Journaling my Journey

Hmmm... Gutsy Gal, lionhearted lady, drives her destiny, embraces imperfections and learns from mistakes … spirited, go-getter and fabulous. Origin: History’s finest females who continue to inspire the Gutsy Gal in all of us!

It’s my definition of a Gutsy Gal but where did I get it? Berta Benz! Who is Berta Benz? She is a woman who changed the world and the woman who is inspiring me to step out and be Gutsy.

To get you up to date, let me begin in 2005 when I found Berta.

Berta Benz and the Motorwagen is a children’s book by Mindy Bingham. I read the book. I fell in love with Berta Benz (a unique positive role model) and her journey. It’s a true story and I wanted to make it into an animated short movie for children and families.

In 2007, I decided to do Berta’s story and completed a wonderful animation test but I was side tracked by a book that I also wanted to write. A publisher was paying so I wrote the book and put on hold my journey to complete Berta’s film. In hindsight, perhaps I wasn’t ready for the lessons that Berta would teach me or maybe the sidetrack was a lesson. Exciting Times! Berta and I are on path again. And this time I will get to finish!!!

The animated film is currently in production and a goal is to qualify for an Oscar short, yes I said qualify, because you must qualify before you can be nominated. Oh yeah that’s a gutsy statement but Berta Benz’s story is one worth telling … she is an innovative, inspirational Gutsy Gal who needs to be in front of the world.

Sure there are many great women, positive role models that I want to honor and showcase from history but today, this week, this year and next I want to devote to Berta. Reasons this is Gutsy:

Not involved with a studio – I’ve hired awesome local people to create the film!!!(well, actually a few years ago I did go to some studios and no one wanted the project )

Using one writer and she is a first timer – but what a magical writer! 

Funding the film myself – Pixar quality film without the Pixar budget!!! Yikes! (in the reality of today’s stock market maybe it’s as safer a place to put my money).

So if you care to come along and take the journey with me and the Team, we’d love to share it with you and don’t be surprised if I ask you to help because being “Gutsy” is sometimes just plain old asking for help.