DRAMA 1st Scene Screenplay – DISCORDANT, by Ferdinand W. Gernandt

 

Genre: Drama, Thriller

A teenager tracks down a famous composer whose unorthodox methods will unlock award-winning compositions from his twin sister, not knowing he kills his students and steals their music for his own stardom.

CAST LIST:

Tall Guy: James Murray
Mila: Cassandra Sirois
Narrator: Val Cole
Casey: Fabio Abreu
Cashier: Nick Wicht

Get to know the writer:

 1. What is your screenplay about?

LOGLINE: A teenager has to befriend a famous composer whose unorthodox methods will unlock award-winning compositions from his twin sister, not knowing the composer kills his students and steals their music for his own stardom.

SUMMARY:

Casey thought he was defending his sister – he didn’t mean to put her boyfriend in rehab.Autistic and difficult, Casey intends to do anything to redeem himself in her eyes. He befriends a notoriously brilliant music teacher who says he can ensure Casey’s sister will realize her musical aspirations.

But the teacher’s unorthodox methods harbor a deadly secret.

Despite his brutal approach, Casey’s sister falls in love with the enigmatic teacher. However Casey keeps digging until he unravels the sinister truth behind the teacher’s own musical success – he kills his gifted students and claims their work as his own.

Does Casey have what it takes to save his sister from this maestro psychopath?

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Psychological Thriller

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It deals with topics around co-dependant relationships / the darker side of being an artist / the challenges involving Aspergers.

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

Refreshing and unpredictable

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

Avatar / The Matrix

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

Approx 10 Months

7. How many stories have you written?

Nine Screenplays (features)

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

Peter Bence – ATTENTION / Pentatonix – DAFT PUNK

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

Getting CASEY’s character as true as possible. He has Aspergers and to make him sound true on the page, required a lot of research.

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

Directing film / stage

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

I only have great things to say about FilmFreeway. I will be launching a new feature THE LOFT HOUSE, I directed / wrote myself in the next two weeks via FilmFreeway.

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

The fact that I could ‘win’ a reading of my script that was a big drawing card. Loved the initial feedback and implemented it right away. It was really helpful.

******

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

Director: Matthew Toffolo

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: Kimberly Villarruel

Camera Op: Mary Cox

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TV PILOT 1st Scene Script – FAT VS EVIL, by Alex Sheldon

Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy

In a world where superheroes are as common as garage bands, plus size retail worker Iris gains awesome powers she wants nothing to do with.

CAST LIST:

Bette: Andrea Meister
Rancor: Charles Gordon
Narrator: Carina Cojeen
Iris: Kerrie Lamb
Jake: Rob Notman
Commander: Jarod Terrell

*****

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

Director: Kierston Drier

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

Camera Op: Mary Cox

ROMANCE 1st Scene Script – SOMETHING LIKE FATE, by Matt Huntington

 

Genre: Drama, Romance

A brainy teen turns to horoscopes and psychics to predict her future after surviving a car crash. But nothing could prepare her for finding and falling in love with her soul mate – who just happens to be her best friend’s boyfriend.

CAST LIST:

Old Man: Charles Gordon
Father: Sean C. Dwyer
Narrator: Carina Cojeen
Erin: Andrea Meister
Lani: Kerrie Lamb

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Something Like Fate is about friendship, loyalty and trusting yourself. The main character, Lani, finds herself in a love triangle with her best friend and is confused about what to do and whom to be loyal to.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

It would fall under the Young Adult category. It is based on a YA novel of the same name by Susane Colasanti.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

The story has a very positive message for teen girls. It is a realistic, contemporary teen drama, with authentic characters, conflicts and a very satisfying (yet not trite) conclusion.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Empower Yourself

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

E.T. the Extra Terrestrial.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Two years.

How many stories have you written?

I have written 5 screenplays. One of which was named as a finalist in a screenplay contest in October 2017.

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

Back in Black by AC/DC.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I wrote the screenplay and sent it to production companies and even got two meetings in NYC and LA. They had notes for me to change the story in certain ways that altered the story fundamentally. I found ways to address the essence of their comments without changing the core of the characters or the faithfulness to the novel it is based on.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I love watching documentaries, especially about nature or science breakthroughs.

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

I find it very easy to submit via FilmFreeway. I’ve done about 4 submissions and would recommend it to any screenwriter.

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

I felt it was important to get more feedback on this latest version of the script. I agreed with the feedback I received and plan to address it and resubmit.

*****

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

Director: Kierston Drier

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

Camera Op: Mary Cox

Watch the January 2018 1st Scene Script Winners

ACTORDRAMA 1st Scene Screenplay – SCUPPERNONGS
January 2018 Reading
by Lynne Ashe
ACTORCOMEDY 1st Scene Screenplay – THE WRECKERS
January 2018 Reading
by Kristy Leigh Lussier
ACTORACTION 1st Scene Screenplay – ZOMBIE CRUIZE
January 2018 Reading
by A.K.A. Smith
ACTORHORROR 1st Scene Screenplay – RED LIGHT
January 2018 Reading
by Dempsey Tillman & Ted Dewberry
ACTORCRIME TV 1st Scene Screenplay – KILLING MOSES
January 2018 Reading
by Ricardo M. Fleshman
ACTORLGBT 1st Scene Screenplay – FALLING STAR
January 2018 Reading
by Katie L. Marshall
ACTORDRAMA 1st Scene Screenplay – PREY FOR THE DAY
January 2018 Reading
by Richard M. Kjeldgaard

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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

COMEDY 1st Scene Script Reading of THE WRECKERS, by Kristy Leigh Lussier & Lee Vander Boegh

 

Genre: Comedy, Romance

They’re paid to turn weddings into disasters, and now are hired to plan a fake one. But when thrown into a job out of their element, this unbreakable duo quickly discover the only disaster they’ve created is the one between themselves.

CAST LIST: 
Narrator: Carina Cojeen
Ellen: Carly Tisdall
Trevor: Christopher Huron
Groom: Peter Nelson
Pastor: David Occhipinti
Bride: Kiran Friesen

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?
 
Professional wedding “wreckers” Ellen and Trevor travel the country ruining weddings for a living  — and have a reputation for being the best in the business. No job is too big, no vows are too sacred.

When a new client, Brad, offers them the paycheck of a lifetime, the duo face their greatest challenge yet: Throwing a fake wedding. Brad, a closet gay man, can’t receive his inheritance until he marries a wife, and his only hope is that Ellen and Trevor can pull off the most elaborate, convincing fake ceremony ever. But between drunk chauffeurs, Brad’s crazy & overly religious family and only 60 days to plan, Ellen and Trevor begin to unravel, which leads them to recognize there’s something real between the two of them. When they finally reveal the true feelings they have always had for each other, one last surprise guest arrives who could destroy the wedding, and their relationship, forever.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Comedy:  Either Rom-Com or Buddy Comedy

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

The Wreckers will appeal to both the Millennial and Gen X male/female audience. Fans of awkward, zany comedy will appreciate the over-the-top, raunchy humor beats, while romantic comedy fans will enjoy the underlying elements of defining love in the 21st century.

Along with the absurdity of their chosen profession, both lead characters have unconventional views on intimacy and relationships, yet maintain a strong sense of confidence in their environmental surroundings. They represent a piece of all of us in today’s heavily influenced social media world as the film explores the question of where do fake identities end and real “people” begin?

The premise is funny, high concept and original, there are some fantastic comedic beats throughout the narrative and it’s very easy to see this on screen!

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

Hilarious Disaster 🙂

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

“Jaws” — it goes back years in my family, and was shot & filmed where I was born in New England. 🙂  My partner will say “The Big Lebowski”– hands down.  Cause, why not??

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

Six years.  Three years were spent just researching, brainstorming and working on a plot outline. First draft was finally penned a few years ago, and we have been re-working, editing, polishing…etc ever since.

6. How many stories have you written?

Too many to count.  Honestly.  I have been writing since I was ten years old.  My partner, Lee, has a journalism and news reporting background, and just recently stepped into screenwriting the last 5 years.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

In my daily life (right now) I have a background in Event Coordinating, including Wedding planning. Lee just basically hates weddings  (haha) and one night while driving to a wedding event, he briefly mentioned the idea of someone making a wedding more memorable when something really BAD happens.  After a moment, we both looked at each other and said “We should write that. People who make weddings bad.”  And it just went from there.

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

Working with a writing partner can be a challenge on it’s own. Though we are a perfect match, it was many, many nights of going back and fourth about plot points, character development and comedic beats.

Plus we really did want to spend a few years talking to people about their wedding experiences and try to mold some real life things into the script. So to finally get a full draft out took awhile.

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

We are both filmmakers in general…. we both have a strong Acting background, and Lee is an EMMY Award winning Producer/Director. We do a lot of short horror films too,
and have made the rounds in the festival circuit the last few years with our shorts.

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

I kept hearing about this festival and about Wild Sound. Many friends and contacts have participated and loved the experience. Honestly, this was our first submission ever of the script to any contest/festival.

We didn’t expect to get the amazing feedback that we did (only because we are hyper critical of ourselves).  The feedback was SO helpful and gave us a great insight into some things we had not really brushed on. With the feedback we got, we were able to make another good edit on the script and re-submit to a few other contests, which we ended up placing as Finalists in both.

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

WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE Film Freeway!  I find it very user friendly, really well organized and easy to search out different festivals and contests specific for what you want. I’ve had nothing but great experience with Film Freeway. 🙂

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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 SCUPPERNONGS, by Lynne Ashe

 

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

 

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

Watch the December 2017 1st Scene Script Winners


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

 

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

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