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.

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