Jennifer Phang is bringing “The Naming Girl” to the screen. Her Good Neighbors Media banner has snagged film and television rights to Todd Mitchell’s upcoming YA novel, Deadline confirms.
“The story centers on Ash Narro, who is known in her village for her peculiar knack for naming sticks, rocks, carpet bags, and anything else that catches her fancy,” the source details. “But when terrible shape-shifting monsters charge out of the cloud forest to attack her village, Ash discovers that names have power. In this steampunk fairy tale, the perils of deforestation and the power of friendship are explored through a fantastical adventure involving giant mist leopards, tempestuous forest spirits, and a girl with a special gift for shaping what things become.”
Phang wrote and directed Good Neighbors’ first feature, 2015 sci-fi “Advantageous.” The pic won the Dramatic Jury Prize for Collaborative Vision at Sundance.
“Good Neighbors Media blew me away with their subtle and innovative world-building in ‘Advantageous.’ Their interest in exploring vital social and environmental issues through engaging narratives aligns perfectly with my values, and the creative concerns of my work. I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to have them develop my work for film,” said Mitchell.
Phang added, “I’m excited to bring another fantastical world to life. The themes in ‘The Naming Girl’ are particularly timely. It is a story for audiences of all ages about the power of genuine friendship, adventure, and human connection with nature,” she stated.
“Riverdale,” “Quantico,” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” are among Phang’s extensive TV credits. She’s signed on to direct the pilot and first episode block of Disney+ series “Sulphur Springs.”
“We really do need to support each other,” Phang emphasized when we asked her advice for other women directors. “Too many times I’ve been led to believe that my direct competition was other women, as if there can be [only] a handful of successful female filmmakers a year. That conversation, that perception, needs to change. Women are the people who have helped me make films I love, and I want to be that kind of strength to other women.
“However,” Phang warned, “when you have your chance to make a film, don’t focus on pleasing everyone. I think the goal is to live in that sweet spot where you focus on making a good film and you have fun with your collaborators, but you don’t waste your energy chasing approval every which way,” she explained. “When you have a vision and a good story and you’ve managed to raise funding, it is your approval as a director that everyone should be seeking. It’s very simple.”
“Also, there are many social pressures on women, depending on your upbringing,” the writer, director, and producer explained. “Women can be pressured to be perfect in many ways. And in our efforts to be ‘responsible’ in every way, you might lose time and energy. If you truly want to direct, you may have to let go of pleasing everyone on a consistent basis.”
