User:Lovecherry/sandbox

Gina Bertaina is an American Author, known for her book The Secret Horse. At the age of 12, Bertaina published her first book The Secret Horse which made her one of the youngest authors.

Early Life
Bertaina was born in Monterey, California. In 2010 she moved to Hawaii, where she began writing her first book.

=Personal Life= Bertaina is a confirmed Lutheran. She enjoys music and is a pianist.

=The Secret Horse=

The Secret Horse is a novel by Gina Bertaina published by America Star Books. The book follows a young, fearless girl named Celeste who finds an injured Mustang in 1912 Montana. It was originally published by America Star Books in 2015 and then published independently by Amazon. The book was written by Gina Bertaina and became a national bestseller, making it onto The New York Times bestseller list. Bertaina became the youngest author to make it onto that list at age 17.

Publication
Bertaina stated that she "wasn't looking to publish it [The Secret Horse] immediately with a big-name commercial publisher." She went on to say, "[I] would have been amazed if it were to be picked up by a publisher like Puffin of Harcourt on it's debut printing, yet I just wanted to publish a book, even if it didn't mean it would become a best-seller." The book was published in three months, having been in the making for more than two years. "I didn't really intend to finish it," Bertaina stated. "I didn't even know what it was gonna be about. I just went with it." After two years, the book was picked up by critics and received mixed to positive reviews. Bertaina stated that she "doesn't care about how much money it will make or what it'll be rated. I just like getting my work out there." After a second independent printing through Amazon, the book became a national best-seller and was an honorable mention in the Newbery Festival of 2020. Bertaina became the youngest author to win this award.

Plot
12-year-old Celeste Orchard lives with her nine siblings, mom, dad, and pets on a ranch in 1912 Montana. Among her siblings are Jenny, her adopted sister who was formerly her cousin and Addie, her older sister who is somewhat protective. In the opening chapter, Celeste describes her family and pets, and talks about her one horse, Blessing, a gray mare. Celeste is only allowed one horse by her parents, and Celeste remains content. While picking fruit Celeste comes upon a black mare whose back is severed and bloody. Celeste names the horse Secret, ropes her and introduces her to Jenny and Addie. While Jenny is elated by the news of a new horse, Addie protests the idea, knowing that Celeste will attach to the horse and wish to keep her although their parents are not in favor of a new horse. However Addie agrees to help Celeste keep Secret safe and a secret to their parents as her back heals. Celeste brings Secret to the Gardener household where Mrs. Gardener, mother of Maribel, Magenta, and two others and also a veterinarian, helps Secret heal, however is sure that Secret is a dangerous, wild horse who is too wild to tame. After Secret heals, Celeste is determined to ride and train Secret, yet Mrs. Gardener refuses to let her do so. As Secret is kept at the Gardener's, she escapes. Coincidentally, a heart-broken Celeste meets with Nelson Ray, a famous horse trainer, who says he has heard from Mrs. Gardener about Secret, who requested that he come and look at her. Nelson says he had seen a black horse at his 10+ acre ranch and welcomes Celeste to search for her. Celeste searches for Secret in a forest nearby the Ray's and Secret running free. Celeste hops on Secret bareback and rides her back. Mr. Ray is happy for her, yet tells her to avoid overconfidence, knowing Mrs. Gardener would not approve. Nonetheless, he allows Secret to stay at his ranch considering Celeste do groundwork with her. Celeste agrees and secretly visits the Ray's, Nelson unaware she is not telling her parents. With Maribel Gardener starting a horse club, Celeste gets an opportunity to ride a mustang found by Magenta named Skipper who was found at the place Secret was found (later named Whispering Whinnies Valley). While Celeste is training Secret at the Ray's, she is knocked unconscious after being kicked by Secret. She wakes up in a room to find her Mother. Disappointed by her lies, Celeste apologized, and her parents accept, yet explain that they must get rid of Secret. The simplest way is to give her to the fair which will use her in their annual Wild Horse Race. Celeste attempts to join the race yet due to her age and parents disapproval, she is unable to. Nonetheless, she trains riding at a gallop on Skipper. After several events take place that suggest Secret is not being given proper care, Celeste becomes desperate to enter. After Celeste's mother explains that her father fears for Celeste's safety and love of horses when she rides Secret, Celeste is convinced to join and does so due to open registration for the Wild Horse Race. After winning the race, Celeste gets all the horses and apologizes to her father who accepts her apology and announces that he has built her a stable to keep Secret and other horses as she has proven her maturity. The story ends with Celeste and Jenny riding on a hill during a sunset and Celeste saying that her journey with Secret had "just begun".

Critical Reception
The Secret Horse received mixed to positive reviews. While many reviewers were pleased with Bertaina's style of writing, some criticized the story. Maxine Cred of The Daily Novel praised Bertaina's "bravery". "You rarely find someone so young writing as though she were in the early 1900s." She continued to review, "The story did lack an efficient storyline, yet it did deliver style-wise." Celeste was also criticized. Dana Schulz of Riley Mackrel wrote, "Celeste came off as an unapologetic, overly-brave brat." There was also criticism on other aspects of the story, including it's truth-to-era, which was criticized by many. Mackie Reed from Daily Reading said that the story seemed "idealistic and unrealistic [...] especially for a story taking place in that [1912] era." Bertaina defended her book, saying, "Celeste is definitely flawed, and I think that the whole thing was rather idealistic. But the beauty of it is that it's unique in it's own way because I take the ideological parts as fantasy. Really, it's hard to tell whether or not my book is a fiction or non-fiction depending on the way you take it. It is quixotic, and I can see girls looking up to Celeste, but for me it was all a rather idealistic, once-upon-a-time with its own uniqueness. Celeste is not a role-model, nor a hero; but it's not realistic, either. I mean, you either have you're 'you can do anything books' or your 'totally realistic books'. Mine was somewhere in between." The book was well-received by New York Times writer and critic Samantha Wright, who wrote, "Bertaina delivered a unique and captivating tale that is imaginative and interesting for all ages. Readers who love interpreting: This one's for you."

=Little Horse=

Little Horse is a 2018 independent short film. It was produced by Cheri Lovey and directed by Sandy Encyclopedia. It aired on Wiki Channel April 8th, 2019, and was then available on DVD.

Plot
Carrie Wiki is a young girl growing up in eastern Massachusetts. Carrie's facade portrays that she has a passion for drama, yet heartily her friends and family doubt this. Many reckon that she isn't much of a stage person (considering her hate of singing and stage fright), yet think that the only reason she's doing it is because of her late grandmother. Carrie's grandmother was a successful local actress. When Carrie was young, her grandmother was especially close to her, and Carrie's grandmother's death made Carrie very involved in theater. Carrie often stays at the theater, yet her family doubts it's because she likes acting, but rather because her grandmother started in many plays at that same stage. The stage is put up for sale due to budget cuts and will not open for plays unless they get at least one child. No one joins the drama club, forcing Carrie to join. The only reason Carrie decided to join is because she does not want to see her grandmother's stage destroyed. Nearly 8 miles away from the theater, a young Miniature Horse foal is abandoned and thrown into the woods, bruised and left with no mother. The foal is nearly dead and the chances of survival are scarce. Every night at the theater, Carrie hears voice that tells her to check in the woods. At first Carrie is terrified and thinks about leaving the theater yet after seeing her grandmother's script for the play Macbeth Carrie is convinced the voice is her grandmother's. After three days of constant beckoning, Carrie decides to listen to the voice and goes into the woods. In the woods, the voice guides Carrie to the foal and she quickly takes it to the veterinarian. Despite the torture the pony overcame, the veterinarian says that the horse will be okay. Carrie names the horse Piccolo, then takes him to her home. Her mother sees that Carrie cares for the horse, yet Carrie does not give up acting. Her mother confronts her the very next day and tells her to quit drama, saying that her grandmother was the very first to become an actor in the family and she'd be proud if Carrie was the very first to become a horse lover. Carrie agrees and quits the drama club. The stage is sold and, to Carrie's surprise, becomes a stable. Carrie immediately visits the stable and meets Mr. Winchester, a rancher, who states that a voice told him to build a stable in this spot. Carrie, thinking that the voice was her grandmother's, begins to smile and boards Piccolo there.

Cast

 * Maya J Gatto | Carrie Wiki: the protagonist of the short film who finds the injured horse and does theater
 * Maude Frank | Eleanor Wiki: Carrie's mother
 * Silver Bells | Piccolo: Mini Horse
 * Ron February | Mr. Winchester
 * Daisy Ramsey | Veterinarian

Production
Little Horse was independently filmed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, throughout the year of 2017. This is the first major film Cheri Lovey produced and second major film Sandy Encyclopedia directed. Throughout the filming, Lovey denied claims that it would be an animated Disney Film. "While there will always be rumors, this is an inanimate film. I don't want to get Pixar Lover's hopes high!" Her comment was approved by Encyclopedia.

The actors were said to be "fresh off the stage" and had never been in a film before. Lovey stated that it was all about bringing in "newbies" and that she intentionally wanted someone who had never been in a Major Motion Picture before. "People are either criticizing new actors or loving them. I took a risk in choosing young, fresh stars, yet you gotta start somewhere." Lovey commented. All actors on set were reportedly new and unfamiliar.

Before the plot was decided, Lovey said that she "already knew [she] wanted fresh actors."

"The plot came up accidentally when we toured a haunted mansion for inspiration. We knew we didn't want something horrific, but something about the mansion was off. We ended up wanting something with ghosts, but definitely not a horror. Stage and stables were two key ingredients in this film from the start, yet we weren't quite sure how to connect them. A grandmother's voice was at first questionable but ended up to be a success." Encyclopedia commented.

According to the cast department, finding good actors/actresses were "hard and definitely not quick." Janice Eric, president of casting, said that she was "overly grateful" after finding Maya J Gatto to play Carrie. "She [Gatto] was so full of energy and vibrant. I enjoyed working with her." Eric stated.

Critical Reception
Little Horse received mixed but mostly positive reviews. Dana Squarepants from Movie Mode Weekly stated that it was "short but not rushed." She continued to positively write, "...though it is practically an hour, it feels like that's all it needs. You can get to know the characters and get a few tears and then it's done." However, Percy Redblue critiqued its speed, stating that it left him and "probably lots of others confused and wanting more." Cindy M. A. Soap gave the short a B+, praising its "uniqueness". "This movie will start a trend of short, touching films that don't take two hours to watch. It cuts to the point." Soap comments.

While the length has been both critiqued and praised, the acting has been generally given a B-. Michael Wilee from 'It's a Motion Picture Life said that he "wasn't awed [by the acting], but it was decent. I mean, after all, this is a short. No one is expecting it to win Oscars and there certainly won't be any well known actors." Though Wilee wasn't impressed, Cheri Lovey (director) stated in an interview that the actors were supposed to be "average". "We [Cheri Lovey and Sandy Encyclopedia] didn't want it to be overly dramatic." Lovey stated in an interview with Movie Addict. "We wanted something straightforward, simple, yet somewhat emotional. And I think we've achieved that." Lovey also defended her film and believed that it could "very well be an Oscar winning film."

The movie was criticized by certain reviewers for the inaccuracy as far as the horse. Akina June said, "That's so unrealistic, the fact that Piccolo was abandoned, hurt, and barely alive, yet when Carrie finds him she doesn't notify anyone about him obviously being abused by previous owners." Lovey defended her film again and stated, "Remember, this film cuts to the point. We could have done a bunch of fillers and 'how this happened' stuff, but that won't affect the outcome of the film. We wanted something short and different, getting into [this] will make [the movie] too long."

Alicia Corns stated that the movie was an "epic fail." She went on to critique it by saying, "This movie is poorly made and overrated. The acting is poor and the characters are even poorer. I'm surprised that the IFI would make itself look so bad as to accept a film like this." Corns, however, received many critical comments regarding her thought. The Rolling Stone writer Patty Mark branded Corns as "undeserving and disgusting. To say something so rude about such a lovely film is preposterous." Some, however, supported Corns remarks; Andrew Collins from Movie Journal Daily said that Corns was "just doing her job." Corns refused to apologize for her comments saying that she "did the right thing."