KCU Pitchfest Showcase 2023 (Top 50)

Bravethings of Mem

CALVIN & HOBBES x WIZARD OF OZ x POKÉMON

Scaries. Every kid’s got em. But for scrawny 12-year-old Mem, those Scaries are for real—and they’re threatening Mem’s very existence. When a rare blood disease returns from remission, it turns Mem’s world into a nightmare, completely ruining everything—Mem’s summer, friendships, even Mem’s googly-eyed rock collection. With the help of a magical new friend and a wise goldfish, Mem finds comfort & quiet in the “Innie”, an imaginative world without the pressures and fears of “Outtie” life. But when Scaries invade the “Innie”, Mem must embark on a quest to save it from the Scary King and his flying fear-makers. This is an emotionally-charged tale of hope, bravery, friendship and overcoming big fears.

My Why:

This idea was born with my oldest son. The first week of his life was spent in the NICU. The reason wasn’t serious at all—but that wasn’t the case for many of the other kids there. Every day, my wife and I would trek from her room down to the NICU. It was filled with terrified parents & kiddos. A glimpse into a very brave & unstable world. A strange community of hope & isolation. Every kid got a “fabric doll”, made by the local Girl Scout troop. The mothers slept with the doll the first night, transferring their scent to it. Then the doll was placed in the child’s incubator for the remainder of their stay. The creativity & comfort was inspiring. This is my attempt at replicating that…maybe for one of those kids from the NICU.