An original screenplay by Norman McCombs based on his historical novel, “A Reason To Be” picked up the Best SCI-Fi Screenplay Award from the LA Film Awards. Mark revisits with Norman sharing the power of this Novel and how he survived his wife’s demise with Alzheimer’s.
‘A Reason to Be’ Garners Best Sci-Fi Screenplay from Los Angeles Film Awards New York, NY—An original screenplay by Norman McCombs, based on his historical novel A Reason to Be, picked up the Best Sci-Fi Screenplay Award from the Los Angeles Film Awards. This autobiographical novel creates parallel stories as the protagonist, suffering deeply from the loss of his lifelong sweetheart, starts a redemptive journey through family history reaching back centuries from North America to the Scottish Highlands.
A Reason to Be also picked up Official Selection honors at the CFK International Film Festival and a Best Script award from the NY Independent Cinema Awards, which is sponsored by New York Arts & Cinema.
With the enormous success of the Outlander books and TV series, Scottish history has become a popular topic. Contributions by Scottish emigrants have been vital to the enormous success of the United States and Canada. Those of Scottish descent are famous for a deep-seated streak of independence and intellectual vigor that has changed the world. Following the Battle of Culloden, in 1745, hundreds of thousands were cleared from the Scottish Highlands and scattered to all points of the compass.
McCombs’ connections to the famed Highland Clans form the foundation of a journey through history which, in no small way, saved his life. Representing one of those great Scottish/American success stories, he has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. In 2011, as McCombs stood outside the East Wing of the White House before receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Obama, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House?
That moment prompted McCombs to search for deeper connections to his ancestry!
A five-minute audiobook sample, including a bit of Scottish brogue, can be heard at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D2DYXVX/.
About Norman McCombs
Norman McCombs was born in Amherst, New York, in a home built by his immigrant father. He graduated from Amherst Central High School where he met his late wife, Grace. Norman went on to earn an AASEE from ECTI, along with a BSME and an ScD from the State University of New York at Buffalo, while serving in the New York State National Guard.
He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which honored him with the EDISON Medal, their highest patent award. He has received numerous awards for technical achievement, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama for developing the portable oxygen concentrator credited with saving and extending the lives of millions with lung diseases.
As Norman stood outside the East Wing of the White House, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? That moment prompted Norman to search for deeper connections to his ancestry.
Norman has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world.
He is also an Officier Commandeur of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, as well as a sculptor, classical guitarist, and avid fan of opera and the fine arts.
You can find more information on Norman McCombs at NormanMcCombs.com.
