“Good News Greenie” is a Heartwarming Tale Amidst WWII Chaos

Ashley Coles was able to take a few minutes and give us an exclusive interview about her latest screenplay”Good News Greenie.” Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story revolves around Thomas Greene, a young man with autism, who embarks on a daring mission to locate his missing brother.

“Good News Greenie”originated from a class assignment at Utah Valley University. Tasked to create 10 loglines, “Good News Greenie” emerged as the chosen one, thanks to the class’s vote. Coles was elated for the opportunity, without which the script might not exist.

The origins of the story stems from Coles’ love for historical pieces that avoid feeling like a history lesson. Influenced by films like “Hugo” and “A Little Princess,” the narrative focuses on grounded characters in extraordinary situations. Coles also draws inspiration from shows like “The Good Doctor,” emphasizing the importance of representing individuals without a voice in society.

“Seeing a representation on screen of someone who, at that time, wouldn’t have had much of a voice and been deemed unfit to exist in society at all – that was a huge motivation” said Coles.

As the screenplay evolved through multiple drafts, the main character, Thomas Greene, surprised Coles by becoming braver and more self-aware than anticipated. Thomas’s acknowledgment of being the protagonist in his own story adds depth to his character, portraying a unique perspective on the world.

“Words and stories are not only how Tommy processes the world around him, but it’s how he communicates. His character being a big reader and writer, only justified the idea that he experienced sort of a “center of the universe” syndrome. Does this make him egotistical? Maybe, but he portrays it so innocently, you can’t help but find it at least slightly endearing.”

Coles addresses the challenges of screenwriting, highlighting the struggle to push aside doubts about the story’s potential success. Despite facing self-doubt and conflicting notes, Coles found motivation to prove herself wrong and complete the project.

“I had a moment in the school hallway one night, where I felt the weight of getting this project done right. It was heavy and honestly I didn’t feel like I was the right person to tell it. All the intrusive thoughts came piling in like, “You’ve never seen a day of war, you’re not neurodivergent, you’ve never written anything before, and you’re not even British!” Silly as it may seem, it was because of all that, that I actually found I was motivated to prove myself wrong. I thought, “If it was someone else’s story to tell, they would’ve done it by now.”

When asked about the most enjoyable aspect of screenwriting, Coles finds it hard to pinpoint a individual element. As an actor, she relishes the chance to explore multiple character mindsets simultaneously. Research, the thrill of unexpected plot twists, and the dynamic nature of storytelling contribute to the joy of the craft.

“More than anything though, I’ll never get over how fun it is to be deep into writing a script, feel like I know the characters and plot, and then out of nowhere something changes and I think, “I did not see that coming!” One second I can be having a “God Complex” and the next it’s like the story is taking on a life of its own.”

For filmmakers interested in collaborating, Coles invites them to reach out via email at production.moonlightmedia@gmail.com. While she leans towards mystery, crime, coming-of-age, family-friendly, and historical dramas, she welcomes challenges and is open to diverse genres, with the exception of horror.

“Good News Greenie” has been selected as an Official Selection in the upcoming Utah International Film Festival scheduled for February 12-17.