interview

Interview with Screenwriter Alan Rosenfeld (Jonny Quest: The Terror of Dr. Zin)

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Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Alan Rosenfeld: Jonny Quest: The terror of Dr. Zin – is a story of a courageous young man who’s painful past reemerges to threaten he and his family. A madman with deep ties to his past must be outwitted to avert a disaster and heal deep family wounds.

At its heart, it’s about adventure, family, loyalty, and personal healing.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Action and Adventure with a little Science Fiction thrown in.

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

I believe it would begin a fresh dialogue about a softer approach to the action genre. It will bring fresh hearts and minds to the intrigue and adventures of a young man embarking on a life guided by strong mores.

JONNY QUEST: THE TERROR OF DR. ZIN introduces a new generation to strong family ties, an acceptance of other cultures, and a willingness to learn and explore while outwitting his old adversary, Dr. Zin.

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

Thrilling and engaging.

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

Casablanca.

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

As a fan of the original work, I’ve always wanted to see the excitement brought to the big screen. I started playing with ideas for the script a few years ago. I wrote the first draft in about a month. I wrote the second draft in a weekend.

7. How many stories have you written?

I’ve written a feature animation treatment, JOURNEY OF THE VOYAGERS. It’s a feature animation that takes place inside the Voyager I spaceship.

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

“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

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

I’m dyslexic.

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

My day-job keeps me busy as a VFX Lighting Artist which I have been doing for over thirty years now. I still love to get to work and make synthetic reality with pixels every day.

I also am a great home baker and make killer cheesecakes.

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

Excellent! What a great on ramp of opportunities they have afforded us. Brilliant!

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

I needed a starting point to kick off this adaptation. A gauge on not only my ability to write a complete script but also on how other fans would take to seeing one of their childhood icons come to life again. There are many voices when it comes to writing a story such as Jonny Quest. The invaluable feedback from the festival helps me understand what other see in the story and help guide me as a young writing artist and bring the story to life.
 

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

Logline: “When a madman attempts to destroy Apollo 11, a courageous clever young man and his family must outwit their old nemesis to save the rocket and heal family wounds”.

CAST LIST:

Dr. Zin – 5 – ADRIAN CARLOS CARTER
Dr. Quest – 4 – PETER NELSON
Narration – PAOLA SCATTOLON
Jade – 5 – KYANA TERESA
Hadji – 5 – NICK DOLAN

A FilmFreeway preferred festival:

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Interview with Screenwriter Elizabeth Shum (THE GOLDBERGS TV Spec Screenplay)

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Matthew Toffolo: What is your TV Spec screenplay of THE GOLDBERGS TV Show about?

Elizabeth Shum: Beverly uses a Caboodle to transform Barry into “Bowie”, who sings-off against Erica to win Lainey’s extra Guns N’ Roses ticket – becoming “The Labyrinth” muse Adam needs to remove his writer’s block.

2. How does this screenplay fit into the context of the show?

It’s a comedy that hits all the familiar notes of the show like family comedy, emotional moments, hilarious archetypes, and the 80s era so many of us love.

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

Nostalgic comedy.

4. What TV show do you keep watching over and over again?

Game of Thrones is one of my favorite shows. It would have been easier to pick my top ten favorites because I watch far too much television.

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

It took me one week to write the spec.

6. How many stories have you written?

Eight, but I have a list of plots and outlines as long as my arm. I have so many ideas that it’s hard to choose which one to write next.

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

)I don’t have a favorite. I probably listen to theme songs or musical scores than anything else because I watch so much Film and TV.

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

None. I had to write it quickly for a deadline, but it came pretty easily to me because I’ve seen several funny but heartwarming Goldberg episodes.

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

Food, producing, art, and traveling.

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

I’m happy to have been chosen as one of the winners. The table read is such an outstanding prize because it allows us a peek into what it would be like if someone made the show. Personally, I care more about seeing my stories come to life on screen than I do about anything else.

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

I love FilmFreeway because it’s so easy to send your work out and track upcoming festivals. It’s like Project Management for screenwriting festivals.

12. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Submit to festivals and get as much feedback as you can. Then rewrite, rinse, and repeat. The rewrite is key for most scripts, although, it does depend on the genre and length. I found it much easier to write a spec than a pilot because you don’t have to create the world and find a way to introduce the characters. That’s why my spec only took a week. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer writing pilots, but they do require more rewrites than spec scripts. Having a show bible really helps me to develop my characters on a deeper level prior to writing pilots.

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

Beverly uses a Caboodle to glamourize Barry into “Bowie”, who sings against Erica to win Lainey’s extra Guns N’ Roses ticket – becoming “The Labyrinth” muse Adam needs to remove his writer’s block.

CAST LIST:

Erica – 30 – KATELYN VARADI
Murray – 22 – PETER NELSON
Beverly – 70 – PAOLA SCATTOLON
Narration – Sean Ballantyne
Barry – 64 – NICK DOLAN
Adam – 43 – ADRIAN CARLOS CARTER
Lainey – 32 – KYANA TERESA

Submit your TV Show/Pilot via FilmFreeway:

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Interview with Screenwriter Mark-Curtis Dunn (BOUDOIR CELL)

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Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Mark-Curtis Dunn: BOUDOIR CELL is about an analyst for the US National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, MD, who becomes compromised by Russian agents and is turned to perform espionage against NSA to uncover super-secret technology that the foreign power desires.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Genre is spy thriller.

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

I believe the story will entertain and educate the audience about the inner workings and mission of NSA and the threats to national security that the agency defends against

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

Sexy thriller.

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

A Christmas Carol.

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

Two years.

7. How many stories have you written?

Dozens.

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

My Favorite Things from Sound of Music.

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

Making time to write. I have a day job, a family and a household.

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

Maintaining a fair perspective on current affairs amid all the pressures and distortions that go on is a passion of mine.

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

Someone offered me a gratis entry of my logline into the Wildsound Festival. I took advantage of that and was awarded Best Logline for October or November. Then you invited me to submit a best scene for a discounted price. I’m always skeptical of the hype from a many of these script services, but I don’t turn down praise.

 

Watch the Screenplay Reading:

Logline: When a team of crack Russian agents seduce an analyst at the NSA to reveal a super-secret intel program, it falls to the Director to hunt down the mole before the loss of critical technology.

CAST LIST:

Crandall – 4 – PETER NELSON
Narration – PAOLA SCATTOLON
Daniel – 7 – ADRIAN CARLOS CARTER
Lana – 5 – KYANA TERESA

A FilmFreeway preferred festival:

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Interview with Screenwriter Mona Fuller (SALACIOUS)

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Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Mona Fuller: The screenplay “Salacious” is about a straight-laced language professor, who finds spontaneity in the arms of a younger woman who happens to be a sex worker!

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Romance, Drama.

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

This script is a relatable and entertaining subject that many will enjoy.

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

Erotic Thriller!

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

The Wizard of Oz.

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

I have been working at and tweaking “Salacious” for two years.

7. How many stories have you written?

I have written three stories/screenplays that have gained minimal amounts of recognition.

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

One song that I have listened to the most times in my life is George Benson’s “Nothing’s gonna change my love for you.” It was released the year of my birth!

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

Timing and avoiding writer’s block are some of the obstacle that I faced while finishing “Salacious.”

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

Foreign language learning for cultural purposes. I’d like to speak multiple languages fluently.

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

My experiences have been fair, the submission platform is easily accessible and up-to-date with film and writing opportunities.

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

I was influenced to enter the festival because Wildsound works hard to create content and opportunities for writers with well written screenplays. I trust the feed back received because it was accurate, honest, and encouraging.

 

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

Logline: When his wife leaves him for a period of separation, a predictable and set-in-his-ways professor finds spontaneity in the arms of a young prostitute but must decide what’s most important to him.

CAST LIST:

Madame Leide – 9 – PAOLA SCATTOLON
Narration – PETER NELSON
Brad – 21 – ADRIAN CARLOS CARTER
Canela – 18 – KATELYN VARADI

FilmFreeway exclusive Festival:

Interview with Novelist Scott Meehan (DESERT ROCK)

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Matthew Toffolo: What is your novel about?

Scott Meehan: In 2003, a female soldier approaches Major David Allan and gives him a crystal marble, telling him that he must keep it with him at all times. When he goes on Christmas Leave from Balad, Iraq, the C-5 Air Force jet is shot down in the wasteland of Iraq…and he is the only survivor.

After being in a three-month coma, David wakes up in a hospital bed at Walter Reed, his wife, Sherry, looking much younger than when he left for the war zone, at his side. Along with the television shows, news magazines, and general talk, David comes to realize that he is back in the year 1991.

History is on track just as David remembers it so he makes wiser decisions, but on the side, he takes on a fictitious name and bank account to gain wealth through investments and betting on Super Bowl and World Series winners at Vegas.
Life is flowing smoothly until he remembers that the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing is about to take place in 1995. Faced with the decision to save lives or change the course of history, David tries to warn the FBI without implicating himself of the upcoming disaster.

Later, when on a vacation in Aruba with Sherry, the mysterious girl appears with the crystal marble and gives it back to David…then walks out into the sea. When he tries to follow her, David discovers a new world as the unexpected takes hold of him in a reality beyond what is perceivable to his mind, body, and soul.

2. What genres would you say this story is in?

Science Fiction / Fantasy / Time Travel

3. How would you describe this story in two words?

Perceived reality

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

Star Wars or Back to the Future (first ones).

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

“Time Waits for No One” – Rolling Stones

6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?

“Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara

7. What motivated you to write this story?

After retiring from my 25 years in the military, I thought back many times, “What if…?” to the many paths I did not take at the crossroads.

8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Jesus Christ

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

My family, especially my grandchildren.

10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?

Broadened exposure.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

If you love writing, don’t ever quit. Write because you want to…write because you like to.

Watch the Novel Performance Reading: 

BUY on Amazon

 

Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss

In 2003, a female soldier approaches Major David Allan and gives him a crystal marble, telling him that he must keep it with him at all times. When he goes on Christmas Leave from Balad, Iraq, the C-5 Air Force jet is shot down in the wasteland of Iraq…and he is the only survivor.

Interview with Filmmaker Alex Fynn (FORMS)

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FORMS was the winner of BEST PERFORMANCES at the November 2018 Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Alex Fynn: I was given the opportunity by Red Bull South Africa to create a piece that showcases dance in the most interesting way possible. From my early days in filmmaking, I have always loved dance music videos. Dance, Music and Film provide a medium for expression. I was keen to see what would happen if you gather three creatives from each of these disciplines and have them collaborate on a project. The film is about collaboration and the immense possibility created when working together.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

It took about 3 months, from conception to post.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Audiovisual Explosion

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Time! We choreographed and rehearsed in about 10 days, we only had one day to shoot this film and then we packed a lot of post VFX in there which took some time to create.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

First of all I couldn’t believe that my film was screened to an audience in Toronto! I was beaming with excitement and happiness. You spend so much time as a creative thinking about all the little details and meaning behind every element in your film, and to see an audience from another country entirely watch your work and point out all those details and more is incredible. It has really motivated me to keep creating and keep telling stories!

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

The main message is about unity, unity through dance, unity through collaboration – so we created a world where unity is not allowed. As a young creative, you need to rise above the idea that some goals you set are not achievable. I believe anything is possible with the help of the right people. I wanted to showcase attitude and synchronicity within the performance, beautiful cinematography and realistic looking VFX to take the viewer into another world for a few minutes. The film is set in the future and is definitely inspired by my love for narratives created within games. By the end, the rebels escape and the riot police are left looking at the statement “We are one” which the rebels have set up. I leave it up to the viewer to decide what that means to them.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The 1st Matrix – I watched it so many times!

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I think the FilmFreeway platform is absolutely fantastic. It is easy to use and has plenty of great works on there to check out. Everyone I have spoken to from FilmFreeway is so sweet and helpful with a genuine goal to assist filmmakers in getting there work seen and I think that is remarkable.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Samba Pa Ti – Carlos Santana (my mom had it on repeat in the car as we drove to school each morning for years)

10. What is next for you? A new film?

I have just left my full time job to start a film production company which is very exciting. I’m currently working on a long form project at the moment, it’s a 52 minute documentary about a very popular marathon in South Africa, The Two Oceans Marathon. I’m planning to do some traveling as well and look into ways that I can work abroad for a while and gain some international experience.