amazing Grace is a web series that deals constructively with some of the challenges faced by children and adolescents. The series is a creative initiative which emerged from a tragic loss. Julie Money, television director and producer, shares her story and explains the origins of amazing Grace.
One sunny Sunday morning my husband Jeff woke up with a headache. He followed his usual routine – scriptwriting, bike riding, all before our 10-year-old daughter Grace woke up. Then when she woke he went for another bike ride with her. Grace was still getting her confidence on the bike. He was patient and encouraging, and that day nicknamed her Queen of the Hill. All the while Jeff’s headache persisted. By lunchtime it was much worse. He collapsed. I called the ambulance and he left our house, never to return.
Jeff died of a massive bleed in his brain stem. He and I had met when we were in our 20s and together we had created television shows and a feature film, always supporting each other in our work. Our daughter Grace came into our life quite late and she changed us in all good ways. Jeff was a devoted father. He was an extraordinary man – clever, funny, creative, generous and kind. And now he was gone.
Our world was turned upside down. Grace and I grew even closer. We would share stories about Jeff, talk about what he would do and how he would handle a situation. One of the saddest things Grace said to me, even in those early months, was that she was starting to forget him. It broke her heart, but mine even more. Someone as important as her dad could not be forgotten. Even though he wasn’t here with us every day we needed to keep his memory, his great character, his passion for life, alive.
That is how the amazing Grace web series came about. I wanted to commemorate and celebrate Jeff by telling stories about a great storyteller and a fantastic dad. I approached the series with the idea – how does a young girl navigate her way through life with her father by her side, when he can’t be there?
I asked Grace’s teacher what was important to kids Grace’s age. She said they were growing in independence but often lacking resilience. We came up with lots of ideas for episodes and started writing. We cast Ben Wood who is a taller, younger version of Jeff. A dad himself, he took on this unique role and told us it was an honour. Grace and he connected instantly and their rapport on screen is really honest and authentic.
It was important to show that Grace wasn’t out in the world on her own. We needed someone to play her mum. Justine Clarke agreed to take on the role. Lots of favours saw us shoot the first five episodes in three days. Grace also wrote the songs for the episodes.
There are now eight episodes streaming and there are six more we are ready to shoot. The whole thing was the ultimate definition of a love project. We still miss him every day, but this is the reality of our new life.
And now let’s hear from Grace …
“My biggest fear of losing someone I loved came true when I was just 10 years old. The web series is based around my real life. The episodes follow me as I deal with my everyday problems. They revolve around the dramatic question – how will Grace get through this?
“Also we are looking for sponsors and donors for our next six episodes. They are written and we are ready to take them to production but looking for funding. The topics these new episodes tackle are: Friends, Assessments, Appearance, Choices, Group Project and Fears.”
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Click here if you would like to know more about amazing Grace.
