Wonder Drug: The Power of Words

On Tuesday evening I had the privilege of attending Caitlin McCarthy's staged reading of select scenes from her feature screenplay in development Wonder Drug.  As much as I would like to be out there attending festivals, staged readings, and other networking opportunities for screenwriters, I don't always get that opportunity, so it was a thrill to be in the audience for Wonder Drug.

Caitlin's screenplay Wonder Drug is a scientific drama about DES (diethylstilbestrol), the world's first drug disaster. Before I get into talking about the reading I have to mention that this screenplay has nominations in over 20 international film festival screenwriting competion and labs, most notably: Action on Film International Film Festival Winner, "Most Likely To Be Produced" Screenplay Award; the Hamptons Screenwriters Lab Participant; Woods Hole Film Festival Winner, Best Science Screenplay; and Illinois International Film Festival Screenplay Competition Winner. You can check out the full list of screenplay honors at: www.facebook.com/wonderdrugthemovie.

Before attending this screening I was not familiar with DES (diethylstilbestrol), a toxic and carcenogenic synthetic estrogen that was prescribed to millions of women from 1938 until 1971 in the United States; and until the mid-1980s in parts of Latin America, Europe, Australia, and the Third World. The currently proven effects of exposure include a rare vaginal cancer in DES daughters; greater risk of breast cancer in DES mothers; abnormal reproductive organs; infertility; and high risk pregnancies.

How could something like this happen in the United States? Those questions were answered for me at the staged reading and in the Q&A that followed. The selected scenes that Caitlin presented weave together three stories of a Big Pharma executive, a feminist doctor, and thirthysomething newlywed who were impacted by DES over three decades. Under the direction of Tom Gilroy, Spring Forward, the cast does a phenominal job of illustrating the distastrous effects that DES had in their lives.

Caitlin's script Wonder Drug is inspired by true stories, she brings her personal connection as a DES daughter to the script. This isn't just another story, it's her story along with countless other women who have been exposed to DES since 1938.

Wonder Drug is currently in development. I look forward to when Caitlin and her producers get this story to the big screen because it is a story that needs to be told. We need to question pharmaceuticals companies that test drugs like DES and the FDA who goes on to approve them. What happened with the Wonder Drug DES is still happening today. Just think back to when Viox was recalled. This story needs to be told and shared with the world.

In closing, I want you all to know that not one drug company has ever apologized or accepted responsibility for the DES tragedy. Nevertheless, they have paid out millions in out-of-court settlements. Caitlin, thanks for sharing your work with me and others, it is not lost.

Comments

Aaliyah, Thank you for your support! So glad you could make the WONDER DRUG reading. This blog post is the cherry on top!!
Aaliyah said…
Caitlin,

I'm sorry very glad to support you and this film.
Anonymous said…
If you're interested in improving your health, it [B][URL=http://www.mbtplus.com/]mbt shoes best prices[/URL][/B] can be beneficial to start from the ground up. Let's talk about your footwear. How does [B]mbt shoes review[/B] yours rank? Some so-called fitness shoes merely look great, but don't really provide [B]mbt sneakers[/B] any actual health benefits. Other shoes actually make a [U]mbt shoes best prices[/U] legitimate difference. If you want footwear that truly helps, MBT shoes are the first [U][B]buy mbt shoes[/U][/B] step toward a healthier you.

What does MBT stand for? Good question. The [B]mbt shoes cheap[/B] answer: Masai Barefoot Technology. They're designed to [B]mbt shoes sale[/B] simulate walking barefoot, which helped our ancestors to walk [U]buy mbt shoes[/U] healthier than we do. Modern humans cram their feet into all kinds [U][B]mbt shoes best prices[/U][/B] of crazy, uncomfortable shoes, and we walk on [U][B]mbt shoes sale[/U][/B] unnatural surfaces. MBT returns our feet to their natural, healthier [U]mbt shoes best prices[/U] environment.

MBT shoes actually trigger and enforce the [B]mbt shoes sale[/B] tiny muscles that cause our bodies to naturally absorb [U]MBT[/U] shock. The patented construction of the MBT soles features a [U][B]mbt shoes best prices[/U][/B] unique sensor that causes a simulation of being on uneven [U]mbt sneakers[/U] ground. It causes an instability that causes the body [B][URL=http://www.mbtplus.com/]mbt shoes sale[/URL][/B] to react with slight movements to compensate for the instability. Thus, a "rolling" process [B]mbt shoes review[/B] begins. This active, natural balancing act causes our bodies to automatically [U][B]mbt shoes best prices[/U][/B] exercise. As a result, muscles are strengthened and toned and posture is improved. Also, we experience less joint stress and back [U]discount mbt shoes[/U] pain. Clearly, it's quite a workout, and the benefits are vast.


The shoes do not resemble any [B]mbt shoes review[/B] other footwear on the market today. Many people are [U]footwear etc[/U] surprised when they discover that these "health shoes" are actually [U][B]mbt shoes sale[/U][/B] esthetically pleasing, as well. [U]mbt shoes sale[/U] The brand offers trendy [U][B]mbt sneakers[/U][/B] mary janes, chukka boots, trainers, clogs, sandals, oxfords, slides, fashion boots, mules and more.


MBT's simple-yet-effective rolling [U][B]mbt shoes review[/U][/B] action with each step is the strategy behind their [B]mbt discount shoes[/B] brilliance. Not long after you begin wearing these shoes and utilizing the rolling technique, you notice [B]footwear etc[/B] a difference. Your knees and back feel better. Neck [B]mbt shoes cheap[/B] and shoulder tension begin to melt away. Your joints are less stressed. Your thighs and [U][B]mbt sandals[/U][/B] buttocks appear more toned. Perhaps you [U][B]mbt shoes sale[/U][/B] even notice a difference in your waistline. Yes, it's the shoes. When you [U][B]mbt shoes best prices[/U][/B] wear them, you actually burn more calories when simply standing than you do when [B]mbt sandals[/B] wearing standard shoes. Scientific research proves it.


Now you see why keeping a natural balance is crucial toward maintaining [B]mbt shoes clearance[/B] a healthier you. If you're making your health a priority, then doesn't it make [U][B]mbt shoes best prices[/U][/B] sense to choose footwear that not only increases your fitness level, but also [B]MBT shoes[/B] supports improved overall health? Now that you understand what all the [U][B]mbt shoes clearance[/U][/B] hype is about, perhaps it's time to try the MBT experience. Your body will thank [B]mbt shoes best prices[/B] you.
Anonymous said…
sidestep this website is going to be prepared to take welcome target audience mainly
http://www.asbbook.com/index.php?do=/profile-29560/info/
http://arvapedome.com/oxwall/blogs/user/JeromeMont
http://goof.g33k.in/?q=node/37029/
Anonymous said…
everyday life is good-looking reddit
http://www.recab.org/node/8965/
http://www.e-dukandoo.com/elgg/blog/view/113310/an-feature-from-systems-to-do-with-parapharmacie
http://livingwaychristianfriendshipgroup.com/groups/excellent-items-in-referencement-naturel/
http://www.jesuspal.de/pg/profile/SheilaLem
http://yasinclub.com/profile/charlottea