Dan Cristofori

Winning 1st SCENE Screenplay – THE COURIER, by Michael D’Ambrosio

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Winning Screenplay – THE COURIER
Written by Michael D’Ambrosio

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Val Cole
VICTOR – Dan Cristofori
FIONA – Cassandra Guthrie
CHARISSE – Jane Hailes

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

A (female) black market courier is hunted by a powerful militia commander and his mercenary lover over her true identity. One wants her alive; the other wants her dead.

 Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Marina, a violent courier in the black market with a drug addiction is the last of a royal bloodline. Believing her parents abandoned her as a child, she despises them and anything they represented. When a delivery goes bad, she keeps a valuable data chip that has everyone hunting her – both good and bad. Reluctantly she takes on two friends who help her to overcome her addiction. One becomes her lover; the other becomes a mentor urging her to assume her true title as princess and lead her people. She has no intention of doing so until she learns that her parents were murdered and plots to avenge their deaths. Realizing that her life as a reclusive courier was based on a lie, she accepts her role as princess with a lot of help from her friends.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

sci-fi/thriller

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Lead character Marina is a flawed Lara Croft character with a John Wick attitude. I believe the actions, emotions and plot revolving around Marina make this an exciting, edge-of-your-seat thriller.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Bad ass

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

Underworld

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

A little over two years

How many stories have you written?

I’ve written eleven sci-fi/fantasy/horror novels through small presses. I’ve adapted five of them to scripts and one to a TV series. None have been sold yet but are represented.

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

If you could read my mind by Gordon Lightfoot

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I wasn’t sure whether or not Marina should take the throne or go her own way with a new take on life.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Space travel. Many of my stories are based on this topic including my new script Space Truckers. I know one day, we’ll inhabit the cosmos.

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

I had faith that, if read, the first scene would hook the reader.

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

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

Editor: John Johnson

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Sept. 2016 Winner: OLD BONES by Dermott Hayes

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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.

***

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

 

Sept. 2016 Winner: CHASING THE WIND by Corean Strong

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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!

***

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

Editor: John Johnson

Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne

 

1st Scene Screenplay – SENIOR PRANK by Shiv Sudhakar

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

Watch Table Reading of the July 2016 Winning First Scene Screenplay.

SENIOR PRANK by Shiv Sudhakar

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Comedy

A group of cunning high school seniors must outwit their principal in order to pull off the ultimate senior class prank.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Val Cole
AL – Dan Cristofori
CARL – David Occhipinti
FRAN – Viktoria Napolenova
ALFRED – Michael Gaty
GUS – Mark Boutros

Get to know the winning writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

It’s about a group of cunning high school seniors who try to outwit their wary principal in order to pull off the ultimate senior prank.

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

Whether we happen to be in high school or not, I think it speaks to the high school kid in all of us who secretly want to pull off the ultimate senior prank without having to face the consequences. It’s about rules and how some rules are meant to be broken sometimes. It reminds us that having good friends is important in life–even as we get older and you can never go wrong following your instinct.

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

Funny and Original.

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

Way too many to count. Titanic. I hate to admit it, but it’s true.

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

About 2 years.

6. How many stories have you written?

About 5-6.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The most impactful experiences in my life were in high school. My teachers and friends taught me a lot about life and how to be a good person. I wanted to give back, so I decided to volunteer my time and tutor students struggling in the high school I went to. This script came out my own positive experience in high school and tutoring the students.

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

I work full time as a physician and take classes part-time at Academy of Art to complete my MFA. I wrote this script on my own time, so I would say the biggest obstacle was time, but like anything in life, you find time for what you love to do.

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

Teaching. I really like teaching high school students. I don’t get paid for it, but it is a real treat to go back to my own high school and teach in the same classrooms to the new generation of students. I also love to run!

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

Like any writer, I go through extremes of what I think my script could become–the next oscar winning screenplay or the worst screenplay written…like ever. I entered to see if anyone else besides myself would actually like it! The feedback was really positive and motivating. It made me feel it could go somewhere. I started pitching it and got a request last week (which I know does not mean anything–the executive may not like it and then I’m back to sqaure one, but still it was fun to send it to him since I have never been able to get any of the scripts I have written in an executive’s hands…until now!)

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

Everyone says write what you know, but I would say weave in what you know with what you want to see on the movie screen. Find a mentor and listen to him or her. Write as much as you can and read as many scripts as you can. Get coverage. Don’t ever send out your first draft. If you look at the success stories of many professional screenwriters, almost everyone has a unique journey which lead them to the big break. Professional screenwriters exist–so why can’t it be you? Life’s not a spectator sport–like my favorite high school teacher taught me–you have to go after what you want.

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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

1st Scene Screenplay – NINE SCARS by Kelly Crawford

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

Watch Table Reading of the July 2016 Winning First Scene Screenplay.

NINE SCARS by Kelly Crawford

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Thriller

A teen romance thriller that takes place in a world in which everyone has nine lives. In this world of nine lives, an aspiring football player must risk all of his lives to rescue his girlfriend from the ruthless leader of a gambling syndicate who’s trying to fix the college football championship game.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Val Cole
KEITH – Dan Cristofori
PRINCIPAL – David Occhipinti
ROBBIE – Michael Gaty
MATT – Mark Boutros
JAMIE – Viktoria Napolenova

Get to know the winning writer Kelly Crawford:

1. What is your screenplay about?

IN A WORLD IN WHICH EVERYONE HAS NINE LIVES, AN ASPIRING FOOTBALL PLAYER MUST RISK ALL OF HIS LIVES TO RESCUE HIS GIRLFRIEND FROM THE RUTHLESS LEADER OF A GAMBLING SYNDICATE WHO’S TRYING TO FIX THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

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

IT’S ORIGINAL, WITH A COMPELLING REMINDER THAT WE HAVE ONLY ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

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

ACTION PACKED!

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

THE RELUCTANT ASTRONAUT

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

ONE YEAR.

6. How many stories have you written?

TWO SO FAR.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

FIVE YEARS AGO I SURVIVED A BRAIN HEMORRHAGE AND BEGAN CONTEMPLATING MY MORTALITY. IN DOING SO I THOUGHT ABOUT A WORLD IN WHICH EVERYONE HAS MULTIPLE LIVES AND THAT LED ME TO CREATE “NINE SCARS”.

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

GETTING CONFLICTING FEEDBACK ON STORY IDEAS.

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

SHARING THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.

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

THE FEEDBACK WAS EXCELLENT. VERY CONSTRUCTIVE AND HELPFUL. I ENTERED THE FESTIVAL BASED UPON THE NUMEROUS POSITIVE REVIEWS I READ ABOUT THE FESTIVAL.

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

WRITING IS A CONTINUAL LEARNING PROCESS.

 

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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

1st Scene Screenplay – CATCH! by Jerry Nield

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

Watch Table Reading of the July 2016 Winning First Scene Screenplay.

CATCH! by Jerry Nield

Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Synopsis: Could David really defeat Goliath?

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Val Cole
ACTON – Dan Cristofori
OLD MAN – David Occhipinti
JIM – Michael Gaty
TOM – Mark Boutros
ELLEN – Judy Thrush

Get to know the winning writer: 

1. What is your screenplay about?

Amusingly indulging in the sports and pastimes of England in the Victorian age, the American Wild West and the show business flavour of the era. This is the true story of how an impoverished 10 year old Irish cross-eyed boy escapes the coal mines, saves what’s left of his family and delivers retribution by taking on history’s most brutal and deadly wrestler to become the Heavyweight Catch Wrestling Champion of the World!

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

It’s an amazing story that hits on many points of interest, which a wide audience would enjoy watching.

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

Unbelievable entertainment.

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

I watched Time Bandits many times as a teenager and have recently had the pleasure of watching it again with my wife and son, who’s 11.

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

I started with my first outline after I began researching the family history, 8 years ago.

6. How many stories have you written?

In writing, cutting and polishing, just this one screenplay, I have written countless short stories.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I thought of writing a film script after finding out Tom Connors, the cross-eyed, bow-legged, 5ft 6in and only 145lb wrestler, who managed to become the Heavy-weight Wrestling Champion of the World in 1887, was my great-grandfather.

But I was compelled to write when I discovered that he:

Worked the circus for P T Barnum.

Authored the first mail order wrestling/training instruction book.

Set up the “Tom Connors Athletic and Speciality Entertainment Company” which toured America, travelling from town to town, state to state and coast to coast, challenging any man of any size or weight to a wrestling match, offering $25 to anyone who could last just 15 minutes.

And that the entertainment included Farmer Burns, who before wrestling you, would drop 6 foot into the hangman’s noose and swing from the rope for 3 minutes whilst whistling “Yankee Doodle Dandy”. And the Glenroy brothers, a comedy boxing act whom Thomas Edison filmed in his earliest recordings.

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

Turning a rigid true story into an imaginative drama comedy, often meant running out of ideas and direction. Feedback has been an essential ingredient in keeping me on track.

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

My helpful and supportive family, growing fruit and veg, fishing, travel and local history, especially the local myths and legends that abound where I live in Wales.

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

The chance of having my script performed by professional actors, was an opportunity not to be missed. My initial feedback was to the point and very helpful in highlighting where improvement was needed.

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

Dive into your characters, leave yourself behind and try to be and act like that person, individual and if possible, unique.

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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Watch 1st Scene Script Reading: PROMISES, by Lee Forgang

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

Watch the October 2014 1st Scene Script Winner:

PROMISES, by Lee Forgang

SYNOPSIS:

On the eve of World War II, promises are made as a family is torn apart.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Frances Stecyk
SARAH – Silvina Andrea D’Alessandro
BERTA – Cindy Landerman
ARI – Dan Cristofori
ABE – Neil Bennett
GESTAPO AGENT – Jason Martorino
AGENT #2 – Gabriel Darku

Watch 1st Scene Winner: STILL IN THE GAME by George R. Flowers

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STILL IN THE GAME by George R. Flowers

SYNOPSIS:

In a surreal film-noir dream, BARKLEY wanders down a street, in an animal-centric red-light-district. He banters with a prostitute, and then leaves, revealing that he is wearing no trousers.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Susan Wilson
Barkley – Allan Michael Brunet
Mel – Dan Fox
Hooker – Pip Dwyer
Kelly – Dan Cristofori
Prostitute – Christina Aceto
Karen – Krista Morin

January 2016 1st Scene Winner: GUNNISON by Daniel Duane

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

GUNNISON
Written by Daniel Duane

SYNOPSIS:

Genres: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Supernatural

A sniper who hunts an Air Force colonel for humiliating her on a botched cover up discovers he’s masterminding one himself when a man hunt for two gunman leads to the capture of an extraterrestrial pilot being held prisoner.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Peter Nelson
MYERS – Katelyn Vanier
HENDRICKS – Dan Cristofori
DOCTOR – Lorne Hiro
MULLIN – Geoff Mays
MOTHER – Holly Sarchfield

Get to know writer Daniel Duane:

1. What is your screenplay about?

My goal for the next draft is to do a cross between Bonny and Clyde and Avatar. A colonel searching for the cure of a virus that transforms humans into their alien counterparts hunts a pair of gunmen who hold a teenage alien hostage. An alien whose mind might be the key to saving humanity.

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

The themes conveyed within the story are relevant and shouldn’t be ignored. People need to be reminded of the past. I believe in the phrase “History repeats itself” and no matter how much we avoid it, history always catches up. It’s like a broken record.

3. This story has a lot going for it. How would you describe this script in two words?

Almost there.

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

My favorite movie is Schindler’s List. I think it really set the tone for a lot of filmmakers over the past twenty years.

5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Since 2013 or 2014. I don’t remember!

6. How many stories have you written?

I’m working on my 11th draft.

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The current state of our world and politics. I do base my stories on news headlines and feel some social issues that are still prevalent today have been put on the shelf to be disputed later.

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

I’m not accustomed to writing contained stories in which the protagonist overcomes all odds to defeat (or kill) the antagonist, so it was difficult to decide which characters would triumph. Also, I still need to work on my writing style because I think I confused some readers.

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

Photography, health and exercise, graphic design, traveling.

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

The festival was affordable and the feedback I got was tremendously helpful. I’ll use the feedback to refine my writing style in the next draft.

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

Don’t procrastinate and don’t give up.

January 2016 1st Scene Winner: PURGATORY by Alex A. Kecskes

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

PURGATORY
Written by Alex A. Kecskes

SYNOPSIS:

Genres: Crime, Fantasy

Two small time ex-cons run into two angels on probation who must save their souls or be dammed forever.

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Holly Sarchfield
DAVE – Geoff Mays
JEFF – Dan Cristofori

Get to know writer Alex A. Kecskes:

1. What is your screenplay about?

Redemption and second chances

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

It has humor, action, love, sacrifice and redemption—all the things that make a film interesting and watchable.

3. This story has a lot going for it. How would you describe this script in two words?

Heavenly Redemption

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

Pride and Prejudice (directed by Joe Wright)

5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

About one year.

6. How many stories have you written?

Four. Just submitted STARBOUND, my fourth to Wildsound (hope it does as well).

7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?

I wanted to explore the flaws some angels might have and how far they would go to save two souls.

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

Balancing dramatic and comedic elements

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

Travel. Observing people of all ages and cultures.

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

I wanted to see how professional actors would bring it to life. The feedback was good and uncovered a minor point I had overlooked.

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

Trust and continually refine your talent. Observe people of all ages. Listen and watch them as they deal with the ups and downs of life. Talk to old bartenders, big city taxi drivers and policemen. Ask them about the most interesting people they’ve met.