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
First Scene Screenplay Festival 