NARRATIVE - When Joy Fell
Narrative Feature
Title: When Joy Fell
Page Count: 108 pp
Project Status: In Development
Logline
Cheerless workaholic Joy’s attempt to mercy kill her ailing grandfather goes spectacularly wrong when his annoyingly upbeat caregiver Kyle takes the experimental euthanasia pill instead. Overwhelmed with guilt, Joy dives down a rabbit-hole in New York City on a 24-hour quest for a cure while also giving Kyle the best last day of his life (just in case!).
Synopsis
When Joy Fell is a dark romantic comedy inspired by how the pandemic has left many of us "languishing" (feeling apathy or an overall lack of interest in life or the things that typically bring joy) and more attached to our digital devices than ever, written with the ultimate goal of reminding people that life is precious and every moment matters. The protagonist, mid-twenties JOY, is joyless. A tech addict and perfectionist, her days are spent crunching numbers at her advertising job, staring at depressing news on her social media feed, and critiquing people like her sick grandfather’s annoyingly upbeat caregiver KYLE. When she scores some experimental euthanasia pills, she’s inspired to put an end to her grandfather’s suffering. That is, until Kyle steals the pills and takes one himself, thinking it’s Percocet. Of all people, she’s going to accidentally kill the seemingly happiest guy on Earth?! Thus begins a twenty-four hour rush to find a cure for Kyle, or at least give him the best possible last day of his life, all with him refusing to accept the jeopardy he’s in until it’s too late. As they venture down New York City rabbit holes, Joy’s pathetic bucket list activities are quickly overshadowed by Kyle’s unflappable optimism, showing Joy what’s truly important and sparking in her a newfound appreciation for life. Unsurprisingly, she falls for Kyle in the process (too bad he’s going to die!). In this life-affirming romantic comedy about death, up is down, left is right, and killing Kyle is the best thing to ever happen to Joy.
Additional Project Information
Currently seeking producing partners, When Joy Fell is one of only eight projects selected for NYWIFT’s From Script to Pre-Production Lab and the winner of Best “Break Out” Screenplay at the Oaxaca Film Fest (defined as “scripts that break traditional formulas; either totally or partially, they show us 'something new.'”). In addition it was a finalist in the Creative World Awards, a semi-finalist in the Page International Screenwriting Awards, and made it to the top 15% of the Nicholl's Fellowship. At a time when social interactions remain fraught and even the idea of leaving home can be intimidating, When Joy Fell is here to wake people up and remind them to connect with the world and people around them.
Writer/Director Andrea Ashton’s instinct for capturing what it is to be human has resulted in short films and pilots that win awards, charm hearts, and rack up tens of thousands of views. She’s been a second-rounder for both Sundance and Film Independent Labs and her early film work is archived at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an honor reserved for movies they feel represent significant contributions to the art and science of motion pictures. Her projects are smart, edgy, unafraid of tackling uncomfortable subjects, and exhibit an unexpected and enjoyably subversive sense of humor. A member of NYWIFT, Cinefemme, and NYC Women Filmmakers, she’s an active proponent of bringing more female voices to screens big and little.
Team
Writer/Director/Producer: Andrea Ashton, Director of Photography: Christopher Norr, Editor: Michelle Botticelli
Financials
20 Day Shoot, Non-Union, SAG Modified Low Budget with Diversity and Background Incentives - Budget estimated to be $1,159,233
Seeking
Investors, Producing Partners, Production Company
Rights Available
All rights available
Project Website
Contact
Andrea Ashton
andreaashton99@gmail.com
917-279-6402