SUNSHINE GIRL

by Sunshine Girl Productions

Sunshine Girl is based on the inspirational life story of Christina MacLachlan and her two battles with cancer. Tina was diagnosed at age 13 with stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma and diagnosed at age 44 with stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. Tina passed away from the breast cancer after a valiant nine month battle at age 44 on October 29th, 2018 the day after her husband's birthday, whom she began dating February 18th, 1989 and married July 22nd, 1995. Her battle with cancer at age 13 was truly miraculous given two weeks to two months to live, yet her battle with breast cancer is seen as even more miraculous by most as she defied all odds at every twist and turn living a mostly normal life until the final leg of her journey; and even then she defied the cancer, never allowing it to conquer her soul or personality, even though her physical body lost the fight. The film portrays Tina's love, faith, devotion, kindness, compassion, courage, strength, happiness, positivity, and willpower. The inspiration Tina instilled in everyone who knew her and everyone who cared for her medically, though many will say she returned the favor equally or more, is still felt by everyone to this day and her inspiration lives on through them in their personal and professional lives. The film also delves into physical and mental trauma during her first cancer and into high school.

DONATION REWARDS and PERKS

All donations are tax-deductible.

If you prefer to make a donation by check, mail to: From the Heart Productions, 1455 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, CA 93035, payable to "From the Heart Productions," and include a note that your donation is for the Sunshine Girl movie by Craig MacLachlan.

Our Family of CAST and CREW so far!

Olivia Maiden: Director/Producer/Casting

I'm super excited to announce that I will be the new director of this fantastic film.

Over the past few years, I have written and directed a number of award-winning films that I would love to share with you here: https://www.dreamhivefilms.com/completed-films

Here is my director's mini bio: I decided to venture into the world of filmmaking in 2016, aged 14, and now, aged 18, I will be embarking on my feature debut set during the Second World War this Autumn. As an aspiring actor, my drive for creating my first multi-award-winning short film Never Alone was to create the opportunity to act in more complex storylines with real and three-dimensional characters. However, this thirty-minute drama soon became a passion project with a meaning close to my heart after losing two of my siblings at six-years-old. I was shocked and thrilled when it won and was selected for 20+ national and international film festivals. Following this, my short/drama thriller Bea Before Me had wins at Birmingham Film Festival and High Peak Indie. By the time I wrote and directed Spiralling in 2018, raising awareness of child trafficking, I had developed a niche for telling important stories with strong thematic messages through film. As a director, I enjoyed the unique challenges each film posed and working with young children. For me, children have such a raw ability, as a result of their strong imaginations, to develop empathy and put themselves in other situations. When making the concept footage for my debut feature Peace In Our Time, I directed 22+ children from as young as three-years-old. The film was picked up by the charity War Child who we are now working closely with for production.

I am hugely excited to work closely with Craig to Sunshine Girl, a raw and tragic yet inspiring story of faith, courage and strength in the face of extreme adversity. This is such an important message to tell.

Warm wishes

Liv

Kody Newton; Director of Photography

Kody Newton is a writer/director/cinematographer based out of Boise Idaho and has made 3 feature films and over 30 shorts. He has won over 40 awards at film festivals worldwide. Recently, Kody worked on season 2 of "The Chosen" and directed "Under Three Moons".

To Kody, story is everything and he is so excited to work as the cinematographer on Sunshine Girl. Not only is he excited to bring beautiful visuals to the film, but to make sure Tina's story is told in the best way possible.

Kody's work can be seen at NewtontoNewton.com

Craig MacLachlan: Writer/Producer/Casting/Script Supervisor

Howdy, I'm Craig MacLachlan and live in Post Falls, Idaho. I am the writer and producer of SUNSHINE GIRL. Sunshine Girl is based on the life of my wife Christina, from age 13 defeating cancer for the first time, through her teenage years and her final battle with cancer in adulthood. Tina passed away the day after my birthday from breast cancer, on the 29th October 2018. We had been together for thirty years since the age of 15. I vow to live the rest of my life in Tina’s honor, starting with Sunshine Girl. In her memory, I am the creator of Creepy Christina Productions and Sunshine Girl Productions.

I have several completed films, notably ROGER (co-writer), FERAL (writer/producer), ISOLATION (writer/producer) & MANNEQUIN (executive producer). I am also in pre-production with several features. I won 3rd place in a screenwriting competition in England and at The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) Creative Writing Competition. I’m also a YA author on my way to republishing my fantasy novel SUMMER’S SHADOW as part of a series. I’ve been a contributor for Young Adult Magazine as well as for Your Zen Life.

Alma Marian: Young Tina

Hi! I’m Alma, a 12-year-old actress, singer, and dancer from Irvine, California. I started performing at the age of 7 in local musical theater productions. Since then, I gained experience acting in several short films, and during COVID times, in several virtual musical productions. I am also a regular cast member in a kids improv team where I perform in monthly live improv shows. Sunshine Girl is my first feature film production. I am honored and proud to have the opportunity to play such a strong, courageous female character. I am looking forward to this challenge, and am hoping to do justice to Tina’s amazing life story.

Olivia Maiden: Teen Tina

Olivia is an award-winning 17-year-old actor who has always had a huge passion for acting. After being involved in musical theatre at a young age, she chose to make the transition to screen just over three years ago as it allowed for a more natural and authentic performance. Over the last three years, Olivia has taken part in a number of different film opportunities from playing a troubled addict in the Independent Drama 'Jolt' to Rose in Boudica Films Feature Comedy 'Kat and the Band'. Olivia is also grateful to have had the opportunity to become experienced in and explore the period drama genre, playing a schizophrenic in the 1940s feature film 'The Invisible War', and Mary-Ann Worlock in the 1820s 'The Trial of Rebecca Worlock', both based on true stories and produced by Cynthia Pictures. Additionally, she has portrayed 'Cadwyn' in the Roman short 'The Land of our Ancestors'.

More recently, she has enjoyed more versatile opportunities playing the lead Skye Mathews in the York based Web-Series 'PsycoTherapy' and Young Courtney in the Independent Horror feature film 'Morris' directed by Jason Brown, to be released soon. In December 2019, Olivia was nominated for Best Young Actor at the Prodigy Film Festival for her role as Maddy (which she learnt basic BSL for) in the TV Drama 'My Brother's Life Without Sound'. Currently, she is filming in Cumbria and Cornwall for the highly-anticipated Victorian feature 'The Ballad of Lucy Sands' from Malbysse Productions and preparing for Season 2 production of 'PsycoTherapy'.

Olivia also recently received the 'Best Young Actress' award at the Birmingham Film Festival, for her role as Beatrice Evans in her own short thriller 'Bea Before Me'. Olivia also enjoys filmmaking, and her four short films have all been nominated and/or won awards at local and international film festival, including picking up the 'High Peak Festival Award' at the film festival of the same name. Olivia has been cast in a number of projects for this coming year, including playing 'Kat' in 'In Bluebell Wood' and is also intending to direct, and act, in her own feature film later on in the year, 'Peace in our Time'.

"I am extremely excited and honored to portray the challenging role of such an incredible, inspiring woman, Teen Tina, in the drama feature film 'Sunshine Girl', in production this Fall. I am mostly experienced in drama genres and have had the opportunity to be involved in a lot of films based on true stories recently which I am really interested in. Thank you so much to Craig for the trust you have placed in us to help bring this story to life, especially when it is so close to home. Tina was a phenomenal woman and I hugely respect your courage for telling this story".

Leanne Johnson: Adult Tina

Leanne is an actor based in the Midwest whose faith-based filmography includes The Wager, unDEFILED, Broken Silence, OverRide and Pureflix series The Dream Motel. She has an extensive range that crosses genres, defies stereotypes and brings truth to her characters. Leanne has over 30 film and commercial credits in her 3 years of on camera acting and is also an accomplished athlete, academic and musician. She credits God with her success and acknowledges His presence in her failures.

Tina was a woman full of faith, hope, and joy, and even in the midst of pain and suffering she had love and laughter to give. She truly had the heart of Christ. Tina was curious, adventurous, and kind with a resilient strength and a fantastic sense of humor! All this is so evident in just my audition sides and from photos I have seen of her! Tina's story encouraged and inspired me and I know it will bless others in their journey through the brokenness and beauty of life, however long that may be.

"Acting is an adventure with no concrete destination, I never arrive. I just take one step at a time and live every moment as best I can, until it's time to go home."

Gershon Tarablus: Teen Craig

Originally from Germany and Switzerland, I moved to New York two and a half years ago to study acting. I attend The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute for nearly 2 years. Sunshine Girl will be my first feature film. Up to now I’ve been part of 2 short films so this movie will be an entirely new experience for me that I’m very much looking forward to.

I’m interested in playing Teenage Craig for his seemingly unconditional love for Tina and the immense trust he has in her. Beyond that, it is very special to be playing a role that is not fictional but a real person that has gone through these experiences and wrote the script.

Mark Haptonstall: Adult Craig

Mark Haptonstall is an American actor and artist. Mark was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and grew up lost in his imagination, with his grandfather's video camera in hand. His lifelong passion for acting and film led him to San Francisco where he got his BFA in Acting at the Academy of Art University under Diane Baker; while simultaneously competing the two and a half year program at the Meisner Technique Studio. Mark moved to LA and has since appeared in many TV and film roles including: Dangerous Medicine, Drone Wars, Roxie, Country Fixin's and Makeshift Memories (which he also directed), and many more.

“Craig is an amazing man, husband and writer. He is such a loving, caring person who always finds light where others see only darkness. I’m honored to bring that to the screen to honor Craig and this story, and to be a part of sharing it with the world.

Sheila Ball: Marge

Through art, it is important to show truth. Humanity is flawed. Marge is no exception. My approach to this complex role is to connect my heart to hers. What are the deep roots the choices Marge makes, to treat her own daughter abusively? I think it is subconscious. No one sets out to be a bad person. I believe “Marge” does. It understand the deep love she actually has for her beautiful, resilient, courageous daughter. Tina’s love and beauty increasingly becomes a threat. How is Tina able to be so positive and happy after all? What if Tina leaves her? Marge fears the abandonment of her own daughter to the point of no return. The result is abuse and control. I am honored to be a part of this beautiful film based on a true story.

After graduating from Princeton, I came to New York to study with Bill Esper (himself). I later studied at BADA in Oxford with Alan Rickman, David Leveaux and Fiona Shaw. Professionally, I began on stage in a myriad of Off-Broadway shows. I also worked in film and TV, with recurring roles on the soaps: Guiding Light, As The World Turns, Another World, Search for Tomorrow and One Life To Live. In the PBS Love and Other Sorrows I guest starred alongside Elizabeth Franz and Stephen Mailer; PEOPLE magazine named me “Young Actress to Watch”. Two of my most recent feature films (Paramount & Amazon Prime 2020) are premiering in April: Assault On VA-33 (as Sean Patrick Flannery’s Therapist, “Dr. Gutterman”) and By Deception (“Detective Cynthia Raymond”) . On TV, I have recurring characters on five different web series. I have had roles on Dead of Winter, Odd Mom Out and several made for TV movies.

Blake Redding: Dr. Baker; Production Assistant; Staging;

Hi all, my name is Blake Redding and I will be playing the part of Dr. Baker in the upcoming production of Sunshine Girl. I had the pleasure of knowing Tina both personally and professionally, which I believe is going to bring a unique and intimate dynamic to the character.

My industry experience is primarily in soundtrack/music composition and voice acting but have filmed and acted in multiple shorts and skits both in comedy and horror, many of which haven't seen the light of day but may find a home on YouTube one day if I can ever find the time to add ADR and music. Someday...

-The Choke (2005) feature film. Soundtrack; More for Me

-Grayman's Cove (2014) audio horror story; Skipper Jake-

Those are at least a couple credits that you can (maybe) find online! I will also be helping out Craig and the Director with establishing locations, set building, makeup, composing, and anything else that time allows me to help with production of this amazing project.

~cheers

Carolyn Aks: Dr. Carolyn Aks

Hi Folks! I'm Dr. Carolyn Aks, one of the medical oncologists/hematologists privileged to be serving the community at Summit Cancer Centers. I first met Tina and Craig at the clinic in Spokane Valley in 2018 after Tina's original oncologist relocated. His departure was my good fortune. I've worked in this field since 1993 and I will say with complete sincerity that I've never met anyone like Tina. I called her Sunshine Girl from the start, right Craig? She radiated such invigorating warmth and light, like the first Spring day after a long, cold winter. The big infusion room could never contain her smile, and with it, she cheered everyone around her. Despite the grueling circumstances of treatment, her optimism and love of life never flagged. She inspires me to this day, and I am so honored to be able to recreate our friendship for this project in which so many talented people are participating. I look forward to meeting you and learning from all of you.

Rebecca Korsgaard: 2nd AC

My name's Rebecca Korsgaard and I attended Fairleigh Dickinson University as a Film Production major and video game animation minor. I always had a liking to film since I was younger and on the side I'd go to conventions such as NYCC, Anime NYC and Anime Expo and record convention music videos.

"I'm honored to be a part of Sunshine Girl and met Tina from the years of visiting my Uncle for his birthday party. Tina was always so talkative and friendly and I'm so glad to have the opportunity to meet such an amazing woman".

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