The future is bright for Glenvista’s Gareth Crocker as prominent Hollywood producer takes a liking in his books. Julie Maule gets the story behind Gareth’s story.
Gareth has been approached by Hollywood film producer Gillian Gorfil, who produced Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio. But more than that, Gorfil has formally made a move to get the film rights to two of Crocker’s novels, ‘Finding Jack’ and ‘Never Let Go’. Finding Jack, is a story about abandoned US war dogs while Never Let Go is a kidnap thriller with a difference.
How it all happened
Apparently, the famous Gorfil was spellbound from the first syllable she read.
“I am an avid animal lover, so when a friend of mine suggested I read ‘Finding Jack’ and told me briefly what it was about, I downloaded it on my Kindle right away.
The next thing I did was to cancel plans and switch off my phone. I read the book in one sitting and when I put it down, I e-mailed Gareth immediately to enquire about film rights. Anyone who has ever owned a dog needs to read this book and see the movie when it’s made. It’s a moving and important story about courage, survival, loyalty, friendship and healing,” she told the media. “Gareth is very good at finding a subject that tugs at heartstrings, an essential ingredient for any film.”
Shortly after reading the book, the Hollywood producer flew to Johannesburg to meet Gareth in person. Together they started outlining plans to develop ‘Finding Jack’ into a movie. And, as they say in the movies, the rest is fast becoming history…
Tugging at heart strings
Growing up in Glenanda where his parents still live, Gareth initially struggled with English. So much so, that his Grade 1 English teacher told his mother that Gareth wasn’t coping and might need to be taken to a school more equipped to ‘deal with his condition’. Gareth’s mother took the news hard, but refused to give up on her son.
For the next six months she spent three hours a day with Gareth teaching him his ABCs. At the end of the year, Gareth won the prize for best reader in the class. The significance of this was not lost on Gareth and he credits his writing success to his mother’s determination not to give up on him. His writing blossomed throughout school (he even used to write poems for his mates that they could give to girls they liked) and, after matriculating from Glenvista High, he completed a degree in English and communications.
After that, he worked for several years as a journalist, news editor and columnist before joining a top public relations company. He then went on to become the spokesperson for a large South African multinational.
Gareth’s wife Kerry is an English teacher at Waterstone College and they have two young daughters, Jennifer (10) and Jordann (7). “We are all animal lovers and have four dogs. Two Labradors, Jack (of course) and Jill; a miniature Yorkshire terrier, Hanna and a pavement special whom we rescued, Rusty.”
Gareth finds evenings best to concentrate and write. “Once the children have gone to bed and the house is quiet I set to and write for a few hours. It’s when my mind is most active. ”
The winning books
In his novels, Gareth refuses to follow any commercial formulas, and writes novels with one goal in mind: to move and inspire his readers.
Finding Jack is about Fletcher Carson who joins the flagging war effort in Vietnam. Deeply depressed, he plans to die in the war. But during one of his early missions, Fletcher rescues a critically wounded Labrador whom he nurses back to health and names Jack.
At the end of the war, the USA Government announces that due to the cost of the withdrawal, all dogs serving in the war are “surplus military equipment” and will not be transported home. Fletcher knows that if he abandons Jack, then he too will be lost forever. And so begins their journey as, together, they try to make it to freedom.
Finding Jack has sold more than a million copies to date and Gareth continues to receive letters and e-mails from all over the world.
Never Let Go tells the story of an American author whose young daughter dies in a botched kidnapping. In the aftermath of her death, the author realises that he cannot live on in a world without his child. He is on the verge of taking his own life, when a stranger delivers an envelope to his home. Inside the envelope is a single white card. Written on the card are six words. Words, that offer the impossible: “I can bring your daughter back.”
More about Gareth
· Favourite author – Stephen Fry
· Favourite books – biographies
· Preferred actor to play the main character of Finding Jack – Leonardo DiCaprio
· Hobbies – Avid footballer and still play for the Rhodes University Old Boys team. I’m also a filmmaker and, a few years ago, made a horror called Taken which was sold to MNet and was broadcast for a couple of years.
Article Source: http://joburgsouth.getitonline.co.za/2013/08/26/hollywood-calls-for-local-author/#.UhxEf5IweCk