ScreenPlays

The American Good Samaritans

This documentary film, which tells the story of several American missionaries, diplomats, and humanitarians who aided the Armenian people during and after the Armenian genocide, was produced by Man Pictures and had its American premier in November of 2021. Audience reactions and reviews of the film can be seen here. Amber Karlins served as the screenwriter for the project.

I’m Still Standing

When Evelyn Dooley married her high-school sweetheart, James, she thought she was set for life. Now she’s thirty, single, and fleeing to Dublin Ireland to live with her sister for a fresh start. Then a chance encounter with gorgeous musician Danny leads to an unlikely friendship, and soon the pair are running music nights together in one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. For the first time Evelyn is following her dreams rather than someone else’s – and sparks are beginning to fly between her and Danny. But when her savings runs out and home beckons, Evelyn has to choose: will she pick the safe, comfortable life she left behind, or a new adventure with Danny? This script, based on the internationally best-selling novel by Colleen Coleman, was written by Amber Karlins and Kat Green and commissioned by Wonderfly Films.

Aurora

Inspired by true events, Aurora chronicles the experiences of Arshaluys (Aurora) Mardiganian.  Upon surviving the Armenian genocide, she comes to America in 1917 in search of her only surviving relative.  The story of this sixteen-year-old survivor grabs the attention of a local writer, Harvey Gates, and soon, Aurora finds herself living with him, his wife Eleanor, and his three young children.  Harvey sees the potential for her story to become a bestselling book, so, after taking her in, he forces her to recount every horror she suffered during the genocide.  Harvey’s instincts about Aurora’s story were correct; the book not only becomes a best seller, but it also sparks the interest of a Hollywood producer who wants to turn it into a film on one condition—that Aurora play herself in the movie.  Despite Aurora’s resistance and the fact that she is clearly traumatized, she is forced to relive every excruciating experience for the sake of the movie—being required to film scenes that, among other things, show her being kidnapped, raped, and witnessing the murder of her family.  She survives the filming and ultimately goes on to create a life for herself, but not before suffering virtually every exploitation imaginable.  This script has won 18 international screenwriting awards and is currently under option with Roman Media.

The Poet's wife

“What if Shakespeare’s greatest love story wasn’t one he wrote, but rather one he lived? That’s the question asked by this award-winning historical biopic, which explores the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, which is currently available for option.

Byte Me

In this award-winning screenplay, two feuding dating and relationship bloggers are forced to team up in order to secure a book deal, and through this unlikely partnership, they soon realize that it really is a fine, fine line between love and hate.  As stated by a reviewer for the Fresh Voices Original Screenplay Competition, where Byte Me was a finalist, this script, “doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it does refit it for a new generation.”  This script is currently available for option, as is a web series inspired by the screenplay, and a pilot for a series based on the script.