Author and Screenwriter Dr. Melissa Caudle’s Script “The Creek Dweller in the Bayou” Wins at the 1st Monthly Film Festival for Animation Script

 

Dr. Melissa Caudle’s children’s book, “The Creek Dweller in the Bayou,” becomes an animation film script and won the 1^st Monthly Film Script.

Los Angeles, CA – May 5, 2021 – For author and screenwriter Dr. Melissa Caudle, writing comes easy for her. “I love to write, and writing children’s fiction has always been close to my heart,”  says Caudle, who has published dozens of award-winning children’s books, fiction novels, and how-to books for screenwriters, authors, and filmmakers. Her love shows in her latest children’s book, “The Creek Dweller in the Bayou,” as it makes its way to a bestselling book. However, that wasn’t enough for Caudle. With the help of her seven grandchildren, ages four to eighteen, they penned The Creek Dweller in the Bayou during a family camping trip. Caudle says, “I won’t ever forget that night. We were all sitting around a campfire at Jellystone Park when a raccoon came up. At first, all of the children were frightened. With a little coaxing, all calmed down. Then, my grandchildren asked me to make up a story. So, we did it together.”

“The Creek Dweller in the Bayou” tells the story of seven cousins who went to visit their grandmother in Louisiana. Based on her grandchildren, the children in the story come across a magical creature in the bayou for a fun-filled adventure. “The challenge was not writing the book or publishing it since I own Absolute Author Publishing House, “ Caudle says. “The challenge was finding an illustrator who could capture the essence of my grandchildren in cartoon form.” One thing led to another to the point where Caudle, an award-winning screenwriter, and author, adapted the book into a children’s animation script. “I never once thought it would take on the traction it has,” Caudle says. “It’s very exciting to see something your grandchildren helped design and write come to fruition in book form. But, to see it become an animation film will be something else.”

After Charlie Brown, producer with 311 Studios and Caudle, who are collaborating with other film projects, found out about the script and the book The Creek Dweller in the Bayou, she encouraged Caudle to enter it into festivals and screenwriting contests. “You can imagine my surprise when I found out the script won. I owe Charlie for this encouragement,” Caudle says.

Caudle and Brown are collaborating on Ombre Ma Fi, Dead Soldier, Never Stop Running, and A.D.A.M. The Beginning of Life to create sizzle reels to obtain funding. They recently filmed in New Orleans, LA, for the Ombre Ma Fi series, written and directed by Brown through 311 Studios owned by Brown, and On the Lot Productions, which is own by Caudle. “This is a match made in Heaven,” Brown says. “We balance each other so well to be such strong women in the film industry. We know our wheelhouses and use them to our advantage.”

Brown and Caudle look forward to a long filming relationship as they have five projects in the works and have more scripts in the pipeline.

The Creek Dweller in the Bayou is available in eBook, paperback, and hardback. “I can’t wait for the animation film to come out and share it with my grandchildren. I hope this experience has encouraged them to keep writing, publishing, and one day discover the film industry.