1st Scene Screenplay – THE GATE by Della Vance Greenawalt

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

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Winning 1st Scene Reading – EVEN HERE I EXIST, by Dylan Stump

Winning Screenplay – EVEN HERE I EXIST
Written by Dylan Stump

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Frances Townend
ANDRE – Peter Mark Raphael
WILLIAM – Jonah Akler-Silliman
HARRY – Christopher Huron
FRANK – Charles Gordon

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Thriller, Crime, Horror

Five unstable gangsters descend upon a decaying coastal town with a mission to find a missing woman and kill her abductors. They instead become embroiled in strange and otherworldly occurrences.


Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

It’s a story dealing with a group of violent men taken out of their element and forced to consider their place in a broader world. I also see it as being about the conflict between the natural and the modern world.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

A combination of mobster crime story and folk horror.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I feel that this script offers a unique approach to an underutilized genre. Films in the folk horror category, especially American folk horror, aren’t exactly common despite the success of films like “THE WITCH”. So I believe my script offers something of at least some interest.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Ethereal / Violent

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

David Cronenberg’s 1986 tragic, romantic, and horrific remake of THE FLY. It takes the basic idea from the original film and creates something entirely new. I’m also a big fan of Steve de Jarnatt’s MIRACLE MILE and Ken Russel’s THE DEVILS. THE FLY wins because I once did a presentation on it and, in order to prepare, I watched the film once a night for a week.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

A little under a year. Though the idea for it has been with me for well over that.

How many stories have you written?

I have two other “finished” feature scripts that are in desperate need of rewrites, one finished short, and several unfinished scripts of varying lengths.

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

Probably “As I Sat Sadly By Her Side” by Nick Cave. Though the story of EVEN HERE I EXIST was partly inspired by the songs “King Henry” and “Long Lankin” by Steeleye Span.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

The same obstacle I’m facing answering these questions, my overwhelming fear of writing something bad. While writing I had to continuously remind myself that it’s alright if the first draft was terrible because I could always make it less terrible in the next draft.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Literature, mostly horror and Gothic but I try to keep an open mind when looking for something to read. I also enjoy reading up on folklore from all over the world.

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

I was referred to this festival after submitting to a different festival. I was mostly intrigued by the opportunity to hear someone read my work out loud. I knew that this would help me to get a new perspective on this script but also on my overall writing style.

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

Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Kierston Drier

Casting: Sean Ballantyne

Winning 1st Scene Reading – WELCOME TO ARCADIA, by Jason Lan

Winning Screenplay – WELCOME TO ARCADIA
Written by Jasan Lan

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – Frances Townend
GENERAL SHADE – Peter Mark Raphael
BOY – Jonah Akler-Silliman
KAI – Christopher Huron
DEKKIAN WARLORD – Charles Gordon
KAYLA – Vanessa Quagliara

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Fantasy, Family

A toy maker seeking to restore his family’s name has to find one of the stones of Arcadia to save his city from the powerful witch inclined on its destruction.


Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

A toymaker seeking to restore his family’s name has find one of the stones of Arcadia to save his city from the powerful witch inclined on its destruction.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Adventure / fantasy / sci-fi

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

The movie is about family connection, sacrifices for the better good all in the steampunk world contributing to stunning visuals if done properly. The depth of the supporting characters and subplots were carefully designed.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Complex storytelling

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

The Dark Knight

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

About 9 months from conception of idea to final draft submission

How many stories have you written?

This is my 5th screenplay. Hopefully it will be a selected as a finalist like every single of the previous screenplay I’ve written (in at least one festival / competition)

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

Varies on the mood but generally movie sound tracks generating strong emotions; Hans zimmer, audiomachine, etc. For this particular script I drew mainly from never forget by gothic storm for the hero’s main theme and destiny of the chosen by immediate music.

I do not always find the right music to draw from for my character’s theme however unfinished life by Audiomachine was perfect for the character Master Kai in my script titled Conjurers.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Structuring the final part of the script.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Watching movies, understanding people and their motivation, dissecting the logic of why things happen in life.

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

Feedbacks show a good understanding of the story, meaning care had been taken to read the script properly. All my scripts are multi layered. Feedbacks provided do not always show an understanding of the different story telling layers but WILDsound delivered which makes their feedback worth my time and useful.

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!

 

 

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

Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Kierston Drier

Casting: Sean Ballantyne

1st Scene Screenplay of BROKEN FRAME by Stephen Boncella

Watch the winning February 2017 1st Scene Screenplay.

Winning Screenplay – BROKEN FRAME
Written by Stephen Boncella

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – John Fray
SLEAZY MAN – Peter Mark Raphael
MIKE – Gabriel Cameron
SHERIFF BROWN – Brian Carleton
EMMA – Victoria Urquhart

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Drama, Family

Facing life on the streets, a returning Vietnam veteran must undertake his most difficult challenge; reconcile with estranged drug-addicted sister and stop her from selling the family farm out from under him.


Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

On the surface it may seem like a simple “Save the farm” story, but underneath it’s a gritty tale about redemption and second chances. It may take place in the Seventies but there are elements that today’s audiences will identify with.

What genres does your screenplay under?

Drama.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Gritty, emotional.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

In this day and age of fx driven tent poles, it’s important to have stories that are tactile and character driven. I’m not saying that this is the next ‘ROOM’ or ‘MOONLIGHT’ but I feel my screenplay has a good story with engaging characters that audiences would relate to. And besides, who doesn’t like the Seventies.

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

I can’t really say I’ve watched one particular movie more than another. I’m a sucker for the classics like ‘CASABLANCA’ and ‘FROM HERE TO ETERNITY’. I love westerns. I’m also a big Jennifer Lawrence fan and I have seen all of her movies. Last year I had the good fortune to have seen ‘ROOM’ and I was blown away by it.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I’m still working on this screenplay and it will be a long time before I’m able to say I’m finished with it.

How many stories have you written?

I published a few poems and a short story years ago. I have also written two other screenplays before this, though I’ve never submitted them anywhere.

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The short answer is a Lynyrd Skynryd song (no it isn’t ‘SWEET HOME ALABAMA’ or ‘FREEBIRD’) My sister had gotten me a mixed cassette of their songs for my birthday and on it was ‘COMING HOME’ When I heard it the first thing that popped into my head was the opening scene you see in ‘BROKEN FRAME’. After listening to it about twenty times I had the general outline of the story.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I could write a screenplay about the challenges that I faced writing ‘BROKEN FRAME’. Apart from the usual problems that plague any writer (writers block, procrastination, distraction, self doubt, indecision, ect) perhaps the greatest tragedy that I faced was accidently erasing my entire screenplay. That was a dark moment. Fortunately I was able to retrieve an older file, so I only lost one month of work instead of four years of my life.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I enjoy woodworking as well as the outdoors. I also enjoy history and science and I will watch any documentary that I can find.

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

I found this contest via a Google search. This is one of only two contests of this type anywhere. Festivals such as this are great because it gives writers, who may not be finished with their screenplays a chance to showcase their work before completion. And the feedback that Wildsound gives is top-notch. I appreciate the time and the effort it takes to evaluate each and every screenplay.

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!

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

1st Scene TV PILOT Screenplay of EKKO by Johnny Walker

Watch the winning February 2017 1st Scene Screenplay.

Winning Screenplay – EKKO
Written by Johnny Walker

CAST LIST:

NARRATOR – John Fray
CJ – Peter Mark Raphael
DEBUSSEY- Gabriel Cameron
COPPER – Brian Carleton
FEMALE FAN – Andrea Meister
RADINE – Victoria Urquhart

SYNOPSIS:

Genre: Family, Thriller

A soundman experiences supernatural visions that link to a past he’s tried to forget.


Get to know the winning writer:

What is your screenplay about?

A fantasy adventure that inadvertently restores one mans faith in family.

What genres does your screenplay under?

Paranormal, music, sci-fi, adventure.

How would you describe this script in two words?

Wicked fun.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It revolves around music, the universal language of all humans. The magic of sound has been a source of gatherings for centuries, and this story focuses on the similarities of those who make sound, both positive and negative, from Renaissance days to present.

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

The Fifth Element.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Three years.

How many stories have you written?

Ouch. Two drawers of a large file cabinet. How many is that?

What motivated you to write this screenplay?

The desire to bring this story to life.

What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Switching from writing novels to creating blueprints was tough. Still is. I’ve also learned you have to make time for classes, seminars, reading, etc., because they do nothing but help.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Creative people and their projects, this awesome Earth, and anything animal related.

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

I entered it FOR the feedback, to get constructive criticism from people I respect. I found the feedback to be supportive and respectfully blunt, and there’s nothing more beneficial than feedback from professionals, good, bad, or indifferent. Any and all associated with ISA seem to love what they do. That’s pretty cool.

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!

****

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