1. What is your screenplay about?
My screenplay is a spec episode of Bob’s Burgers and it is a father/son story about always free-spirited Gene becoming a vegetarian and Bob, who owns a burger restaurant, disapproving and trying to get him to change his mind. Meanwhile, a new chicken restaurant has opened down the street and Linda has been going there in secret to not upset Bob. In a way, it’s all about trying not to hurt Bob’s feelings and him dealing with his crazy family around him-like the entire show!
2. Where does this script fit into the context of the TV series?
My script is a typical episode of the series and can take place pretty much any point in the later seasons. There is a continuity with the show that isn’t grand due to it being an episodic show, but this episode takes place after they first met characters like Hugo and Ron in the first episode, and Randy in the third episode of the first season. It fits as it is about the family and main characters Gene and Bob and is also about food, which is what Bob is all about.
3. What motivated you to write a screenplay on the BOB’S BURGERS TV show?
When the pandemic hit, I lost my job for a few months and was on unemployment. With nothing to do, I felt like writing and I was re watching the entirety of Bob’s Burgers (which I have done a few times). I was motivated by my friend Jadon who also writes screenplays and has written many spec scripts on old tv shows that he loves, such as the animated Transformers series. This inspired me to write one on a show that I loved and since Bob’s Burgers is a show that I absolutely love and has been my go-to show, especially during the pandemic, I thought of stories that could work in the show while I was watching it. I am a vegetarian, which motivated me to do an episode about vegetarianism and what would happen if Bob had to face that, being a meat chef. I thought Gene would be the perfect person to do so because of how spontaneous and highly motivated he gets with the most random things.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Bon Appetit!
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
That would probably be Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. I have seen it (along with all the others) multiple times throughout my life and it’s not my favorite of the Star Wars films, but it is the one that you start with. I watched it many times before Episode III was released in 2005 and it’s the one I show all my friends to get them into Star Wars, having them promise they would watch “at least one”. I also graduated with a degree in Film, Television, and Media Arts and in my film classes, we watched this one many times. I think I’ve seen it maybe over 20 times in my life due to how often it has come up!
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I’ve been tinkering with this screenplay for two years now but the bulk of it was written in 2020. Screenplays are never finished until they are produced into a film, TV episode, show, etc. so I’m still working on it!
7. How many stories have you written?
I have written about 15 different short scripts of various length, some short films, others short plays. There’s so many I always keep forgetting some! I have written two feature-length screenplays (the second I am proud of, the first not so much) and am working on a third that I am also really liking. This is actually the first time I wrote a television episode and I would love to do more!
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Once in a Lifetime by The Talking Heads. I love it and David Byrne keeps improving on it with every live version throughout his life.
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Determining a main character of the family was an obstacle. It was somewhat difficult to determine which of the characters was going to become vegetarian. It came down to Gene and Tina and at some point it was going to be the both of them. Trying to figure out the screenplay format of the show was a challenge as well, albeit a very fun one! Also, making sure each character had enough to do was an obstacle as well. I’m still working on incorporating Tina more as I love her!
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I love movies and watching films in the theater. My favorite films are my favorite stories but I also really love how great a film can look with cinematography and visual effects. Film preservation is also a passion, I adore when they restore an older film for Blu-Ray or (now) 4K Ultra HD and how they clean it up for future generations. Collecting movies on Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD is a passion as well, I have about 300 movies/TV shows in my collection and it continues to grow!
Mental health is also a passion. I always try to normalize it among my family and friends and say it’s okay (and necessary!) to open up and talk about your issues and/or disorders. Making sure the people I love and the people around me get the help they need is a passion and helping them is something I never back down from.
I also adore hiking and the outdoors as well as animals. Spending time with nature is always relaxing and it’s even better with my dog. There’s something so calming about sharing a bond between you and a pet-no words, just love.
11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
This is the second time I have won something on FilmFreeway and they have offered many festivals and competitions that have helped me improve one of my feature screenplays! The feedback I get from them is always wonderful and super helpful, even if I don’t place. It’s been a great way to find competitions and get my work out there.
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I saw that this was a festival that accepted spec scripts (not all festivals do) and that made me perk up as I was proud of this one. I also saw that it was all about feedback and that made me want to send it in right away to see if it was as good as I thought it was or if it needed work. The initial feedback was extremely positive, which gave me a much needed moral boost, and the criticisms/suggested ways to improve the script I thought were very helpful and interesting. Though WILDsound called this “one of the best specs out there”, I’m still trying to make it better thanks to their advice!
Watch the Screenplay Reading:
Bob must contend with Gene going vegetarian and his wife snacking at a new rival restaurant
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Elizabeth
Linda: Val Cole
Bob: Shawn Devlin
Gene/Teddy: Steve Rizzo
Tina/Louise: Kyana Teresa
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Matthew Toffolo's Summary 