What is your screenplay about?
“Solstice” is written along the lines of films like “April Fool’s Day” and “Wicker Man.” The story is about Angela who tries to overcome her fear of death while friends from her past are being murdered around her. Which all takes place while Angela and her twin brother Peter attend a Summer Solstice Themed Reunion at Camp Julian where good friend Julius lives his dream as host and hosts nightly murder mystery dinners that retro in 1980’s slasher killer fashion. After Angela and Peter reminisce with old friends and settle in during a Solstice Feast, Camp Julian Employee Fred turns up dead which causes suspicion of what is real or what is part of the show.
As the evening continues, friends are haunted by their own fears which are heightened by poisoned hallucinations. Angela herself, is fearful of death since she found Julius’s mother’s murdered corpse twenty-four years ago, and she is chased by a hallucinated apparition of Julius’s mother. While fears are faced and others vanish, old friends meet up and accuse one another of foul play. As friends seek for the missing and others are captured, Angela stumbles upon and uncovers truths about Julius and his family then she is attacked and injured by a mysterious entity shortly after.
While on the run and to Angela’s horror, in a nearby cave she finds corpses of her missing friends displayed. Now, with time running out, Angela must overcome her own fear of death by looking death in the eyes as she confronts all mysterious entities to survive, or if Angela does not overcome her fear, she will not have the strength to defeat these mysterious entities, and she will not be at peace when the inevitable comes.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Horror/Mystery/Thriller
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The objective of “Solstice” is not only to thrill and intrigue the audience but to remind everyone how circles change. Inner circles of friends and family who we spend free time with changes over the years for many reasons. Not only circles change but people due as well. “Solstice” is important to me because my own circle of acquaintances have changed time and time again due to much. I am the right person to write “Solstice” because I once moved on from a certain circle, since I have changed, stayed focused, and I have earned over 100 writing accolades since my last day of hosting events. Every few years our circles change, but we should never forget those who inspired us along the way or who we once loved that helped us become who we are today.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Intriguing & Suspenseful!
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
I have seen Star Wars A New Hope the most times in my life. I saw A New hope for the first time during a re-release in 1981 with my dad before Empire was released. The first image of Darth Vader walking down the corridor of the Tantive IV still strikes and inspires me today! This was the first image I had ever seen on screen, I was 3 years old.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Since August of 2020
Accolades won since: Winner of Best Horror Screenplay for the Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival. Semi-Finalist in the 2020 Horror-Fest Festival, The Industry Next IV Contest, and Lit Scare Horror International Official Selection. Flight Deck Festival Semi-Finalist & Best Feature Screenplay. Of recent, Hollywood Blood Horror Contest Semi-Finalist & Award Winner. 2021’s The Industry Next Finalist & Your Script Produced Season 2 Nominee.
7. How many stories have you written?
I have written six Award Winning Screenplays since August of 2019, a total of 107 screenwriting accolades.
8. What is your favorite song?
My favorite song is Knights in White Satin which reminds me of my father in-law Phil Johnson who passed away in 2012. He visited me often afterwards in my dreams and told me we should mourn him by enjoying every tomorrow because tomorrow is something he did not have anymore. From this point we upped the ante in life and hosted events, traveled, and back to writing I went. Hence my core belief of “Embrace Yesterday, Live Today, and Plan for A Better Tomorrow!”
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Working a full-time job and writing at the same time is always a challenge!
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I am passion about traveling as well, walking trails, and taking in the beautiful sights this world has to
offer.
11. You entered your screenplay via Film-Freeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
My experience through Film-Freeway has been nothing less than exceptional!
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Feedback was extremely helpful, and I have addressed notes since and scores have gone up and awards have been earned!
Watch the Screenplay Reading:
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Val Cole
Angela: Julie Sheppard
Peter/Julius: Steven Rizzo
Fred/Thomas: Allan Michael Brunet
Amy: Kyana Teresa
Clayton: Andy Kamp
Ken: Bill Poulin
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 