Submit the first 10 pages of your script, get feedback from professionals, and get your screenplay performed by professional actors. At least 2-5 winners every single month.
Watch the Winning August 2017 1st Scene Screenplay:
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Drama
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Val Cole
Jonah: Allan Michael Brunet
Hank: Ryan Yusep
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
The story is about two people from opposite ends of the spectrum; ones from money and the other has struggled. They absolutely love each other but that love gets tested when they are both abducted and forced to procreate knowing that their baby will be sold on the black market. This time held captive will test their resolve, their love and their understanding of one another. It is more about them, than the situation they are in.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Drama and Horror
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Because so few “horror” films take the time to focus on the characters. Usually in dark thrillers or horror it is about the killer, and how he will kill next and how shocking that can be. We never really get to know anything about those that are the ones going through the ordeal. I want to make something that people will say that is messed up, but at the same time know, that this happens in real life. Human Trafficking is a billion dollar industry.
How would you describe this script in two words?
In-Tense!
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Probably Goonies. I grew up on that and it will forever stand the test of time.
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
After I wrote and directed the short film and won some festivals, I was asked if there is a feature version of this and at that time, there wasn’t. So, I hunkered down and went into it and so, its been about 4 years now that I have been working on it.
How many stories have you written?
That is an odd question, I mean, I have been writing short stories, and poems and lyrics my whole life. So, not sure how many. Screenplays though, I have written 4 and currently on my fifth.
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Wow, um, there are so many and to me music is mood, so depending on my mood. Gosh! Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi to Proud Mary by CCR. Um, lately I have been on a Rush kick, anything Rush is amazing. Temples of Syrnx is a masterpiece.
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
The biggest was writing it so that it is a character study and still horror which is what I like to write the most, or very dark dramas/thrillers. Trying not to give into what society/studios wants in horror films now, the high speed, Paranormal, Insidious and Annabelle’s. Those are fun, and all, but they are built for the scare moment. That thing that makes you jump, which is fun, but I want people to walk out of the theater going, that is F’ed up man, but also feel like there is more to life than what we are currently doing. The will to survive through adversity is amazing and the only way you can really get down to that, is writing characters that people can identify with, watch them go through something horrific and come out better people for it.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Love travel, during my 14 years in the military I travelled everywhere, even places I didnt really particularly want to go, but I still made the best of it. Since I got out, I continue to travel whenever I can. Trying new foods, and seeing what this amazing world has to offer. It is a shame there is so much violence that doesn’t allow for the freedom of travel everywhere. One day maybe, I have hope.
You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
Its ease. Withoutabox required way to much work for a short film or a screenplay. Its good to have all that other works done, like pictures, sketches and a look book, but that should be shown if your script or short film gets some looks by a potential investor or purchaser of your script.
What influenced you to enter the festival?
What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received? It’s true, the first 10 to 15 pages are the make or break of a script, if it doesn’t grab the reader, by page 20 they are already not interested so, submitting to something like this to see if the opening grabs a reader is so important. I am surprised there are not more festivals that do this. About the feedback, some good notes. All notes are good, even the ones you don’t quite understand, because it is the note behind the note which is, something about a particular area took the reader out of it and you don’t want that. You just have to learn which notes to implement and which ones to really think about. All of them should be looked at. Being so close to your story, outside eyes always see something that you cannot see.
One soul, two life times, do we reincarnate into similar circumstances until we deal with the life we are born into and the choices we make, which determine our karmic debts.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
My script, “The Debt” is based on my own history with sexual abuse and my parent’s past in Poland. Its core premise is based on a Tibetan Buddhism philosophy called Lenchak, which is translated as Karmic debt.
My story spans two generations so that I can illustrate the importance of solving our “issues” now – in our current life – so that we can avoid similar circumstances in our next life.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Drama
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It has a powerful message about the challenges that people with mental illness face and how you can choose to handle what circumstances you have been dealt in life, and ultimately a mental illness does not need to define you or the future quality of life you have, it can be managed with hard work.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Powerful, confronting.
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Sixteen Candles and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Since 2015.
How many stories have you written?
Eight screenplays, but I have only sent two out into the world to competitions and agents/producers.
What motivated you to write this screenplay
The catalyst was an emotional break down I went through.
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
None, it poured out of me, when I was in recovery, it was a cathartic experience, that helped me heal.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Horses, I have studied and worked with and healed them for over twenty years now.
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Getting an actual table read of the first scene is an honour, but also gives life to written words. I’m always open to all kinds of feedback, when you finish a script you have to let it go to some extent and other people’s perspectives and feedback can make your re-writes more productive making the script better, my initial feelings were very positive.
A professor obsessed with the idea of past lives, gets the chance to see his past via an extraordinary device, but his discovery leads to grave consequences.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
A professor obsessed with the idea of past lives, gets the chance to see his past via an extraordinary device, but his discovery leads to grave consequences.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It is an original and engaging story with unique characters. Also, I don’t know of another film that has a device similar to the one in this script.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Engaging, unique
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Gattaca
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
It took me about four months to complete it
How many stories have you written?
Past Presence was my first full feature script. Am currently working on my second which will be a crime thriller.
What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I find that most films I watch are unsatisfying. I want to introduce a different kind of film that is more engaging to audiences.
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Structure is always a challenge. Script readers help but each has a very different opinion so I chose a design that I thought best reflected the story.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I am a professional musician. I compose and perform original classical music for piano.
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
My one page screenplay “Raging Love” was selected for a reading through this festival and I was impressed with the performances. Valuable feedback.
A desperate, talented rocker strikes a deal with someone worse than the devil: her sick father, in a last effort attempt to keep her rock star dreams alive.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
A woman desperate to keep her rock-star
dreams alive, and the one person standing in the way, her estranged father.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Dramedy, with a music-themed
subgenre
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Rearranging Roxy is a
story every family can relate to, passionate people following their hearts
while learning about themselves and each other along the way. Low budget
with female leads, a quirky cast that includes rockers and senior citizens,
and set during the run-up to Christmas, this screenplay has something for
everyone.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Unexpected growth
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Chinatown. No
matter how many times I watch it, I always discover something “new.”
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
About two years with
tons of rewrites.
How many stories have you written?
“McLeary’s
Mulligan,” I have written four feature screenplays.
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Wow. I grew up in Woodstock, New York, where music is
practically a religion, I played classical piano for a decade, sang in a
rock band and a choir, and my older son is a musician and deejay. I can’t
pick just one!
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
For this
screenplay, time management was tough. In addition to a full-time job, I’m a
married mom to two teens, one with a disability, and I volunteer time to
help women with tax and financial problems. I carve out time every day to
write, read and study the craft, but it’s a challenge.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Live music in
any form, practicing yoga and compassion, and finding the perfect key lime
pie.
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I want to see more movies made with
amazing leads who happen to be women. This festival is perfect for me. The
feedback I received was thorough, thoughtful and definitely enriched the
script’s depth without trying to “change” it.
THE THINGS WE MISS – LGBT 1st Scene Screenplay
THE GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE BENTLEY GIRLS – FAN FICTION 1st Scene Screenplay
TRIGGERS – 1st Scene Screenplay
THE PAPER PRINCESS – ANIMATION 1st Scene Screenplay
WAVERLY RIDING – FEMALE 1st Scene Screenplay
THE FIRST A.I. PRESIDENT – FANTASY 1st Scene Screenplay
1st Scene TV Screenplay – JAKOB’S COVE
COMEDY 1st Scene TV Screenplay – CHARACTERS
1st Scene TV Screenplay – FAT VS EVIL
THRILLER 1st Scene Screenplay – FORTY WINKS
1st Scene Screenplay – THE PLAYLISTS
LGBT 1st Scene Screenplay – DELIVERY GIRL
ROMANCE 1st Scene Screenplay – SOMETHING LIKE FATE
HORROR 1st Scene Screenplay – THE VILLAGE SLEEPS
TV 1st Scene Screenplay – KODAK MOMENT
TV 1st Scene Screenplay – CELTIC BLOOD
1st Scene Screenplay – BROTHER’S MCSHANE
FAMILY 1st Scene Screenplay – FOREVER CHARLEE
STUDENT 1st Scene Screenplay – THE BOXMAN
SCI-FI 1st Scene Screenplay – THE FLUTE OF PEACE
1st Scene Screenplay – SERAPHINA
1st SCENE Screenplay – WEBBED
1st SCENE HORROR Screenplay – SILHOUETTE
1st SCENE HISTORY Screenplay – THE LEGEND OF JAMESTOWN
1st SCENE ADVENTURE Screenplay – THE GATE
1st SCENE CRIME Screenplay – THE BIRTHING FIELD
FEMALE 1st Scene Screenplay – GOD’S WORK IS NEVER DONE
ROMANCE 1st Scene Screenplay – WAITING TO CRUMBLE
1st SCENE Screenplay – EVEN HERE I EXIST
1st SCENE Screenplay – REARRANGING ROXY
1st SCENE Screenplay – WELCOME TO ARCADIA
1st SCENE Screenplay – MONSTER MURDER MYSTERY
1st SCENE Screenplay – THE COURIER
First Scene Screenplay Festival 