winning screenplays

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

1st Scene Screenplay – THE LEGEND OF JAMESTOWN by Sherwin Allen

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

Genre: Drama, History, Sci-FI

When a white slave owner suddenly turns black, and becomes enslaved, as he fights for his life and freedom, he learns that one cannot be judged by the color of their skin alone.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Val Cole
Martha: Mandy May Cheetham
Oliver James: Ryan Yusep
Knox: Allan Michael Brunet
Betsy Walker: Angelica Alejandro

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

The Legend of Jamestown is about a white slave owner in America during the 1800s, who turns black mysteriously, and in turn becomes a victim of his once profitable situation.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama and Sci-fi

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

This screen play should be made into a movie, because right now America is going thru a very racial period, with movements like Black Lives Matter and White Supremacy groups that are marching in the street, and in reality its sometimes hard for one person to understand another person’s struggle until they are in that person shoes, and this screen play reflects heavily on that.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Racial Awareness

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

Saving Private Ryan.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

7 months.

How many stories have you written?

7 screenplays.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The racial tension in America at present.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Focusing on only this script, I tend to write multiple scripts at a time.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about directing movies, I love being on a film set and being able to create imaginary worlds.

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

FilmFreeway is a great platform I use them for all of my screen plays and movies. It’s user friendly and if I have any issues they get back to me quickly.

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

I was influenced to enter this festival because I love to see actors reading the script it helps me to see which lines actually work and which lines don’t work. I was excited to see a project with a very tense subject matter, received well by the festival. It can be a tender process writing about real life matters and getting a negative feedback, so it was nice to get good feedback on such a screenplay.

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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 – THE GATE by Della Vance Greenawalt

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

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

The Gate is an action/adventure about two boat rental operators who go hunting for their missing boat and get sucked through a magical gate and must find their way out before the predators there eat them.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Val Cole
Brian: Ryan Yusep
Hiram: Peter Mark Raphael
Officer Dees: Allan Michael Brunet

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Two regular guys get sucked under a sandstone arch that is actually a time gate. They land 150,000 years ago in Pleistocene North America where they must stop the maniac who rented their boat from wiping out our hominid ancestors.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Fantasy and Action/Adventure.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It is such a fun movie, entertaining and funny, along the lines of Indiana Jones meets Jurassic Park (although it is after the dinosaur extinction when mammals became giants and man first appeared.)

How would you describe this script in two words?

Prehistoric safari!

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

Probably the Princess Bride.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

About a year. Many revisions later…

How many stories have you written?

Lots. More than I can count.

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

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

It has changed directions with suggestions from the writers’ workshop I am in, 5150 at The Academy of Film Writing. Peer reviews have been invaluable.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I volunteer at an animal shelter rescuing dogs. I have three at home presently.

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

FilmFreeway is such a great way to enter contests, so easy and they let the writer know the status of each entry!

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

I had never heard of a first scenes festival and was immediately interested. I like the idea that you must hook your audience in the first 10 minutes.

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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 July 2017 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 July 2017 1st Scene Script Winners:

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

 

 

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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 June 2017 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 June 2017 1st Scene Script Winners:

 

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

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

 

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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 Script Reading of GRAVITY’S PULL, by Robert Sivigny

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

Genre: Drama, Crime

An excellent séance fraudster evades police capture by faking his death.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Dr. Johnson: Geoff Mays
Maria: Ariel Brooker
Roy: Hugh Ritchie
Rosemary: Julie Burris
Voice of Dead Child: Pip Dwyer

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

An out of luck carnival medium tries for one last big score on a desperate widow, and discovers his act might not be a con after all.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Drama, horror.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

A story about the final scam of a carnival con man who claims to be able to speak with the dead: who wouldn’t be intrigued?

How would you describe this script in two words?

Gravity’s Pull.

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

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

A few years.

How many stories have you written?

50 or so.

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

Moritat (Sonny Rollins)

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Always finding the time, and then the distance to read it objectively.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Not much.

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

This script had some success in various contests, but little else. After putting it aside for a year, I decided to try another draft, and wanted to get some feedback on the first scene. I enjoyed your contest, and the feedback was worth the entry fee. The first scene and its aftermath become increasingly central to this story as it unfolds, so it was important for me to see if it worked, as odd visuals are quickly introduced. And the central question of whether you want to spend more time with this character.

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

Camera Operator: Kierston Drier

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne