1st scene screenplay

1st Scene Screenplay – MALICIOUS INTENT, by Mike Briock

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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

1st Scene: DOORLOCKER by Tony DiSibio and BL Cooper

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

Watch the December 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

 DOORLOCKER
Written by Tony DiSibio and BL Cooper

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
TONY – Craig Estrella
COOP – Rais Moui

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Comedy, Family

A comedy about a family man who has a talent for making bath time an event for his two young daughters and a wife who thinks the whole thing is a crock.
Let Dad be great…..
……for once.
*Doorlocker*

Get to know the winning writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Doorlocker is about a dad who displaces the notion that moms are the best at EVERYTHING when it comes to child care around the house.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Doorlocker is a comedy that highlights the parody that exists between husband, wife, and home life. We are currently working on stretching Doorlocker into a feature length script with a TON of laughs and a great story to go with it.

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

Doorlocker should be made into a movie because it’s a funny and relatable glimpse into home life with kids. These days with both parents HAVING to work in modern families, dads are having to prove their worth even more around the house. Mothers are more confident in that role whereas the fathers need a little reassurance in a job well done. Can dads maybe get a pat on the back (or the butt) for doing a good job with the kids without disdain from their wife? Or is it always going to be like: “Are you kidding me, what do you want, applause for changing that diaper?” So come on, let Dad be great…..for once!

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

If I had to use only two words to describe this screenplay, they would be…”Dad power!”.

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

It’s a probably a tie between Swingers (Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn) and The Big Lebowski. Although Beautiful Girls is probably up there too. I’ve seen them countless times. I love movies!

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

We have been working on this screenplay for 6 months. We’ve had it on the festival circuit for about a year.

6. How many stories have you written?

My writing partner (B.L. Cooper) and I are currently working on 6 shorts and 1 feature. All packed with laughs!

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

After hearing about my writing partner (B.L. Cooper’s) home life and how much it cracked us up, I told him how I can see it playing out as a movie in my head. He urged me to get it down on paper and thus my love for screenwriting began!

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

The only obstacles I faced in writing Doorlocker was HOW to write it in proper screenplay format. Since I have no film school, I had to teach myself everything from scratch. After MANY edits and paid script analysis/feedback that tore me apart on what I was doing wrong, I made the adjustments and finally came away with a finished product. I also came away with a genuine love for the craft and am now obsessed with it.

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

Aside from screenwriting, I love playing fantasy football and baseball- geek alert! Above all else I’m passionate about being a good father and husband. My family is everything to me.

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

I entered your festival because of the unique prize you give to the winning screenplay. Having actors bring your screenplay to life is the coolest prize ever.

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.

***

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

***

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 – NIGHT WIND TO BAHIA by Thomas Thorpe

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

Watch the October 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

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

Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Following a shipwreck, a nobleman searching for his wife uncovers a plot to kill Brazil’s eight-year old Prince with a blood transfusion 60 years before blood typing.

What genres does your screenplay under?

Historical, mystery, thriller, adventure, suspense

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

adventure, mystery, romance
Brazil: a seldom used panorama…
slavery: exploitation or individual freedom…
cholera: seven pandemics, two-million lives…
In the spirit of: Mutiny on the Bounty, Passage to India, Amistad
Based on true events

How would you describe this script in two words?

Historical Epic

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

Jaws, Star Wars, Pride and Prejudice

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Wrote the book in 2009, Screenplay in 2011

How many stories have you written?

Seven published historical thrillers of the Darmon Mystery Series. Four screenplays.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

Adapted from Fair Wind to Bahia, fourth book of the Series.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Translation from the literary to the scripted format.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

History, space exploration (I managed NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor Mission), astronomy (I taught at Glendale College), golf and most sports.

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

Never stop writing, marketing and getting attention for your work.

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

Sept. 2016 Winner: VOODOO LOVE by Frederick Julius

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Watch the September 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

VOODOO LOVE
Written by Frederick Julius

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Drama, Romance, Crime

A black-hearted vixen lures an ambitious hustler into her mansion as he seeks out a forbidden love. When merciless thugs come to rob and kill, it’ll cost him his fortune to save her lost soul.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Steve Rizzo
TUCKA – Kaleb Alexander
DAMIEN – Randy Baumer
MR. KING – Steve Mitchell
EL TORRO – John Fray
ASIA – Heather Dicke
CASSANDRA – Norma Dawn Dunphy

 

 

 

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Sept. 2016 Winner: OLD BONES by Dermott Hayes

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

Watch the September 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

OLD BONES
Written by Dermott Hayes

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Fantasy, Crime, Drama

We lose our soul when we bury the dead without dignity and for the sake of manna. Two brothers are caught in a dilemma of conscience, to lose their jobs or their souls.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Steve Rizzo
COSTELLO – Steve Mitchell
SEAMUS – Randy Baumer
JOHN – John Fray
VOICE – Dan Cristofori

Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

It’s about devalued morals and the cheap currency of souls. People put so little value on their souls, they will trade them for a job and diminish the world they live in, as a result.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Contemporary Film Noir Drama

How would you describe this script in two words?

Dark Satire

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

Casablanca

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Six months

How many stories have you written?

59, that I can lay my hands on, probably a couple of hundred.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

It began as a short story when I read about a change in the city rules regarding significant archaeological finds in building sites of the old city. I wondered what would happen if, in a competitive environment, something was found but hidden and then destroyed, to avoid costs and delays. Then I thought, given the type of locations being excavated and the changing face of Dublin, in terms of population and religions and changing social profiles,well, what if?

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

It was a completely new experience for me so I had to learn on the job, how to adapt my own story and then think in a new medium, film, and how a screenplay involves, at all times, action and movement. The Wildsound feedback was very helpful in those terms.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Film, luckily enough.

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

Learn to put some distance between you and your work. It makes it easier to absorb and use criticism to your advantage.

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

 

Sept. 2016 Winner: CHASING THE WIND by Corean Strong

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

Watch the September 2016 Winning 1st Scene Screenplay.

CHASING THE WIND
Written by Corean Strong

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Drama, Thriller

A high flying, arrogant female homicide cop is assigned a serial killer case that thrusts her into a downward tailspin. She struggles to close the case due too eerie connections she cannot explain.
CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Steve Rizzo
TONY – Dan Cristofori
ALLISON – Norma Dawn Dunphy
WILLIE – Kaleb Alexander
JONATHAN – Steve Mitchell
MOM-DONNA – Heather Dicke

 

Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

“Chasing The Wind” is about a tough female detective aspiring to become Chief of Police is assigned to a serial killer case and finds herself in a downward tailspin because she feels a eerie connection to the case.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Psycho -THRILLER

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

The screenplay has elements of many emotions( empathy, fear, joy love etc). There is lots of action and surprises. The audience will enjoy the ride that this movie will have you on as the case is being solved. The twist at the end is good.

How would you describe this script in two words?

COMPELLING THRILLER

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

BABY BOOMER

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

1.5 years

How many stories have you written?

16

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I took a writing class at a local library for TV but my writing turned out to be more suited for screen.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Building a very strong protagonist, keeping the middle pacing

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I am a Christian. I am very passionate about music. I am the choir director for 3 choirs at my church. I write, produce and direct christian stage plays that are touring over the Northeast.

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

Don’t give up. Keep the Faith!

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne