Month: March 2016

1st Scene Script Reading – The Wedding Thief by Brett Bacon

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, Film Freeway, First Scene Script, Uncategorized, winning screenplays , , , , , , , , ,

Watch the April 2016 1st Scene Screenplay Winner.

The Wedding Thief
Written by Brett Bacon

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Kaufmann
JOEY – Michael Lake
LORENZO – Noah Casey
DOM – Dennis Barham

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Comedy, Crime

A professional thief pilfers money from the super-rich at weddings until he is caught stealing from the Italian mob and then is forced to take a priceless work of art from the Russian mob or die trying.

Interview with Brett Bacon:

1. What is your screenplay about?

A disciplined thief who specializes in super-rich weddings must take on an unpredictable and madcap rival or else lose his criminal operation, get apprehended by the police and taken out by the mob.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It’s a fun blend of two popular movie genres: romantic comedy and the heist. And who doesn’t like weddings?

3. How would you describe this script in two words?

comedy heist

4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Enter the Dragon

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

1 year.

6. How many stories have you written?

6

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I love the idea of combining the excitement and suspense of a heist with the fun and tension of a romantic comedy.

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Making sure that each major character gets their due in terms of character development.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Family, travel, fly-fishing, movies and reading.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I am a big fan of the Wildsound Festival and they have a great reputation. The feedback was very constructive and helpful. I felt that it was tough love– but not so tough that I wanted to jump off a bridge!

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Keep writing, never give up, don’t be afraid of taking risks and putting yourself out there.

***

Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

1st Scene Script Reading – Man Seeking Monkey by Steve Mikals

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, Film Freeway, First Scene Script, Uncategorized, winning screenplays , , , , , , , , , ,

Watch the April 2016 1st Scene Screenplay Winner.

Man Seeking Monkey
Written by Steve Mikals

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Kaufmann
MITCHELL – Michael Lake
DET. STRUMMER – Noah Casey
ARTHUR – Kiran Friesen
ARTHUR – Dennis Barham

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Comedy

Aided by their human friends, chimpanzees with typewriters try to climb the Evolutionary ladder.

Interview with Steve Mikals:

1. What is your screenplay about?

My screenplay is about the comedy of Evolution, how bigger forces than we realize are at work on this planet. It begins with a book shop putting a chimpanzee with a typewriter in the window, to see if he will type Shakespeare. It then follows that thread to some logically absurd conclusions. Along the way this will involve a secret program of one hundred typing chimpanzees and the canon of Western literature, spoofs of Mafia loan sharks and “going to the mattresses”, and the DNA of Custer’s scalps. Plural.

Trust me, it works.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It deserves to be a movie because it entertains AND challenges the audience to think beyond comfort zones. Two examples of this are the classic comedy Groundhog Day, and one of my current favorites, Lucy, Luc Bresson’s provocative look at human potential welded to a Hong Kong action flick.

3. How would you describe this script in two words?

The Ruminant.

4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Annie Hall. It’s one of the all-time greats, especially for an ending that refuses to pull punches.

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I recently wrote a novel, my first. It took me three years, on and off. It took only three months to adapt it into the rough draft of this screenplay, but it has been polish and edit ever since.

6. How many stories have you written?

I have two others in progress. One, a followup to MSM, set in the same book shop with a few of the same characters. It has a killer opening sequence, but I have yet to settle on the metaphysical instrument it revolves around. The second is a romantic comedy that follows the aftermath of a divorce, and I hope captures some of the poignancy as well as the comic possibilities. I will submit both of the openings to this festival.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

This screenplay began as a novel (my own), and as I watched the publishing world collapse in the Internet Age, I decided I had a better shot at success with a screenplay and film festivals like this one. Plus, I’ve given up reading novels, except for clean stylists that I find helpful in my writing, like Jonathan Franzen, Raymond Chandler, Elmore Leonard, and George Higgins,

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I was working from a novel (my own) with TOO MANY funny plots, characters and scenes. I had to teach myself a great deal about editing and make tough but rewarding choices.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

You can be passionate about more than one thing? 🙂

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

Critiquing the first ten pages is a great idea. That’s the easiest part to write, so it had better rock. The feedback is objective and helpful.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Accept all feedback in the constructive spirit it is given. Let it sink in over time. These people are now where you want to be.

***

Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

 

1st Scene Script Reading – Monster Beneath The Ice by Jerry Kokich

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, First Scene Script, Uncategorized, winning screenplays , , , , , , , , , ,

Watch the April 2016 1st Scene Screenplay Winner.

Monster Beneath The Ice
Written by Jerry Kokich

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Kaufmann
VLADIMIR – Noah Casey
EVGENY – Michael Lake
PILOT – Dennis Barham

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

A good, old fashioned “B” picture for your first scene enjoyment.

EVGENY and VLADIMIR discuss when the supply plane will arrive. Outside, Evgeny is almost knocked down by a moving ridge in the ice, but Vladimir saves him. The ridge destroys shacks and machinery, and the incoming plane just manages to rescue them.

Get to know writer Jerry Kokich:

1. What is your screenplay about?

In the early 60’s, a Russian Arctic research station uncovers a horrible monster.

2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

We need a good, entertaining, popcorn movie, and this is it!

3. How would you describe this script in two words?

Midnight movie!

4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Raiders of The Lost Ark!

5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

On and off, three years, more off than on.

6. How many stories have you written?

Six books, two published, a number of short stories, three audio dramas, several screenplays, four or five low budget filmmaking articles, a ballet blog, five scripts for a Doctor Who parody series I produced, and eight for an unproduced comedy scifi web series.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I knew a former Navy intelligence officer, who was actually stationed in the Arctic, who told me stories. Not about any monsters…

8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I ran into writer’s block about the ending, which I usually get first when I start a story. I’m going back and forth between a couple of endings.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I was a ballet dancer with The Joffrey Ballet, and I teach in Los Angeles. I’m very passionate about my students and their development.

10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I felt this first scene was one of my better ones, and I needed some feedback, so when I found about wildsound’s contest, I thought, here’s a golden opportunity!

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Never assume a woman is pregnant. Seriously, though, keep writing. Keep writing everything. Screenplays, short stories, poems, articles, blogs, everything. Writing is like anything: you have to do it to get better at it.

***

Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

 

Deadlines March 31st for the Writing Festival.

1stscenescreenplay Uncategorized

WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

Deadlines March 31st for the Writing Festival. Get FULL FEEDBACK on your work, plus performed by professional actors.

TV Pilot/Spec Screenplay Festival:
http://www.wildsound.ca/tvscreenplaycontest.html

At least 2 winners every single month. Watch recent and past winners:

****

Feature/Short Screenplay Festival:
http://www.wildsound.ca/screenplaycontest.html

At least 6 winners every single month. Watch recent and past winners:

****

Novel Festival – 3 options to submit. Full Novel. 1st Chapter. Or simply submit a 5 page transcript for an immediate performance:
http://www.wildsound.ca/book_contest.html

At least 5 winners every single month. Watch recent and past readings:

****

NEW: 1pg. Short Story Contest. Get your story performed:
1pg. Short Story Contest

****

Get your work showcased at the festival and push your career.

Read recent interviews the festival has had with top Hollywood Film Talent & Other top tier festivals (over 100 interviews):

This week:
This Week’s Interviews with top Hollywood Film Crews and Film Festival Directors

Past interviews:
Read this…

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March 20 2016 Writing Festival Event

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

This week’s screenplay festival is a showcase of the best of 1st Scene Screenplays, TV Sitcom Pilots, and a classic Twilight Zone Fan Fiction screenplay.

Here are the details of the works that will be performed.

#1 – 1st Scene Script – Monster Beneath The Ice

Written by Jerry Kokich

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

Synopsis: A good, old fashioned “B” picture for your first scene enjoyment.

EVGENY and VLADIMIR discuss when the supply plane will arrive. Outside, Evgeny is almost knocked down by a moving ridge in the ice, but Vladimir saves him. The ridge destroys shacks and machinery, and the incoming plane just manages to rescue them.

#2 – 1st Scene Script – The Wedding Thief

Written by Brett Bacon

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Synopsis: A professional thief pilfers money from the super-rich at weddings until he is caught stealing from the Italian mob and then is forced to take a priceless work…

View original post 243 more words

Watch 1st Scene Script Reading: PROMISES, by Lee Forgang

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1stscenescreenplay's avatarFirst Scene Screenplay Festival

Submit your First Scene to the Festival: http://firstscenescreenplay.com

Watch the October 2014 1st Scene Script Winner:

PROMISES, by Lee Forgang

SYNOPSIS:

On the eve of World War II, promises are made as a family is torn apart.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Frances Stecyk
SARAH – Silvina Andrea D’Alessandro
BERTA – Cindy Landerman
ARI – Dan Cristofori
ABE – Neil Bennett
GESTAPO AGENT – Jason Martorino
AGENT #2 – Gabriel Darku

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Watch 1st Scene Script Reading: PROMISES, by Lee Forgang

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, First Scene Script, Uncategorized, winning screenplays , , , , , , , , , ,

Submit your First Scene to the Festival: http://firstscenescreenplay.com

Watch the October 2014 1st Scene Script Winner:

PROMISES, by Lee Forgang

SYNOPSIS:

On the eve of World War II, promises are made as a family is torn apart.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Frances Stecyk
SARAH – Silvina Andrea D’Alessandro
BERTA – Cindy Landerman
ARI – Dan Cristofori
ABE – Neil Bennett
GESTAPO AGENT – Jason Martorino
AGENT #2 – Gabriel Darku

Watch WHITE CUTTERS Animation Short Film

1stscenescreenplay Uncategorized

under5minutefilmfestival's avatarUnder 5 minute & Smartphone festival

Watch the multiple award winning animated short film.

WHITE CUTTERS. Directed by Jack Anderson

Crew:
Created By: Jack Anderson
Original Score By: Cody Bursch
Sound Design By: Jackie! Zhou
Additional Animation: Jen Re, Erica Robinson, Hunter Schmidt, Justine Stewart, Jacqueline Yee
Additional FX: Danny Corona, Matthew Robillard, Tim Trankle
Cloud FX: Chase Levin
Colorist: Bryan Smaller
Rigging: Katelyn Roland
Advisor: Bill Kroyer
FINALIST: 2015 Student Academy Awards
FINALIST: 2015 Student BAFTA Film Awards
GRAND JURY PRIZE: BEST STUDENT FILM: NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER: BEST ANIMATED FILM- SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER: “BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ANIMATION” CECIL AWARDS 2014
RUNNER UP: ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (ANIMATION CATAGORY)

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New Testimonials from the WILDsound Festival (review)

1stscenescreenplay Uncategorized

WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

Read a WILDsound Festival Review. Various comments and opinions from writers who submitted to the festival. Testimonials from 2016. (January 2016 to March 2016)

FULL FEEDBACK on all submissions. Winners get their screenplay performed by professional actors.

Submit your screenplay today: http://www.wildsound.ca/screenplaycontest.html

Thank you so much for your feedback. It is positive and constructive, as well as easy to understand. As I make the transition from books to screenplays, I am looking to learn all I can about the craft of screenwriting, and your feedback has been an extremely helpful step in that process. I’m glad you see potential in my script and I’m ready to get to work in making it the best it can be. Thanks again!!!

– Keisha Bass, Feature Screenplay “For God’s Glory”

Spot on feedback. I’ll check it out again, clean up some of the lengthy descriptions and work through your notes.

– Thorsten Loos…

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Watch the Winning 1st Scene Screenplays (so far) in 2016

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, First Scene Script, Uncategorized, winning screenplays , , , ,

Deadline March 13th. Submit and get your first 10 pages performed!
https://firstscenescreenplay.com/

Watch the January 2016 Winners:
https://firstscenescreenplay.com/2016/01/16/january-2016-winners/

Watch the February 2016 Winners:
https://firstscenescreenplay.com/2016/02/21/watch-the-february-2016-1st-scene-script-winners/

Watch the March 2016 Winners:
https://firstscenescreenplay.com/2016/03/09/watch-the-march-2016-1st-scene-script-winners/

Watch over 60 1st Scene Screenplay Winners:

* * * * *

Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com