The Dream Children

BACKGROUND The script editor researched issues central to LGBT communities with an overall directive to make them relatable by a heterosexual audience. Script editor consulted Literature, scripts and film case studies to address research questions - How to portray a family where both parents are male and gay? How do child adoption laws apply to gay couples? What are screen conventions in a range of gay issue films? These questions are at the core of the script development process where we examined challenges facing a gay couple adopting a child. CONTRIBUTION As script editor, Dethridge provided new knowledge of script editing practice; checking the producers' ethical, industry, legal and moral responsibilities in relation to their artistic objectives. She analysed literature and case studies related to same sex marriage and Australian adoption law and examined screen conventions related to depictions of gay sex and drug use on screen. She negotiated with screenwriter/director and producers over controversial scenes, researching filmic and ethical questions around the notion of 'queer cinema'. She negotiated the depiction of gay love; drug use and unconventional family arrangements assuring clarity and fairness. She researched narrative technique in case studies of gay family films including Mrs Doubtfire and La Cage aux Folles. As a result of this research, the script is highly innovative, blending conventional storytelling techniques with an account of gay marriage, adoption and drug addiction in contemporary society. SIGNIFICANCE Film gained international critical acclaim at Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2015, at Miami Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival and Italian LGBT Film Festival 2015 and a continuous range of international film and TV Screenings on cable TV channels across USA, Asia and Europe.