Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Congrats to my friend Dena Rivera! The Atlanta-based writer and director recently announced the sale of her film “Breaking News: School Shooting” to TV One Network. Swirl Films will serve as the production studio for the project, which will be produced in association with Rivera’s DeMar Productions.
“Breaking News: School Shooting” is based on a true story that depicts a school’s bookkeeper struggling against incredible odds in her personal life, arriving at work only to receive devastating news. While preparing to face this crisis, as well as the normal challenges of her workday, in walks an armed stranger pointing a loaded AK-47 assault rifle and declaring, “We are all going to die today.” The gunman has a plan; slaughter a massive number of children, some cops and then kill himself. He has enough ammunition to take out every living person in the building. This is more than just the amazing account of tragedy averted. It is the story of what can happen when we allow ourselves to be used for good.
“We are thrilled to work with Swirl Films and TV One to bring ‘Breaking News: School Shooting’ to audiences around the world as the film details the underpinning of the outrageous trend toward mass shootings all over the world. We are sure this action/drama will resonate brilliantly with global viewers,” says Rivera. “The goal is to entertain and educate while increasing the awareness of mental illness and the gun control issues that plaque our world. It is to deliver content that is unique in tone and unsurpassed in quality, always captivating viewers and leaving them craving for more.”
I have known Dena Rivera for 13 years now and first met her when we starred in an Atlanta theater production of “The Wiz.” I am so proud of her and can’t wait until this airs. Hopefully I can get some behind-the-scenes footage when the film starts production.
Stay tuned…
Photo Credits: DeMar Productions and Facebook/Dena Rivera
