Doug Atchison

I've already seen the effect the film has on young people, especially girls. We were at the Pan-American Film Festival read more

I've already seen the effect the film has on young people, especially girls. We were at the Pan-American Film Festival in Los Angeles, and one girl told me, 'This movie makes me feel like I can do anything I want.' It shows that even if you don't have the resources, you can use your own will to change things.

I've been spoiled. We didn't have a lot of money but creatively, they were great. When I came into the read more

I've been spoiled. We didn't have a lot of money but creatively, they were great. When I came into the meeting after the first screening I had ten times more notes than they had.

She's on every page of the script, so the actress had to be strong and incredible. She displayed such a read more

She's on every page of the script, so the actress had to be strong and incredible. She displayed such a depth of understanding about the character that I knew we had the right kid.

It was unbelievably difficult to get it made. Studios are extremely allergic to risk. Finally, after a long courtship, Lions read more

It was unbelievably difficult to get it made. Studios are extremely allergic to risk. Finally, after a long courtship, Lions Gate Films agreed to make the film. They liked the idea of a sports movie where spelling was the sport, something that might be compared to 'Hoosiers' or other good sports movies, but with a younger lead character.

This has the potential to be a seminal film. That's if people dig it, and I think they will. This read more

This has the potential to be a seminal film. That's if people dig it, and I think they will. This is a film with a universal message. People who are 12 and people who are 45 will get something out of it that they can take back to their own lives.