Interview with Screenwriter James C. Peters (Soccer Babe)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

James C. Peters: Soccer Babe, inspired by a true story, chronicles the towering desire of a woman to overcome her childhood handicap and become a world-class soccer player. Plus she battles prejudice, injury, disease and homelessness to get what she wants.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

It’s a sports drama with a romantic story thread.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Soccer Babe is a monumental story of the human spirit, in which a woman faces more challenges than most people–men included–could endure. A torn meniscus, a serious disease that almost kills her, and a California wildfire that destroys her home.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Wonder woman!

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

It’s Complicated, Fargo, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Actually it only took a couple of months. After my sister-in-law told me about her real-life ordeal–and she persists today in her 70s, playing on three soccer teams and coaching another! It’s my first sports drama, but it’s more about the amazing character than the sport itself.

7. How many stories have you written?

About a dozen feature screenplays and half a dozen shorts.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the
most times in your life?)

Roy Orbison’s “Only the Lonely”

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

An agent in Phoenix told me no one would be interested in a story about an old woman playing soccer! Tell that to Meryl Streep!

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

The need to embrace people of all hues and let them know they matter.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your
experiences working with the submission platform site?

It’s very simple and efficient — an excellent conduit for submitting screenplays to competitions, film festivals, etc.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings
on the initial feedback you received?

I first entered the festival in 2015 with my Chinese aviation history screenplay, Fei Ji (Flying Machine, in Mandarin), which won the competition prize of a professional table read. It was wonderfully done, with excellent actors, and it was over 2.5 hours long! As for my feelings, it was thrilling. Later I received an option offer for the script. As I’ve told WildSound Festival director Matthew Toffolo, the Festival provides not only opportunities for screenwriters but also for young actors to perform at table reads and also act in short films. I’m truly grateful for the Wildsound Festival and the opportunities it offers.

Watch the Screenplay Reading:

CAST LIST:

Rhonda – 2 – ETHEL ABRAY
NARRATION – DANIEL JONES
Resnor – 12 – TED POWERS
Jessica – 8 – OLIVIA BARRETT

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