Steve Sterling(X)
Steve's lifelong love of history led him to spend more than 12 months researching and writing the screenplay The Youngest Doughboy, based on a true story. He was drawn to this project because of its compelling hero, a 12 year-old-boy whose feeling of duty transcended thoughts of home and safety. The Youngest Doughboy is a remarkable story of courage during World War I that illustrates America's part in the war and how its military fought mostly in the open, not in the trenches, which led to some of the highest casualty rates of the war. The story focuses on Ernest Wrentmore, who lied his way into the service and finished growing up on the horrific battlefields of France. At the time of this writing, The Youngest Doughboy has been recognized with six awards.
Steve works full time as the president of Sterling Public Relations, a successful public relations practice now in its 19th year. He specializes in making complex topics understandable. On behalf of major technology companies, he writes dozens of magazine articles each year. A former journalist and contributing magazine editor, Steve is also the author of a book on sustainable packaging practices.
The Youngest Doughboy Circus Roads Film Competition 2019 - Finalist Cinequest Screenwriting Competition - 3rd Place 2020 Festigious International Film Festival - 1st Place 2020 Action/Adventure Screenplay Festival - 1st Place 2020 Sacramento International Film Festival - Official Selection 2020 LA Live Film Festival - Official Selection 2020
One of the best screenplay specs in the world today Feedback Action/Adventure Screenplay Festival: "We cannot wait to showcase your terrific script at our festival. We consider it one of the best screenplay specs in the world today."
Exciting script with a compelling premise Austin Screenplay Awards" "The Youngest Doughboy is a strong, exciting script with a compelling premise. We've seen many different depictions of the World Wars on film, but this has a very particular and unique perspective of someone so young throwing himself willingly into such a traumatic situation. There are exciting action sequences in battle and intense, suspenseful moments ... I enjoyed The Youngest Doughboy and could definitely see it coming to life on screen. "
Harrowing and dramatic Coverage: "The Youngest Doughboy is a breathtaking portrayal of an unbelievable true story of courage and resilience behind the lines of battle. Enlisting at only 12 years old, Ernest's story is so incredible that it would be noteworthy and deserving of a cinematic adaptation no matter what he did in the military. That he goes on to be a genuine war hero is astounding, and the script treats his story with the reverence and awe it deserves. Ernest Wrentmore's story is so incredible it's hard to believe it's not a movie already. "The Youngest Doughboy", so powerful, harrowing, and breathtaking, could be the cinematic treatment he deserves. This film about duty and courage could leave a powerful impression on the audience."
Compelling World War I war drama Coverage: "The Youngest Doughboy is an aptly titled and compelling World War I war drama with strong action, adventure and coming of age elements that explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, ambition and loss in a period WWI era setting... Tonally and thematically, the script knows what it wants to be, what it wants to say and successfully brings to life the story of a real person who on the surface may seem like a minor figure in American history but ends up saying a great deal about the American spirit.
Fascinating Story Coverage: "This is a fascinating story, both from an action perspective, but MOST importantly, from a character study perspective. How incredible to feel such a strong sense of duty coupled with determination at such a young age. It has wonderful prospects: With elements of 1917 and Hacksaw Ridge and, a 12 year old protagonist, this is a producible story."
Truly impressive and important work Coverage: "This script's action sequences feel masterfully developed and thrilling in execution, especially the battle in La Pultière Wood. The Youngest Doughboy delivers an exercise in war drama that immediately warrants recognition by virtue of its distinct subject matter. The fact that this film manages to breathe new life into a genre as tried-and-true as "war adventure," simply by framing its narrative around the fresh-faced perspective of an adolescent, endows this script with a sense of vitality and originality... Engrossing, insightful, and brimming with heartfelt characterization."
Does not shy back from portraying the horrors of war Coverage: "The battle scenes are intense and disturbing, whether they include poisonous gas or a spiked mallet. In such a hellish environment, Ernest's humanity is at stake as well as his life. The way he makes it through is poignant and meditative, and we are left with a lot to think about."
Steve works full time as the president of Sterling Public Relations, a successful public relations practice now in its 19th year. He specializes in making complex topics understandable. On behalf of major technology companies, he writes dozens of magazine articles each year. A former journalist and contributing magazine editor, Steve is also the author of a book on sustainable packaging practices.
The Youngest Doughboy Circus Roads Film Competition 2019 - Finalist Cinequest Screenwriting Competition - 3rd Place 2020 Festigious International Film Festival - 1st Place 2020 Action/Adventure Screenplay Festival - 1st Place 2020 Sacramento International Film Festival - Official Selection 2020 LA Live Film Festival - Official Selection 2020
One of the best screenplay specs in the world today Feedback Action/Adventure Screenplay Festival: "We cannot wait to showcase your terrific script at our festival. We consider it one of the best screenplay specs in the world today."
Exciting script with a compelling premise Austin Screenplay Awards" "The Youngest Doughboy is a strong, exciting script with a compelling premise. We've seen many different depictions of the World Wars on film, but this has a very particular and unique perspective of someone so young throwing himself willingly into such a traumatic situation. There are exciting action sequences in battle and intense, suspenseful moments ... I enjoyed The Youngest Doughboy and could definitely see it coming to life on screen. "
Harrowing and dramatic Coverage: "The Youngest Doughboy is a breathtaking portrayal of an unbelievable true story of courage and resilience behind the lines of battle. Enlisting at only 12 years old, Ernest's story is so incredible that it would be noteworthy and deserving of a cinematic adaptation no matter what he did in the military. That he goes on to be a genuine war hero is astounding, and the script treats his story with the reverence and awe it deserves. Ernest Wrentmore's story is so incredible it's hard to believe it's not a movie already. "The Youngest Doughboy", so powerful, harrowing, and breathtaking, could be the cinematic treatment he deserves. This film about duty and courage could leave a powerful impression on the audience."
Compelling World War I war drama Coverage: "The Youngest Doughboy is an aptly titled and compelling World War I war drama with strong action, adventure and coming of age elements that explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, ambition and loss in a period WWI era setting... Tonally and thematically, the script knows what it wants to be, what it wants to say and successfully brings to life the story of a real person who on the surface may seem like a minor figure in American history but ends up saying a great deal about the American spirit.
Fascinating Story Coverage: "This is a fascinating story, both from an action perspective, but MOST importantly, from a character study perspective. How incredible to feel such a strong sense of duty coupled with determination at such a young age. It has wonderful prospects: With elements of 1917 and Hacksaw Ridge and, a 12 year old protagonist, this is a producible story."
Truly impressive and important work Coverage: "This script's action sequences feel masterfully developed and thrilling in execution, especially the battle in La Pultière Wood. The Youngest Doughboy delivers an exercise in war drama that immediately warrants recognition by virtue of its distinct subject matter. The fact that this film manages to breathe new life into a genre as tried-and-true as "war adventure," simply by framing its narrative around the fresh-faced perspective of an adolescent, endows this script with a sense of vitality and originality... Engrossing, insightful, and brimming with heartfelt characterization."
Does not shy back from portraying the horrors of war Coverage: "The battle scenes are intense and disturbing, whether they include poisonous gas or a spiked mallet. In such a hellish environment, Ernest's humanity is at stake as well as his life. The way he makes it through is poignant and meditative, and we are left with a lot to think about."