to the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution.

“Rebirth’s” history also includes the heritage of Robert Duval, Johnny Depp, Warren Buffet, Steve Forbes, Kenneth Branagh, Winston Churchill, over a dozen American Presidents, millions of U.S.and world citizens ( as well as over 75 percent of England’s indigenous population — many of which– unknowingly, share this legacy of honor.)  ALL those living in freedom and those longing for freedom will be outraged and ultimately inspired by this provocative true story.

After over 50,000 had fled to England, they made up 5% of London town at a time when the London population was 10% of England. Genetically, the statistical probability that the next English person you meet in England will have at least some Huguenot ancestry is 75%. Refer to

From: Bernard Cottret’s The Huguenot in England and to Peter Steven Gannon’s volume on Refugees in the Settling of Colonial America.

[NOTE: This movement of refugees is said to have been the "largest forced migration of Europeans in the early modern period." Refer to Jon Butler's The Huguenot in America: A Refugee People in New World Society. Cambridge MA: Harvard UP, 1983.

Huguenot descendant short list:
Robert Duvall, Warren Buffet, Johnny Depp, Steve Forbes, Lawrence Olivier, Charlize Theron, Winston Churchill,Tyrone Power, Megan Fox, John Rockefeller, George Patton, George Will, Henry David Thoreau, Charles Tiffany, A.I. Dupont, Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Beecher Stowe, John Jay, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Francis Marion, Davy Crockett, John Sevier, Peter Mark Roget, James Bayard, Jean Belmain--French scholar,French-language tutor to King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I.  George Washington and over a dozen American Presidents also have documented Huguenot ancestry.  Many more world citizens,knowingly and unknowingly, share this legacy of honor.

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THE EXILE FROM FRANCE...

Your sunny shores,
Your rugged peaks,
Your vineyards, fields, and forests,
Your flowery gardens in bloom,
With red, yellow, lavender, pink, and blue,
Your meandering rivers,
Your flowing streams,
Your roads that lead everywhere,
Your humble hamlets,
Your teeming towns,
Your courtly cities ablaze,
Your toiling farmers,
Your masterful merchants,
Your artful artisans and would-be scholars,
Your poor, pious, pampered, and princely,
Men and women of all nuances and shades,
Your lives so colorful,
Vivaciously vibrant,
But oppressive,
Struggling to be free,
To break the shackles of an ancient age,
Blood of my fathers,
Tears of my mothers,
Roots of my branches,
All intertwined in your soil so deep,
My mother earth,
My father land,
How my heart weeps for you,
From whom I was so cruelly exiled,
In leaking boats,
Over frightful borders,
Hurried journeys in the darkened nights,
Leaving behind so much of me,
Embittered, impoverished, but free,
Angered by the fearful tyrant,
The betraying countrymen,
The yoke of intolerance,

Saddened by the theft of freedom,
The rupture of dreams,
The hopeful hope of a speedy return,
A new beginning,
In a strange new land,
Different, engulfing, demanding,
But flexible, sensitive, and free,
This land that welcomed me,
Exhausted, lonely, afraid,
Sadder, but wiser,
Stronger and prouder,
Reaffirmed in honor,
From a life torn asunder,
This exile that became me,
Days turned into years,
And years into decades,

And generations multiply and divide,
A new language,
A new name,
A new home,
New loves to love,
In this no longer strange new land,
But, your sunny shores,
Your rugged peaks,
Your vineyards, fields, and forests,
Your flowery gardens in bloom,
With red, yellow, lavender, pink, and blue,
My colorfully vibrant memories,
That my mind cannot repress,
My meandering gazes ablaze,
That go with me everywhere,
My mother earth,
My father land,
How my soul dreams of you,
I am a part of you,
And you are a part of me,
The dreams,
The hope,
The faith,
That neither tyranny,
Nor time,
Can ever erase.

Abraham D. Lavender

In 1985 French President Mitterrand would issue an official apology to the Huguenots, on behalf of the French government and the French people, for Louis XIV's diktat revoking the Edict of Nantes, and a commemorative postage stamp would be issued characterizing this our modern era as under the suasion of "Tolerance, Pluralism, Brotherhood."]

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