CONGRATS CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

In 2018 there was one film that captured my heart written from a children's book by a famous English author, CHRISTOPHER ROBIN.  This particular film connected with me for a couple reasons, so allow me to share a personal history and backgroud.  The story of Winnie The Pooh has been a fabric throughout my life because of relationships. We have friends who helped make this wonderful picture, but let's go back to the "why" this movie connected with my heart for a moment. 

I was a college cheerleader at the University of Oklahoma in the seventies and attended the Orange Bowl the year that Arkansas beat us for the national championship.  The half time show was based on a DISNEY film, PETE'S DRAGON and it was just a wonderful experience, even though the football score did not reflect my college's desires.  What was significant about this event, was the animator involved with this film was Richard Rich, who had worked at Walt Disney Studios on two films. Pete's Dragon and Winnie the Pooh. 

Later, I would travel to Buena Vista studios and begin my first internship and eventually connect with the head of Home Entertainment Jim Jimirro where later we launched the Disney Channel. President Sharp at OU and James Garner were directly responsible for me going to DISNEY to begin my career. This experience changed my life in the field of motion pictures. Never would I have dreamed this experience would shape my own heart and desire to tell stories. 

Later, I would work at Nest Entertainment, a feature length animation studio which produced THE SWAN PRINCESS.  I was honored to serve where we bought Richard Rich Animation studios and got involved in the Animated Stories of the Bible. We would often talked about the foundation of filmmaking with Winnie the Pooh and as a children's film project, this brought a wealth of insights. From Disney to Nest Entertainment, motion pictures would be my ultimate "calling" where I landed after 30 years of age as a studio film veteran.

Now, to my story which leads us to my personal favorite holiday film, CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. The screenplay was masterful, the story telling connected us to the original POOH and the invaluable lessons in life remained timeless. I am so thankful DISNEY has continued the tradition even with the "spirit" from the new MARY POPPINS RETURNS in family friendly movies.  Congratulations to their entire team. 

This process of filmmaking all begins with a "book" and as the Filmmaker's Roundtable begins to gear up for 2019, we reflect on the following accomplishments from last year.  Three authors from the Filmmaker's Roundtable are now making movies!  It doesn't happen with every author or even every book, but just know this, it begins with a dream, excellent adjudication and review, great sacrifice and desire to finish.  

We have alway said that talent is a huge part of story, but the team around the story only enhances and makes the story better.  CHRISTOPHER ROBIN delivered and the team around the story made it happen.  

This year in 2019 consider having our team of professional adjudicators come alongside you and your dream.  Give us the opportunity to work with you.  If you have questions, we have a Frequently Asked Questions page on our website, so check it out.  We look forward to serving you.

If you are a publisher and desire to work with an integrity based partner, call us today and we will connect you one of the finest teams any coach would desire.  This is what makes our Filmmaker's Roundtable unique.  

We close by thanking our screenwriters, our colleagues, our judges and the non partisan reviewers who analyze each book for a potential film.  Your diligence and real professional background brings greater confidence to all of our authors.  

God bless and Happy New Year Everyone,

Coach KMAC