Interview with Screenwriter Travis Darkow (HOW DID WE GET HERE?)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Travis Darkow: It’s about two lazy best friends who desperately want out of their jobs, but don’t really have any ambitions or talent. At it’s core I think it’s really about the dreamer in all of us who fantasize about a better job and a better life, just layered with ridiculous and sometimes (most of the time) over the top situations.
-Travis

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Comedy

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

We feel that this premise and these characters have so much potential to make a solid half hour comedy series. following these two guys who, over time will grow up in some ways, and hilariously stay the same in others, paired with our weird sense of humor, could lend itself to a quirky little series of misfortunes as well as triumphs for these two characters.
-Travis

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

Absurd and Absurd

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

The Nightmare Before Christmas or The Sandlot
-Travis

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

We came up with the general idea about 4 or 5 months ago, and a week after we came up with the idea we had the first draft of the pilot done. We are currently working on the second draft using the suggestions and insight we got from you guys.
-Travis

7. How many stories have you written?

I’ve written around 15 to 20 short scripts, some of which I took and shot myself as short films, others I’m working on getting produced. I have been getting great feedback and interest from the festival circuit with 4 or so of my short horror screenplays. I am also working on a handful of original feature length screenplays as well.
-Travis

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

It changes day to day, but if I had to choose I would probably say Everlong by Foo Fighters
-Travis

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

Honestly the pilot script flowed pretty easily once we locked down the idea of what we wanted to do. Pretty much everything in the pilot comes from our weird sense of humor and even jokes we have. It felt very natural, because it was basically writing down the ridiculous way we think and joke with each other. Once we get going it’s tough to stop us.
-Travis

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

I am passionate about all types of writing, I write poetry and short stories. But I am very passionate about directing and actually going out and shooting short films, even if they’re just little no budget movies that hardly anyone will see. I’m obsessed with the entire process, from one tiny idea, to writing it out, shooting it and then editing it all together. It’s truly my passion. I also just love to spend time with friends and family, and I love to make music as well.
-Travis

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

It’s been fantastic, I absolutely love FilmFreeway. It’s so user friendly and helpful to be able to see and manage all of your projects through one platform. nothing but good things to say about it.
-Travis

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

We just wanted to get our idea for this series out there, and try to get feedback on what works, what doesn’t work, what can be tweaked, and we have gotten really great feedback so far. It’s always nice to get feedback where you can tell the person actually read your script and put some effort in to their thoughts on the project. Unfortunately that’s not always the case with responses from film festivals, but your guy’s feedback has been excellent, and we’re excited to send in the 2nd draft as soon as it’s done.
-Travis
 

‘Geraldine Hall’ is a Gothic Horror Fiction script, that emphasises on the unease of two orphan children, a brother and sister, as they’re adopted to Geraldine Hall, and the terror into which it quickly changes.

CAST LIST:

Charlie: Liam Kinahan
Stuart: John Leung
Narrator: Adrian Currie
Miss Bethany: Anjelica Alejandro
Mary Ann: Mandy May Cheetham

Submit exclusively via Film Freeway: