Kudos fellow Semifinalists of the 2026 Period Piece Screenwriting Contest.
Humbling to have my TV drama pilot, TRUMAN & ME, included with you. Thank you, Stage 32!
My colleague co-writer and late friend, Dannielle Mardi Robertson, would be honored this story has progressed.
1948. WWII was over. The Cold War, escalating, igniting new threats to humanity. And amid a fierce campaign for a second term in the White House, President Truman was on a nationwide train tour, scheduled to speak before crowds in Dallas, Texas. His motorcade passed an orphanage.
Truman told them to stop the cars. He got out, walked into the orphanage, and took time to talk with the children. No press. No cameras. Kids too young to vote.
Why?
“I was very lucky when I was a child, and I had a happy childhood,” Truman said, years later. “But sometimes…well, I was lonesome, and I felt it must be twice as bad for boys and girls who are orphans. So I went inside and talked to them. I thought that, well, being spoken to by the President of the United States was something they'd remember all their lives.”
Two decades later, Harry told Dannielle during their park-bench conversation that the measure of a good president, is “Personal Gesture”.
If iPhone cameras were not filming, how many world leaders today would do what Harry did?
Congrats fellow semifinalists. May we all live up to this example of “personal gesture”.
Ryan Vallo
1 person likes this
Comgrats Ryan! How long did it take you to write the script? Was it a smooth process?
Congratulations!
Wow! That's so great! Well done - all your hard work is certainly paying off!
3 people like this
Thank you, Amanda, Laura & Lauren. Very humbled. This project’s been fulfilling, quite enjoyable to work on.
It’s the true story of my late friend and colleague, Dannielle Mardi Robertson. Initially, I pitched her the idea of dramatizing it for film. A cast member from “The West Wing” whom I know read the feature film draft, and suggested it had legs as a TV miniseries. With similar period projects like “The Crown”, history always takes time for research, but Dannielle and I had the pilot version written quickly. Sadly, she passed away a year ago. Dannielle worked for decades in the business in LA.
Again Amanda & Laura, my gratitude for all that you do at Stage 32.
1 person likes this
Congratulations!
1 person likes this
Congratulations Ryan Vallo, wishing you more success ahead!