Matthew Toffolo

Watch the December 2016 1st Scene Script Winners

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

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

Watch the December 2016 1st Scene Script Winners:

 

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – YOU’VE CHANGED
December 2016 Reading
Written by Sam Sexton

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY
December 2016 Reading
Written by Elisha Barnes

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – UNSPOKEN
December 2016 Reading
Written by Ambert Epling

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – MALICIOUS INTENT
December 2016 Reading
Written by Mike Briock

ACTOR1st SCENE Screenplay – DOORLOCKER
December 2016 Reading
Written by Tony DiSibio & BL Cooper

 

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

 

 

1st Scene Screenplay – SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY by Elisha Barnes

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

Watch the December 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

 SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY
Written by Elisha Barnes

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
MAN – Christopher Huron
JOAN – Rachel Salsberg
TERRI – Georgia Grant
PETE – Rais Moui

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance

Sexy lesbian Danni Montgomery is living with her ex in abstinence – an ex who still carries a torch for her. Meanwhile Danni is eyeing up a bisexual movie star and attempts to woo her by building her the hottest fan site on the web.

Get to know the winning writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

It’s about a woman who works in a doctor’s office who finds herself in a boring marriage – until she meets a handsome stranger at a supermarket. Now this woman – who is a maniacal driver – soon falls in love with the stranger and finds herself plotting her husband’s death. And it isn’t the first time she sought this solution to an unsatisfactory marriage.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Dark Comedy and Rom-Com.

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

Because it’s a very timely subject with all the road rage out there and it’s very funny, too. Memorable characters.

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

Darkly funny

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

Wizard of Oz – can’t get enough of those munchkins.

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

One year

6. How many stories have you written?

I’ve completed five screenplays, 14 short stories and two novels.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Some jerk cut me off and I found myself fantasizing about all the ways I could get back at him.

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

Periods of writer’s block.

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

Garage sales, flea markets, the jersey shore, and, most of all, going to the movies.

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

Someone told me about it and I thought “Hmmmm, that sounds interesting.”

TV CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) SCREENPLAY CONTEST
Submit the first stages of your film and get full feedback!

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

1st Scene Screenplay – UNSPOKEN, by Amber Epling

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

Watch the December 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

 UNSPOKEN
Written by Amber Epling

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
GABRIEL – Craig Estrella
CELESTE – Rachel Salsberg
DOCTOR WATERS – Georgia Grant
RUSS – Charles Gordon

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Drama, Mystery

Celeste Grey, a mentally-challenged 20-something girl, who has no ability to speak escapes from an institution after being raped by an associate of the institute. By fate, she ends up on a ranch with 50-something RUSS, whose wife had been institutionalized before committing suicide, and his handsome, self-centered adult son (GABE).

Get to know the winning writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Unspoken is about a young woman who is mentally disabled and she finds her way to a ranch, where a man and his son take her in and care for her and her soon to be unborn child. While they are trying to hang onto their ranch, they come to realize that, while they thought they were helping her, she actually winds up helping them.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

The genre is a drama.

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

This movie is very inspiring to a lot of people in this world. This woman who is lost, alone, deaf and is pregnant has no hope in the world. The hope she finds is in two people who would be the most unlikely candidates to take care of her. It goes to show that just because people have disabilities and can’t speak for themselves doesn’t mean that they are voiceless and that they don’t have a heart. They just might be the ones to save you, not the other way around.

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

Dramatic and Uplifting

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

The Man In The Iron Mask and The American President

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

This film has been completed for several years now, just waiting for the right opportunity.

6. How many stories have you written?

Over the course of 15 years I have written 20 films.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

This story came about in regards to a family member who suffered a tragedy that resulted in her having extreme handicaps after giving birth to her second daughter. She can’t speak, she can’t feed herself or walk, but she is bright and very intelligent. She still has her mind and uses it to communicate to her family by using a letter board. Much like the main character, she suffers deafness and has to be treated much like a child. That is kind of what brought the story to a head.

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

The only obstacles that I faced while writing this, was the obstacles that I have faced with all of my films. I have been trying my best to get my work publicized and at times I felt like I was in a stalemate and that my films could never make it, but I realized that I was good enough and I knew this was a film that had a great message and it needed to be told, so I finished it. Along with the personal story that comes along with this story, I knew I had to do this, so I gathered all my courage and strength and told myself that this was one that will mean the most.

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

Photography

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

I was on Twitter and the account for the festival came up and I checked it out and decided to give it a try.

TV CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) SCREENPLAY CONTEST
Submit the first stages of your film and get full feedback!

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

1st Scene Screenplay – YOU’VE CHANGED, by Sam Sexton

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

Watch the December 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

 YOU’VE CHANGED
Written by Sam Sexton

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
BRAD – Craig Estrella
RITA – Rachel Salsberg
GLORIA – Georgia Grant
HOST – Christopher Huron
OFFICER – Rais Moui
ALICE – Petra O’Toole
HUSBAND – Charles Gordon

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Comedy, Horror

About a mental health nurse, Alice, who is bitten by one of her patience and begins to change into a werewolf.

Get to know the winning writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

You’ve Changed is about a mental health nurse who is bitten by a patent and begin to change into a werewolf.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Horror / Comedy

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

You’ve Changed deserves to be made into a movie for the following reasons 1. It uses the werewolf as a means to explore themes of mental health and relationships. 2. It is about a rational person trying to understand the supernatural change that they are going though. 3. You’ve Changed more then anything else is an entertaining, action packed, horror comedy, set in rural Australia, that follows in the footsteps of American Werewolf in London.

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

Werewolf Nurse

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

The Big Lebowski

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

You’ve Changed has taken about a year to write.

6. How many stories have you written?

This is the first complete feature draft I have written, I am currently in the process of writing my second and I have written a number of short films as well.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Part of it was just to develop the discipline of sitting down, writing and finishing a screenplay. I have also always been a big fan of classic horror monsters and I wanted to write something that paid homage to those monsters.

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

The part I spent the most time on was the structure and making sure that the logic was sound.

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

Appart from writing I am passionate about film making as a complete process, I recently made a short film which got into a number of festivals around Australia including the Perth Revelation International film festival.

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

I wrote this script as part of an honours year at Griffith University and generally the feedback I got was positive, the screenplay it’s self as awarded a Distinction. However this is only a first draft and there are things I do want to change about it.

TV CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) SCREENPLAY CONTEST
Submit the first stages of your film and get full feedback!

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

1st Scene Screenplay – MALICIOUS INTENT, by Mike Briock

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

Watch the December 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

 MALICIOUS INTENT
Written by Mike Briock

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
JOHNNIE – Craig Estrella
VANESSA – Rachel Salsberg
ERIN – Georgia Grant
SPIDER – Christopher Huron
BENNY – Rais Moui

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

The manhunt for a violent parole violator takes a deadly and harrowing turn when he turns the table on his pursuers (female Deputy Parole Officer and two Detectives) and comes after them instead with no mercy.

Get to know the winning writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Malicious Intent is about New York Deputy Parole Officer Erin Green and a team of NYPD Detectives are on a manhunt for vicious, vile, and ultra-violent parole violator Johnnie Carrillo, who has an Armani exterior with the personality of an automatic shotgun. Johnnie’s name strikes fear into anyone living in the seedy underbelly of New York City. Things take a very chilling, deadly, incredibly harrowing, and suspenseful turn when Johnnie unexpectedly turns the table on his pursuers… and comes after them without mercy.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama. Suspense. Thriller.

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

It has an independent vibe and budget. It is a believable, dramatic, intense, suspenseful, edge of your seat unrelenting thriller. Straightforward. Johnnie Carrillo is an intense and memorable character whom people will certainly talk about. Very strong female lead and supporting roles. It is a story that keeps you locked in from FADE IN to FADE OUT.

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

Harrowing. Suspenseful.

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

This question is very tough to answer. Hard to limit to a single film. I would say Mean Streets. The Fugitive. Goodfellas.

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

16 months.

6. How many stories have you written?

6 screenplays (completed). Currently working on 3 more, which are in various stages of completion.. I have another 8 screenplays plotted and ready to write.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I really wanted to write something gritty, intense, and suspenseful with an independent feel and vibe. I wanted it to be strong female protagonists in great peril against the most vile and vicious bad maIe antagonist I could dream up. Someone so badass and cold that he is seemingly unstoppable and thoroughly grips the audience. I wanted it to feel “real” and “believable”, but at the same time keep you on the edge of your seat.

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

Editing. Making hard decisions to delete a few good scenes to maximize flow. Also, the ending. I had two very good endings. I went with the ending I felt is more believable. In the other ending, the lead female protagonist makes a decision that the audience would love, but that she really wouldn’t make in real life. So, in the end, I kept it real.

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

Photography.

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

I was actually contacted by the festival and asked to enter. I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse.

TV CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed		 SCREENPLAY CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) SCREENPLAY CONTEST
Submit the first stages of your film and get full feedback!

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Watch the November 2016 1st Scene Script Winners

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

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

Watch the November 2016 1st Scene Script Winners:

 THE BURIED MOON AND HER DAUGHTERCAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
SAL – Hugh Ritchie
BOB – Julian Ford
PRESIDENT – Peter Nelson
STEVE – Kheon Clarke
BEVERLY – Mallory Palmer
JENNY – Angelica Alejandro
MARY – Kelci Stephenson

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Family, Fantasy, Drama

About a clairvoyant eight year old who strikes out with her ghost friend Debbie to save the buried moon.

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 GOD’S LITTLE GAGCAST LIST:

RANDY – Hugh Ritchie
DUNCAN – Peter Nelson
DANNY – Kheon Clarke
MANDY – Mallory Palmer
NARRATOR – Kelci Stephenson

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Drama, Romance, Action/Adventure, Thriller, Mystery

Plays from the perspective of a bedridden patient who – in the beginning – is unable to communicate his thoughts to the world.

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 20/20: SEARCH FOR INDEPENDENCECAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
JEFF BEKK – Hugh Ritchie
DR. IVES – Julian Ford
FRANCOIS – Peter Nelson
CRAWFORD – Kheon Clarke
GRACE – Mallory Palmer
MADELEINE – Angelica Alejandro
KATLA – Kelci Stephenson

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Thriller, Political Drama

An inventor with a plan that would replace oil must survive while forces in China, Canada and the United States vie for the technology.

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

Watch the October 2016 1st Scene Script Winners

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

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

Watch the October 2016 1st Scene Script Winners:

NIGHT WIND TO BAHIA
Written by Thomas Thorpe

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Night wind to Bahia is a thriller about an ailing, penniless nobleman searchng for his wife when he uncovers a blood transfusion plot to kill Brazil’s eight-year old prince, Dom Pedro II. Having secured a vial of Cholera immunizing blood, he must choose either to save his own life, obtain reward for reviving the future leader or rescue his wife from the conspirators.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Michelle Alexander
WILLIAM – Rikki Wright
ELIZABETH – Sandy Kellerman
CHARLES – Gabriel Darku

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CRIME CYCLE
Written by Donald R. Brown

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Horror

A seemingly all-American family regularly rent out their guest home as a game to satisfy their urge to kill, but when their most recent tenants arrive they have a new set of plans in store for the sadistic bunch.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Michelle Alexander
MADELINE – Katelyn Varadi
ABIGAIL – Julie C. Sheppard
NATHANIEL – Gabriel Darku
JOSEPH – Rikki Wright
NEWS ANCHOR – Sandy Kellerman

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

1st Scene Reading of GOD’S LITTLE GAG by Sean Nash

1stscenescreenplay 1st Scene Screenplays, First Scene Script, Matthew Toffolo, Uncategorized, winning screenplays , , ,
GOD’S LITTLE GAG

CAST LIST:

RANDY – Hugh Ritchie
DUNCAN – Peter Nelson
DANNY – Kheon Clarke
MANDY – Mallory Palmer
NARRATOR – Kelci Stephenson

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Drama, Romance, Action/Adventure, Thriller, Mystery

Plays from the perspective of a bedridden patient who – in the beginning – is unable to communicate his thoughts to the world.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

A rebellious young Carer becomes the keeper of her Patient’s secret, one which could destroy his family, the empire on which their wealth depends, and the government it’s helped control.

What genres does your screenplay under?

Action-adventure, clue-puzzle, political thriller. Romance

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It should be made because it’s a fun (and funny) emotionally-driven, action-adventure that thrills, entertains and satisfies. What more could you want?!

How would you describe this script in two words?

Evocatively provocative.

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

It’s line-ball between Casablanca, The Searchers, and Some Like It Hot.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

A couple of years and then some.

How many stories have you written?

15 of my own and 10 with co-creators.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I was inspired by feature films Venus and The Sea Inside, as well as by Dennis Potter’s ground-breaking television mini-series The Singing Detective.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Ensuring the characters’ truths trumped my temptation to plot as outrageously as they behaved.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Directing, riding motorcycles and (attempting) being in the Now.

What motivated you to submit to the festival?

Hearing others’ interpretations and delivery of your words is always beneficial. The feedback prompted me to listen to an inner voice offering the same advice … which I’d been trying to ignore!

 

SUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed		 Screenplay CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) Screenplay CONTEST
Submit the first stages of your film and get full feedback!

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

1st Scene Reading of THE BURIED MOON AND HER DAUGHTER by Rena Dunsworth

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

 

 THE BURIED MOON AND HER DAUGHTER

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
SAL – Hugh Ritchie
BOB – Julian Ford
PRESIDENT – Peter Nelson
STEVE – Kheon Clarke
BEVERLY – Mallory Palmer
JENNY – Angelica Alejandro
MARY – Kelci Stephenson

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Family, Fantasy, Drama

About a clairvoyant eight year old who strikes out with her ghost friend Debbie to save the buried moon.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

The Moon sees a reflection of her long lost daughter in a pool and comes down to investigate, and is caught in a trap by an evil witch. Her spirit finds a clairvoyant little girl and gives a special rock that can be used to locate her. Sal and her ghost friend leave to save the buried moon, and meet three special helpers on the way. They defeat three evil witches and save the Moon, and the Moon’s daughter (Debbie) is found at long last.

What genres does your screenplay under?

Fantasy, and it should be made because it is a great fantasy story for kids and adults alike.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Great fantasy

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

The Fifth Element

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Since the summer of 2015

How many stories have you written?

I’ve written two screenplays so far, and I’m outlining a third. I’ve written seven novels.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

An English folktale called The Buried Moon, which was beautifully illustrated in the last century by Edmund Dulac.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I had a producer intetested in buying it if I could finish it quickly. I finished it, but then she didn’t buy it. At least I got the first draft done quickly.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Painting landscapes and women. The women are patterned after Modigliani’s wome

What motivated you to submit to the festival?

I heard that it was a great contest for feedback. I was surprised and honored to be picked as a winner. Great feedback. I added a lot more action in the next rewrite as a result of the feedback I received.

SUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Best Scene Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed		 Screenplay CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) Screenplay CONTEST
Submit the first stages of your film and get full feedback!

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

Winning 1st Scene Screenplay – CRIME CYCLE by Donald R Brown

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

Watch the October 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

CRIME CYCLE
Written by Donald R. Brown

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Horror

A seemingly all-American family regularly rent out their guest home as a game to satisfy their urge to kill, but when their most recent tenants arrive they have a new set of plans in store for the sadistic bunch.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Michelle Alexander
MADELINE – Katelyn Varadi
ABIGAIL – Julie C. Sheppard
NATHANIEL – Gabriel Darku
JOSEPH – Rikki Wright
NEWS ANCHOR – Sandy Kellerman

Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Crime Cycle is about a seemingly perfect All-American family that regularly rents out their guest home as a game to satisfy their urge to kill.

What genres does your screenplay under?

It’s a thriller/horror film.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Because it captures the essence of race relations in our country today. It’s thought provoking. It’ll help people realize how close we really are to finding ourselves in a reality similar to the one in my script.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Overwhelmingly realistic

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

The Wizard of Oz

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

4 months

How many stories have you written?

9

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Hollywood. I wanted to write a script that demanded the attention of everyone from studio heads to agents and script readers.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Trying to find an end to enhancing the script. I’m a perfectionist, but at the same time I know there’s no such thing as the perfect screenplay. Struggling with that dynamic is always tough.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Reading. Movies. Anything that keeps my mind occupied. I try to have a real zest for life.

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

Persistence is crucial. You’ll probably fail over 100 times before you even get your first taste of success. Always be writing something.

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson