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Colorful digital illustration of a toucan on a yellow background.

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Synopsis

Concept art

TV series

Fairies

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A talented young turkey moves from a small town to Birdland to make her dreams come true, but has to navigate the shadier parts of the entertainment industry.

Synopsis

Written by Terry John Barto

A rakish rooster, a Birdland hanger-on type named TJ, describes our story in an eggshell. "Single turkey parent arrives in Birdland with a precocious and talented kid to make it big."    


But who is that turkey parent and her precocious kid? And where did it all begin? Well, we have to go back to Gobbler's Glen to meet Henri LaBelle and her talented tiny tot named Anamazie, or just Mazie for short.  

  

It's time for the big talent show, and Mazie is the odds-on favorite to win. However, this is real life, folks, not a fairy tale, and things sometimes don't work out as planned. Mazie's performance came in second to Edith Wingmeyer's dern good song and dance number when she came to ROCK THIS BARN!!! 

  

Alas, with stars in her eyes, poor Mazie is the "also-ran" for the fourth year. At this rate, she'll be a "Butterball" before she realizes her dream. But not so fast. Mother Hen, a Birdland power player, apparently caught the show and saw Mazie's potential. Just let Mother get her claws on this little Jenny, and she'll make her a star.   

    

Henri sells her business, and the twosome is off to glittering Birdland, the world's fuss n' feathers capital. It is the center of a bustling metropolis filled with life, color, and verve. Through Mazie's eyes, “quite possibly the most amazing place I've ever seen!" And populated with an array of fine-feathered friends, unlike anywhere else.  

  

  • Like rapper MC Punk Rock Penguin. "MC PENGUIN IN THE BOOTH. WHAT UP, BIRDLAND CREW?"
  • And there's tour guide Kate aboard a double-decker bus. "IT'S NO ORDINARY SHACK. THAT'S THE BOYHOOD HOME OF TAILFEATHER JACK." 
  • There's Bertie, a waitress at the world-famous Squab's Pharmacy, serving up birdseed salad to young Starlets. 
  • DJ Dan tells us, "JUMP RIGHT IN! TAKE A SWIM! WITH D-A-A-A-N-N-N! HERE IN BIRDLAND!" 
  • Then, visit the Pecking Order Agency Mailroom, where the Head Stork delivers mail. Security guards Ed and Ted Eagle keep a bird's eye on the premises.   
  • And fly up to the 42nd floor to meet Chick Chickley, Mother Hen's wingman, fast-talking and super-energetic agent-to-be. Chick sets mom and daughter up in a cheep room at Bird's Nest Manor.         

  

The next day, they converge on their new neighbors, Zelda, TJ, and Poe, whose Birdland dreams have yet to come true.   


Later, the pair waddle through the gates of Nocturnal Pictures, past the sound stages, costumed extras, and catering trucks to the set where uber-director Otto Owlinsky presides. Stars Chad McCluckly and ravishing Patty Peckingly wait for the next set-up. Mazie meets Orlando, who introduces himself as the studio documentarian.     


Mazie is on set and befriended by Viggo, the stunt falcon. He tells Mazie that she is expected to do her stunts, and some may be a little dangerous. "I hope you can fly." 


Henri butts beaks with Mother Hen concerning Mazie's safety. "I will not allow my child to be put in harm's way." The hen insists Mazie will never work in this town again if she walks off the set. But Henri stands firm and takes Mazie back to the Manor to pack for home.   


Orlando shows up and asks Mazie to be in his first movie. He will enter it into the Birdland Film Festival, and if it wins, there will be a contract with Nocturnal Pictures. The best part is Mother Hen will have nothing to say about it. Henri's skeptical. Orlando doesn't even have a script. But there's a frustrated screenwriter living right here in the Manor: Poe, the Raven. 


Now it's time to SHAKE THINGS UP IN BIRDLAND. They get busy and sign up all the has-beens, wannabes, and only-ifs they can find. "C'MON, GANG, LET'S MAKE A MOVIE."     

 

Make a movie, they do, and the world premiere opens at the Bijou for the contest. Starring Mazie, Henri, and Zelda and directed by Orlando Oliveros, the film looks like a sure winner. 


Mother Hen is not going down quietly. In her attempt to sabotage the event, she is exposed as the hater she is and meets her downfall. The film was a big success and made Birdland history. A star is hatched, and Mazie is on her way.


WGAw registration: 2042084

Concept art

TV series

Gobbleville is a small town where turkeys behave like people.

The suburban landscape sets the stage for the citizens of Gobbleville to live and work. They attend barbecues, fairs, festivals, and parades in a homespun community.


A young actor stumbles on more than fame when she meets a magic elevator, and mysterious props whisk her into iconic movie scenes. 

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Wings of Dreams

Creative director Terry John Barto honed another writer's novel and constructed an enchanting tale. He then worked with Artist Patricia Paris to design fairies from the story.

 

Terry collaborated with sculptors, costumers, jewelers, and engineers to develop dynamic dolls. They lived in a miniature set with a castle, waterfall, flowers, and diverse fairies.

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About

Terry John Barto is an award-winning author and the screenwriter of Nickerbacher. His story is being adapted into an animated feature film at Arx Anima, an international studio with locations in Vienna, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Madrid.

 

He is an accomplished creative director and show director with a track record of professional results. AEA, SAG-AFTRA, SDC

terryjbarto@gmail.com - 310.701.0709

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