1st Scene Screenplays

DRAMA 1st Scene Script Reading of SCUPPERNONGS, by Lynne Ashe

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

 

Genre: Drama, Coming of Age, Romance

In a North Carolina vineyard at harvest time, sixteen-year-old twins vie for the affections of an exotic newcomer to their small town. When they uncover truths about themselves and a haunting family secret, their lives are forever changed.

CAST LIST: 
Narrator: Carina Cojeen
Mrs. Slenway: Kiran Friesen
Will: Christopher Huron
Shane: David Occhipinti
Sam: Carly Tisdall
Girl: Alicia Ryan
Boy 2: Peter Nelson

Get to know the writer:

 1. What is your screenplay about?

Scuppernongs is about ripening into maturity and discovering the nuances that shape our identity as human beings. How much of our individuality bursts forth from within, and how much influence does environment’s nurture shapes who we are? How do labels and bigotry regarding these labels affect us and the community as a whole?

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama. Coming-of-age. Romance.

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

In order to live in harmony, we much accept people for who they are without judgment for who we think they should be. This film should instigate discussion about learning acceptance.

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

Self Acceptance.

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

The Wizard of Oz

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

I came up with the initial story idea in 2012, but I did not start working on the screenplay until April of 2017.

6. How many stories have you written?

Not enough! For every story I HAVE written, I have another dozen brewing that haven’t flowed through the pen yet.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Realizing that I’d already passed middle age. I knew I wanted to be a writer since I was a toddler. I also wanted to be an actor — and I enjoyed participating in both until the moment when I was asked to choose a college major. I was offered scholarships in both writing and theatre — but theatre was a full scholarship, so I went in that direction and set aside my writing aspirations. Fast forward a few decades, and I realized I hadn’t become the writer I wanted to be and that I wasn’t getting any younger. So late start, but I finally began to write.

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

I’m still revising. I’ve never taken a screenwriting course, and this is my first screenplay — so I’m learning as I go! I need to de-clunk all the verbose action writing. Also, I want to lessen the opening violence. It was never my intention to have the story be a mystery WHO the scene is about. Rather, I wanted the audience to wonder throughout the story WHY it happened. Feedback has shown me that most readers think I should hold out on playing most of the action of that first scene later. It is still the inciting incident, so it needs to be in the beginning, but just less revealed at that moment.

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

Acting!

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

I was very honored and grateful for the feedback. I learned of the Festival through FilmFreeway. I was impressed that the festival offers feedback to everyone and that one of its primary goals is to do readings of its winning scripts. Scripts should be heard and seen — not just read. WILDsound honors the genre this way.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

I’ve been pleased with FilmFreeway except that different contests want different specifics when entering – being it naming convention of the file itself or whether or not there is contact info on the title page. While it’s wonderful to be able to submit through a central vehicle, it is problematic when the files need to be customized for the individual festivals.

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

DRAMA 1st Scene Script Reading of PREY FOR THE DAY, by by Richard M. Kjeldgaard

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

 

Genre: Drama

A financially successful couple, seeking a combination of passive income and early retirement, take a trip from California to Florida at the invite of Miami businessman who is seeking investors in the financial recovery of the local real estate markets. Their business trip soon turns into a fight for survival as there is more to this trip than meets the eye.

CAST LIST: 
Narrator: Carina Cojeen
John: Christopher Huron
Kathy: Carly Tisdall
Miguel: Peter Nelson
Jessica: Alicia Ryan
Driver: David Occhipinti

Get to know the writer: 

 1. What is your screenplay about?

An early 30’s couple is flown from California to Florida by a Real Estate Investor with an opportunity that appears too good to be true. Once they arrive the couple soon realizes they have fallen into the hands of a con man and his “Henchmen”. They are robbed, taken hostage and beaten as their journey to financial security soon becomes a fight for survival and terrifying encounters in an abandoned home development out in the middle of nowhere.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Suspense/Thriller

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

Preys on everyone’s fears of helplessness, out of contact and running out of options. A true roller coaster ride.

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

Page turner.

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

John Carpenter’s Halloween.

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

Four months with multiple rewrites until I felt the story came to a believable ending.

6. How many stories have you written?

Multiple spec screenplays – Two Horror, Five Suspense/Thrillers, Three character studies, One Sci-fi, and three short screenplays all falling under the Suspense/Thriller genre.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Years ago I was watching many news broadcasts on the home foreclosure years and the effects it has on people. I was watching one in particular about some of the areas in Florida that were hit hardest. Watching the news footage of abandoned, looted homes and the overgrown yards made me think how scary it would be to drive through those areas wondering if squatters or some kind of criminal element is hiding in that house or that house?. At that time my wife and I were working with a Real Estate investor and one of his hobbies is camping and hunting. One day I sat down with a note pad and wrote an outline for the story based on all these scenarios, took it to the extreme and wrote the screenplay.

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

Coming up with a credible backstory on the protagonists and giving the “Bad guy” more motivation to become the type of criminal has has. Then after I realized the original ending was too “Sugar coated” I rewrote the ending several times until I came up with one that provided the reader with an opportunity to feel vindicated.

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

Real Estate Investing, Photography, Travel and Music.

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

The genre of scripts I was working on. The feedback has been both positive and encouraging. By the synopsis at the beginning of the feedback stage, I can tell the reader truly does a thorough job of reading the script and comes up with good ideas to add and delete certain scenes as well as giving some characters a bit more background. Has truly benefited me as a writer.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

Great. In October 2017 a Spec I’d written (Nowhere-Ville) won the Action/Adventure feature script and got a table reading on YouTube which was really a kick. My first experience in the rewrite and “Production” phase of screenwriting. Truly exciting to see actors performing your written material.

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

First Scene Festival Announces its 2017 Screenplay Winners (49 total)

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, First Scene Script, winning screenplays
ACTORAMERICAN SNAKE PIT – CRIME 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Dan Tomasulo		 ACTORDRAGONSONG – FANTASY 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by
ACTORFRAMER – THRILLER 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Joann Hess		 ACTORSWIPE – TV 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Jeff D. Opdyke
ACTORLONG WAY HOME – COMEDY 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Patrick McGrath		 ACTORTOE TAG MURDERS – CRIME 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Carl F. Zimmerman
ACTORROMANCE 1st Scene Screenplay – RED RIBBONS
November 2017 Reading
by Zach Closs		 ACTORACTION 1st Scene Screenplay – THE SNOWMEN
November 2017 Reading
by Jeff Swanson
ACTORFAMILY 1st Scene Screenplay – AS AN ACTRESS
November 2017 Reading
by Maria Hinterkoerner		 ACTOR1st Scene Screenplay – LURE
November 2017 Reading
by Clark Moriarty
ACTORSCI-FI 1st Scene Screenplay – BUCCANEERS OF THE ASTEROID BELT
November 2017 Reading
by Jeff Racho		 ACTORADVENTURE 1st SCENE Screenplay – THE MONSTER HUNTERS CODE
October 2017 Reading
by Ryan Brannan

ACTORFAMILY 1st SCENE Screenplay – MY ATARI CHRISTMAS
October 2017 Reading
by Chris Parrish

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – DEFYING THE TIDE
October 2017 Reading
by Anna Bamberger

ACTORTHRILLER 1st Scene Screenplay – BUNNYMAN BRIDGE
October 2017 Reading
by Colin K. Stewart

ACTORTV 1st Scene Screenplay – KODAK MOMENT
September 2017 Reading
by John Cruz Alarid

ACTORTV 1st Scene Screenplay – CELTIC BLOOD
September 2017 Reading
by Richard William Masterson

ACTOR1st Scene Screenplay – BROTHER’S MCSHANE
September 2017 Reading
by

ACTORFAMILY 1st Scene Screenplay – FOREVER CHARLEE
September 2017 Reading
by Hank Isaac

ACTORSTUDENT 1st Scene Screenplay – THE BOXMAN
September 2017 Reading
by Alexander Beale

ACTORSCI-FI 1st Scene Screenplay – THE FLUTE OF PEACE
September 2017 Reading
by Gunel Asgarova

ACTOR1st Scene Screenplay – SERAPHINA
September 2017 Reading
by Joe Tofuri

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – WEBBED
August 2017 Reading
by Robert Drusetta

ACTOR1st SCENE HORROR Screenplay – SILHOUETTE
August 2017 Reading
by Lukas Hassel

ACTOR1st SCENE HISTORY Screenplay – THE LEGEND OF JAMESTOWN
August 2017 Reading
by Sherwin Allen

ACTOR1st SCENE ADVENTURE Screenplay – THE GATE
August 2017 Reading
by Della Vance Greenwalt

ACTOR1st SCENE CRIME Screenplay – THE BIRTHING FIELD
August 2017 Reading
by Robert Thorpe

ACTORFEMALE 1st Scene Screenplay – GOD’S WORK IS NEVER DONE
July 2017 Reading
by Tara C. Hall

ACTORROMANCE 1st Scene Screenplay – WAITING TO CRUMBLE
July 2017 Reading
by John Ott

ACTORFANTASY 1st Scene Screenplay – THE FLUTE OF PEACE
July 2017 Reading
by Gunel Asgarova

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – GOOD INTENTIONS
June 2017 Reading
by Sandy Tovray Greenberg

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – GRAVITY’S PULL
June 2017 Reading
by Robert Sivigny

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – AVES
May 2017 Reading
by

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – ROUND TRIP
May 2017 Reading
by Sherwin Allen

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – TRISKEL
May 2017 Reading
by Brian K. Palmer

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – SANDSTORM
April 2017 Reading
Written by Neil Chase

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – PAST PRESENCE
April 2017 Reading
Written by Kevin Mongelli

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – SPARKS
April 2017 Reading
Written by Jon Freda

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – THE DEBT
April 2017 Reading
Written by Michelle Patkowski

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – EVEN HERE I EXIST
March 2017 Reading
Written by Dylan Stump

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – REARRANGING ROXY
March 2017 Reading
Written by Bridget Bell McMahon

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – WELCOME TO ARCADIA
March 2017 Reading
Written by Jason Lan

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – MONSTER MURDER MYSTERY
March 2017 Reading
Written by Arran McDermott

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – THE COURIER
March 2017 Reading
Written by Michael Dambrosio

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – BROKEN FRAME
February 2017 Reading
Written by Stephen Boncella		 ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – EKKO
February 2017 Reading
Written by Johnny Walker
ACTOR1st SCENE Script – INT. CAR – NIGHT
January 2017 Reading
Written by Martin Keady		 ACTOR1st SCENE Script – FAN SITE
January 2017 Reading
Written by Elisha Barnes
ACTOR1st SCENE Script – OCD
January 2017 Reading
Written by Quyen Tran

 

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

Watch the December 2017 1st Scene Script Winners

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, First Scene Script, Matthew Toffolo, winning screenplays , ,

ACTORAMERICAN SNAKE PIT – CRIME 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Dan Tomasulo		 ACTORDRAGONSONG – FANTASY 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by
ACTORFRAMER – THRILLER 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Joann Hess		 ACTORSWIPE – TV 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Jeff D. Opdyke
ACTORLONG WAY HOME – COMEDY 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Patrick McGrath		 ACTORTOE TAG MURDERS – CRIME 1st Scene Screenplay
December 2017 Reading
by Carl F. Zimmerman

 

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

Watch the November 2017 1st Scene Script Winners

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

 

ACTORROMANCE 1st Scene Screenplay – RED RIBBONS
November 2017 Reading
by Zach Closs
ACTORACTION 1st Scene Screenplay – THE SNOWMEN
November 2017 Reading
by Jeff Swanson
ACTORFAMILY 1st Scene Screenplay – AS AN ACTRESS
November 2017 Reading
by Maria Hinterkoerner
ACTOR1st Scene Screenplay – LURE
November 2017 Reading
by Clark Moriarty
ACTORSCI-FI 1st Scene Screenplay – BUCCANEERS OF THE ASTEROID BELT
November 2017 Reading
by Jeff Racho

 

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

TELEVISION 1st Scene Screenplay Reading of SWIPE, by Jeff D. Opdyke & A. Katie Main

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

Genre: Comedy, Romance

What began as private, social-media posts to her closest friends explodes into the Bumble-age equivalent of Dear Abby for New York City’s app-centric singles. But now Jaq Newsome, the anonymous girl behind Swipe, must recreate her magic (and her online dating hookups and heartbreaks) in a new city, even as an old flame hints at the real relationship she has craved for years.

 

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR: Rachel Rain Packota

Jaq: Vanessa Burns
Erwin: Jason Gray
Riki: Stephanie Haines
Gabby: Olivia Jon
Wall Street Guy: Julian Ford

 

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

1st Scene Screenplay Reading of AMERICAN SNAKE PIT, by Dan Tomasulo

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, First Scene Script, Matthew Toffolo, winning screenplays , ,

Genre: Drama, Crime, Mystery

Based on a true story a young doctor takes over an experimental program the government is trying to shut down to help save the most troubled patients out of Willowbrook, the worst asylum in American history

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR: Rachel Rain Packota

Kate: Vanessa Burns
Dr. Dan: Isaiah Kolundzic
Mrs. Grimp: Stephanie Haines
Jack: Jason Gray

Get to know the writer: 

  1. What is your screenplay about?

Based on a true story of a young doctor who takes over and attempts to save a group home comprised of the most troubled patients from Willowbrook, the worst asylum in American history. 

 

 

  1. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Historical / Drama (Although it recently won the category for best comedy / drama)

 

 

 

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

American Snake Pit is in the vein of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.  The true story aspect makes this the first movie of its kind concerning the treatment of psychologically-disturbed patients coming from the infamous Willowbrook Institute, a hell on earth Bobby Kennedy called a “snake pit” in 1965. The movie is a heart-warming and surprisingly funny story of patients not just surviving, but flourishing for the first time in their lives, proving the resilience and hope of the human spirit.

 

 

 

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

Disturbingly hopeful.

 

 

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

All of Me

 

 

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

One year—but the memoir it is based on—10 years.

 

 

 

  1. How many stories have you written?

Over 50.  A little over half of them have been published.

 

 

  1. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

Born in the USA.  I live in Jersey.  I live in Asbury Park—You got a problem with that? J

 

 

 

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

Moving from the book toward the screen required changes.  I originally thought it would be more documentary style—but ends up it is more “inspired by” as these changes were introduced.

 

 

  1. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about? I am a psychologist and teach at UPenn in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program (MAPP) and designed and teach the Optimal Well-being program at Columbia’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute. My deep interest is the intersection of positive psychology and storytelling as an agent means

 

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

Watch the October 2017 1st Scene Script Winners

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

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

Watch the October 2017 1st Scene Script Winners:

 

ACTORADVENTURE 1st SCENE Screenplay – THE MONSTER HUNTERS CODE
October 2017 Reading
by Ryan Brannan

ACTORFAMILY 1st SCENE Screenplay – MY ATARI CHRISTMAS
October 2017 Reading
by Chris Parrish

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – DEFYING THE TIDE
October 2017 Reading
by Anna Bamberger

ACTORTHRILLER 1st Scene Screenplay – BUNNYMAN BRIDGE
October 2017 Reading
by Colin K. Stewart

 

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

Winning 1st Scene of DEFYING THE TIDE, by Anna Bamberger

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

Watch the October 2017 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

A gripping history of a young Jewish mother and her baby desperately hiding from Hitler, and a courageous German woman who offered her help.

Genre: History, Drama

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Laura Kyswaty
Meyer Fromm: Brandon Knox
Frieda: Premika Leo
Ruth Abraham: Julie McCarthy
Ruth’s Rabbi: James Boutcher
Old Man: Luke Robinson
Walter Abraham: Rob Notman
Housekeeper: Lindsay Rolland Mills

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox

 

 

Watch the September 2017 1st Scene Script Winners

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

 

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

Watch the September 2017 1st Scene Script Winners:

ACTORTV 1st Scene Screenplay – KODAK MOMENT
September 2017 Reading
by John Cruz Alarid
 

ACTORTV 1st Scene Screenplay – CELTIC BLOOD
September 2017 Reading
by Richard William Masterson
 

ACTOR1st Scene Screenplay – BROTHER’S MCSHANE
September 2017 Reading
by
 

ACTORFAMILY 1st Scene Screenplay – FOREVER CHARLEE
September 2017 Reading
by Hank Isaac
 

ACTORSTUDENT 1st Scene Screenplay – THE BOXMAN
September 2017 Reading
by Alexander Beale
 

ACTORSCI-FI 1st Scene Screenplay – THE FLUTE OF PEACE
September 2017 Reading
by Gunel Asgarova
 

ACTOR1st Scene Screenplay – SERAPHINA
September 2017 Reading
by Joe Tofuri
 

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Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox