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A serial killer who turns his victims bodies into works of art becomesfixated on a little girl. She has dreams of him and thinks he is her angel, her mother pays little attention to it until the girl makes a model of the murderer.
It’s a supernatural thriller slasher film where a new killer has come to wreak havoc and mystery in a quiet town by placing atrocious “totems” around. The story soon discovers that a single-mother and her child have some sort of connection to this killer; but why and in what way? As they scramble to unravel the mystery, the killer himself is dealing with his own EXISTENTIAL QUANDARY as to his own purpose.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I feel as if this particular story is unique in its set up and its layout, and hasn’t ever really been done. I like to think I take influence from Wes Craven and revitalizing and breathing new life into what is known as a drawn out subject matter. When I write, I try to imagine a film I haven’t seen, or a film I would want to see as a full fledged idea. This is why I feel a new, original (in my eyes) story is one to be seen.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Slowly intensifying.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Quite a few: probably Nightmare on Elm Street (original) over 25-30 times, Scream about 20+, and Hocus Pocus about 40+ times since 1993.
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I started the first draft in my screenwriting class in Dec ’13, and it has slowly evolved over the years little by little-it still isn’t even fully complete.
6. How many stories have you written?
I’ve written about 5-7 short scripts, and 2-3 partial full features. Also, I’ve written quite a few short stories, not scripts, for various fiction/creative writing classes and 3/4ths of a novella.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
It actually came to me as I was reading a comic book that involved a former serial killer helping to analyze new crime scenes to help the police, yet he slowly starts to slip back to his ways—I’ll keep the title out to avoid copyrights. And I wanted to, in a sense, explore the psychological aspects of serial killings.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Still current. I was able to write the first 10 pages fairly quickly, but I am now only up to about 47 pages and haven’t finished.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Film studies/analyzing films. Or just general film viewing and collecting.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I’ve always been curious as to the start of this since it does involve dark subject matter and a child and her mother, so when I came across this festival through one of my many script sources I wanted to see if I was heading in a possible right direction and wasn’t too taboo or obscene. I was interested in grabbing the reader quick and taking a thrill ride through a killer’s psyche.
At first I was shocked that they actually understood where I was taking this and that I did a great job to convey the feeling of the story and leave questions for the reader to be wanting more. It felt good to know the script that is my most questionable actually is off to a great start.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Keep at it; collect stories, watch the world, write what you know and write what you want, not want the majority wants. Know what your specific audience you are writing for will be and don’t try to cater to everyone. Find your voice.
****
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Synopsis: A rebellious New Yorker suspects his warehouse retail employer is controlling the minds of it’s staff and causing them to commit suicide. CAST LIST:
RORSCHACH, by Federico Franchi, Filippo Pierangelini
SYNOPSIS:
Genre: TV series pilot, sitcom
Lawrence Maietti, 22 years old, is in serious troubles and now has to quickly find some money. Unable to find work, he has an idea: trying to get the government subsidy by reason of insanity.
RORSCHACH, by Federico Franchi, Filippo Pierangelini
SYNOPSIS:
Genre: TV series pilot, sitcom
Lawrence Maietti, 22 years old, is in serious troubles and now has to quickly find some money. Unable to find work, he has an idea: trying to get the government subsidy by reason of insanity.
Get to know writers Federico Franchi, Filippo Pierangelini:
1. What is your screenplay about?
FF: The screenplay is about a guy who struggles to achieve his results. To do that, he takes questionable choices that led him in kind of a different world, a brand new mental hospital, Here, he’ll learn something about himself.
FP: Is the story of a young man that, for necessity, finds himself in something bigger than him and, through that, he grows.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a TV show?
FF: We think that this story could work very well as a TV Series because it’s funny and the characters can be seen in many different circumstances that will make people laugh. A lot. But the most important thing about it, is that there is an actual story behind the laughing, and is about decisions, growth and, in some ways, social, common, issues.
FP: Our idea is to do 20-25 minutes length episodes because we have so much material and there are so many potentialities that a movie would be too short.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
FF: Funny, crazy.
FP: Fresh, strong.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
FF: Star Wars Episode 6 – Return of the Jedi, no doubt about that!
FP: Robin Hood: Men in Tights
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
FF: We’ve been working for three weeks to write this first scene and to create the whole concept of the series.
FP: Yes, three weeks.
6. How many stories have you written?
FF: This is my third story, but there are many more in my mind.
FP: Is my very first time writing something.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
FF: I think that I really wanted to see how far this story could go and how the characters would react in all the situations, because I think that, even if is written as a comedy, this story is deeper than it may seem at a first look.
FP: Curiosity in first place, but also the fact that, even if it started as a thing just for fun, word after word it became more interesting and I see the potential of that story growing.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
FF: We didn’t wanted to write down just some sketches, we wanted an actual story. And to make that we had to think about the motivations of the characters and how to make the events funny but also real.
FP: The fact that we had a beginning, a triggering event, and a sort of ending but we didn’t have any idea of how to connect these two parts.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
FF: I love music and sports, but most of all I read a lot. I’m always looking for good stories.
FP: Rugby, reading and politics.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
FF: We wanted a feedback, because we really believe in this project but you never know how really good it is.
FP: We discovered the festival casually and we wanted to try.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
FF: I suggest to study as much as possible, read every script and to always believe in themselves. Be humble, but aware of their own abilities.
FP: Don’t be afraid of telling every story that pops up in your mind. I think that you’ll grow up through this job, whatever happens.
Synopsis: A rebellious New Yorker suspects his warehouse retail employer is controlling the minds of it’s staff and causing them to commit suicide. CAST LIST:
A rebellious New Yorker begins to suspect his employer is brainwashing their staff, and the only antidote is to continually eat small doses of rat poison.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Puppets strives to be an entertaining, dark satire of our consumerist society. The neo noir elements give cinematic potential to this mature narrative. I believe this story does not patronize it’s audience with cheap sentimentality, and provides a rewarding escape from our lives.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Dystopian Satire.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Withnail and I
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
It took about 3 months writing characters, preparing story, then another couple of weeks writing and revising.
6. How many stories have you written?
3 features and 1 short.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I am interested in how much we are often defined by our job, and as is often the case in New York, our work becomes the only source of meaning in our lives. I became interested in a character who realizes this and becomes a negation in the work model.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
My main obstacle I always face with my scripts and films is finding the energy and time to dedicate to these projects around my day job. My hope is that at some point these projects will generate money to pay bills, but until then I must keep on grinding!
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I am about to begin shooting a short film this coming June, which actually a short form version of the Puppets idea.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
The opportunity to get professional feedback was appealing, and provided me with an informed opinion on how I should improve the next draft of my script.
I did, however, receive feedback on another screenplay I’d submitted entitled The Great Suburban Showdown. Generally I’m rather appreciative of feedback, and I often will make changes based upon it.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Keep writing. Keep reading.
***
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
A professional thief pilfers money from the super-rich at weddings until he is caught stealing from the Italian mob and then is forced to take a priceless work of art from the Russian mob or die trying.
A good, old fashioned “B” picture for your first scene enjoyment.
EVGENY and VLADIMIR discuss when the supply plane will arrive. Outside, Evgeny is almost knocked down by a moving ridge in the ice, but Vladimir saves him. The ridge destroys shacks and machinery, and the incoming plane just manages to rescue them.
A professional thief pilfers money from the super-rich at weddings until he is caught stealing from the Italian mob and then is forced to take a priceless work of art from the Russian mob or die trying.
Interview with Brett Bacon:
1. What is your screenplay about?
A disciplined thief who specializes in super-rich weddings must take on an unpredictable and madcap rival or else lose his criminal operation, get apprehended by the police and taken out by the mob.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It’s a fun blend of two popular movie genres: romantic comedy and the heist. And who doesn’t like weddings?
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
comedy heist
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Enter the Dragon
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
1 year.
6. How many stories have you written?
6
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I love the idea of combining the excitement and suspense of a heist with the fun and tension of a romantic comedy.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Making sure that each major character gets their due in terms of character development.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Family, travel, fly-fishing, movies and reading.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I am a big fan of the Wildsound Festival and they have a great reputation. The feedback was very constructive and helpful. I felt that it was tough love– but not so tough that I wanted to jump off a bridge!
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Keep writing, never give up, don’t be afraid of taking risks and putting yourself out there.
***
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
A good, old fashioned “B” picture for your first scene enjoyment.
EVGENY and VLADIMIR discuss when the supply plane will arrive. Outside, Evgeny is almost knocked down by a moving ridge in the ice, but Vladimir saves him. The ridge destroys shacks and machinery, and the incoming plane just manages to rescue them.
Get to know writer Jerry Kokich:
1. What is your screenplay about?
In the early 60’s, a Russian Arctic research station uncovers a horrible monster.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
We need a good, entertaining, popcorn movie, and this is it!
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Midnight movie!
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Raiders of The Lost Ark!
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
On and off, three years, more off than on.
6. How many stories have you written?
Six books, two published, a number of short stories, three audio dramas, several screenplays, four or five low budget filmmaking articles, a ballet blog, five scripts for a Doctor Who parody series I produced, and eight for an unproduced comedy scifi web series.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I knew a former Navy intelligence officer, who was actually stationed in the Arctic, who told me stories. Not about any monsters…
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I ran into writer’s block about the ending, which I usually get first when I start a story. I’m going back and forth between a couple of endings.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I was a ballet dancer with The Joffrey Ballet, and I teach in Los Angeles. I’m very passionate about my students and their development.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I felt this first scene was one of my better ones, and I needed some feedback, so when I found about wildsound’s contest, I thought, here’s a golden opportunity!
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Never assume a woman is pregnant. Seriously, though, keep writing. Keep writing everything. Screenplays, short stories, poems, articles, blogs, everything. Writing is like anything: you have to do it to get better at it.
***
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
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