This week’s Writing Festival will be showcasing the best of HEROES. We are excited to be performing an original fan fiction screenplay of Star Wars. We are also reading a superhero TV Pilot, plus a drammatic short film.
Here are the details of the screenplays that will be showcased:
The following screenplays will be performed by professional actors, edited, and then posted online a week following. They will be part of the May 2016 screenplay winners.
#1 – Fan Fiction Feature: Star Wars Episode 1: The Redemption of Skywalker, by Brian O’Flaherty
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Synopsis: Some stories are too important, some stories must be retold. The story of Anakin Skywalker will be molded between the pressure of separate forces vying for his soul, which will determine the fate of the galaxy.
A failed comedian makes a deal with the Devil to switch places with the Vegas star who stole his act!.
Interview with Jaime Medina:
1. What is your Twilight Zone fan fiction screenplay about?
It’s about a failed comedian who makes a deal with the Devil to switch places with a Vegas star who stole his act.
2. How did this screenplay fit into the context of the TV show?
I think it would fit right in nicely, especially in the first few seasons.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Envy kills.
What TV show do you keep watching over and over again?
Twilight Zone and classic Star Trek. Those are two of my favorites!
What is your all-time favorite Twilight Zone episode?
I’d have to say the Christmas episode, “Night of the Meek” starring Art Carney of “Honeymooners” fame. It’s a great story that really touched me emotionally.
How many stories have you written?
I’ve written three feature screenplays and about half a dozen short screenplays.
What motivated you to write this screenplay?
Rod Serling was a genius, and a big part of why I got into writing in the first place, so I wanted to pay homage to him.
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I took some great notes from the Fan Fiction guys and incorporated their suggestions.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Family, politics, religion, sports.
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I had always wanted to try my hand at writing a Twilight Zone episode. It was kind of a fantasy of mine, and this festival made that possible. The feedback I got was excellent and it really helped me to finish the story.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Write as much as you can. You only learn by writing and making mistakes. You may write something great, then look at it later and realize you have to chuck half of it. That’s okay. Writing is not easy, but it’s worth it! Follow your dreams!
*****
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
At least 6 winners every single month. Watch recent and past winners:
****
Novel Festival – 3 options to submit. Full Novel. 1st Chapter. Or simply submit a 5 page transcript for an immediate performance: http://www.wildsound.ca/book_contest.html
At least 5 winners every single month. Watch recent and past readings:
This week’s screenplay festival is a showcase of the best of 1st Scene Screenplays, TV Sitcom Pilots, and a classic Twilight Zone Fan Fiction screenplay.
Here are the details of the works that will be performed.
#1 – 1st Scene Script – Monster Beneath The Ice
Written by Jerry Kokich
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Synopsis: A good, old fashioned “B” picture for your first scene enjoyment.
EVGENY and VLADIMIR discuss when the supply plane will arrive. Outside, Evgeny is almost knocked down by a moving ridge in the ice, but Vladimir saves him. The ridge destroys shacks and machinery, and the incoming plane just manages to rescue them.
#2 – 1st Scene Script – The Wedding Thief
Written by Brett Bacon
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Synopsis: A professional thief pilfers money from the super-rich at weddings until he is caught stealing from the Italian mob and then is forced to take a priceless work…
In the 80’s a computer whiz and former army buddy, fakes his own death to stop the theft of a then state of he art super computer. Chrysanthemum.
2. How does this episode fit into the context of the TV show? What season would this episode be in?
Probably early in the series.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Fast paced.
4. What TV show do you keep watching over and over again?
Gotham or Sleepy Hollow.
5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I did an early draft in the late 80’s and then made some changes based on the comments from the Festival readers.
6. How many stories have you written?
About seven scripts including a pilot for a series about the seventies called Turbulence.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
Homage to a great show. It had humor and great story lines. I loved the characters including Higgins.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
None really, it practically wrote itself. I did some research and tacked on an ending where the friend is off to meet Bill Gates, then an unknown computer guy at the time.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Teaching. I am a teacher at local charter school.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Very accessible. Fee was reasonable. Above all, I got the feeling that the reader was knowledgable about scripts and made great suggestions for polishing the script.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Keep writing. Be prepared to write for a number of years before you get good.
****
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
The feedback was very helpful and I highly recommend others enter the festival.
– David Minaskanian (Big Bang Theory)
Thank you for the feedback. The suggestions provided are very good (especially for page 38) and I look forward to making some revisions.
– Kevin Story (Space: 2099)
Very accessible. Fee was reasonable. Above all, I got the feeling that the reader was knowledgable about scripts and made great suggestions for polishing the script.
– David Gilbank & Paul Renhard (Doctor Who)
The Fan Fiction Festival was ideal for US Navy Cine-Kodak as the premise for the script occurs in a famous Meryl Streep film. The feedback helped enrich the script.
– Stephen M. Hunt (US Nacy Cine Kodak)
The feedback I received was incredible. The guy reviewing seemed to really understand not only scripts but Doctor Who and good, well-rounded stories. The feedback really helped me to write a new draft.
– Mark Renshaw (Doctor Who)
Thanks for the great feedback.
– Obayed Khan (Batman and Iron Man)
I know it’s often hard to get fan fiction work recognized and when I found out about the festival I saw it is a wonderful opportunity. This was the first screenplay I have submitted to a festival and the quality of the feedback was amazing. I feel like it has helped me understand further into the screenwriting craft and will ultimately help me become a better writer.
– Andrew Akler (Batman: Patient Zero)
It was a new thing I heard about and thought it was a great idea – and really wanted to hear some of my work being read.
– Glenn Magas & Dale Fabrigar (Batman/Superman Short Film)
In the 80’s a computer whiz and former army buddy, fakes his own death to stop the theft of a then state of he art super computer. Chrysanthemum.
2. How does this episode fit into the context of the TV show? What season would this episode be in?
Probably early in the series.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Fast paced.
4. What TV show do you keep watching over and over again?
Gotham or Sleepy Hollow.
5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I did an early draft in the late 80’s and then made some changes based on the comments from the Festival readers.
6. How many stories have you written?
About seven scripts including a pilot for a series about the seventies called Turbulence.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
Homage to a great show. It had humor and great story lines. I loved the characters including Higgins.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
None really, it practically wrote itself. I did some research and tacked on an ending where the friend is off to meet Bill Gates, then an unknown computer guy at the time.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Teaching. I am a teacher at local charter school.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Very accessible. Fee was reasonable. Above all, I got the feeling that the reader was knowledgable about scripts and made great suggestions for polishing the script.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Keep writing. Be prepared to write for a number of years before you get good.
****
Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Read new interviews from some of the top film crew talents working on Hollywood Film Sets today. Insightful, entertaining, and educational interviews. Emmy Winners. Oscar Winners. Director of Photographers. Production Designers. Special Effects. Editor. Costume Designers. Directors. Producers.
Get your script and story performed by professional actors at the Thriller/Suspense Festival. Get your Short Film showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival and get a audience video.
The #1 Thriller/Suspense Festival and Contest in the World today!
– 0ffers screenwriters, novelists and storytellers at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their stories read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS (see below for recent performance readings).
– Offers filmmakers to get their works showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival. Then the filmmaker will receive and audience reaction video on their film (see below for recent film festival videos)
– One of the best places in the world for the writers to sell their script and/or obtain and agent.
– No matter what happens, you will receive full feedback on your work by our established committee. No other place in the world will you get coverage for…
FAN FICTION Film and Writing Festival 