Film Synopsis:

Wanda the Wonderful is a feature length documentary/narrative hybrid film about my grandmother Wanda, a Wild West sharpshooter. Wanda was a rebel who toted guns and wore pants when skirts were the norm. Born in 1900 in the Chickasaw Indian Territory, Wanda traveled the world as “Wanda Savage” with her sharpshooting act. She also bore seven children by four different men, performed as a stunt woman and actress in Hollywood, was the temporary Madame of a brothel, and met then married a sheep rancher. She later "hightailed it out of town 'til the heat died down" after she shot this same man, my grandfather. Wanda’s story is about a woman who dared to be different, but at what cost? The pathos that Wanda experienced in pursuit of her independence is as vital an aspect of her story as the story itself. It is through Wanda's human fallibility that we gain insight into her wild life and magnetic, volatile persona. This film will reveal the true story of my Grandmother Wanda, a Wild West woman who dared to follow her passions – at whatever cost.

Production Update - 12/09:

We are gearing up to shoot the re-enactment portion of the film in June of this coming summer, 2010. The re-enactments make up approximately 60% of the film and we are very excited to see the person of Wanda come to life on the big screen through these dramatic re-enactments. We will be shooting the re-enactments in the style of Western films from the 60's and 70's, featuring the incredible landscape of Wyoming as a backdrop. We are in the process of finalizing the script, auditioning talent, scheduling, locking down crew, equipment and locations, etc.

Texas singer/songwriter James McMurtry has agreed to write original material for the film and perform these songs within the re-enactments. We are very excited that he will be putting his incredible talent and personage towards this project.