Interview with Screenwriter Alex Theo Giannoulis (STASIS*)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Alex Theo Giannoulis: This is an attempt to writing my first horror/mystery script. I hope i have at least approached that. The story is mainly about infidelity and choices in life. Its also about life and how, even the fairyman himself (Jack), can sometimes fall in love with her resulting in giving them all a chance to choose the one to “go” in a weird stance of justice by the taker.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

This is a horror drama, or at least this is how I want to see it.

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

I take it as another pov of a story about infidelity involving death and the fairyman himself, with a twist-that of an alternative or parallel reality for those that indeed moved forward.

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

Love and death

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

Difficult to remember really. Pulp fiction is a candidate as it is Clockwork Orange. From the horror genre i think classics such as Poltergeist series, Friday the 13th and Rosemarys Baby could make the list.

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

I worked on this in two phases, that is for a couple of months a few years back and then i re-wrote it to a good extend again in about. a month last year. It has been on my mind in between as it is even right now!

7. How many stories have you written?

This is my first serious attempt to write something in order to be made. I have a short script made into a film, that is “Lucy”, a Greek movie filmed in Athens. I have one more Greek short script written, currently awaiting financing from the Greek Film Centre and in 2017 I wrote 2 feature first drafts as commissioned works in English. A couple of short scripts more in English though i wouldnt consider them anything worth mentioning.

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

Must have been a soundtrack or a classical music piece, opera included. This is almost un-andwerable!

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

Other ideas that kept tormenting me whilst writing this. That and the budget!

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

Reading and actually watching films. Travelling as well, philosophy and politics.

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

Quite good indeed i need to say! There a whole discussion of the connection between platforms and festivals and the parallel “industry” that is currently being created but this is neither the time nor the place to discuss this! With great power. Indeed comes great responsibility i guess!

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

My short film Lucy was accepted at Wildsound Festival back in 2016 with quite good feedback and live audience commentary so I’ve known the organisation in general. Looking forward to visiting Canada and attending live at some point…

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Drama

Logline: Jeff, his fiancee Helena and his brother Mark get lost on their way back from a friends wedding As they try to look for help they meet Jack at an eerie roadside motel. But things are not what they seem and Jack explains someone has already been left behind. They must decide who will be the one after Jack forces them to reveal a terrible secret.

CAST LIST:

Elena – 30 – Brittany Clough
Jack – 36 – Ron Boyd
NARRATION – Anne McMaster
Mark – 25 – Rhys Harrison
Jeff – 41 – Hugh Ritchie

A FilmFreeway preferred festival:

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