1. What is your TV Pilot screenplay based on the television show Space: 1999 about?
John Koenig, the commander of Moonbase Alpha, must prevent a terrorist group, led my an old adversary, from taking over a nuclear refinery.
2. How does this future remake fit into the context of the original TV show?
The screenplay is a re-imagining of the original pilot episode.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Action/drama
4. What TV show do you keep watching over and over again?
There’s more than one: Space 1999, Battlestar Galactica (the original and re-imagined), Star Trek (TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT), Babylon 5, Stargate (SG-1 and Atlantis) and Farscape.
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
It took about four months to finish the first draft, which was 137 pages. It took another two months to whittle it down to just under 100 pages. I’m still polishing it.
6. How many stories have you written?
I currently have two feature length scripts and a one-hour television pilot. I’ve also written two episodes of Space 2099 that would take place after the events of my pilot script. I’m currently working on a comedy feature.
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I’ve been a fan of Space 1999 ever since I was six years old. Ronald Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica demonstrated to me that Space 1999 could undergo a similar makeover.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
The biggest obstacle was trying to figure out how the Moon would breakaway from Earth’s orbit that sci-fi fans would perceive as feasible.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Keeping up with current events is important to me because it helps me to understand the world at large, which helps with my writing.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I found the festival’s website as I was looking for screenplay contests that I could enter. I was impressed with the testimonials from past contestants. Watching a couple of past readings also had an impact. The feedback I received was incredibly helpful.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Never give up. Writing takes time, patience and research. Enter into as many contests as possible, especially ones that offer quality feedback, like the Fan Film Festival.
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
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
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
NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
BATMAN – Steve Shand
JOKER – Brett Kelly
RIDDLER/NIGMA – Scott Beaudin
SCARECROW – Kunal Jaggi
HARLEY – Aidan Black Allen
Get to know writer Andrew Akler:
1. What is your screenplay about?
Batman heads to Arkham Asylum when he hears that The Joker has escaped and staged a takeover. As he progresses through the asylum, Batman fights through a host of villains that challenge him in a different way. This forces Batman to examine parts of himself and eventually come to a shocking realization. My goal was to take the audience on an almost “standard” Batman crusade, while introducing the psychological elements until we land on that twist at the end. I wanted to give you the Batman we all know and then take all that away while keeping it all justified.
2. Why does this screenplay fit into the overall Batman series?
There’s always been suggestions to Batman being just as crazy as his Rouges Gallery. The Arkham Asylum graphic novel hints at this. I actually see my story fitting in well in the Arkham game series universe, as I envision the characters in a similar way. For me, Bruce’s sanity has always been the underlying question of Batman.
3. This story has a lot going for it. How would you describe this Batman short in two words?
Wicked and Twisty.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
I think it’s a tie between Inception and The Dark Knight. I’m a huge Nolan fan.
5. This is a very tight, emotionally engaging and fun screenplay. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I had the concept in my head for a while but only started writing it over the summer of 2015. I like creating the world in my head before putting it on paper.
6. Who is your favorite Batman universe character?
The Joker. He’s what I like to call a simple complex character. In that, I mean he has all these different layers and versions to his character but on occasion, he can become the extreme of one and embody that trait fully. He’s the ultimate king of mischief
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I’ve always loved how each of Batmans’ villains have psychological disorders. There have always been references to Bruce having some of his own which is what drives him to be Batman, but I wanted to take that idea to the extreme and explore what it would be like if Bruce actually had all these disorders that he sees in his villains.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I always tend to think a few steps ahead of what I’m doing so I kept thinking about budget and how on earth we would be able to make the story look convincing. That prevented me from writing certain sequences that I feel really made the story stronger. I had to learn to write for the story.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I love music. I started out composing for film and gradually moved into writing and then directing. I’ve directed three films since 2013 and plan to pursue that as well as composing.
10. What influenced you to enter the Fan Fiction Festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
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.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Just write. Even if it sounds forced or stunted, just get the ideas on paper. Don’t worry about budget or shooting, otherwise it will distract you from crafting the best story possible. Always focus on the story first.
Watch the FAMILY GUY Winning TV SPEC Performance Reading by Dave Chan
SYNOPSIS:
Peter Griffin must find a way to get back his foreclosed house when Lois threatens to leave him for good. Meg falls in love with a new student at school who doubles as a heroin drug lord, and Stewie corners the market on Cheerios by pushing the popular breakfast cereal to addicted toddlers.
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Lorry Ayers
PETER – Adam Martignetti
LOIS – Marsha Mason
STEWIE – Dan Cristofori
BRIAN – Allan Brunet
CHRIS/PHUC – Geoff Mays
MEG – Victoria Kucher
Deadline: FAN FICTION FESTIVAL
Submit a classic TV show, movie series, or iconic franchise screenplay. https://fanfictionfestival.com/
Watch winning stories and movies showcased at the Writing and Film Festival in this genre: Short, Feature, TV Screenplays. Short Stories. Novels. Stage Plays. Poems. Stories from festival made into videos.
Feature Screenplay Reading – SHOOTING STAR
September 2014 Reading
Written by Richard Harrison
SYNOPSIS:
When the love of your life has the keys to your heart and the keys to your money, it’s hard to kill her!
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Becky Shrimpton
KELLY – Andrew Farr
QUAID – Dan Cristofori
CASSIDY – Shailene Garnett
CRAWLEY – Lucas James
RON PICKMAN JR. – Rob Stone
VARIOUS ROLES – Anjelica Alejandro
1ST SCENE SCRIPT – 66 WEST
December 2013 Reading
Written by Christopher Willis
SYNOPSIS:
In 1934, a fourteen-year-old girl dreams of the riches and lifestyle of Hollywood. When her pitiful dustbowl life is destroyed by a tornado, she follows her dream west on Route 66. Two men chase after her: a retired sheriff who believes in her innocence and a brutal gangster determined to even the score with her for killing his brother. With a little help from friends made along the way, she reaches Hollywood and finds out that her real life is much richer than the one she dreams about.
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Judy Thrush
MILLIE – Christina Santos
PA/ROGER – Jerald Bezener
MA – Angelica Alejandro
MR. BROWN – Luke Gallo
HENRY – Toyin Ajimati
1ST SCENE SCRIPT – THE OTHER SIDE
March 2014 Reading
Written by Barb Markusa
SYNOPSIS:
What could possibly go wrong when four of New York City’s finest rip off a Cuban drug dealer? More than they bargained for when the drug dealer and his not so bright sidekick seek revenge. What ensues next is a cross country chase full of action, chaos and comedy leading to a surprise ending.
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Judy Thrush
BRIAN – David Poon
JESSE – Andy Bridge
EVAN – Gene Abella
EDDIE – Clinton Pontes
KELLY – Anjelica Alejandro
* * * * *
Also, Free logline submissions. Festival network averages over 95K visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
Deadline: FAN FICTION FESTIVAL
Submit a classic TV show, movie series, or iconic franchise screenplay. https://fanfictionfestival.com/
Watch the Original Performance Reading of HANNIBAL by Ibba Armancas
SYNOPSIS:
Hannibal Lecter’s attempts to leave the country are thwarted when Jack Crawford pulls him into a politically charged case that leaves children robbed of their hands, tongues, and eyes. Meanwhile, successfully framed for Lecter’s murders, Will Graham negotiates how much of himself he’s willing to compromise in order to get back at the man that destroyed his life.
CAST LIST:
NARRATOR – Becky Shrimpton
HANNIBAL LECTER – Scott McCulloch
WILL GRAHAM – John Tokatlidis
JACK CRAWFORD – Donovan Hardy
MASON VERGER – Tyson Vines
ALANA BLOOM – Kassandra Santos
BLANCHE – Amanda Mona Weise
Get to know writer Ibba Armancas
1. Why is your episode just as good as the episodes written for the show?
Hannibal is a thematic, dark, and intelligent show that thrives, very literally, on the devil in the details. Like the best Hannibal episodes, “Honesuki” carries allusions both to the works of Thomas Harris, as well as the classical obsessions of Lecter. From the image of a shrike-gutted starling on B.H.C.I.’s chain-linked fence, to tableaux of living children made into caricature’s of Shakespeare’s Lavinia, to Harris’ famous maroon envelopes penned in Will’s hand instead of Hannibal’s, every scene in “Honesuki” not only connects to what has gone before it, but introduces fresh concepts and cultured horror.
Even the title is loaded with reference and metaphor. “Honesuki” pays homage to season two’s “Kaiseki” (which had only just been announced when the spec was written), but also foreshadows Will’s transformation from victim into predator. In season one, episode titles were based off French dishes, presumably alluding to people Hannibal killed, served, and ate. My season two concept was that all titles would be based on knives, and be representative of Will’s ascension from hunted to hunter, as well as Hannibal’s transformation from chef to butcher. Within the script itself, Hannibal uses a Honesuki while preparing fish (an animal commonly associated with Will), while having a conversation with Alana Bloom that not only introduces the Japanese influences of his past, but discusses ancient knife-making as a metaphor for what he has done to Will Graham, and why.
My spec stays true to the twisted flavors of the show, while introducing it’s own set of gruesome specifics. As the episode draws to a close and a noose begins to tighten around both the necks of Hannibal Lecter and Jack Crawford, “Honesuki” leaves readers shocked, satisfied, and anticipatory for what will happen next.
2. How long have you been writing screenplays?
I started writing screenplays in 2010, and have pretty much never stopped.
3. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Honestly, probably The Lion King. As a kid, I wore out the tape. That, or The Secret of NIMH. As an adult probably Thank You For Smoking, Pan’s Labrynth, and Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang. I was always more of a reader than a watcher growing up, so while I do keep up with movies these days, I don’t tend to do a lot of repeat viewings unless a piece has a ton of nostalgia value or really moves me.
4. What artists would you love to work with?
Too many! I’m a writer/director, so I’ve got a list of actors as long as my arm that I’d be over the moon to work with. Idris Elba, Natalie Dormer, Gina Torres, Danny Pudi, James Callis, Enver Gjokaj, Christina Hendricks just to name a few, and of course, I think both Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy are absolutely phenomenal. As for directors, Steve McQueen, Quinton Tarantino, Joss Wheadon and Bryan Fuller; all for very different reasons.
5. How many stories/screenplays have you written?
I’ve written five feature screenplays (and a half), the Hannibal spec script, am in the middle of writing an original pilot, and have about twelve short scripts. When I was sixteen I wrote a pretty terrible novel, and a lot of self-indulgent science fiction. I always believed if I wrote enough quantity, eventually, I might end up hitting quality.
6. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years?
In a perfect, magical universe I’d love to be working as a show-runner, directing another feature film, or writing for groundbreaking television. I truly believe in the power of stories, and want a chance to bring as many of them into the world as possible.
7. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?
I tend to write a detailed outline that includes character arcs, structure arcs, thematic arcs, and motifs, then sit down and bang out a ‘draft zero’ where all the flaws can percolate to the surface. Then I yammer someone’s ear off about it, shoot out a couple more drafts, rinse and repeat until the structure and characters read the way I want. Then I make a dialogue and prettification pass, get some actors/friends together for a read, and call it done. Nothing is ever as good as the first time I get to write ‘the end’ though.
8. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
How to choose! Well, I was raised by a group of historical sword-fighters, so I’ve always loved history, battle theories, and how old-school political intrigue continues into the present. As I sci-fi nut, I also try to keep on top of Space X/NASA/space missions in general, and any theories or breakthroughs that might mean I can finally get that flying car or fight through that horrifically awesome dystopia. Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku is a favorite read of mine.
That said, people are probably my biggest passion. Everyone’s got a story, everyone has some sort of adventure to take you on, and getting to figure out who and why we all are is something I work on everyday.
9. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Script Contest?
I saw the WILDsound contest literally on the last day to submit, which happened to be the day I finished the final draft of my Hannibal spec. If felt like kismet, so I did it.
10. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Never stop living. I know a lot of writers who get caught up in the minutiae of creating a perfect piece, and stop accruing new stories and the passion with which to feed them. If you can seek out the interesting stories in your own life, they can’t help but enrich your writing.
FAN FICTION Film and Writing Festival 