Director: Sturla Gunnarsson - Executive producer: Maryke McEwen - Writer: Barry Stevens

DOP: Tony Westman - Editor: Jeff Warren - Music: Jonathan Goldsmith - Playback diary by Janice Lee

1989: Saddened by the death of her son's street friend, Toronto producer Maryke McEwen (creator of Street Legal), becomes consumed with the idea of making a film about street kids and what it is like to be one of these "forgotten people."

She feels compelled to tell a story - their story - without victimizing or objectifying them. McEwen begins to search for a project that will allow her to do this.

Early 1990: Ivan Fecan, then director for English television networks at the cbc, brings the national bestseller Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid to McEwen's attention. He tells her that this is the story she has been looking for. Written by Vancouver teenager Evelyn Lau, the book is a true story and recounts the four years Lau spent living on the streets, her involvement with prostitution, and her addiction to drugs. McEwen is drawn to the stark reality of the diary as well as its message of hope.

Fall 1990: McEwen looks into buying the film and television rights for Runaway, but the book has already been optioned by an American company. Not having any prospects for the book, the American company passes on the option.

McEwen approaches the cbc with the idea for a two-hour television movie-of-the-week based on Lau's diary. Network execs are enthusiastic and buy the rights to Runaway. They agree to fund the project in full: the $2 million tv movie will be called Personal: Evelyn Lau's Diary.

McEwen meets with Lau and the young author signs on as consultant for the movie.

December 1990: McEwen approaches former youth counselor Barry Stevens, who she has worked with on Street Legal and For The Record, to write the screenplay for Personal.

Both McEwen and Stevens agree the script should be true to the diary as well as refrain from imposing any moral judgments. Their goal is to make Personal "more than just an issues movie" about street kids. Within the script, McEwen also wishes to explore the questions of what it means to be an artist and what it means to be a woman.

January 1991: Stevens begins what will become a long and grueling writing process. Before the principal filming begins in April 1993, Stevens will have written seven official drafts.

March 1991: Sturla Gunnarsson finishes his year-long tour promoting Diplomatic Immunity, his film about foreign aid workers in El Salvador. He is approached by McEwen, who has also worked with him on Street Legal, with a copy of Runaway. Gunnarsson is compelled by the spiraling voice that emerges from the book and senses the humanism inherent in Lau's writing. Like McEwen, he is also drawn to the documentary elements of the diary.

April 1991: Gunnarsson joins McEwen and Stevens to direct Personal.

Early 1991: cbc casting directors Steve Young (Toronto) and Sid Kozak (Vancouver) begin an extensive search for the right actor to play the role of Lau. It will be difficult to cast such a physically and emotionally demanding role.